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.

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
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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 friends?
Take it or Leave it - Jet 

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. 

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.

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!

New to the Rangers? Here’s a Quick History Lesson of Heartache

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Posted by Monte Walker at 7:29 PM

What’s that you say?  New to the area?  Love baseball?  Love heartaches?  If you follow this team closely, I hope you have your doctor on speed-dial (and I hope his name isn’t Medich or McLemore).
The Texas Rangers are far from feared or respected as the famed lawmen they were named for.  The Rangers were new to DFW by way of Washington D.C.  The Senators were terrible...and that has carried over for 35 years since (minus 3 great seasons).  The Ranger’s first major blunder came in 1973 when the owner tried to turn David Clyde, a young high school kid phenom into a sideshow and ruined him.  While Clyde didn’t have much of a career for the Rangers, the Rangers are probably still here because of him.  They never had a sellout or anything like it until he arrived.  He financially allowed the Rangers to stay in Arlington.  In 1974 the Rangers hired Billy Martin and he immediately changed these scrubs into winners...for one year anyway.  A trade that landed Ferguson Jenkins who won 25 games almost was enough to win the pennant that year.  After that things went south until about 1986 when Bobby Valentine took a bunch of kids and a rocking-chair knuckelballer into late September and danced with greatness.  Again that greatness lasted one year. 
In 1989 things changed for a bit.  George W. Bush gained majority ownership and Nolan Ryan was signed on December 8, 1988 and he put the Rangers officially on the U.S. map.  That year they also traded for a slap-hitting outfielder named Rafael Palmeiro and All-Star second baseman Juiio Franco.  Kevin Brown and Ruben Sierra were on the rise as a superstars and the farm system was setup for years to come with the likes of Juan Gonzalez, Ivan Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa (not to mention Dean Palmer and Kenny Rogers).  This was a team that could compete for many many years.  How do you ruin this?  Insert General Manager Tom Grieve and let him trade away Sammy Sosa that year for Harold Baines.  Just after the ’94 season, Palmeiro was gone via free agency...Sierra had been traded with Bobby Witt and Jeff Russell for Jose Canseco while Kevin Brown left for greener pastures and Nolan Ryan was retired.  Finally after 1994, the Rangers fired Tom Grieve. 
The Rangers would have to start over in ’95 with the few good young player they had left:  Gonzalez, Rodriguez, and Palmer.  Owners George W. Bush, and Rusty Rose let President Tom Sheiffer run the team for a moment after 1994.  He hired Doug Melvin as GM and Johnny Oates was brought in as manager.  Their first move was to trade Jose Canseco for Otis Nixon.  At the time, we were terribly upset for the return we received for such a superstar slugger.  Well, after that 1995 season all Otis Nixon did was hit .290 and steal over 50 bases and had the Rangers in contention until late season injuries folded them.  The very next season the Rangers won the pennant for the first time in franchise history.  They won it again in 1998 and ’99.  Hicks takes over during the middle of the last run and decides to stay out of the way of Doug Melvin who had been incredibly successful as the G.M.  In walks A-Rod and Hick’s immediately has a man crush.  He was prepared to sign him no matter what it cost.  As we all know it cost him $252 million, but more importantly it cost him his GM Doug Melvin.  Melvin had just drained the team and was preparing for a youth movement by trading Juan Gonzalez for a bunch of your promising kids.  Needless to say, Melvin was not on board with the A-Rod signing and he was shown the door.  Since that day, the franchise has never recovered.  The Rangers tanked in 2001 and Oates "resigned" in May of that year. John Hart was brought in as the GM and basically was a puppet for Hicks who let A-Rod run the show.  A-Rod demanded to bring back former stars such as Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro.  While that was great...they lacked two major facets of the game in which you must have to succeed....pitching and defense.  They blamed the downfall on Jerry Narron (who replaced Oates) and fired him in favor of Buck Showalter.  Nothing changed under Showalter except puffy ERA’s and loss columns. 
The first step in Tom Hicks finally grasping this game came last year when he hired the kid John Daniels as GM.  After one year at the helm, Daniels now has his manager and pitching and defense are now appropriately placed atop the chart of importance.  Now, I’m not saying that the Rangers are going to win the west or even be major competitors this year (while I really think they can be).  It is refreshing to know that they are finally under the correct direction of a winning mindset of baseball philosophy.
If you’re new to McKinney from another state and you’re a die-hard baseball fan like myself, chances are you have another team that you’re faithful to.  That’s perfectly normal - but if you desire to have a stroke by the time you’re 50, please - by all means, hop on this roller-coaster parked right next to Six Flags in Arlington.  I’ll be seated right next to you.

Son of a Bum! The Cowboys Have a New Coach

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Posted by Monte Walker at 07:57 AM

Afer all of that-it’s Wade Phillips?  That’s what most people will cry around here.  I personally think that Phillips will be great for this defense.  Brady James might even be able to learn how to cover a fullback out of the backfield under Phillips.  However, what happens with the offense?  Is Jason Garrett ready after being a coach in this league for two years?  That scares me.  And most of you reading this will at some point in the fall say, "Norv Turner should have gotten the job."  The San Francisco 49ers are the happiest organization in the league right now.  Frank Gore might have just torn his hamstring doing a backflip because his offensive coordinator is apparently headed back to the bay.
I’m happy on one side of the ball, but a little worried how Terrell Owens gets along with a rookie O.C.  I think it can work, but I hope Garrett can learn quickly on the job or this will be a complete failure.  It sure would be tough losing 14-10 eight times.  Tony Romo will now have to step up and be the face of the offense and the leader on the field.  No longer will he be given the luxury of a free pass since he’s a rookie quarterback.  Dallas fans expect big offensive numbers and more importantly wins.  We’re continually looking for the next Roger and Troy (I’d settle for a replica of Danny White though).
One thing is for sure.  Jerry Jones has learned some valuable lessons and it’s is VERY apparent now.  The old Jerry would have hired Norv Turner immediately and went looking for Dave Wandstedt, Butch Davis, Dave Campo and the famous Coach Joe.  Jones no longer is a pack-rat sentimental owner.  Today shows that he wants to take advantage of all of the defensive players that he’s drafted and spent so much money on in the past few years.
The good:  48-39 as head coach in the NFL,
The bad:  0-3 in the playoffs.
The ’Boys may or may not have made the right choice on the new head coach, but one thing’s for sure...his dear ol’ dad will make Cowboy hats and boots popular again at Texas Stadium