Texas Rangers Got Themselves an All-Star Pitcher, a Controversial Hall of Famer, Lots of Draft Picks, a New Hitting Coach and Another Player on Baby Leave. Whew.

By Richie Whitt Thu., Jun. 9 2011 at 9:12 AM

Categories: Texas Rangers

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The real deal?

Lots of Texas Rangers' catch-up to spread around today ...

*Back in spring training we all watched how Neftali Feliz would react to being stretched out as a potential starter. While Feliz wound up back in the bullpen, Alexi Ogando became the team's oh-by-the-way No. 5 starter. And then he became ... dominant. An All-Star. Wow. Last night Ogando pitched into the 8th inning of a 7-3 win over the Tigers, becoming only the fourth pitcher in the last 50 years to go 7-0 in his first 12 career starts. Raise your hand if you saw this coming.

*One of the things I worried about in the Rangers potentially deteriorating into a one-hit wonder was the departure of hitting coach Clint Hurdle. He was affable and knowledgeable, a sounding board for players and the man who suggested dumping the toe-tap in Josh Hamilton's swing, a move that led to him winning an MVP. Hurdle's replacement, Thad Bosley, didn't make it to July because of communication problems and the fact that, among the regulars, only Michael Young and Mitch Moreland are hitting over .300. Scott Coolbaugh is the new hitting coach. Since going to the World Series, the Rangers have fired a hitting coach (Bosley), a TV play-by-play voice (John Rhadigan) and an owner (Chuck Greenberg). In other words, don't mess with Texas ... or Nolan Ryan.

*Kenny Rogers is the best left-handed pitcher in the history of the Rangers. He had 133 wins (second only to Charlie Hough) and that perfect game in Arlington in 1994. He's also one of the biggest assholes I've ever encountered in professional sports. And I think Fox 4 cameraman Larry Rodriguez will agree. I hear that these days Rogers has mellowed into a great guy. Same thing I hear about another former Hall of Fame jerk, former Cowboy Charles Haley. Next time I bump into both of them I'll do it with open arms. I can forgive, if not forget. As long as Rogers isn't inducted into the Human Being Hall of Fame.

*The Rangers selected 51 players in this week's amateur draft, including one who is paralyzed. In a classy move, Texas selected Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor in the 33rd round. He was paralyzed from the waist down on March 6 in an outfield collision with Zach Cone, whom the Rangers selected with the 37th overall pick.

*No doubt the Rangers lead baseball in one stat: Players on paternity leave. After Colby Lewis took a leave in April -- maybe you heard about it -- now it's Ian Kinsler. My thoughts haven't changed on this one bit, and after the Mavericks' season ends I plan a trip to Arlington for a visit with the two players and an ensuing column in the Observer. Start your screaming about "family first!" and all that, but imagine if Dirk Nowitzki held the same opinion ... and his baby was being born tonight at 8. That's what I thought. Family first, unless the game is really important.

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Tags:

Alexi Ogando, Baseball, Colby Lewis, Ian Kinsler, Ron Washington, Scott Coolbaugh, Thad Bosley

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Methinks anon is/was the Richie Shitts..wasn't much of a coup attempt..Davy had your back, and you've stayed up with your team.
RW, stay out of our fantasy league. I've been on paternity leave from the SFBL and the Sportytorium for the past two weeks, my daughter turned two weeks old today. I've made my fair share of moves, I check my pitching rotation daily, and the trades that are usually sent my way, when you put the numbers together, make no sense for me to accept them. If you are really in our fantasy league, don't be a pussy like fake Kergo. You can make your name known on here as I can give two shits if you want me in the league or not. I'm 6 pts out of 5th right now, and everyone is getting their ass kicked by Merkin so it really doesn't matter if I'm making a move or not.
You don't know wtf happened? You quit making changes to your team, that's wtf happened. I wanted to kick your ass out of the league with the Shitts, but enough people were against it, so you stayed in. I am keeping this anonymous b/c I don't want anyone knowing who I am.
I'll have to look at it at home later and crunch some numbers. My team is in Scruffyland. Less than a month ago I was in 5th place, I don't know wtf has happened.
I've felt bad for kicking RW in the nuts so much lately too, I'm gonna turn over a new leaf..just as soon as RW quits sucking so badly. (Don't envision either happening boys) Check your team TRDP1, I sent a very large and creative win-win type proposal your way.
I wish you guys would leave RW alone. I mean, obviously, a pitcher is more important than a 2nd baseman, and those guys deserve days off. Pitchers can't miss starts or they're super gay.
Trying to hijack my character you fucking furburger. First of all, I bang whomever I want as long as its spare, and if you looked in the mirror, you'd know you don't exist, its nice and smooth like a babys butt, just like richie likes it, reminds him of pauls butt
"Family and children are super ghey"
He also said that Ogando was ugly and that ugly people shouldn't be allowed to have kids. I guess Richie doesn't own a mirror because he is the last person who should be reproducing. By the way, if Richie needs more hair I have plenty to donate.
Way back in earliest of the 90's, Rogers used to judge a wet t-shirt contest over here in the Stockyards. He was very nice to all of us dumbasses, he'd buy a round of drinks and just hang out. It was around 92 or so, think he'd just moved into the Rotation.
True, true.
Merk I hit you back on trade prop..Joyce has been offered to 5 teams. Somebody make a deal. Scruff wouldn't be helped by a top 30 talent and Neffy, sorry Scruff...me still wants Greinke.
I'm not playing the swap meet game. I know what I want and need, you haven't offered that.
That was only two games before another long road trip though. He's only missing one home game.
Good luck getting RW to answer you. He usually doesn't answer serious questions. He just occasionally gets on to fire back at someone kicking his nuts.
Legwork appreciated Merk.
Also with 6 yankoffs leading the voting at their respective positions, its gonna take a few of warsh's choices to fill the "every team must have a player"
SBFL update: Merk is making this thing a race for 2nd place. Merten #2, Fandricks #3, surpise..suprise..J's bs #4..a gaggle of teams 5-9..Scruff is still trying to fend off the mighty Shitt's. I've put Joyce (top 30 player all year) on the trade block and want a T.O.R.S. in return, Scruffy thinks I'm trying to take advantage of him. I've sent Fandricks, TRDP1 and Balk You and Stupid Bitch some creative trade proposals. Check up on your teams fellow Sports.
Here ya go Ron Washington will manage the AL All-Star team in five weeks. He'd love to be in position to take unbeaten Alexi Ogando with him. Easy enough, right? Hardly. Nobody ever said that being the All-Star Manager was easy. First, much of the selection of the pitching staff has been taken out of the manager's hands. Five starters and three relievers are selected by the players. Of the five remaining selections, any number could be needed to insure that each of the 14 AL teams is represented So yes he does but he may not have enough choices to get him in. Here is a line to Evan Grants story that I excerpted above http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/ron-washington-would-love-to-t.html
Actually Scruff, the Ranger's would've been better served if Kin's wifey had of dominoed whilst they were on the road. He's ripping the cover off the ball at the old B.I.A.
Very good question, thing is you're using logic..whereas the midget only is trying to start fires.
Warsh picks reserves after all teams have a representative, No?
This team is better off without Kinsler batting lately anyway. He needs to press the mental reset button--he wastes at-bats more than anyone on the team. Kurt Suzuki took paternity leave, it wasn't a big deal. Did you have a problem with Roy Oswalt taking time away from Philly to check on his family after the tornadoes? He could've payed someone not scheduled to pitch to do that! I have a problem with you missing work for hair plugs, but like Kinsler, the team was better off.
RW, I am sure this has been asked before, but I have never heard your response to it. How do you feel about players getting days off for rest? That one day of rest could cost the team from making the playoffs at the end of the year too.
And your argument holds even less water with an everyday player on paternity leave, wow, he is missing 2 of 162 games, havent you taken more time off for butt implants? I guarantee you he wouldnt miss game 5 of the ALDS, ALCS or the WS. It is what it is, who gives a shit about family. He is able to do the right thing this time so he is. Obviously he tell his wife to eff off if she popped one out in October and he had playoffs to deal with
lets just hope he gets back on his feet, that might the hardest thing this guy has to face. nice gesture Rangers. As for Ogando, its unlikely he will be an All-Star even with warsh managing, he has to get e player from every team on first amongst other stupid popularity votes by players and fans. It sucks but its the truth
The Rangers have proven themselves to be total class acts w/the Taylor drafting. When he does get back on his feet, Im curious how the rangers will use him..Im starting to think he might end up on staff instead of getting on the field, as the team could use some "young thinking" when it comes to their pitching/catching/fielding coaching staffs..
i used to work at hackberry creek where kenny rogers would play occasionally. he was always a great dude and treated everyone well, even gave us guys in the bagroom the clubhouse phone # and said we could use it to get tix whenever we needed. decent seats too.