Deep Sigh.....

I'm betting right now Cliff Lee is sitting in front of his locker wishing that trade with the Yankees hadn't fallen apart.

P.S. Could someone please give Vlad a few baserunning tips? -- Marla Hooch

Cringing While I Type

You will never see the following written on this blog again:


This morning I love Ozzie Guillen.

As a Ranger fan you have to feel that way today – Ozzie saved the day with his White Sox defeating the Angels last night. No shame for LAA losing to a resurgent Chicago, nothing but shame for Rangers losing to the team with the second worst record in the AL.

What to do? The pitching staff, which only 2 weeks ago where the wheels driving the bus has run into a tough stretch and now has 2 flat tires (Scott Feldman and “the pitcher du jour” for the fifth spot). I suppose the catching issue has been solved, for now, although it would be nice to have a catcher who could throw out a runner every once a while – for example Travis Hafner who hasn’t stolen a base in 2 years, but managed to do so (and score from 2nd) last night. What about 1B? In the last 20 games (since June 13th) the current 1B is 13 for 74 – .175 BA with 9 BB and 20 K – that was enough to get the previous 1B demoted. Since the end of the win streak on 6/25 this is a .500 team, it reminds me of that saying Baseball Mom loves to use: “Can’t stand prosperity.”

A few happier thoughts:

Speaking of 1B – our good friend Jason Botts playing with AAA Syracuse Chiefs (Washington) is hitting .486 in his last 10 games (.321 overall) with 3 HR, 13 RBI, 3 BB and 4K.

The Closer and White Collar start airing new episodes this month, and Mad Men will return late this month too. I love the fact that cable stations actually run new programs during the summer – although it does cut into my reading time.

From the bookshelf - quick reviews: The Bullpen Gospels – is a must read –  descrption on the dust jacket says a combination of  Ball Four and Bull Durham - right on target -  (thanks to the friend to recommended – you were so right). Let The Great World Spin – set on the day Phillipe Petite did his high wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974 - it won the National Book Award last year – not sure why – an interesting book but I didn’t think it was particularly outstanding. Shanghai Girls – couldn’t put it down - if you liked the Joy Luck Club you’ll like this book – I hope there is a sequel in the works.

Finally, the Marla Hooch Entourage is heading for Round Rock this Friday and Saturday for some Redhawks/Express baseball – just in time (we hope) to see the newly promoted Blake Beavan pitch!

I’m not pressing the panic button, but I did dust it off last night. -- Marla Hooch

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Dear Angel Fans:

Now you know how Ranger fans felt every time he stepped up to the plate against us the last 6 years.

Big Bad Vlad still has something left in the tank -- Marla Hooch
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My Friend Jamey Newberg

I've been sitting here most of the evening in front of an white screen trying to calm my irrational urge to write a blog entry that I'd probably wind up deleting, this is the result.

After TR Sullivan left and Jim Reeves retired the quality of the Star Telegram sports page took a giant step backwards, today Randy Galloway and Barry Schlacter took it to a new low

For 12 years I've worked on the Newberg Report with Jamey.  I admire his passion, intelligence and most of all his undying loyalty to our favorite baseball team. 

Whatever was said and written today doesn't matter and means absolutely nothing to me.  Jamey remains one of my most trusted friends and I am very proud to able to say that.

"Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends." -- William Butler Yeats

-- Jamey Newberg's friend Eleanor Czajka (aka Marla Hooch)
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FIFA World Cup, Bull Durham and Biblical Baseball Stars

Americans are so provincial: we call all of our professional championships “world championships” – which is probably the biggest misnomer in all of sports. I remember reading a quote (I think it was Orioles IF John Lowenstein) who said something to the effect of “yes I screwed up that bunt, but there are 800 million Chinese people who don’t care if I can bunt”. The truth in that statement is that there is a entire world full sports fans who could care less about Steven Strasburg’s next start, but were hanging on every minute of New Zealand’s tie with Italy on Sunday morning in South Africa.


As a Rangers baseball fan living in the shadow of the Blue and Silver star, I’m sure when you’ve admitted your loyalties you’ve had many people roll their eyes and tell you that they could never watch baseball because it’s too slow or like watching paint dry (which in my opinion pretty much describes the NFL). It gets under your nerves when they say that doesn’t it ? You are a rabid baseball fan, you’d like to explain to them all intricacies of the game and what they are missing. Vuvuzelas aside, then you know how the rest of the world feels about soccer – they are fervent fans too. I respect that am will to admit that I’m learning something new (and enjoying) watching the World Cup too.

Speaking of respect:  these words of wisdom come from Crash Davis:

“A ballplayer on a streak has to respect the streak. They don't happen very often.”

Just as during a no-hitter/perfect game real fans don’t talk about it, players on the bench don’t mention it to each other and don’t even talk to the pitcher in the midst of one. In that same spirit I am respecting the streak the Rangers are on right now, they’ve just finished the eighth inning. By the way: announcers aren’t supposed to talk about it either – Eric Nadel never does. Can’t always say the same for our TV crew (I’m looking at you Josh Lewin).

Finally:  this biblical comparison courtesy of my DTFC pal Jeff Kabcinski:

“If Steve Strasburg is baseball’s Jesus and Livan Hernandez is baseball’s Lazarus, then Jamie Moyer is baseball’s Methuselah.”

Amen.

Thrilled, Nervous, not blowing my horn (yet) -- Marla Hooch

It's A Bit Drafty In Here

It's time....for the 2010 Draft.  The normal nonsense is delayed this week while we track the Rangers draft picks for the Newberg Report on the Minor Details page.  Tune in and see if the Rangers draft the next Cole Hammels or the next Donald Harris.

-- Marla Hooch