Jon Daniels And Ron Washington: Rearranging The Deck Chairs On The Titanic

Chris Shelton – does anyone really think this is the answer to the worst team in the American League’s problems?

We’re all just waiting for the inevitable: a new manager, a new GM and another new 5 year plan.

As I said on the Monday Morning Manager – the problems with this team are much bigger than just a bad hire at manager.

Jason Botts may not realize it right now – but he just got a “get out of jail free” card – while the rest of us are weighted down by the ball and chain known as the Texas Rangers.

Still trying to figure out how Ben Broussard, Frank Catalanotto, Sidney Ponson and Chris Shelton are part of the "plan" for building for the future (while wondering why John Danks, Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez aren't) --- Marla Hooch

The Progressive Blog

Many years ago when I lived and worked in North Dallas about once a month my group of friends would have a "progressive" dinner night. We'd start at one friend's house for appetizers and, um, adult beverages, then drive to another's for the first course - well, you get the idea -there were breaks in between each course. That is the basis for today's blog - we had our usual mid-week April storm, that means my internet service is once again offline at Hooch World Headquarters (in spite of Time Warner's assurances they were going to replace the offending piece of equipment as soon as possible). Rather than wait around for repairs - today's entry is going to appear thought by thought as I move through day - which is a euphemism for "I'm trying blog in during down times while I'm at work".

Appetizer:
I went to a minor league baseball game Tuesday night and I actually like Ranger baseball again!

Main Course:
Monster Max and the Craig Gentry Show: Tuesday night I “rolled up” to Frisco for a game between Frisco Rough Riders and San Antonio Missions (Padres). I had the pleasure of sitting with the lovely Erin Hindman (and her dad Michael) and equally lovely Kate Schiller (and her brother Grant and dad Michael) - pictured on the left. If you want a detailed report on the game you can go to Mike Hindman’s Rangers Farm Report – he’s writing daily updates again which is great news for minor league fans.

All I have are few first impressions: Max Ramirez can hit – flat out hit – I saw Travis Hafner as a Ranger prospect and I’d say that Max Ramirez is the closest I’ve seen to Haf in pure hitting ability. I’d like to see a few more games behind the plate before I can assess his catching skills – but after just one game I think that the notion that he’s another Piazza type catcher (barely adequate) is a little harsh. And frankly, Ranger fans are spoiled since we are used to highly skilled defensive catchers who can also hit well (sometimes) like Jim Sundberg, Pudge Rodriguez and Gerald Laird circa 2006.

Watching Chris Davis I wonder if other teams think that because of his high K rate in Bakersfield that is he is a Dave Kingman type “hacker” – he isn’t. While Chris doesn’t have the quite the same strike zone judgment of the aforementioned Hafner, Davis isn’t swinging away at everything – as evidenced by his increasing BB totals since his promotion to Frisco.

As pointed out by Mike Hindman – Craig Gentry’s first couple of weeks in AA have been an eye-opener. His box score line read 3 for 4– what it didn’t tell you was this about Gentry’s night: after hitting a single he moved and I mean moved fast - to second on passed ball. Then in the 3rd another single – and then flew to second on a passed ball – his 3rd hit was a bunt single – when the pitcher tried to beat the fleet Gentry to first – his throw went over the first baseman and Craig wound up at second, again. Gentry is fast, he’s fearless, he’s fun to watch – let’s see if he can keep it up.

Last few notes on the game: the San Antonio IF’s must idolize the Rangers IF – because their fielding was just as bad…this was the first time I’ve seen Elvis Andrus – he didn’t do much at the plate – but watching him in the field – I’d say that Michael Young needs to consider a position change or waiving his no-trade clause – this kid is the defensive SS of the future and if he keeps making progress it’ll be sooner than later…Rangers GM Jon Daniels sat with Minor League Director Scott Servais for most of the game ( that’s the night the Rangers lost 8-1 to Detroit probably a wise choice to skip the major league game).... The Missions Manager (whose name escapes me) was thrown out of the game and made the longest exit in history screaming at the umps…in April…in a AA game…. and the entertainment value was not even as good as a Lou Pinella blow up.

Seriously, if you want to enjoy a baseball game take the drive up the Tollway - the Riders have some exciting young players who are fun to watch and who knows - could be wearing a big league uniform soon (remember that German Duran was at AA Frisco this time last season).


Dessert:
Random Thoughts (baseball and otherwise):

Sing A Long: if you are going to the big league game on (4/25) – everybody’s favorite former usher Eddie will be singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. In case you haven't been to the Ballpark yet this season - MLB is celebrating the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" - the Rangers have fans leading the song every night - and I believe there is a "tryout" booth located on the concourse along the 1st Base Side.

Secret Message to Jean The New Mexico Bean: Did you know "Was (Not Was)" just released their first new album in 15 years?

The Future is Now: In case you didn’t get the newsflash from Jamey Newberg – 2007 first round draft pick Blake Beavan will make his professional debut with the Class A Clinton Lumberkings this weekend. And in a bit of serendipity our friend Grant Schiller has an interview with Blake on his Texas Rangers Trades blog.

If you aren’t watching the Rangers this weekend, (and I can’t blame you if you don’t want to) here are a couple of suggestions:

• The Frisco Roughriders continue their homestand facing the prospect laden Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston) while the OKC Redhawks are at Bricktown facing Homer Simpson’s favorite team, the Albuquerque Isotopes (Florida). I will be attending the Saturday game in Frisco and making the drive up I-35 on Sunday for the Redhawks. Late Edit: The weather was not "permitting" - a cold rainy morning and forecast for more kept me from going to OKC on Sunday

• If you really don’t want watch anything Ranger baseball related (and I’m sorry to say there are some who feel that way – and again I can’t blame them) the I suggest you rent “In The Shadow of The Moon” just released on DVD. Ron Howard's excellent documentary focuses on the Apollo astronauts with digitally remastered NASA photography - it will take you out of this world!

After Dinner Drinks:

Marla’s Managerial Etiquette Lesson #1: There is much discussion about Ron Washington and his tenure as Rangers manager. I am on the record as saying I didn’t think he was a good hire in the first place. It appears he will remain as manager – but even after a full year’s experience managing in the major leagues it seems that he is still making many “rookie” mistakes both on the field and off the field. There are many blogs, internet forums and electronic wags/whiners already pontificating on Ron’s managerial abilities – but has anyone offered to actually help him?

I think it’s time to offer some constructive suggestions: Please listen carefully Mr. Washington. There is a certain way to respond to the media – it’s a simple lesson Baseball Mom taught me: “think before you speak”.

Have you learned that the media types -- especially the beat writers -- are going to put everything you say on paper and on the web. Saying the first thing that comes to your mind is probably what you are used to doing – the first thing you really need to think of before you respond to anything – how is what I want to say going to affect my organization, my players and my boss?

It is often pointed out that there seems to be a “disconnect” between what the front office says it wants to do with the direction of the team and what you appear to be doing. Here’s a perfect example: Earlier this week when the Blue Jays released Frank Thomas your boss, Jon Daniels, was asked if the Rangers were interested he said “no”. Yet when you were asked the same question – you said you’d “love” to have Frank Thomas on your team – this is same response you gave when asked about Barry Bonds (when the GM again said “no”.) Think about it Ron: every time you make a statement like that you not only contradict your GM and rile up the fans – but you also put this question to the guys on your team’s roster “why do you want someone else - are we not good enough?”

Now here is how a seasoned manager, in fact the guy managing across the field from you tonight, Twins skipped Ron Gardenhire responded to the same question “ I already have Jason Kubel at DH”. Do you see the difference?

It’s a simple lesson, even a girl who doesn’t know anything about baseball can learn.

Progress complete - or maybe just starting -- Marla Hooch

To Quote Former President Richard M. Nixon.....

“Let me say this about that…”

Once again my personal thanks to Time Warner/Road Runner internet. As happens every Spring, there are thunderstorms, my internet service is interrupted, I spend days offline waiting for a repairman to replace the cover on the connection box that that always falls off when it rains. And so it goes…until the next storm.

Since I tend to be whiny let’s start with the “good stuff”.

Getting in touch with my inner artist: Not writing my blog left me with plenty of time to ride the TRE into downtown Fort Worth on Saturday for the Main Street Art Festival. Mark your calendars for next year – it’s an afternoon well spent viewing art, eating excellent food and listening to good music.

Good for German: German Duran got his first big league hit Saturday night – and if you were listening to Josh and Tom then you know that he’s giving that baseball to the father of a friend of his who passed away – what a great gesture – how can you not root for this kid to succeed?

Minor matters: Scanning the “Top Ten” lists for the minor leagues (as of 4/20) finds a few Ranger prospects prospering (couldn’t come up with a third “p” word for additional annoying alliteration). In the Midwest League – Clinton’s Ian Gac has the second highest BA in the league at .426 – while teammate Crisitan Santana (playing multiple positions) is tied for 11th with a .340 BA (missing the 10th spot by .001) – pitching wise righty Evan Reed is #10 on the ERA list with 1.50 ERA (and a very solid spot start in AA Frisco to boot).

The Bakersfield Blaze fans must be ecstatic with this year’s squad after enduring last year’s miserable showing – IF Jose Vallejo is 7th in the batting race with a .333 BA – while RHP John Bannister (recently promoted to Frisco) just missed the top 10 coming in at 11th with a 2.40 ERA followed by LHP Zach Phillips at #12 with a 2.57 ERA.

Up in Frisco, IF Adam Fox has the second best BA in the Texas League at .380 and 1B Chris Davis in spite of missing a few games with a sore wrist is 10th at .352 Lefthander Mark Ballard is 8th in ERA at 2.00 and I’m mentioning the improving RHP Michael Schlact at 14 th with 2.50 ERA (and nice note on the daily BA summary saying that he’s appears to be on the right track)

No Redhawks in the Top 10 offensive or pitching categories – although Nelson Cruz – you read that right Nelson Cruz - is 13th with a .348 BA and a .516 OBP – 16 BBs only 6 Ks. Another favorite – RHP Doug Mathis is 1st in IP with 26 –(and a decent 3.12 ERA).

Clinton Lumberkings: I want to point out the link in the photo gallery to Lacey’s pictures of the Clinton Lumberkings – thanks for sending them. And has anyone noticed the new Lumberking’s logo – pictured on the left – Louie the Lumberking. Did they use Jason Botts as a model for those arms?

So where have you been Marla? It’s true – two weeks into the season and I haven’t been to a minor league game yet – I am suitably ashamed and going to fix that situation this week: going to at least 2 Frisco games – with Mrs. Schmenge accompanying me for Saturday’s game – and a quick trip to OKC for a Sunday afternoon game. Pictures and game reports next week….weather permitting.

My Glory Park soapbox: When I mentioned the financing problems for Greed…er…Glory Park in a previous entry it elicited a couple of responses. Here are my objections to the development and most of the changes going on around the Ballpark.

As noted, Rangers ownership had the options to develop the land around the Ballpark from the time the bond issues passed in the early 1990’s – the previous ownership group (W, Tom Schieffer, Rusty Rose et. al) chose not to do anything. When Mr. Hicks bought the team in 1998 he didn’t exactly do much of anything – except sell off part of the general parking area - making it more difficult for non-season ticket holders to find nearby parking. Again as noted Mr. Hicks waited until the football stadium was approved to begin his development plans.

Let me point out a few things:

1st – When the football team moves its games to Arlington its going to be 9 regular season games per year – and maybe a couple of playoff games – that is a possibility maybe 10 calendar days during the 365 day year that the football crowds will come out to Arlington. So Mr. Hicks was more willing to invest in 10 days a year – rather than the 81 days his team is in Arlington? What does that say about what Mr. Hicks thinks of his team’s fans and what they are willing to spend? Not much in my opinion.

2nd – Addressing specifically the closing of the 2 restaurants on Copeland Rd. I think it’s interesting that the owners of Joe’s Crab Shack, Red, Hot & Blue and Pappadeaux’s – who are affected the same way by the street closures – didn’t pack up and leave. That speaks more to the kind of businesses that Mr. Hicks and his development partners are recruiting – maybe they don’t have the same kind of financial stability - how much “slow business” will these other business establishments be able to withstand during the football and baseball off days/off seasons if established brands like the Mexican Inn and Shady Oaks can’t handle it?

3rd - What Mr. Hicks and Glory Park planners are trying to emulate – (the area around the AAC) won’t work in Arlington. They are trying to create an urban setting in a suburban environment - -- I’ll say it right now: it will fail.

The fact is that Arlington isn’t really a suburb at all – it’s a small city that is 25 miles from downtown Dallas/Fort Worth which is at least a 45 to 55 minute drive from North Dallas (on a good day with no traffic hassles). There is no public transportation available.

Think about it – if you live off Arapaho Rd. are you going to say – "hey let’s drive 45 minutes to Arlington for dinner at a chain restaurant and a movie" on an off day – when that same chain has a place 10 minutes from your house right off the Tollway at Stonebriar Mall and a movie theatre too? Especially with gas prices heading towards $4.00 per gallon? Right now – weeknight games coming in from Dallas or Ft Worth it is still a push to get there by 7:00 between leaving work, picking up family and friends, parking almost to I-30 and walking to the stadium – do you really think those folks (many of whom don’t even stay beyond the 8th inning on weeknights) are going to hang around after the game when that means getting home long after midnight when they have to get up the next morning for work?

4th – The development plans I’ve seen, including the video board is just trashy and ugly in my opinion. The first tenant I’ve read about (in the Star Telegram) is a bowling alley with a movie screen – classy.

And hanging a video board on outside of the Ballpark, is utterly useless. As mentioned before – folks coming in for Ranger games have a long drive – they barely get there in time for the game most nights – they aren’t going to hang around before or after the game just watch a video board. And again – this is not an urban setting in the middle of downtown – no-one is going to pay $12.00 for parking just hang around in 90 degree weather on a Tuesday night just watch a video board. Mr. Hicks would be better off putting that video board inside the stadium for the hard working non-corporate folks who buy tickets in the home run porch.

Yes, I’ve heard there are plans for building townhouses and condo’s around the Ballpark – and how is the real estate market doing these days? Let me also point out the same exact thing was was promised (townhouses and condos) for the area around the Frisco Roughriders Ballpark in 2003 and so far – not one unit has been built.

Speaking of trashy – the Six Shooter Girls are an embarrassment. You can’t understand a word of the interviews they do on the jumbotron, the “game rules” they read are so stiff and forced it makes me cringe everytime it’s shown – and my gosh – if you’re going to spend that much money on them and put them on the dugout to dance then hire a freakin’ choreographer. At least the dancing ushers (who I really miss!) had a routine planned out and looked like they were having fun. These girls stand around and when they do move they are uncoordinated and have no idea what they are doing. Like I said – embarrassing.

Last word on “development”: What do I think Mr. Hicks should do with his money instead of Glory Park?

1. How about putting a roof on the Ballpark – yeah that’s right – blasphemy right here. You want to put more fans in seats – make it comfortable – give them a reason to drive out on hot July night and stay for the whole game – and maybe they’ll want to come out again because they won’t dread the misery of sitting in the heat. A side benefit: maybe your players won’t wear down as fast and maybe a few free agents will be more interested in coming to Arlington.

2. Use whatever influence you have to get some public transportation to the Ballpark. Back in the 1980’s you could take a DART bus from Dallas to old Arlington Stadium from a couple of the Park n Ride Lots. Get with DART and the T in Fort Worth and make it happen. Get something worked out with TRE to get a bus running to and from the DFW station on game days.

3. Spend some of that money on your front office – Jon Daniels needs better scouting and advisors so he won’t listen to folks urging him to make “Justin Thompson” (e.g. Adam Eaton, Brandon McCarthy) type deals – and he won’t pass up on premium pitching draftees (like Rick Porcello – have you seen his numbers?) just because of money.

For your consideration: Oakland A’s GM Billy Beane changes managers almost as often as he changes his underwear. He doesn’t look for “big” names or rising stars – it’s interesting that in all his managerial searches he never even considered or interviewed Ron Washington who was in their organization for a long time – now I think we Ranger fans know why.

Finally : My favorite feature on Postcards from Elysian Fields is the Friday Happy Hour (sorry Toby you are a close second) – let me point out this paragraph from last Friday:

“* Former Rangers manager Billy Martin: "Another club can be beating you for six innings, but for some reason the good ball clubs get tough and win in the last three."

Need I say more about the Boston series?

"I don't know a lot about politics, but I do know a lot about baseball." (Richard Nixon) – Marla Hooch

The Thursday Report Card

That's 4 hours, 53 minutes and 14 innings of my life that I'll never get back.

It was a late game on a "school night" - thus the assessment is in report card form:

Bullpen Management: A+

Comments: Every move the manager made last night worked - which meant having CJ Wilson ready to close the game - doesn't John Gibbons wish he'd had the same success? And I'm including Joaquin Benoit in this praise - if Ben Broussard hadn't made that wild throw with the bases loaded in the 8th this game might not have gone into extra innings. (See next grade)


Lineup Management: F

Comments: Ron Washington has been a big league manager for a full season plus fifteen games, and no longer gets the benefit of a doubt from us for his lineups and in game management of the lineup. Last night was the perfect example: bringing in regulars who were being "rested" while the team was leading the game and playng well - left him without options later in the game when Hank Blalock left with a sore back and pinch hitters were needed. What would've happened if Gerald Laird or one of the other position players had gotten hurt in extra innings, we cringe at the thought of Josh Rupe, or Jamey Wright having to play in the field because Washington was over anxious about winning a game during the second week of April.

Honor Roll: Jason Botts, Frank Catalanotto, Franklyn German, Wes Littleton and Dustin Nippert

Go To The Head Of The Class: Josh Hamilton

Obviously, instead of writing my blog I spent 5 hours watching a game that should have ended three hours earlier. The regular Thursday blog entry will be posted later....as long as there aren't extra innings tonight. -- Marla Hooch

The Thursday Lineup Card: Beginings And Endings

Stormy weather and rain mean intermittent broadband outages at Hooch World HQ, therefore we’ll dispense with eloquent reveries on the nature of baseball and Ron Washington’s ineffective lineups and get to the heart of the matter.

Confessions: I did not make the expected trip to OKC this past Sunday. The schedule I was working with was not correct – the start time for Sunday’s game was changed to 4:05, and unfortunately some of us have jobs that require getting up early on Monday morning. A midnight return time just didn’t fit into the plan.

Nice Day – Not So Nice Game: I did attend opening day at the Ballpark. As always Chuck Morgan and his crew did a bang up job on the pre-game festivities – special nod to the Ranger Legacy program, loved seeing all the alumni on the field.

Too bad the rest of the afternoon between the lines was not nearly as good.

However, I would like to point out that 10 years ago the Rangers lost their home opener to the Chicago White Sox and went on to win the AL West that year (the same thing happened in 1999 after Rick Helling gave up a HR to Juan Encarnacion on the first pitch of the game – and that might have been the best Rangers team ever).

The Kids Are Alright: As of the day I write this the Frisco Roughriders are undefeated, heading home for their first homestand of the season. My suggestion is if you are planning on seeing Chris Davis, better get out to Frisco sooner than later. In just 5 games he has 1 HR, 4 doubles and 6 RBI - I don’t know how much longer the Texas League pitching will be able to withstand the pounding he’s already giving it (.391 BA/ .375 OBP / .625 SLG for 1.087 OPS).

Speaking of the Roughriders, 37 year old Chris Michalak on the roster – are you kidding me?

Not So Glorious: This item on the problems with the financing for Greed…er… Glorypark from last week’s Startlegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/563251.html

Keep this in mind, the first two restaurants built on the edge of the Ballpark premises at Copeland Rd and Nolan Ryan Expressway (right under the Rangers electronic billboard facing I-30) – Shady Oak Barbeque and The Mexican Inn have already closed and have for sale/for lease signs. The Mexican Inn is a Tarrant County legend with its own following – and obviously couldn’t draw enough of a crowd to keep that location in business. I’m just wondering why the backers of Greed … er… Glorypark think anyone is going to drive out to Arlington just to hang around the Ballpark in the offseason (hey, I live in Arlington and since the Friday’s closed at the Ballpark I never go near the place except during the season).

Under the radar: From this week’s Baseball America Chat Session:

"Ben Badler: 'In our issue of the magazine that hits news stands on April 7,
we list the Top 10 POY candidates, along with a follow list of other players to watch. I'll give you a sneak peak and tell you guys that Clayton Kershaw was #1 and Travis Snider was #2. For bonus, if you're looking for a bit of a dark horse, I think Kasey Kiker is poised for a big year, although I'm not sure how quickly the Rangers would want to push him through the system.' "

Coming Up: Normally I’d look at the minor league schedule for the week ahead, but as mentioned above – the string between the tin cans Time Warner uses to provide my internet service is a little wet and won’t stretch all the way to Clinton, Bakersfield and OKC tonight. We’ll have a little more in depth information, if it's not raining, next week.

Non-Sequitor: We were saddened to learn of the passing of Charlton Heston this past weekend. As mentioned in a previous entry – he was Baseball Mom’s very favorite. While we living at home in Toledo, Mrs. Schmenge, Jeanne The New Mexico Bean and I saw quite a few of his movies, more than once.

I’ll admit there were a few them that I really liked and would recommend : “Will Penny” (with Joan Hackett - a kind of anti-western), “The Private War of Major Benson” (definite B movie comedy, that is a family …ahem…favorite), “Omega Man” (shame on you Will Smith for even attempting to re-make this one) and the best of them all "Ben Hur" (the definition of an epic movie)

Heston had a superb cameo in Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet” as the Player King (terrific, if a little long, movie overall) which appropriately brings us to the close of this week's entry:

“Now cracks a noble heart.
Good-night, sweet prince;

And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
--“Hamlet” Act V, Scene II

-- Marla Hooch

The Home Opener Special

This is one my very favorite baseball columns from the 2005 Star-Telegram Baseball Preview “The Myths of Baseball”. If the author of the piece answered e-mails, I might have even tried to get his permission to re-print it – so I’ll just take my chances – enjoy the day everyone!

“Now This Is A Sports Bar!”

“Christy Mathewson checked his NCAA bracket and cackled.

“Those plucky Jayhawks,” he said, smiling. “A scrappy bunch to be sure. They gave my lads all they could handle but the Bison prevailed.”

Walter Johnson looked at Tris Speaker and rolled his eyes.

“Matty,” Johnson said, “we’ve heard enough about upsetting Kansas. Did you even graduate from Bucknell?”

“Nah,” Speaker scoffed, sipping his beer and checking over the crowd filling into the Field of Dreams Bar and Grill. “He was a lousy drop-kicker. A glorified punter. That’s how the great Matthewson spent his time at that fine institution of higher learning known as Bucknell.”

Mathewson laughed, feeling young again in the mythological fog of time that surrounds all great legends who live forever in the hearts and minds of sports fans everywhere.

“Best not to talk college,” Johnson said. “Gehrig’s on his way and I don’t want to get him started on Columbia.”

“Gehrig?” Speaker said. “If Lou is coming then that means…”

The bustle at the front door said it all, and sure enough, there was Gehrig followed by the Bambino himself, the Sultan of Swat, George Herman, better known far and wide as Babe Ruth.

He was wearing a camel’s hair coat, and big cigar was clenched between his teeth as he waved to the crowd.

He pinched two barmaids, winked at Sonja Henie, slapped Red Grange on the back and stepped over John L. Sullivan who was passed out again on the floor.

Harold Abrahams lined up the six ball to the corner pocket, but Ruth walked behind him and gently nudged the cue stick. The shot went awry.

“You lousy son …” Abrahams said.

“Ah, and your movie stunk, too, you lousy Chariot of Sugar,” Ruth said, laughing, making his way to the table where Mathewson, Speaker and Johnson were sitting. Gehrig joined them, and Speaker ordered another round. Ruth started growling as he watched the big screen television.

“What the…is this?” he said as Annika Sorenstam sank a long putt in the desert.

“SportsCenter” Johnson said, and Ruth let loose a long string of obscenities that made Joe Louis, Bill Tilden, Bobby Jones and Eddie Arcaro look up from their card game.

“I told the dirty four-flusher who owns this joint never to put ESPN on that television,” Ruth snarled.

“Why not?” Gehrig asked.

“Oh, he’s just still mad that ESPN selected Michael Jordan as the top athlete of the 20th century” Mathewson said.

“Lousy basketball player,” Ruth growled. “Guy was a washout as a baseball player. Anybody can dunk a basketball.”

“Shoot,” Mathewson said. “Anybody knows Jordan couldn’t carry Bill Russell’s jock anyway.”

Ruth was about to say something else obscene, but Sorenstam was no longer on the screen. Instead there was Barry Bonds, on crutches, hopping his way across some parking lot. This time Ruth swore so loudly that Jackie Robinson looked up from the Pac-Man machine and Joe Louis missed badly with his dart shot.

“Now what?” Ruth barked, shaking his head.

“More steroid stuff,” Gehrig said quietly.

“Tell the truth,” Mathewson asked. “Babe, would you have used steroids if they were around back then?”

“Of course he would have,” Speaker said. “In no time flat.”

“No way,” Ruth said, protesting. “I’d stuck to frog legs and pigs knuckles and those delicious spare ribs from the House of Good Shepherd out there in Saint Louie.”

“House of the Good Shepherd?” Johnson asked, but Mathewson help up his hand and shook his head.

“This guy is gonna pass you this year, Babe,” Speaker said, eying Bonds on the screen.

“Good for him,” Ruth said waving his hand dismissively. “He ever win 20 or throw a shutout in a World Series?”
“Or call his shot?” Gehrig said sarcastically. “Babe, when gonna own up and admit you never did such a thing?”

“When Shoeless Joe owns up to the fact that he helped throw the World Series,” Ruth said.

“Please,” Mathewson said, “Don’t tell us about how you saved baseball again.”

But Ruth was still watching Bonds.

“He can hit all the home runs he wants,” Ruth said. “He couldn’t carry Willie Mays’ Fruit of the Looms and nobody had it tougher than Aaron. Not me, not you, Lou, not any of these guys.”

“No kidding,” Gehrig said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to face Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax and Juan Marichal. Plus you and I were lucky we never had to face Satchel Paige and those guys.”

“Or be measured against Josh Gibson,” Ruth said solemnly.

There were nods all around the table and clinking of glasses.

“Records were made to be broken,” Mathewson said. “The great myths and legends…they last forever.”

-- written by T.R. Sullivan (Fort Worth Star-Telegram April 3, 2005)