Nolan Ryan Believes in the Rangers; Curt Schilling Doesn't. You?

By Richie Whitt Thu., Mar. 31 2011 at 10:50 AM

Categories: Texas Rangers

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The new video scoreboard in Arlington

Saw former playoff standout pitcher Curt Schilling on some ESPN baseball preview this morning and he said -- I'm paraphrasing -- no way in hell the Texas Rangers repeat as American League West Division champs, much less AL champs.

Repeating is tough, as no AL team since the 2001 New York Yankees has won consecutive pennants. There are more than a couple of dorks out there who think the Rangers may even be a one-hit wonder.

As I've detailed, the pitching staff has me worried. No Cliff Lee. No depth. Counting on Brandon Webb. The inclusion of Mason Tobin.

The offense will have to carry this team, and it just might be good enough to do that with the addition of Adrian Beltre hopefully making up for the departure of Vladimir Guerrero.

Ready or not, the metroplex is excited about the season. Friday's 3 p.m. opener is a sellout, only standing room remained for Saturday and about 3,000 tickets are available to Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox.

As for Nolan Ryan crystal baseball ...

"Last year, I said we were capable of winning," Ryan said before last night's exhibition loss to the AAA Round Rock Express. "This year I expect us to win. I'm a believer in being honest and this year we are positioned better to win than we were a year ago."

In the middle of Major League Baseball's Opening Day and on the eve of Texas' first ever opener as the hunted, how do you guys feel about the 2011 Rangers?

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CJ is in a contract year, expect him to shine.
Predicting that is about as hard as predicting Im going to take a shit today! He'll do it after the first loss, just to perpetuate the bit
You could go ahead and not type like shit the first time...
maybe you need to be signed in to disqus. not sure.
you don't see an edit and reply button right over there on your posts? >>>>>>>>>>
So why does everyone care about Matt Treanor again? The Hardline were talking about him like he was Johnny Bench or something. He signed a 1 year $800,000 deal. Then Napoli became available, and the Rangers went for him. Napoli makes nearly $6 million. There's a reason the Rangers traded Treanor for a pack of bubblegum to KC. There was also a reason the Rangers didn't sign Vlad - his 2nd half of 2010. Maybe he'd be another good bat for the lineup, but the Rangers have options and while the production is very unlikely to be duplicated, it may also not wear down over the grind of a full season and could be more consistent down the stretch when the Rangers really need it.
Braden is probably the least best of the 4 if you count pedigree. Anderson and Cahill were stud prospects, and Gio Gonzalez has the stuff to be a front of the rotation pitcher but needs to fix his control issues, which he had big success with last season. You could be right that Cahill is in for regression as his peripherals suggest, and Gio Gonzalez is a big wild card, albeit with a very good spring. Anderson looks like the ace and Braden has outperformed expectations and could do it once again. The As offense is better than last season and they made subtle improvements with a revamped outfield. Willingham and Matsui both have 20 HR potential and top prospect Chris Carter could come in at any time and give their lineup a huge power bat. The As also made some big upgrades in the bullpen and have and are a trendy pick to take the West this season. I think it'll come down to the Rangers or Angels, but Oakland has enough to compete with a big wild card bat in Chris Carter who could give them some much needed power.
Where is the edit feature soft key located, please?
Seriously, on this PC I'm using, it shows no edit feature soft key.
Mine doesn't display one, sorry--it must be right next to the sarcastic/smart ace remarks button maybe? Thank you for enlightening me.
you did know that there is an edit button on your post, right?
Corrected version: 1. Will authentic Nolan Ryan Approved Snow Monkeys be a new item on the menu to go with those average-of-$125.00-dollar opening day tickets for your Red Shoed Rangers? 2. The new recorded message on the Rangers' tickets phone line should be: "third place Texas Raaangers."
Will authentic Nolan Ryan Approved Snow Monkeys be a new item on the menu to go with those average-of-$125.00-dollar opening day tickets for your Red Shoed Rangers--the new recorded message on the Rangers' tickets phone line should be: "third place Texas Raaangers."
With corrected typo(s)/grammatical errors: 1. How come no one else gave run to Ben and Skin's idea of moving Josh Hamilton to first base? 2. I don't trust Ian Kinsler to stay healthy all year--ditto for Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. 3. I love Nelson Cruz but fear he's been juicing and masking--or he must be Rickey Henderson throwback-great to be able to hit so many home runs sans PED's. 4. True Rangers fans know that even when last year's team struggled, it was their lack of offense--not pitching. And in '11, you remove 'Vlad and Matt Treanor and think the team's offensive output in '11 will be anywhere near what it was in '10--a transcendent, once-in-a-lifetime season? 5. The '11 Rangers will fail to score runs--remember how many times both Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson pitched great in '10 and got no run support?--now extrapolate that to the whole staff for '11. 6. ''11 Rangers: "the wheels are off." "--off". "on the Ticket."
1. How come no one else gave run to Ben and Skin's idea of moving Josh Hamilton to first base? 2. I don't trust Ian Kinsler to stay healthy all year--ditto for Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. 3. I love Nelson Cruz but fear he's been juicing and masking--or he must be Rickey Henderson throwback-great to be able to hit so many home runs sans PED's. 4. True Rangers fans know that even when last year's team struggled, it was their lack of offense--not pitching. And in '11, you remove 'Vlad and Matt Treanor and think the team's offensive output in '11 will be anywhere near what it was in '10--a transcendent, once-in-a-lifetime season? 5. The '11 Rangers will fail to score runs--remember how many times both Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson pitched great in '10 and got no run support--now extrapolate that to the whole staff for '11. 6. ''11 Rangers: "the wheels are off." "--off". "on the Ticket."
Correction to typo I made earlier and update on the greatness that is Matt Treanor: 1.Who replaces Vlad' Guerrerro's 90-100 rbi? Failed. 2.Without Vlad' protecting Josh Hamilton, Hamilton's '11 numbers will crater. Failed. 3.Why will CJ Wilson/C. Lewis both reprise career years during the same season in '11? Failed. 4.What if the bullpen is as bad during the '11 season as it was during '11 spring training? Failed. 5.Who will get the clutch hits that the now departed Treanor, the retired backup catcher who came to the Rangers from the Giants (?) and 'Vlad all got in '11? Treanor was already 1-for-3 on opening day for the Royals--bet that's better than what the Rangers' spare, mediocre catcher will hit tomorrowr versus the hated Red Sawx. Failed. 6.Who will singlehandedly get 2 or 3 game-winning or game-changing base hits under pressure versus the Angels in '11 like 'Vlad did in '10? Failed. 7.Third place in '11--behind what Southern Californians call the "A's" (referring to both the Angels and Athletics).
I don't know who it will be yet, but somehow JD will pull another CLee out of his bag of tricks before the trade deadline propelling the Rangers to another division title with 94 wins. Ogando shocks the world and receives Cy Young consideration. Ian Kinsler stays healthy all year and contends for the AL MVP. Rangers beat the Red Sox in 7 in the ALCS. Rangers beat the Phillies in 6 in the WS and for the second year in a row, CLee is the losing pitcher in the Series clincher. Ah, yes. One can dream, can't they? Ok, puff puff pass. Truth be told, I don't have a good feeling about this year's team. This team reminds me a little bit of those late 90's teams. Sure would have liked to see Neftali in the rotation. The Rangers need a LOT of things to go right for them to repeat. Last year's ride was exhilarating. Here's to hoping that this year will be just as memorable. Go Rangers!
Holland has looked good? Didn't he get shelled in his next to last tune up start? I don't believe Hunter was doing very well either. I know the Giants pounded him in one of his spring starts.
Yeah, he really kicked ass in the World Series, didn't he?
I predict the season won't be so much as one week old before we hear the first of many "THIS TEAM SUCKS!!!" proclamations from Rhynes. Gonna be a long road to ho.
Did you just list Matt Treanor and Benji Molina as clutch hitters and one of the reasons the Rangers won't contend?? Your entire post was just invalidated...
1. MY replaces Vlad's RBI 's he had 91 last year and with out the wear and tear of playing in the field could have more this year. 2. Beltre will protect Josh in the line up. 3. CJ will have the same or better year simply because it's contract year for him. If the Rangers can give Colby some more offence no reason why he can't be as good or better. 4.The bullpen sucked even more during the last spring big deal. 5. Wow it's gonna be tough to replace Treanor's 5 hr's and his whopping 27 rbi's. Don't even get me started with Molina's 2hr's and 19 rbi's. Gonna go out on a limb here and say Nap (26 hr's and 68 rbi's in '10) and Torrealba (7hr's and 37 rbi's) will be just fine. 6.So I am assuming here this was in the first half of last season? Again I think Beltre and MY will be just fine. By the way who WON'T be butchering right field during the playoffs this year? 7. Rangers win the west I didn't stutter.
Id like to see the A's hit more than 50 hr's as a team this year. They aint shit, they pitching staff may be stellar but they cant win if they dont hit did we really want Vlad back, he knees are shit and getting shittier and his post all star break average was not so good, and he hit in October about like cerrano during spring training of Major League
1.Who replaces Vlad' Guerrerro's 90-100 rbi? Failed. 2.Without Vlad' protecting Josh Hamilton, Hamilton's '11 numbers will crater. Failed. 3.Why will CJ Wilson/C. Lewis both reprise career years during the same season in '11? Failed. 4.What if the bullpen is as bad during the '11 season as it was during '11 spring training? Failed. 5.Who will get the clutch hits that the now departed Treanor, the retired backup catcher who came to the Rangers from the Giants (?) and 'Vlad all got in '11? Failed. 6.Who will singlehandedly get 2 or 3 game-winning or game-changing base hits under pressure versus the Angles in '11 like 'Vlad did in '10? Failed. 7.Third place in '11--I didn't stutter--third place--behind what Southern Californians call the "A's" (referring to both the Angels and Athletics).
Thanks for your 2 cents. Now go back to unfair park.
Kergs I love you as much as scruff and rdp1 and WBS, but EFF the Red Sox!!!! Go Red shoes, I wish failure upon any team not named the Rangers or Royals, gosh my baseball existance has sucked
Let me be the first to send a resounding "YANKEES SUCK!" to all you denizens of Gotham, and fans of the evil empire.
Mertie, you rock-nice pred's; very close to mine! Redsox over the Phils in 6 for the WS. Bucky for Cy Young. Youki for MVP.
who gives an s! CLee was built for the postseason......I'd make him my number PS guy evn if went if he went 7-20.
Rangers win 87 games and finish second to the A's, who win the division with 89 wins and are led by AL Cy Young winner Gio Gonzalez. The Angels are close too with 85 wins.
I don't get the infatuation with the A's. They had a great rotation last year, but if you really look at the stats, Braden is the only one that has a proven track record. Cahill was nails last year, but he's a 3rd year pitcher who has posted one sub 4.50 ERA season. If its apparently assumed that CJ and Colby can't produce like they did last year why can't the same be said for Cahill & Gonzalez for Oakland? I think Braden will deal, because he's proven that for a pretty good stretch here, but, to me, the jury is still out somewhat on Cahill and particularly Gonzalez. Then you turn to their lineup...to say its putrid might be a little conservative. Its better than last year, but last year they had a AAA lineup out there and their staff had to pitch its dick off just to keep them at .500. I'm more afraid of the Angels than anyone, but I would say at worst the Angels and the Rangers are even and I don't really think the Angels are that good. I believe CJ will actually improve this year from last, I think Colby will be about the same, and I think Dutch is poised to have a break out year. Not saying they'll win the pennant, but I think they'll win the west, and I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't close.
I think Nolan is talking about last year's team and this year's team at this point in time. Not after JD traded magic beans for Clee. Here's the M.O. boys: first third of season: see what you are... Second third of the season: see what can be done to improve what you are...Third third of the season: make an impact trade and run em down/over or trade away your future f/a's and stock up. This may be a restocking year, Ceej ain't gonna resign (nor would most of y'all want to give him a Zito type deal, if healthy Ceej is probably going to be the best pitcher available next year) with us and the MVP will only be under control for one more year..just saying, if it goes bad..JD will make us better...and if all goes well (and Milwaukee goes bad) then Mr. Greinke could be had at the trade deadline. The little redshoes buuilt up alot of street cred with me after last year, I'll wait to pronounce them dead..give me 88-92 wins, 1st place in the West.
no, and your also not the only one who knows that The Rangers would have won the west withoout him too, and and Frankie sucked so we wont miss him either. We certainly are not better than last year, but we are not worse. And lets see what midseason moves the Rangers make,
Am I the only one who remembers that Cliff Lee went 4-6 in the regular season for the Rangers?
1. Who gives a crap what Schilling says? Why does sports media think former players are automatically experts when it comes to analysis? Gammons (a real expert) told the Musers he thought the Rangers could win the West. I say they can too. Big damn deal. What does the ghost of Babe Ruth say? 2. My god, you're a baseball moron. Where exactly does it say they are counting on Webb? He's a cheap shot in the dark. They knew he likely wouldn't be ready to start the season. Holland has looked good to earn a rotation slot. Hunter was too until his injury. Ogando may surprise. Feldman will come back at some point. Harrison is always an option. So's Kirkman. And your obsession with Tobin is equal to acting like the infield is relying on German, or talking about how the Mavs are relying on Brewer. 3. 1st half Vlad or 2nd half Vlad? Hank Blalock could hit as well as 2nd half Vlad. Beltre will likely be an average of both those Vlads and be a net gain. 4. 88 wins. AL West champs, just barely. Damn As will look scary and my jealous hatred of Gio Gonzalez will continue. If they had a stajium worth a crap they could be even scarier. I'll also be at the temple. Which means three sports are active and we don't need any more freaking football stories until the eve of the draft.
I don't have any high hopes for them and if they went 81-81 it wouldn't drive me crazy. The pitching staff is being held together by chewing gum and baling wire. If CJ goes down, they're screwed. I think last year everything fell in place, and sometimes that's the way it go. Couldn't talk the wife into expending funds on opening day tickets, but I'm taking a half day tomorrow to post up on the love seat with a 6 pack of Shiner. Be a stranger, please?
"This year I expect us to win. I'm a believer in being honest and this year we are positioned better to win than we were a year ago." I like Nolan but I think he's losing it. No way is this team better than last year in pitching without Cliff Lee. You would think someone who was a pitcher would know just how important a good pitching staff is. Glad to see you are optomistic this year Richie but I'm not. If they find a top of the rotation pitcher before the trade deadline i'll change my tune,until then,meh.
"The offense will have to carry this team..." Ah, shades of Rangers past. This has traditionally always been a team that the offense had to carry, but the evidence suggests that offense is just not capable of carrying any team. Let's hope they make some good moves during the season with the pitching staff, because I don't think this staff is going to be able to git 'er done.
Rangers-85 Wins Redsox-101 Yanks-91 Rays-84 A's-86 Angels-85 O's-81 Twins-89 Royals-54 White Sox-who cares?
No, I don't think they'll win the AL. I do think they'll win the West. On a side note, it's funny, isn't it, that all these "experts" have talked about how this team is built for success for years to come. Now, all of the sudden, they're the same old Rangers. Which is it, ya'll? I'll be inside The Temple tomorrow. Don't be a stranger (I'll be in my buckskins).