First of all - many thanks to Norma, George and Ryan for inviting me to tag along tonight - I was a little afraid the weather was going to cancel our field trip, but thank goodness it didn't.
Apologies to Julio, Nelson, Neftali and Elvis who deserve props - but in my inflated opinion - the star of the game was Darren Oliver who showed everyone how to get it done.
Old people rule! -- Marla Hooch
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Pondering
Here’s the issue:
I know this blog isn’t about breaking news – you have plenty of other sources for that on the web.
This blog, I hope, isn’t about knee-jerking and rants. In the four years I’ve been writing, I’d like to think I’ve limited my emotional responses – although there have been a few.
It’s not about analysis – I’m not a stat head, I’m not a pseudo scout, I don’t pretend to know more than I actually do – which is not much.
What I do is write what I think and see – and I attempt to do it with a semblance of consideration, and style. I try to write each entry with some kind of theme that ties it together, maybe makes it a slightly more interesting read and justifies that college degree my parents paid for.
Do I write about the continuing defensive problems with this team that are really starting to bother me? Once again – the manager’s supposed calling card is “catch and throw” – yet it’s almost two months into the season and the Rangers overall defense has been …disappointing. (They are 9th the AL in fielding percentage have 22 errors).
Do I write about the schizophrenic road trip with a inflating sweep of Seattle followed by a deflating 1-2 series against the A’s. Including the 2009 season the Rangers are 5-9 when they play in Oakland. Does anyone remember how Mark Holtz used to call Exhibtion Stadium in Toronto the “voodoo palace” – I think the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum has taken that mantle.
Do I write about the book that my stepbrother Rob gave me “The Baseball Codes”? It starts out with the entire backstory of the infamous Ryan-Ventura confrontation. I’m about ½ way through the book right now – so far it’s pretty good – I’ll write more about it when I’ve finished reading it all the way through.
Do I write about Dallas Branden’s perfect game – and that he is probably the most annoying pitcher to throw one since David Wells? But I did love his grandmother’s comments – I know plenty of Seattle and Texas fans who’d love to say the same thing to Yankees third baseman.
Do I write about the quietly amazing Frisco Roughriders who are 19-13 leading their division by 3 games in spite of team batting average of .248 and the third worst ERA in the Texas League at 3.72. I’m going to see the Riders this weekend – I’ll have a game report (or two) to write about next week.
Do I put in a link to this terrific story about Doug Mathis (written by our pal TR Sullivan) on the extra meaning in his Mother’s Day win.
Do I write about the ownership situation. No , I don’t think so, too much ink and bandwith have been wasted on this - the problem being none of those writing these articles are financial and/or legal experts – it’s all just speculation – much of it with an agenda. What I do know is that all the parties involved are awfully quiet – it reminds me of that line from an old Bugs Bunny cartoon “it’s quiet out there – too quiet”.
Do I try to find that quote from the late Dock Ellis (and I’m paraphrasing) that every season around Memorial Day is about the time that you can judge what a team is going to do because “the men stand up and the boys sit down”. Memorial Day is only 18 days (and 16 Ranger games) from the day I’m writing this entry.
Finally – well, look at that I did find a way to write something this week for the blog.
I think, therefore I am -- Marla Hooch
.
I know this blog isn’t about breaking news – you have plenty of other sources for that on the web.
This blog, I hope, isn’t about knee-jerking and rants. In the four years I’ve been writing, I’d like to think I’ve limited my emotional responses – although there have been a few.
It’s not about analysis – I’m not a stat head, I’m not a pseudo scout, I don’t pretend to know more than I actually do – which is not much.
What I do is write what I think and see – and I attempt to do it with a semblance of consideration, and style. I try to write each entry with some kind of theme that ties it together, maybe makes it a slightly more interesting read and justifies that college degree my parents paid for.
Do I write about the continuing defensive problems with this team that are really starting to bother me? Once again – the manager’s supposed calling card is “catch and throw” – yet it’s almost two months into the season and the Rangers overall defense has been …disappointing. (They are 9th the AL in fielding percentage have 22 errors).
Do I write about the schizophrenic road trip with a inflating sweep of Seattle followed by a deflating 1-2 series against the A’s. Including the 2009 season the Rangers are 5-9 when they play in Oakland. Does anyone remember how Mark Holtz used to call Exhibtion Stadium in Toronto the “voodoo palace” – I think the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum has taken that mantle.
Do I write about Dallas Branden’s perfect game – and that he is probably the most annoying pitcher to throw one since David Wells? But I did love his grandmother’s comments – I know plenty of Seattle and Texas fans who’d love to say the same thing to Yankees third baseman.
Do I write about the quietly amazing Frisco Roughriders who are 19-13 leading their division by 3 games in spite of team batting average of .248 and the third worst ERA in the Texas League at 3.72. I’m going to see the Riders this weekend – I’ll have a game report (or two) to write about next week.
Do I put in a link to this terrific story about Doug Mathis (written by our pal TR Sullivan) on the extra meaning in his Mother’s Day win.
Do I try to find that quote from the late Dock Ellis (and I’m paraphrasing) that every season around Memorial Day is about the time that you can judge what a team is going to do because “the men stand up and the boys sit down”. Memorial Day is only 18 days (and 16 Ranger games) from the day I’m writing this entry.
Finally – well, look at that I did find a way to write something this week for the blog.
I think, therefore I am -- Marla Hooch
.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Lilac Time
1. This team can pitch – most of the time. I like the starting pitching (Rich Harden included), I like the middle relievers (but I worry about over using Darren Oliver). I don’t think the dual closer is a good idea (see last night’s game). Feliz should close the majority of games, if he’s pitched several days in a row, then I guess we’ll be subjected to Frank (although I’d rather see Chris Ray used as closer if Feliz can’t do it that day). This is repeating myself: Francisco has not been the same since his stint on the DL last season – and that has continued. The manager’s stubborn refusal to acknowledge that and adjust the bullpen accordingly could turn out to be a big problem in as close a race as the AL west is likely to be.
2. This team is playing terrible defense. What happened? This is basically the same team that played excellent defense last season (well, except at 1B). Right now it looks like the Rangers are going to win games by pitching – which means they’ll need defense to help that pitching – and it’s not been a help so far. Don’t discount defense, as was pointed out in the Startlegram mailbag last week: “The Angels execute when asked to bunt or hit-and-run, they don’t make a bunch of defensive miscues” and that’s part of the reason they’ve won the AL the last three seasons.
3. This team can’t hit. As TR Sullivan mention on his blog: the Rangers hit .224 during the Seattle series with just 2 extra base hits. The reason they swept the series is that the Mariners offense is even worse than the Rangers – and the Mariners handed the Rangers Friday night’s game. Twice this season the Rangers have been no hit for 5 or more innings. While I’m not looking for the offense of the 1998-1999 teams – major league average hitting would be nice. I thought “situational” hitting was the new mantra, but there’s not much this season (other than Elvis Andrus and sometimes Josh Hamilton). I'm wondering if any of the hitters are actually practicing what the hitting coach is preaching. Still looks like “aggressive in the strike zone” to me – and opposing pitchers are taking advantage of that.
A few other random baseball thoughts:
Sell High: After his performance subbing for Ian Kinsler in April, I’m guessing Joaquin Arias’ trade value is probably better than it has been for a couple years. When he comes off the DL it might be the time to explore that possibility rather than wait for his next DL stint.
Somewhere in between: I’ve stopped worrying about Josh Hamilton. I love his arm in LF, I wish there were a way to figure out how many runners haven’t tagged up and advanced, as well as how many runs he’s saved throwing to home. As far as offense, I’ve kind of thought 2008 and 2009 were outliers and that his normal stats will be somewhere in between those highs and lows. By the way has anyone noticed in the last 10 games, he has 13 extra base hits, 11 BB and 13 RBI ?
Ron Washington: “The kid has had a rough time but we're trying to build confidence. We're not going to take him out of there. The way to build confidence is to keep giving kids opportunities.”….unless your name is Chris Davis
Just a thought: Matt Treanor 2010 = Kevin Elster 1996 ?
Old Friends: Our pal Jason Botts playing 1B/OF/DH for the Camden Riversharks (Atlantic Independent League) is hitting .405 with 2 HR and 5 RBI’s in his first 8 games.
Finally: First place on May 4th is nice, first place on September 4th is better.
“A guaranteed miracle,
this bounty of riches
where McMansion, trailer,
the humblest driveway
burst with color—pale lavender,
purple, darker plum—
and glorious scent.”
-- Alice Persons “Stealing Lilacs”
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Best Thing I Heard (And Saw) This Week....
Kristen Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison's duet of "One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home" from "Glee"
(Yes, you have to wait through a PSA first - but trust me - it's worth it)
Fabulous! -- Marla Hooch
(Yes, you have to wait through a PSA first - but trust me - it's worth it)
Fabulous! -- Marla Hooch
Friday, April 23, 2010
Still On The DL
No blog this week.
My back is still giving me problems, and the rest is too sad (a 3-6 road trip) or too frustrating (Mr. Hicks doing his best Gordon Gekko impersonation) to even think about discussing.
Finally – I don’t wish ill on anyone, but you will never see me write anything nice about Justin Smoak.
-- Marla Hooch
P.S. During the 12 day road trip - if you combine every player (excluding Chris Davis) who had an appearance - the team batting average was .250 with almost twice as many strikeout's (61) as walks (27). The best hitters on the road trip were Elvis Andrus (.500), Joaquin Arias (.333) and Josh Hamilton (.313) while Michael Young hit .235, Julio Borbon hit .133, Vlad hit .200 and Nelson Cruz .214.
Meanwhile Frank Francisco blows another game, Dustin Nippert takes a loss too - but Chris Davis bears the blame for a non-productive offense, a bullpen that lost 2 games, sloppy defense and the fourth poor April under Ron Washington's tenure.
The more things change in the Texas Rangers organization...the more they stay the same.
.
My back is still giving me problems, and the rest is too sad (a 3-6 road trip) or too frustrating (Mr. Hicks doing his best Gordon Gekko impersonation) to even think about discussing.
Finally – I don’t wish ill on anyone, but you will never see me write anything nice about Justin Smoak.
-- Marla Hooch
P.S. During the 12 day road trip - if you combine every player (excluding Chris Davis) who had an appearance - the team batting average was .250 with almost twice as many strikeout's (61) as walks (27). The best hitters on the road trip were Elvis Andrus (.500), Joaquin Arias (.333) and Josh Hamilton (.313) while Michael Young hit .235, Julio Borbon hit .133, Vlad hit .200 and Nelson Cruz .214.
Meanwhile Frank Francisco blows another game, Dustin Nippert takes a loss too - but Chris Davis bears the blame for a non-productive offense, a bullpen that lost 2 games, sloppy defense and the fourth poor April under Ron Washington's tenure.
The more things change in the Texas Rangers organization...the more they stay the same.
.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
It's Not Food Poisoning....
...but it's pretty darn close. I am sequestered at Hooch World HQ with some kind of stomach flu and to make things even more interesting my back went out which makes trying to move around (quickly) a real challenge. The miserable outing by the major league team in the Bronx hasn't helped anything - I am down and out - so no blog entry this week.
I did see Martin Perez pitch last week Monday - he showed some flashes of the highly touted prospect - but he also walked as many as he struck out - it was not quite a Bobby Witt like performance - but it's still a batter to batter prospostion - so I'd put those notions of him making an appearance in the major leagues this season on the back burner for now. I'll have pictures from the game online sometime this week - check out the new link to the photo gallery on the left hand menu bar.
I have tickets to the the Rangers game this Friday and serveral tickets for Friscogames during their upcoming homestand - I am hoping for lots of healthy blathering online to follow those games.
Praise The Lord and pass the Pepto Bismol---Marla Hooch
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