Why Haven't You Written Anything Lately?

I had to wash my cat.
The phone rang.
The dog ate my keyboard.
I was watching the new episodes of "The Closer" and "Saving Grace"
It was too darn hot.
I had a blister on my pitching hand.

Okay, frankly speaking, the way the Rangers have been playing does anyone really want to think about them much less write about them? I know I didn't.

Plus, I really have been busy:

-- Went to New Mexico to visit the New Mexico Bean. Spent a wonderful long weekend in Santa Fe enjoying the cool weather, scenery, great food – didn’t read a boxscore which turned out to be a good idea.

--Actually attended a Rangers game with Baseball Mom and Mrs. Schmenge courtesy of the Rangers (those free tickets from voting for the Ranger All-Stars) and they won – beating the Tigers 9-1. It was a gorgeous cool evening. The highlights: (besides the five Ranger home runs) seeing the lovely Kate Schiller during the Birthday Parade on video screen.

Last month the Rangers could not sweep a series – they always seemed to win two of three each time – while this month it’s just the opposite – they are staving off being swept – usually winning at least one game during a series which is a small comfort I suppose.

-- Watched some of the Olympics – when I was a kid I remember being glued to the television during the Summer Olympics, but these days the saturation of televised sports has made me less and less interested. I’ve reached one conclusion from the Bejing games: Michael Phelps is a terrific athlete – but nobody and I mean nobody ever looked better in a swimsuit than Mark Spitz.

Since the last blog entry: Haven’t changed my mind: still contend change for the sake change is not necessarily the answer to the Rangers pitching woes.

The team ERA since the Connor/Chiti departure is 6.42 (112 ER in 157 IP).

Once again, just my opinion: it’s not about the coaching – it’s about the quality of the pitcher you are working with. I defy anyone to prove that from the Spring Training proposed rotation of Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Jennings and Gabbard there was a bona fide “front of the rotation” #1 type pitcher. At best, based on performance (not potential), it was workhorse type rotation with enormous injury concerns (based on recent history). I don’t have to rehash what happened, but I will say that I still can’t blame all the health problems on the coaching.

What is the solution? In my never humble opinion – better pitchers make pitching coaches look good (for example: Rick Peterson’s reputation when he was coaching Zito, Hudson and Mulder in Oakland – and then after he left for the Mets – he wasn’t quite as smart).

How do you get those pitchers? See Mike Hindman’s dissertation on the DMN Blog about developing/ trading for pitching vs signing free agents.

How can the Rangers do this? Start with better scouting, find a development plan and stick with it.

What should be the plan? Let me steal a line from a comment I read:
1. Patience
2. Luck
3. Patience

The Last Word…err…. Song: From the mind and e-mail of Mrs. Schemge – a musical tribute the Rangers recent woes:

“Mama Mia and Vincent Padilla”

(with apologies to ABBA – set to the tune of Mama Mia)

I've been rooting for you since I don't know when

So I made up my mind, it must come to an end

Look at me now, will I ever learn?

I dont know how you suddenly lose the West

Even with Josh, the best

Just one pitch and I can hear a bell ring

One more pitch and I forget everything,

o-o-o-ohVince Padilla, there you go again

My my, how can you have hit him?

CJ Wilson, stop that toss again

My my, now we’re gonne miss him

Yes, Ive been brokenhearted

Blue ‘cause we have no starters

Who’s left to call to the Show?

Oh Mr. Hicks, now we really know,

Chris Young, you should not have let him go.

I've been angry and sad about the things that you do

I can't count all the times that I've said we were through

First, D-V-D – then you let them go

What more phenoms will you let slip through

Our waiting hands

You know we're not Cub fans....

Just one pitch and I can hear a bell ring

One more pitch and I forget everything,

o-o-o-ohVince Padilla, here I go again

My my, how can we relieve you?

Hey Jon Daniels, does it show again?

My my, why we can't believe you?

Eddie you have the honor

To show up Coach O’Connor

Why, why did I ever let you go?

Mamma mia, even if I say

Bye bye, leave me now or never

Nolan Ryan, fix this game we play

Bye bye doesn’t mean forever

Sing out sister! -- Marla Hooch

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In The Words Of The Immortal Roseanna RoseannaDanna

"..it's always somethin'"

There's no doubt the pitching is a problem - but who created the problem? Who traded Chris Young? Who traded John Danks for Justin Thompson...er Brandon McCarthy? Who decided to let go of Armando Galarraga? Who signed Jason Jennings? Last time I checked those decisions were made by a much larger group than just Mark Connor and Dom Chiti.

We were told one the biggest reasons for hiring the current manager was his emphasis on defense - so for the past two seasons the Rangers have been one of the worst defensive teams in all of MLB. Poor fielding doesn't help a pitcher, and the Rangers have the most errors in all of MLB with 99 errors - by the way that is 10 ahead of the next team on the list (the Marlins with 88) .The pitchng staff has trotted out seven rookie starters - the IF has 2 All-Stars and exactly one rookie, so what's their excuse? My question is if Connor and Chiti are being held accountable for the poor performance by the pitching staff - then who is going to be held accountable for the absolutely wretched fielding, especially the infield's?

Every time you think the Rangers have turned the corner and are heading down the road to being a respectable franchise, they manage to do something like what they did on Friday night to remind us all of Ranger fans why it's hard to be proud of an organization that spends alot of making questionable public moves (and I'm being polite) and reminds us with those embarassing gestures why we've been waiting 37 years (and counting) for a championship caliber organization in Arlington.

Maybe there needed to be a change in the "voice" and "direction" of the pitching philosophy but firing the pitching coaches during the season doesn't change anything but uniform numbers and names - the same pitchers who've managed the worst ERA in MLB are still in the rotation and in the bullpen. Real change is going to happen when the Rangers finally figure out how to scout good pitching, develop good pitching (and not trade it away) and most importantly keep their pitchers health. That's an organizational change that starts in offices on Ballpark Way, not just the dugout.

I don't know if firing Mark Connor and Dom Chiti was the right thing to do - but I do know that expecting them to be miracle workers with the staff they were given as well the usual impatient approach from the front office was an impossible task.

Or as Roseanna RoseannaDanna would (probably) say: "You can't make chicken salad from chicken***t" -- Marla Hooch

P.S. No blog entry next week - I'm taking a short vacation.

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Alejandro’s Alternative Almanac: Too Hot To Write

Alejandro ascends from the gardens and front lawns of your friends and neighbors to search for some shade, a lime, and a cold Corona because it’s too hot to rant too much about baseball this week.

This is the week that was: Josh Hamilton is pretty good, so is Chris Davis. Scott Lucas noted earlier this week with the promotion of LHP Beau Jones to Frisco, every player the Rangers received from the Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade is playing AA or in the major leagues.

This the week that will be: Saturday Aug 2nd at Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City is Mickey Mantle and “The Fridge” Night. The Redhawks will be giving away Mickey Mantle Bobbleheads and William “Refrigerator” Perry will be signing autographs at the game too – yeah, we can’t figure out the connection either. Wednesday July 31st is a busy night for all three lower level teams: it is “Must Win Wednesday” at High A Bakersfield – we’re not sure what the consequences are for the Blaze if they lose (we thought enduring a summer at Bakersfield was a punishment itself). Also on Wednesday at Low A Clinton it’s “Morrison Night” – we couldn’t find any additional information about exactly what that is, so we’re assuming it’s a tribute to Doors lead singer Jim Morrison with a sing-a-long to Light My Fire or Hello I Love You. At Short Season Spokane this Wednesday Night it will be “Raining Money” meanwhile for the Arizona Rookie League Rangers in Surprise it will just be plain old hot with an expected high of 107 .

The Oracle of Stadium Dr.: From Startlegram beat writer Jeff Wilson – “[Josh] Hamilton leads baseball in RBIs and – by a wide margin – in autographs signed. Just about everyone who wants one gets one, at home and on the road.”

Sometimes it’s better to keep your thoughts to yourself: Ron Washington: “ "I'd like a bona fide leadoff hitter…I'm talking about a high-on-base, steal-bases, cause-havoc leadoff hitter,” So having Ian Kinsler at the top of the lineup with his league leading Batting Average (.328) Hits (141) Runs Scored (87) and .381 OBP (in the top 10 in the AL) is a really, really a bad idea? And we don’t buy the rest of Ron’s statement that Kinsler should be batting lower in the lineup in order to drive in runs. We’d like to ask if maybe the reason Ian is having a career year is because his offensive game is best suited to batting leadoff? We hope that Ron’s wishes fall on deaf ears and recall that Ron also told us that he thought that Ben Broussard was going to be his secret weapon in the lineup this year.

The Words Of The Prophets Are Written On Subway Walls … or maybe just somewhere on the internet (Part 2): This December when the Free Agent Frenzy is in full swing let’s remember this quote from Baseball Prospectus writer Joe Sheehan “I cannot emphasize this enough: there is SO much money in the game right now that open-market contracts are all going to seem insane “

Birthdays: Former Ranger manager Doug Rader turns 63 this week. Retired Ranger IF now an Agent Scott Fletcher is 50. The pitcher who recorded the final out that clinched the last Ranger division title in 1999 – Mike Venafro - turns 35. The 1971 AL MVP and AL CY Young winner, Vida Blue, celebrates his 59th birthday this week. One of the greatest names in baseball, former Expo-Twin-Royal’s OF Bombo Rivera is 56. Finally, "The Old Perfessor" Casey Stengel was born this week in 1890 (don’t you miss seeing his picture on the Monday Morning Manager?)

Last Call: From Seattle Mariner’s Broadcaster Dave Niehaus who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend: “I’m a fan, No. 1. I’m a lucky guy. I love the game. If I wasn’t out here doing the games broadcasting I’d be out here sitting in the stands”

Es demasiado caliente -- Alejandro for Marla Hooch

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Mama Mia - Here I Go Again

Mrs. Schmenge and I went to see the movie (“Mama Mia”) hence the title for today’s very short collection of totally unconnected thoughts.

About the movie: I’m going to go see it again, and I haven’t gone back to see a movie at the theatre more than once since “Apollo 13” in 1995. The three female leads (Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Julie Waters) are absolutely perfectly cast. I’ll always think of Amanda Syfried as the haunting Lily Kane (“Veronica Mars – 1st Season") she is an adorable Sophie, and if Colin Firth made a movie where all he did was read phone book entries – I’d still pay for a ticket to see it. When (not if) you see this movie be sure to stay past the first few credits at the end – believe me it’s worth it and will leave you with a smile and song you won’t be able to get off your brain for days.

Meanwhile, back on the field how quickly things change: Last Sunday Ron Washington and his playoff talk were 7 ½ games out of first in the AL West. This Sunday morning (as I write this blog) Ron Washington is 9 ½ games out first – and where is all that playoff talk? Again don’t get me wrong – this has been a really good season, and I mean really good. It is something to build on and - if the Rangers don’t dig themselves another big hole they can’t get out of in 2009 – I won’t whine about playoff talk, but not until next year, maybe.

From the Blue Notebook: Did you check the AL East standings this morning? The rumors of Tampa Bay’s demise may have been greatly exaggerated… From last July: do you remember Mark Teixeira’s comments about how great it was going to Atlanta because they were a contender and it was a better atmosphere and how happy he was etc. etc. etc. – I’m wondering if we’ll hear the same exact phrases in a few weeks when the Braves trade him. I’m especially interested to hear him sing the praises of Boston if he’s traded to the Red Sox – the same organization that he (and Scott Boras) felt did not respect him when they drafted him out of high school...I bought a ticket to last Thursday night’s game in Frisco based on the assumption that we’d get to see Neftali Feliz pitch, but we didn't thanks to Eric Hurley’s re-hab start which pushed Feliz’s start back to a Friday road game. Instead watched a dismal 8-2 loss to San Antonio, but did hang out with our friend the great Grant Schiller (and his sister Kate and dad Mike) Grant graciously posed with the Blue Notebook for this week’s blog – be sure to read Grant’s blog Texas Ranger Trades …why did Scott Lucas’s note that there are now three players in the Rangers minor leagues named De Los Santos make giggle and recall that recurring line from “Newhart” – ("Hi, I'm Larry. This is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Daryl”)... I spend the majority of my day talking to chefs (I’m a customer service rep for food service products) I wish they were all as clever and entertaining as the Food Network’s Alton Brown (“Good Eats”). I really like the i-Tunes list from his website and noted that he too is another “space nut” child from the 1960’s with this entry on his blog: "Let me say here and now that I feel that space exploration is one of the last great human ventures. Despite the problems on Earth, in 1969 we landed on the moon and I don’t think we’ve had a better collective moment since that day.” ... The song says "the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls” I disagree, I think they are written on the Monday Morning Manager. See for yourself - check out the intro from July 14th’s MMM for a prediction about Josh Hamilton that became the truth…just daydreaming: rumor has it that the Tigers are thinking of trading Pudge Rodriguez – how much fun would it be to see Max Ramirez and Pudge on the roster as the Rangers catching tandem – and maybe that would ensure Pudge is wearing a Rangers T on his HOF cap.

The Lisa Winston Music List: the random music list named in honor of our favorite MiLB writer and pal Lisa Winston. Be sure to read her latest article on Jamie D'Antona and Mike Hessman on MilLB.com Since we’re in still in a movie mode – today’s list has the rambling title: “ Five Soundtracks: When I Hear This Song – I Think Of This Movie” -- that pretty much explains my criteria – (movie musicals are excluded)

1. “Can’t Buy Me Love” from “A Hard Day’s Night” – this movie set the standard for every “rock ‘n roll” movie and many have proclaimed it as the birth of the music video (and I won’t argue that)
   
   
2. “Tiny Dancer” from “Almost Famous” – I love Cameron Crowe’s movies (except for “Vanilla Sky”). Readers of a certain age, like mine, will know why the scene and the song reminds me of a lazy Sunday afternoon in college after one of those typical 70’s weekend's.
   
   
3. “Layla” from “Goodfella’s” – if you remember this song/sequence – it is stunning. I would love to have dinner with Martin Scorsese and just listen to him talk filmmaking. He is an amazing film historian and his enthusiasm for the subject is spellbinding.
   
   
4. “All Along The Watchtower” from “Forest Gump” – this may be the movie that uses pop music most effectively in the last twenty years. It was a toss up between this song and “Turn, Turn, Turn” - I think even if you were just a kid in the 60’s that song and the accompaying footage in the film conjure up some disturbing memories of that era.
   
   
5. “Twist and Shout” from "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off" -- and you are surprised I included another Beatles song? C’mon this is great scene and you know it.

Those are the five songs that came to mind while writing this morning, feel free to add your own list in the comments section.

Finally: In case you haven’t already noticed, the new blog entries are on the weekend now – it works out better with my work and life schedule. I’m also moving the photo galleries to a site that should be easier to access – they’ll all be back on line later this week.

Did you know ABBA were the muscial guests on one of the first episodes of Saturday Night Live singing both “Waterloo” and “SOS”? (so now both of those songs will be on your mind all day) – Marla Hooch

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About Last Night....

I think the reason the Josh Hamilton story resonates with so many is that each of us, in some way big or small, are also a kind of prodigal son/daughter looking for redemption, forgiveness or just a pat on the back.

I like what Rick Reilly said: “It [was] a bad night to be an atheist”

Amen! -- Marla Hooch

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Socrates, The Rangers, The Blue Notebook and What To Read During the All Star Break

For those of you who didn’t have to endure the Friday afternoon philosophy classes with Father McMahon, let me give you a crash course in the Socratic Method.

Socrates was a Greek philosopher. He was proclaimed by the Oracle of Delphi as the wisest man in the world – which means that the Oracle never met my brother-in-law Dr. Brad Richards (hope you are recovering quickly Brad!). Socrates didn’t quite buy the Oracle’s assessment either, that lead to his creation of the “Socratic method”. Now I could write a blog entry longer than a Vincente Padilla start on the nature of the Socratic Method – which in very simplistic terms is a Q and A with Socrates asking the tough questions - as well as a fairly complete biography of the man - but I won't because I doubt you want to read about that. But what I’m sure you didn’t know is that Socrates is also a baseball fan and has brought the Socratic Method to Hooch World Headquarters to ask the most important moral and epistemological questions about the Rangers as we head into the All Star Break.

Socrates: What should the Rangers do about Milton Bradley?

Marla: I tend to agree with Jim Reeves in this morning’s Startlegram. And while we're at it let's mention Jeff Wilson's excellent feature on Milton too. Milton’s been productive, he does bring a emotional spark that has been missing for a few years (see the unchanging demeanor of the “face of the franchise”). But more importantly even though the Rangers are in a re-building mode, they probably still need to show they are committed to keeping some productive veteran players. Not only for the (overvalued) clubhouse chemistry aspect – but also to assure future free agents who might be interested in playing for the Rangers that when they sign with Texas on a one or two year deal they are signing on to be part of the team – and not simply a “rental” player that Rangers are planning on using to stock their farm system at the trading deadline. Asking a player that you signed on a free agent contract to accept a trade and then asking them to come back again the following off-season is not a good way to engender good will and loyalty to an organization.

Socrates: Whither Hank Blalock?

Marla: That’s a much easier question for me to answer than it is for Jon Daniels. First of all, I don’t buy into the whole moving Hank Blalock to first base – send Chris Davis back to AAA scenario. Here’s why: it’s obvious the Rangers are showcasing Hank for trade opportunities, fine. Two weeks of Hank at first base isn’t likely to persuade some contender or pretender that Hank is the answer to their first base problems, teams in a pennant race are going to want the sure thing at first, Hank is nowhere near a “sure thing” offensively or defensively at that position right now. I'm not even convinced he can stay healthy for the rest of the season. Hank’s history of poor performances (.263 BA in ’05 and .266 BA in ’06) and injuries the last two seasons (58 games played in ’07, 22 games played so far in ’08) are enormous obstacles that can’t be brushed aside. If it were me, I’d put Hank back at 3rd base, period. It’s the position he is most comfortable playing, and if his offense goes back to where it was before his trip to the DL (.299 BA) –all the better. If a trade partner wants to move him to first – that’s their prerogative. As for Chris Davis he needs to be getting in precious time adjusting to the major leagues – I like what Keith Law wrote during an ESPN chat this week:

"The power is huge, and I think he'll cut the Ks enough to hit .270-.280 when he's fully developed. But that's a few years down the line. He isn't ready to hit major-league pitching consistently - I mean, on a regular enough basis - but leaving him in AAA was pointless. Someone might have gotten hurt."

Socrates: What is the resolution to the Laird/Saltalamacchia/Ramirez triangle at catcher?

Marla: Wow, you really do ask tough questions. I’m not sure, I know that some feel that the Rangers will give up too much defensively by trading Gerald. I think that Max and Salty have proven during the past few weeks that’s not necessarily the case. Yes, they both need more work – regularly – behind the plate to improve their skills (although I think Salty is really, really improving quickly) My opinion is that Ranger fans who’ve been spoiled by the rare combination of stellar defensive play and good enough (to sometimes great) offense from the likes of Jim Sundberg, Ivan Rodriguez and now Gerald Laird need to get used to the fact that most likely their catcher of the future is going to be major league average defensively – but possibly above average offensively for a catcher (think Victor Martinez before he was injured - say 2006-2007).

Socrates: Many were looking at this past week’s homestand as the possible turning point of the season with walk-off home runs, “moral” victories and one player guaranteeing playoffs in Arlington this year – is that a reasonable assumption?

Marla: Nope. Let’s take off the rose colored glasses and deal with some reality: The walk off HR on Wednesday was marvelous – it was water cooler talk for even the most casual fan through the next day. However, that moment was brought to you by an overworked Rangers bullpen serving up a 2 run homer to a .194 hitter earlier in the game. Last week Sunday the Rangers were 3 games over .500 and 7 ½ games behind the Angels in third place in the AL West. As of the time I write this blog (at 8:00 am Sunday morning) the Rangers are 3 games over .500 and 7 ½ games behind the Angels in third place in the AL West: conclusion: moral victories don’t count in the standings. Playoff guarantees from a .243 hitter? Marlon needs to consult the Oracle of Delphi, or just look at the Disabled List and the numbers of innings pitched by the bullpen and tell me what other teams have made it to the post season with the types of problems the Rangers have had so far with their starting pitching and shaky bullpen.

Socrates: Trading Deadline – Buyers or Sellers?

Marla: Neither. Although my answers to some of the questions may appear pessimistic, I happen to really believe in this team. Maybe not as a contender this year, but it’s not far away, not far at all. I believe in the youth, I believe in the veterans (most of them anyway) I believe that by leaving most of this team intact that they will overtake the A’s for second place, make the Angels and all the other contenders they face in the second half work harder than they expected for their playoff spots. I believe they will finish above .500 – and when you consider where they were at the end of last season a 7-10 game improvement is major progress and maybe the beginning of that journey to enlightenment that ends with meaningful games in September and a reason to look forward to October again.

From the Blue Notebook: I went to the White Sox/Rangers game Friday (7/11) nice night because the Rangers won, even nicer because I got to sit with old friends Lorrie and Dennis Masset (Nick’s parents) plus I got to talk to Nick (and say Hi to John Danks) after the game…I see that Brandon McCarthy is pitching in the AZL Rookie league – I’m surprised we didn’t have a press release from the Rangers front office touting the fact that he was striking out 17 year old kids (while John Danks is sporting a 2.67 ERA – fourth best in the AL) I suppose this is good news until Brandon has another blister, hangnail, or stubs his toe and winds up on the DL again… has anyone noticed that German Duran is hitting .290 in the last ten games he's played?....With all the injuries, way to few innings from starters which in turn has caused too many bullpen innings pitched on the major league team, the question has to be asked: is OKC RHP Tommy Hunter (22 1/3 IP, 20 Hits, 2 BB, 12 K – 2.01 ERA) on the radar for a promotion?... Be sure to read Scott Lucas’s eyewitness game report on the Newberg Report about Hunter’s outing at Round Rock from Saturday (7/12) and check out all of the pictures on his blog Rangers Roundup …Kudo’s to our buddy Lisa Winston’s pre-game reports from the Future’s Game in New York: Futures Game To Highlight Young Talent and All-Star Sunday (we are appropriately jealous, hope that you said “Hi” to Elvis and noted his retro/cool hairstyle)...Maybe the Devil Rays aren’t all that – or maybe the All-Star break is coming along at just the right time for them...if the Rangers don't send anymore pitchers to Frisco for re-hab starts Neftali Feliz should start this Thursday night's (7/17) home game (an off day for the Rangers).

Finally: It’s too darn hot to be contemplating philosophy, or whining about a particularly bad trade – the best thing to do the next few days between watching the HR Derby and the All Star Game is to get in some Beach Reading – or in my case the Lounge By Baseball Mom’s Pool Reading. Forget Dostoevsky, this is paperback season,and the paperbacks I’m reading, or should I say devouring , this summer are the Tess Monaghan series by Laura Lippman. My DTFC pal John “Birdy” Sweet mentioned them to me when we visited last month, and the nice kid at Kramer’s Books in DC couldn’t say enough about them – I bought two books on those recommendations – I’m glad I did. Tess is definitely a flawed herione – she’s an accidental detective who makes plenty of mistakes, has family issues and is not exactly the most optimistic person in literature – which is why I just love her – she’s a good companion on these hot afternoons when motivation is a serious issue.

I hope Baseball Mom read this entry, so she’ll know my college education that included all those philosophy courses was not wasted -- Marla Hooch

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