Baseball vs Hugh Jackman

I am faced with these questions: would I rather sit here at the computer and try to write up something on a pretty dull first week of Spring Training (Elvis Andrus wrist hurts, Marlon Byrd's knee hurt and the Kris Benson sideshow has come to town)? or would I rather watch Hugh Jackman host the Academy Awards?

Not a tough choice, especially after Hugh said this.

I'm all for drunk and nude, especially when it involves Hugh Jackman.

I'll be back with some baseball thoughts....later.



And the winner is... -- Marla Hooch

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A New Season Begins....

"Little darlin, it's been long cold lonley winter.

Little darlin', it seems like years since it's been here.

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun

And I say it's allright"

--"Here Comes The Sun" by the immortal George Harrison

As anyone who reads this blog knows, I'll use any excuse to talk about, quote and use pictures of the Beatles. The start of Spring Training always reminds me of that verse from the lovely song by the "quiet" Beatle.

It has been a long, mostly quiet winter (that is until the last couple of weeks) This is the first time in several, no make that at least 10 years that I've actually been looking forward to a Rangers season with a little additional anticipation. According to the Chinese Zodiac 2009 is the year of the Ox, and fortuitously the sign of the Ox symbolizes " prosperity through fortitude and hard work. Those born under the influence of the Ox or Buffalo are fortunate to be stable and persevering".

At Hooch World Headquarters we've decided in a simlar way to delcare this 2009 Ranger season "The Year of The Answer". No, we are not expecting the Rangers to contend, we'll state that right away. What we are expecting are few answers about "the plan"- the one that has the earmarks of "persevering and stability" . Most of the younger players the Rangers are counting on had the opportunity to get some valuable major league experience last season. That's a direct result of the "the plan" - this season should show us if "the plan" is working, can these players build on that experience and take another step forward? Can the pitching staff keep the ERA under 5.00? Can Nelson Cruz prove me wrong and hit major league pitching consistently over an entire season? Can Brandon McCarthy finally contribute something - anything? (Tood Rundgren reference for Lisa W) Will the Rangers be added to the long list of Baseball America teams that went to post season play after having been crowned the best minor league system in MLB? Who will be the first local columnist to whine about the new scoreboards at the Ballpark (that one is for Chuck Morgan - you know that is going to happen). We are truly looking forward to finding out this and much more in 2009.

The good stuff from Suprise:

• Anthony Andro's videos on the Startlegram blog "Foul Territory"
• T.R. Sullivan blogging, more than once a day, at "Postcards From Elysian Fields" (and throwing the occastional You Tube video too).
• Names on the jerseys for all players including minor leaguers: Thank You Nolan Ryan- for that reason alone - I am so very pleased Mr. Hicks put you in charge
• Four, count 'em four televised games from Spring Training and the exhibition game at the Ballpark on April 4th.
• Weekday exhibition games on 105.3 (The Fan) -we can actually get an FM station on the radio at work - and how nice will it be to have a clear radio signal on weeknights during the regular season (in parts of Arlington KRLD's signal is weak - including around Hooch World HQ)

The not so good stuff:

• No Dallas Morning News contingent - we love Jeff Wilson, Anthony Andro and Mr. Sullivan - but it's never a good thing when the media outlets dwindle down to a small group. Competition brings out the best in everyone, a variety of stories as well as differing commentary are good for readers and for stirring up interest in the team. I fear the day when the only baseball news comes from wire reporters located half way across the country just reading boxscores (kind of like reading Baseball Prospectus). Or when fans have to depend on "news" from bloggers (like me) who write their mostly uninformed opinions as facts.
  
• No local TV station, except Channel 11, is sending reporters and camera crews to Spring Training this year. Want to bet all four stations send at least 3 reporters and camera crews to California to cover football training camp in July. The local media is truly devoting itself to all Cowboys all the time (sigh)

Finally: There seem to be quite a few celebrities (and use that term as damnation, not praise) admiting wrong doing, and asking for forgiveness lately. As a long suffering product of 16 years in Catholic Schools I certainly believe in power of confession (and by the way pennace too). But I do have a question in contrast to all these nortoriously contrite types: What about doing the right thing in the first place?

"Little darlin', the smiles returning to the faces
Little darlin', it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun
Here comes the sun
And I say
It's allright."

Happy 2009 Rangers Season Everyone! -- Marla Hooch

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I Was Just Thinking About...

While we’re waiting for the First Holy Day on the 2009 Church of Baseball Calendar I had a few “random thoughts” about baseball and a few “random thoughts” about other things too.


I was just thinking about…seeing Pudge Rodriguez finish his career in a Rangers uniform – not likely to happen – but it would certainly right a very big wrong in the eyes of this fan. Don’t kid yourself – the Rangers let Pudge walk because of the hefty contract of a certain SS who didn’t stay in Texas anyway. This franchised lacks a “homegrown” HOF player - and I fear that we won’t see Pudge’s plaque with a T in Cooperstown if he goes back to the Marlins.

I was also thinking about…some “old” haunts in Dallas: the Granada Theatre – back when it showed old movies (like a Hitchcock double feature, or Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Night) … the Lakewood Polo and Hunt Club (the night we met the Police’s Steward Copeland there) …Memphis up on Beltline near the Tollway (a tequila shot drinking contest - dancing on the table – that’s all I’m saying) …The Burlington Point in downtown Dallas – enormous and delicious hamburgers, the best cottage fries in town …"Fortnight" at Neiman Marcus…Sunday morning breakfasts at the Vickery Feed Store…and Dallas Alley (the Boiler Room, Alley Cats and the blues place whose name I can’t remember)


I then pondered... the fact that Ranger RHP pitching prospect Michael Main and the star of USA’s “Burn Notice” – Jeffrey Donovan were “separated at birth”.

I’m still thinking... that “Spectacle: Elvis Costello With…” has just been a spectacular show that's kept me occupied during the offseason on the Sundance Channel. I’m also thinking after watching the episode with the “Guitar Pull” featuring Norah Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Roseanne Cash and John Mellencamp that Mellencamp really needs to record an album of Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson songs. By the way there’s a link to the video of “Me and Bobby McGee” on the left side of the page and here’s a link to another video from that show of John Mellencamp’s “Longest Days”.

Then I started thinking about…Andruw Jones. I don’t have a problem with the kind of contract the Rangers gave him. But that’s because I’m still not convinced that Nelson Cruz is the “answer” in right field. If Rudy Jarmillo can have the same kind of success with Andruw that he did with Delluci, Matthews and DeRosa – not only will it make up for some of the offense the Rangers will miss from Milton Bradley – but also the Rangers OF defense will probably some of the best we’ve seen in a long,long time (somewhere Gary Pettis is smiling thinking about that).

My thoughts drifted back to… the old Bob Newhart Show – the Thanksgiving episode when Bob, Howard and Jerry were slightly inebriated and ordering Chinese food (“more Moo-Goo-Goo-Goo”!)…a certain Saturday morning show favorite of mine and Mrs. Schmenge’s featuring Chucky Margolis ("at least I broke up the double play")... how really good Steve Landesberg was on “Barney Miller” … Percy Dovetonsils and the Nairobi Trio – if you know what I’m talking about then you know the man who created them was a comedian who was far, far ahead of his time.


I can’t help thinking... of a few more Holy Days in the Church of Baseball calendar: my trip to Spring Training in late March …the Rangers home opener on April 6th… opening night for the Frisco Roughriders on April 16th …my first Oklahoma Redhawks series – April 18th and 19th … and a trip to Sapporo Japan this season to see the Ham Fighters baseball team and my ol’ pal Jason Botts.


Finally: I’m trying not to think about... ARod and the whole steroids imbroglio. I know I’m in the minority – but I really don’t care. Whether we like it or not – at the time it wasn’t illegal – that’s not a judgment call, that’s a fact. I’d bet a large sum of money there are players who are still using PED’s today, and that those who manufacture those drugs are five steps ahead of the current testing program. All the righteous outrage is a waste of oxygen and bandwidth – we’re all guilty here: fans loved the offense, baseball owners stuck their heads in the sand in name of butts in seats while the players union went right along with it – (too bad they can’t work together like this on all of their issues). The wailing and gnashing of teeth over what happened five years ago isn’t going to change one minute of the past. There’s a testing program, as weak as it may be, now – players and owners know the media will be somewhat vigilant looking for evidence of new steroid/PED use (at least until the first Steinbrenner meltdown, Dodgers trip to New York, or McCarthy stint on the DL). It’s a Pandora’s Box that has been opened and as in the myth – once opened its miserable contents cannot be caught and put back inside. We’ll live with the damage caused by this “scandal” but the great game will endure, as it always has and thank goodness for that.

Thinking about next Sunday when I wake up and read my favorite February phrase written by T.R. Sullivan on MLB.com “Pitchers and catchers reported to Surprise, Arizona today…” -- Marla Hooch

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When Reality Trumps Baseball

On my desk are handwritten notes and stickies with all my ideas for this week’s blog. I was ready rhapsodize about last weekend’s banquet and Fan Fest on Saturday, try to make sense of the lineup of Rangers pitchers heading for the DL and rant on about all my other “important” baseball thoughts – that was until Thursday when cold hard reality stole my enthusiasm for this week’s blog entry.

The company I work for laid off several employees Thursday afternoon. No, I was not one of them – but that still doesn’t lessen the impact for me of the brutality of the situation. I’ve been veering between sadness, fear and yes, anger for the last two days.

Sadness for those who were laid off – I’ve been there –nervously cranking out resumes, calling everyone I could to think of to try and network my way back into gainful employment, working mindless temporary jobs, collecting unemployment and losing sleep about how I am going to pay all my bills if my savings ran out before I found a job. Fear for my own position – our company has some problems, we lost our biggest customer, and there’s always that possibility there will be more layoffs, or a merger or who knows? Anger at the Masters of the Universe on Wall Street who gambled on “credit default swaps” and lost – then demanded money from the taxpayers to compensate them for their risky behavior. And in the end who pays for it? Not those Wall Street types – they got their bonuses, TARP money and are still buying suites at the new Yankee stadium. It’s Rene, Janet, Judy and Paul who’ve paid the price. All they did was go to work every day, pay their taxes, and try to provide for their families – but the ripple effects of Wall Street’s uncontrolled greed doesn’t affect those who started it and lost all the money – no, it’s the rest of us who wind up living with the consequences.

Baseball has always been my escape, my passion, the best part of my day. But not tonight. For those like me who sit the stands and pay for tickets (or more likely sit at home and watch on TV this year) reading about Ben Sheets contract demands or Marlon Byrd’s arbitration settlement dulls my appetite for the Rangers – at least until the first pitch is thrown in Surprise and the great game of baseball once again transports me away, if only for a while, from these uncertain times.

Finally – a couple of months ago on the radio I heard a very good story about the song “Brother Can You Spare A Dime” which was the anthem of the Great Depression. There are several You Tube videos of this song, the one with Dr. John and the late Odetta is especially good. While contemplating what to write tonight – I thought about that song, these particular lyrics are timeless, and unfortunately, appropriate:

"They used to tell me I was building a dream

With peace and glory ahead

Why should I be standing in line

Just waiting for bread?....

Once I built a tower up to the sun

Brick and rivet and lime

Once I built a tower

Now it's done

Brother, can you spare a dime?"

-- E.Y. Harburg / Jay Gorney (1932)

-- Marla Hooch

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The Newberg Booth at Rangers Fan Fest 2009

Click on THIS LINK to see pictures from the Newberg Booth at Fan Fest. I'll have a few things to write about it and the Sluggers of the West dinner ... later.

70 Days until the Home Opener 4/6/09 -- Marla Hooch

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Real People

One of the expressions I hate to hear baseball fans use is “I’m rooting for laundry”. It reduces a team to stats on a page and trading cards.

I love the personalities of baseball players, their tremendous abilities, unquantifiable contributions on the field, their quirks and yes even the flaws of the very human men who play the game. That’s why I loathe the likes of those fans who cite only the numbers and analysis they read in places like Baseball Prospectus. The fact they over emphasize numbers on their site is not a coincidence - a large part of BP’s founding writers were financial types (bankers, stockbrokers etc) which is why they appear to only read boxscores and crunch stats for their "over" analysis of players – how else could they have come to the conclusion that Eurbiel Durazo was going to be a star?(that was until he actually walked to the plate and started batting against real major league pitching) .

But I digress – my point is that I think the situation with Michael Young this week proves that teams are not just uniforms. Those uniforms are inhabited by grown men who are professionals taking pride in their positions and achievements like every other working person. I hated the analogies comparing Michael to some rebellious teenager on the Lamar Vikings JV Baseball Squad. My preferred analogy: what if you were a prominent, successful, divorce attorney in a prestigious firm - then one day the senior partner walks in your office one day and says – "We’ve got a guy from Harvard who hasn’t passed the bar exam yet, but we’re going to give him your office and your job. You are now a Tax Attorney – please pack up your stuff and move out of this office to another we have set up for you." How would you feel? Hey, you are still an attorney, and the law is the law isn’t it? You’re still working for the firm? Shouldn't you just shut up and play?

Look, I think there’s fault on both sides. Michael probably over reacted and getting the information out in the national press without the organization’s knowledge (and I imagine to the chagrin of the local media types) was a bad idea. Although the Rangers front office has often been guilty of doing pretty much the same thing (bad mouthing players they’ve traded or lost to free agency). In the end the Jon Daniels got what he wanted, but as always, it was another publicly botched up mess which seems to be the Rangers enduring legacy.

I think the question now is – what happened to the mantra about patience with the minor league prospects? We keep reading and hearing that it’s not about 2009 – so what is the big rush in getting Elvis to the major leagues? Especially since he’s never played an inning of AAA baseball? I saw Andrus play quite a bit in Frisco, and yes, I do think that he’s pretty close defensively to being ready for the majors – but I’m not sure about offense. Here’s some stat head numbers: in his first 192 AB’s (April and May) in Frisco he hit .268 – he hit .258 for the season vs LHP and don’t forget that he had almost three times as many K’s as BB’s last season (38 BB – 91 K). I kind of wonder what fan reaction will be when (not if) Elvis struggles, especially early on this season. JD had better start working on explanations right now.

I wish we could go back to having a very boring off season instead of what went on last week.

Finally: I know that new Hall of Famer Jim Rice had a reputation of being surly, but not always. Back in the early 80’s my Aunt Cathi loved to take pictures, she had hundreds of photos of Rangers and other AL players. The Red Sox were in town, Carl Yazstremski was one of my grandfather’s favorite players, Aunt Cathi was trying to get a picture of him to send back home, but was having no luck (and Carl was being a bit surly himself). Jim Rice watched in amusement as she tried to get Carl’s attention . He walked over to my aunt, asked how her camera worked, took the camera from her and proceeded to get pictures of Yaz (even got him to smile) brought the camera back to her with a gentlemanly bow. To my Aunt Cathi, Jim Rice will always be one of the good guys.

My advice to those who “root for laundry” buy a Kwik Wash and enjoy yourself – in my world baseball is (thankfully) played by real people with the same kind of pride, emotions and faults as all of the rest of us. -- Marla Hooch