That's what happens when I decide to read a book instead of the internet last night.
Why is my first impression that this is the Rangers way of trying unload his contract rather than doing what is best for the team?
-- Marla Hooch
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Let's be honest kids, this has been the dullest offseason since the strike of 1994.
There's only so much you can write about pitching coaches, Gerald Laird and the new seats/video boards at the Ballpark.
I did cause a minor stir with my response on the Monday Morning Manager question about trading for Gary Sheffield. Let me 'splain: I said I'd think about it: if the Tigers paid 75% of his salary and the Rangers only have to give up a fringe type prospect (KC Herren anyone?) in return. My reason: I'm not a big believer in Nelson Cruz batting behind Josh Hamilton. There is always the possibility that the Rangers can find another alternative - say one of those players who'd sign a one year contract (that would elevate their stats by playing 81 games at the Ballpark) and increase their chances of obtaining the next Gary Matthews Jr. type contract in 2010 (Adam Dunn, anyone?) I wouldn't have have a problem with that.
Very pleased to see Jim Reeves writing again and adding to the Startlegram Blog (now listed on my links)...hope that you read TR Sullivan's wonderful profile of our friend Grant Schiller on the Rangers website (and the clever Christmas entry on Postcards From Elysian Fields with Grant, his dad Mike and some guy ... Be sure to check out Grant's interview with Eric Nadel right here....and when you are finished reading Grant surf over to the Scott Lucas list: Ranking Texas’s Top 72 Prospects, a/k/a Confirming Your Insanity In Writing
And.that's the extent of my thoughts on baseball.
Off Season, Off Topic: Aside from my crass promotion for "Life On Mars" (see the left hand sidebar of the blog) I'm also recomme
nding - "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." on the Sundance Channel. The interviews are nothing earth-shattering - as a matter of fact they are a bit scattered - but the muscial performances are sensational. The best, so far, in my never humble opinion is James Taylor and Elvis signing the Everly Brothers "I'll Do My Crying In The Rain" - written by Carole King (I did not know that). Don't believe me: here's the video. And, as always you need to watch "Friday Night Lights" starting again on NBC at the end of this month. I'm fortunate to have Direct TV and have seen most of the episodes already (except the finale - it's on this Wednesday night) - this show has come back strong this year. I like the fact that they've decided to graduate most of the cast members, and if the show is renewed will feature all new kids next season, I don't like the rumor that Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler will not be brought back as Coach Taylor and his wife Tami . .. how much do I like "Chuck" on NBC? Every time I have to make a trip to "Best Buy" I keep saying I'm going to the "Buy More".
See you at the Newberg Booth at the Rangers Winter Fan Fest on January 24th (at least I think we're having a booth)
nding - "Spectacle: Elvis Costello with..." on the Sundance Channel. The interviews are nothing earth-shattering - as a matter of fact they are a bit scattered - but the muscial performances are sensational. The best, so far, in my never humble opinion is James Taylor and Elvis signing the Everly Brothers "I'll Do My Crying In The Rain" - written by Carole King (I did not know that). Don't believe me: here's the video. And, as always you need to watch "Friday Night Lights" starting again on NBC at the end of this month. I'm fortunate to have Direct TV and have seen most of the episodes already (except the finale - it's on this Wednesday night) - this show has come back strong this year. I like the fact that they've decided to graduate most of the cast members, and if the show is renewed will feature all new kids next season, I don't like the rumor that Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler will not be brought back as Coach Taylor and his wife Tami . .. how much do I like "Chuck" on NBC? Every time I have to make a trip to "Best Buy" I keep saying I'm going to the "Buy More".See you at the Newberg Booth at the Rangers Winter Fan Fest on January 24th (at least I think we're having a booth)
Wake me when it's time for Spring Training -- Marla Hooch
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Sunday, December 21, 2008
December 24, 1968
Forty years ago - December 24, 1968 I was an 11 year old 6th grader at Our Lady of Lourdes parochial school in Toledo, Ohio. I sang alto in the school girls choir and midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was one of the biggest nights of the year for us. But that's not the reason I remember that particular evening - what I do remember happened thousands of miles away from the choir loft at the church on Hill Ave. Before we left for Mass , I was glued to the television watching grainy pictures of the most maginificent sight I'd ever seen in my young life - it was the earth rising over the horizon of the moon. Apollo 8 was broadcasting the pictures - live - it was startling. For those too young to remember - there were no hubble telescopes, or space stations, no manned craft had ever left earth's orbit, the technology that we take for granted today that sends us pictures and videos from the outer reaches of our solar system was unimaginable in 1968. This was the first time we were seeing our planet, our home, it was amazing. What made it moving was the crackling voices of the Apollo 8 astronauts reading verses 1- 10 from the book of Genesis - then mission commander Frank Borman saying: "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas – and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."This Wednesday night when I head for the 9 p.m. Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church in Arlington, I'll look up at the sky as I do every Christmas Eve and remember that night. I'll remember the enthusiam a generation of youngsters like myself drew from the space program. More importantly I'll remember the good things in my life, the family and friends that I love - the ones who aren't here anymore that I still miss - and be grateful for the gift of life and eternal promise of hope for all of us on the "good earth".
I'll be back in January (unless JD makes one of his last - minute - right- before- the - holiday trades).
Peace and happiness to all of you this holiday season -- Marla Hooch
Added 12/24: P.S. - Be sure to click on the link and read an article written by our favorite baseball writer about another of our favorite baseball friends: T.R. Sullivan on Grant Schiller
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Pictures From The Newberg Report Book Party
Click on THIS LINK to see them.
(Hint - use the "slideshow" feature - it has a full screen view and captions)
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(Hint - use the "slideshow" feature - it has a full screen view and captions)
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Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Newberg Report Book Release Party - 2008
Just a few thoughts from last night's absolutely tremendous event at Sherlock's in Arlington:
It's a good sign from the organization that they have players who do care about the fans - this was not a Ranger "sanctioned" event - all of the players who came out last night did so because they wanted to -
no other reason, including alumni Jeff Zimmerman who must have a soft spot in heart for the NMLR because he flew in from Canada to attend last night – Jeff is still one of the nicest, most humble and gracious players I’ve ever met. Taylor Teagarden is always a class act. Last night was the first time I met Derek Holland – he’s quite a character – and I mean that in good way. Chris Davis is the new mainstay of the Newberg events, great with the fans and always provides a highlight worthy answer during the Q&A. By the way – if the baseball thing doesn’t work out- Holland and Davis might be able to carve out a career as a comedy team. What can I say about Michael and Cristina Young? I get very frustrated reading Ranger bloggers and national pundits who only look at age and stats when talking about Michael Young. If baseball were just a game of numbers it would be played on a computer – but thank God it isn’t, it’s played by terrific guys like Michael Young – who add so much more on and off the field that it can’t be counted by any stat head’s numbers.
And speaking of those fans - I hope Ranger management is aware that they have a very loyal and appreciative fan base in spite of the rough road we've traveled since 1999. I know those of us who work with Jamey on the Newberg report truly appreciate all of your support and we are humbled by it. We are very glad that we're able to host events like this for Ranger fans.
A special personal thanks to Baseball Mom and Mrs. Schmenge who helped out the bo
ok table with me (I’ll have Mrs. Schmenge’s pictures online – soon!) and to Mike and Grant Schiller who also helped out at the book table – they are truly team players . As always - thanks to Jamey for letting me ride along - it's been a great 10 years!
The book release party is always a good finish to the season - and this was one of better finishes to an encouraging season across the entire organization. Let me close with one of those tired cliche's, after last night I keep thinking: "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades"
116 days until Opening Day -- Marla Hooch
It's a good sign from the organization that they have players who do care about the fans - this was not a Ranger "sanctioned" event - all of the players who came out last night did so because they wanted to -
no other reason, including alumni Jeff Zimmerman who must have a soft spot in heart for the NMLR because he flew in from Canada to attend last night – Jeff is still one of the nicest, most humble and gracious players I’ve ever met. Taylor Teagarden is always a class act. Last night was the first time I met Derek Holland – he’s quite a character – and I mean that in good way. Chris Davis is the new mainstay of the Newberg events, great with the fans and always provides a highlight worthy answer during the Q&A. By the way – if the baseball thing doesn’t work out- Holland and Davis might be able to carve out a career as a comedy team. What can I say about Michael and Cristina Young? I get very frustrated reading Ranger bloggers and national pundits who only look at age and stats when talking about Michael Young. If baseball were just a game of numbers it would be played on a computer – but thank God it isn’t, it’s played by terrific guys like Michael Young – who add so much more on and off the field that it can’t be counted by any stat head’s numbers.And speaking of those fans - I hope Ranger management is aware that they have a very loyal and appreciative fan base in spite of the rough road we've traveled since 1999. I know those of us who work with Jamey on the Newberg report truly appreciate all of your support and we are humbled by it. We are very glad that we're able to host events like this for Ranger fans.
A special personal thanks to Baseball Mom and Mrs. Schmenge who helped out the bo
ok table with me (I’ll have Mrs. Schmenge’s pictures online – soon!) and to Mike and Grant Schiller who also helped out at the book table – they are truly team players . As always - thanks to Jamey for letting me ride along - it's been a great 10 years!The book release party is always a good finish to the season - and this was one of better finishes to an encouraging season across the entire organization. Let me close with one of those tired cliche's, after last night I keep thinking: "the future's so bright I gotta wear shades"
116 days until Opening Day -- Marla Hooch
Monday, December 8, 2008
Finally! Something To Write About
Since the end of the World Series there’s been nothing “hot stove” about this Rangers off-season, it’s been the “big snore” off-season. Sorry, but I just can’t get excited about coaching changes – as I wrote on the Monday Morning Manager – a pitching coach is only as good as the pitchers he’s given to work with. It will be interesting to see if Mike Maddux is a miracle worker or if coaching one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball will simply tarnish his reputation. As a Ranger fan I’m sad to see both Rick Adair and John Wetteland leave the organization – I wish them well in the Pacific Northwest (in spite of the Mariners, Seattle is one of my favorite cities).
I didn’t read about the Gerald Laird trade until this morning. My immediate thought is: there’s a fine line between trading to build for the future and dumping salary for younger cheaper minor league players. I can’t comment on Moscoso’s potential. I am simply reminded that all of Jon Daniel’s off season trades for pitching, so far, have been unmitigated disasters – let’s hope this one turns that around.
Other Matters:
Penny wise, pound foolish: It seems that Rangers ownership has become enamored of the Tampa Bay economic model – the difference is that Tampa Bay drafted and traded for talent players who succeeded not the Drew Myer and Brandon McCarthy types. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t subscribe to the Galloway/Colinshaw theory of throwing money at free agents. However, there is a difference between spending wisely and turning into a miserly Calvin Griffith/Ebenezer Scrooge type organization. It looks like Mr. Hicks is tending towards the latter, which is not good news if fans hope to see players like Josh Hamilton on this team past their arbitration eligible years. We’ll see….
Where is Lee Iacocca when you need him? I grew up just south of Detroit – the joke in my hometown was when Detroit sneezes Toledo catches cold. I am appalled at the arrogance of both the executives and UAW approach to the auto industry’s plight, and frankly I have little sympathy for either. I’m just glad that the auto executives took Scott Simon’s advice on how they should approach Congress the second time they went to Washington to ask for a handout.
Circle Me Bert: It is encouraging to know that baseball fans are so passionate about their Hall of Fame – judging from the responses TR Sullivan received on his excellent HOF blog entry on Postcards From Elysian fields – he’d better be careful walking the streets of Minneapolis this season
Finally: from Frank Deford on the fans of the World Series champions: “If Red Sox fans are a nation and Cubs fans a support group, then Phillies fans are a pandemic”
See you Wednesday at the Newberg Report Book Release Party at Sherlock’s in Arlington – Marla Hooch
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I didn’t read about the Gerald Laird trade until this morning. My immediate thought is: there’s a fine line between trading to build for the future and dumping salary for younger cheaper minor league players. I can’t comment on Moscoso’s potential. I am simply reminded that all of Jon Daniel’s off season trades for pitching, so far, have been unmitigated disasters – let’s hope this one turns that around.
Other Matters:
Penny wise, pound foolish: It seems that Rangers ownership has become enamored of the Tampa Bay economic model – the difference is that Tampa Bay drafted and traded for talent players who succeeded not the Drew Myer and Brandon McCarthy types. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t subscribe to the Galloway/Colinshaw theory of throwing money at free agents. However, there is a difference between spending wisely and turning into a miserly Calvin Griffith/Ebenezer Scrooge type organization. It looks like Mr. Hicks is tending towards the latter, which is not good news if fans hope to see players like Josh Hamilton on this team past their arbitration eligible years. We’ll see….
Where is Lee Iacocca when you need him? I grew up just south of Detroit – the joke in my hometown was when Detroit sneezes Toledo catches cold. I am appalled at the arrogance of both the executives and UAW approach to the auto industry’s plight, and frankly I have little sympathy for either. I’m just glad that the auto executives took Scott Simon’s advice on how they should approach Congress the second time they went to Washington to ask for a handout.
Circle Me Bert: It is encouraging to know that baseball fans are so passionate about their Hall of Fame – judging from the responses TR Sullivan received on his excellent HOF blog entry on Postcards From Elysian fields – he’d better be careful walking the streets of Minneapolis this season
Finally: from Frank Deford on the fans of the World Series champions: “If Red Sox fans are a nation and Cubs fans a support group, then Phillies fans are a pandemic”
See you Wednesday at the Newberg Report Book Release Party at Sherlock’s in Arlington – Marla Hooch
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