Saturday, September 26, 2009

My Game Prep for Denison vs. McKinney next week

Denison vs. McKinney Game Notes 10/2/2009

Denison leads the series 25-17-5.

McKinney is 3-12-1 at Munson Stadium

This will be Bobby Reyes first trip to Munson Stadium as the head coach of the Lions

McKinney head coaches with winning records vs. Denison:
W.R. Graham, 1920 (1-0)
W.K. Wells, 1926-28 (2-1)
Noble Atkins, 1933-1937 (2-1-1)
Charles Qualls, 1959-1961 (3-0)
(Ron Poe was 7-7)

Charles Qualls (’60) and Ron Poe (’73, ’86) are the only two coaches to ever leave Munson Stadium with victories.

McKinney’s highest point total at Munson Stadium is 35 back in 1960
Denison’s highest point total vs. McKinney at Munson Stadium is 54 back in 1944
Most combined points between McKinney and Denison at Munson Stadium is 85 in 1992.
Most combined points overall between the two schools came last year (129) when Denison won 65-64 at Ron Poe Stadium.

McKinney, formerly a perennial powerhouse hasn’t won a playoff game since 1993.
McKinney’s record since the UIL formed in 1920 is 509-374-39

Fall from Grace:
1960’s: 84-25-3
1970’s: 78-29
1980’s: 77-35
1990’s: 68-39
2000’s: 39-58

Ron Poe was 222-105 at McKinney from 1971-2000 (11 District Championships, 8 Bi-District Championships, 3 Area Championships, 3 Quarterfinal Championships, 2 Semifinal Championships (’79, ’86), 1 State Championship (’79).

Since then: 32-54, no championships in 8 seasons.
Rusty Dowling was 8-12
Todd McVey was 17-24
Bobby Reyes is 7-18

Assessment: Under Reyes, when McKinney gets into a scoring fest (90 or more combined points), they are 0-7.



McKinney’s Top 5 Scoring Teams since UIL in 1920
1. 2009, 45.25 per game (0-4)
2. 2008, 44.45 per game (4-7)
3. 1991, 35.54 per game * (10-3) District, Bi-District, Area Champions
4. 1986, 35.38 per game *(14-2) State Runner-Up
5. 1992, 34.90 per game (7-3)

McKinney’s Least 5 Defenses since UIL in 1920
1. 2009, 61.50 per game (0-4)
2. 2008, 44.55 per game (4-7)
3. 1944, 37.56 per game (0-9)
4. 1995, 31.40 per game (5-5)
5. 2003, 31.30 per game (2-8)

The last time the Lions were 0-4 was in 2003 under 1st year coach Todd McVey when McKinney was in 5A. 8th time in the 89 seasons to be 0-4. Other years were: 1935, 1943, 1944, 1949, 1952, 2002, 2003

The last time the Lions were 0-5 was in 1952 (eventually 1-9). They were also 0-5 in 1944 (eventually 0-9); 1943 (3-7); 

Gunter at Howe notes

Howe leads the series 17-8 and have outscored Gunter 511-377. The first game was played on 11/1/1935 (Howe won 21-6)

Howe is 10-4 vs. Gunter at Bulldog Stadium but have lost 3 straight at home and the last Howe home win came 10/18/1996 (21-7).

Gunter has won 7 consecutive meetings starting 10/27/2000. Before that date, Howe had a commanding 17-1 lead in the series having only lost in 1958 (42-0) and won 12 straight from 1935-1948. Van Alstyne has also won 7 consecutive games with Howe. The record losing streak vs. one opponent is 9. Whitewright had won 9 straight (1999-2007) before Howe stopped the streak last season with a 30-20 win. Wolfe City won 9 consecutive meetings from 1961-1995. Howe stopped that streak in 1998 with a 52-20 win.

Howe is 3-1 for the first time since 1998 (that team went 10-2 and won the District Championship and Bi-District Championship).

The 3 wins matches the highest total for any Howe team since 2003 (6-6). 6 wins are the most in this decade (2000, 2003).

Howe has outscored their opponents 86-70 so far in 2009. The last Howe team to outscore their opponents for an entire season was the 2000 Dogs that found themselves in the playoffs.

Stony Coffman's 11th win as the Howe Head Coach ties Terry Davis for 9th all-time in wins.

Most Howe Head Coach Wins:
51 - Norman Dickey
41 - Jim Fryar
34 - Davey DuBose
29 - John "Buck" Smith
18 - Leslie Walden
16 - Jack Osborn
James "Blackie" Wade
Joey McQueen
13 - L.B. Morris
12 - Curtis Christian
11 - Terry Davis
- Stony Coffman

Howe's Fall from Grace:
1980's: 70-37
1990's: 55-49
2000's: 31-66 (most losses in any decade; least wins in any full decade)



Thursday, July 16, 2009

Mid-summer Ranger Grades and Prediction about 2nd 1/2

Lineup:
1. Ian Kinsler, C- ; needs to stop trying to hit HR's evertime up. Take a pitch now and then and hit a ground ball for a change. Has made great strides in the field though and that keeps him from failing.
2. Michael Young, A- ; Steady as a rock. Will always hit near .310 and give you 200 hits when healthy. Transition to 3b has been great. Lack of average with runners on keeps him from A+
3. Josh Hamilton, D ; has been complete failure so far this season. I know, he's been injured for 1/2 of the first half, but even when healthy has not produce. He is the catalyst for this team and he has been far below expected.
4. Nelson Cruz, A- ; very streaky hitter who can flat out tag the ball. But goes in to mini-slumps against teams that scout him well. Expect a MAJOR drop-off in the 2nd half when most teams finally scout him correctly. Great arm in the field, but not a superb outfielder.
5. Hank Blalock, B- ; lots of power, and heck...he's healthy! His on-base percentage is awful (like most of this team). His defense at first base so far is average.
6. Marlon Byrd, A- ; Marlon is maxing out what Marlon can do. He's not a superstar but he's been consistent. An above average flyball chaser with an underaverage arm. But he's been consistent.
7. Chris Davis, F ; complete failure at the major league level. His superb defensive skills keep him from getting G.
8. Jarrod Saltalamaccia, B ; for a very young kid, he's done a remarkable job behind the plate. His bat will continue to develop, but for now for what he is...it's not that bad.
9. Elvis Andrus, A ; okay, so he's great defensively, he's held his own with the bat. For what we thought we'd get from him...I'd say an A is very worthy.

Starting Five:
1. Kevin Millwood, A ; Started very strong and has continued to be very strong in the early stages of the heat. He's been the ace Texas has always wanted him to be.
2. Vicente Padilla, C+ ; he's a nutcase. One great start, one weird one, followed by a mediocre one, followed by a masterpiece. Who is this guy? He has all the stuff to be very very good, but not sure he cares.
3. Brandon McCarthy, D ; he has stuff, but is as fragile as Aunt Wilma. He continues to make the Danks trade look like a complete failure.
4. Matt Harrison, C- ; can't be consistent. Walks way too many for a guy who can't strikeout fragile Aunt Wilma. Can throw groundballs but his injury has kept his progress from showing.
5. Scott Feldman A+ ; Came in as the 6th starter, but has been nearly as good as Millwood if not better. His sinking cutter makes him a groundout machine. If he can maintain his effectiveness, the Rangers have a GREAT back end of the rotation guy.

Bullpen:
Frank Francisco, A- ; has been largely dominant when healthy. But that keeps him from getting an A+.
C.J. Wilson, C- ; I want to fail him so bad because he makes me want to pull my hair out. His Mitch Williams-esque flair for the dramatic and quirky attitude makes me wish we could trade him to the Cubs for Rafael Palmeiro just as Grieve did with Mitch Williams. Oh well, we're stuck with him and this bullpen will live and die with this guy.
Eddie Guardado, F ; At his age, he's the best left-handed bullpen advisor in the league, but unfortunately he's still being paid to get outs and he's awful at that.
Darren O'Day, A+ ; where's the evidence to give him anything but a perfect grade?
Derrick Holland, B- ; His stats are no where near proof of the talent he possesses. I would trust him in a heart beat before C.J. in the same situations. But he's still inexperienced and needs more time to get beat around a little bit. He'll be fine.
Jason Jennings, B+ ; has been surprisingly steady and effective now that he's healthy. The fact that his placement on the 40 man last year cost us Armando Gallaraga will forever keep him for getting an A.

The Rangers should come back to what we expect them to be in the 2nd 1/2. The pitching will falter and the hitting will get better. Kinsler and Hamilton have to lead this team to get them on track. Both are horribly impatient and need to take more pitches. This team has to walk more and hit better with runners in scoring position and stop relying on the mulit-HR game to get them by. But it's all about pitching and the Rangers are not there....yet. They have talented arms...but not ready for the ups and downs of the pennant race. They also have no money to go and get help. This is what it is...and I'm afraid it's just not enough. Rangers finish 7.5 games out of first behind the Angels and barely ahead of the Mariniers. I hope I'm wrong.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

What Does Your Music Library Say About You??

What Does Your Music Library Say About You??
--------------------------
1. Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds
4. Put the artist and any comments in brackets after the song name.
5. Tag at least 10 friends
--------------------------

1. What do your friends think of you?
Manic Depression – Jimi Hendrix

2. If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
Flake – Jack Johnson

3. How would you describe yourself?
Take Your Time, Son – Doyle Bramhall

4. What do you like in a guy/girl?
You Can Make it if you Try – Buddy Guy

5. How do you feel today?
One Day at a Time – Willie Nelson

6. What is your life’s purpose?
Muzzle – The Smashing Pumpkins

7. What is your motto?
Baby What You Want Me to Do – Jimmy Reed

8. What do you think about very often?
Give It Up – ZZ Top

9. What is 2 + 2?
If Everyone Cared - Nickelback

10. What do you think of your best friend?
Domino – Van Morrison

11. What is your life story?
Groovin’ – Young Rascals

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Cold Sweat, Pt. 1 – James Brown

13. What do you think of when you see the person you like?
The Treasure Untold – Buddy Guy

14. What did you dance to at your wedding?
Tumbling Dice – The Rolling Stones

15. What will they play at your funeral?
Slip Slidin’ Slim – Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble

16. What is your hobby/interest?
Amy – Pure Prairie League


17. What is your biggest fear?
In Memory of Elizabeth Reed – The Allman Brothers

18. What is your biggest secret?
Feelin’ Alright – Joe Cocker


19. What do you think of your f
riends?
Take it or Leave it - Jet 

Thursday, January 29, 2009

25 Random Things About Me

1. I’m not a snob, I’m shy!!!!! I’ve listened to that crap for years.
2. I secretly love the music of Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys.
3. I’ve broadcasted football games on radio for 15 years.
4. Give me a jersey # and I’ll tell you every Texas Ranger and Dallas Cowboy who’s ever worn it.
5. I lived in California when I was 2.
6. I own over 100 Rangers and Cowboys game films (anyone want to trade?)
7. I went to the last game at Arlington Stadium and the first game at The Ballpark in Arlington.
8. I’ve seen The Rolling Stones 7 times.
9. Sheryl Crow is nearly perfect to my eyes (but no political talk from her)
10. I may have a touch of OCD. My closet is a masterpiece…but my desk is a mess at work. How is that?
12. I’ve had both ACL’s reconstructed, one microfracture and one torn achilles repair.
13. I walked down Broadway through Times Square down to the Empire State Building, subwayd down to Ground Zero, Wall St., walked the Brooklyn Bridge, and ferried to the Statue of Liberty all before noon one morning.
14. I hate any movie that contains swords or kicking.
15. I’m the President of the H-Association and the 2010 All-Class Howe Reunion Committee.
16. I’m a snoozer…at least twice with the alarm.
17. I’ve researched my family history back to Ireland in the 1600’s.
18. I’ve never had a cavity.
19. I hate to take any medicine…even aspirin. I’ve gone full years without taking ANYTHING.
20. I’m constantly trying to lose 10 lbs, but never seem to be able to even though I’m VERY strict.
21. I nearly won a HR Derby at The Ballpark in Arlington a couple of years ago.
22. I’ve gone to nearly every Opening Day for the Rangers since 1987.
23. I eat Chic-Fil-A’s spicy chicken wrap about 3-4 times per week for lunch.
24. I’m a massive P1 of Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket
25. I guess because my name could be interpreted Montay Walker, I got recruitment letters to play football at Grambling. No joke. 

Sunday, April 8, 2007

Part-time Left Fielder for sale

Sunday, April 8, 2007
Posted by Monte Walker at 11:54 PM
I desperately need to trade my part-time left handed left fielder Brad Wilkerson.  I’ve only been able to use him sparingly due to his inability to be fully healthy last summer.  I did have him repaired this past winter, however.  I’m looking for only a top-dollar offer since I got him by trading the best hitting 2nd baseman in baseball for him.  I got him to be a leadoff hitter who could play centerfield.  He doesn’t show signs of ever being able to do either.  You must know going in that his teams usually finish near the bottom of the league.  He strikes out way too much and his power numbers aren’t nearly what I had anticipated.  I’m willing to work with you since I have a young power-hitter named Nelson Cruz that needs valuable playing time.  I also have a steady left-handed hitting left fielder named Catalanatto that hits .300 like clockwork that needs to play everyday.  Don’t let this steal pass you by.  By the way, he can’t steal much either.
Send all bids to J.D.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

There’s nothing like Opening Day at The Temple


Sunday, March 25, 2007
Posted by Monte Walker at 4:30 PM
2007 Opening Day at The Ballpark will be the first that I’ve missed in nearly 20 years.  Don’t confuse that with my devout approach to any other year.  Yes, I have been sold and now am predicting the Rangers to win the west.  However, I think I’ve done that for about the past 20 years in a row mind you...I’ve been right 3 times...so my odds are as about as good as Brad Wilkerson getting a base-hit in April. 
Back to Ameriquest, er, The Ballpark, er, Rangers Ballpark or whatever their calling it now.  It will always be The Temple to me.  The first time I set foot inside the awesome structure was in January of ’93 before it puts it’s giant boxer/briefs on.  Just the concrete was up with a bunch of dirt in the field.   It was beautiful even then.  The first time I was actually there in a game setting was during an exhibition game vs. the Mets the weekend before it opened officially.  I’ll never forget walking in the 3rd base gate and approaching the seats and staring at me through the wide opening was the home run porch and while “Centerfield” by John Fogerty was playing, I remember thinking...this maybe the a moment I’ll never forget.  It was!  A couple of days later I watched the first game ever there and saw Dave Nielson drive a into the lower home run porch for the first HR.  I was hoping it would be the new Ranger Will Clark, but getting to witness that was special. 
I was even on TV in the ’96 opener when I nearly caught Craig Worthington’s HR off Roger Clemens to win the game.  ’97 was a memorable home opener only in retrospect because it would be my hero Mark Holtz’ last.  The most memorable home opener for me was probably in 2001.  I was in the locker room with the press pass and it was A-Rod’s first game with the Rangers at the ballpark.  It was an absolute madhouse...and by the way, Troy Aikman was throwing out the first pitch due to his recent retirement from the Cowboys.  The Rangers had an eagle fly in from centerfield that day and land on a man’s hand standing at the pitchers mound.  Later, in the press box I came face-to-face with that eagle and it was the most intimidated I’ve ever been.  That’s a mean looking bird that seems to stare deep into your soul. 
There’s just nothing like the first game at The Temple.  A full-house crowd, the first sounds of the cracking bat, the smells of hot dogs, sounds of the screaming vendors amongst Chuck Morgan’s voice coming down from the heavens announcing the starting lineups.  Even the Rangers are yet from being cellar-dwellers.  For one day a year, in a three-hour window everything is right with the world.  And if this year could have a similar ending to the ’96, ’98, and ’99 seasons, we’ll all be happy at the Temple on closing day!