Dallas Sports Blog

​The good news: Your Texas Rangers may be led next season and beyond by an ownership group that includes Nolan Ryan as a front man and Roger Staubach as an investor.

The bad news ...  

​The Rangers season is over. The Rangers' hitting coach career is also kaput.

Not saying it he's a bad coach. Just saying it's time.

The official release ...

​Seems like the Texas Rangers season ended months ago doesn't it?

Don't look now, but the cool kids are still playing baseball. The League Championship Series start this week with Angels-Yankees and Dodgers-Phillies. According to national TV ratings, you're not looking at all - as Dallas/Fort Worth ranked 54th out of the top 56 metered markets during the first round of the playoffs.

While Tom Hicks considers three serious buyers for his team and continues slashing budget by getting rid of top scouts and long-time clubhouse manager Zach Minasian, there is Ranger intrigue as it pertains to October baseball ...

​Even if European soccer owner Tom Hicks convinced Major League Baseball to inject the same screwy tables that govern soccer into America's pasttime your Texas Rangers wouldn't be a playoff team.

But, alas, they wouldn't be relegated, either.

If baseball were run according to European soccer standards--top teams earning international play (or advancement, in the case of minor league squads), the worst facing relegation to the league below--the woeful Pirates, Orioles and Nats would be playing AAA schedules next season.

Advancing? Sacramento, Louisville and Durham--probably an improvement. 

We looked at these unique "standings" a couple months back. Time to see how we wound up.

In this fantasy scenario, the top five major league squads enter into a kind of Champions League, a true World Series with winners from Japan, Canada, Korea, etc. And, as happens occasionally in Europe, a class A team could work its way up to major league status. 

Yeah, for you literal-minded folks, this could never happen. Minor League teams are bound to the top clubs. If things were different, though, we'd have races up and down the table. The battle to stay out of the cellar would be just as fascinating as the fight for the league cup. 

 

The final standings:

​All this hubbub over those feisty Minnesota Twins and those dramatic Detroit Tigers and the dawn of the baseball playoffs slapped me sober this morning.

Ponder this, Rangers fans: Texas' 87 wins would've been enough to win the American League Central Division.

As I detail in this week's column in your friendly Dallas Observer print product, despite the bitter end in which their offense vanished during a spirit-stealing 6-13 September stretch, the Rangers' season was a success. Best record since 2004. Most hope since ... forever. With its new-found pitching and defense and anticipated matriculation of baseball's best farm system, the Rangers' table has been set and the foreplay is all but over. Next season should be the season. 

Alas, for the 10th consecutive year there is no October baseball in Arlington. Doesn't mean there won't be be baseball in our lil' corner of the blogosphere.

In the end, they weren't real - or spectacular.

​Okay, that's long enough.

Now, what happened?

A season that began with that three-game sweep of Cleveland way back in April and held our interest until mid-September is closing with an all too familiar whimper - meaningless games in October for the 10th consecutive year.

With their loss to the Angels last night, the Rangers were officially eliminated from the Wild Card and the post-season. For a long time it appeared this year would be a success, but right now it sure doesn't feel like it.

So I ask you, Rangers fans, who gets the blame for this season's failure?

​Buddy of mine took his 9-year-old to the Rangers game Monday night in Arlington. Kid, not surprisingly, wanted some ice cream. In one of those cool, plastic Rangers helmet cups.

One problem: "They didn't have any Rangers helmet cups," my buddy tells me. "They had run out. They told us they only had Dodgers and Astros. I asked if they were getting Texas cups in and it was like 'Uh, not until next season.' They just shrugged. It was like a going-out-of-business sale and all the good stuff was gone."

The Texas Rangers are broken. And, despite owner Tom Hicks' assertions otherwise, they are also broke. Hicks says no worries, but president Nolan Ryan tells the Star-Telegram's Jim Reeves a different, desperate tale.

Seriously, at this point I'm not going to be surprised if pitcher Kevin Millwood - only 4.1 innings from reaching the 180-inning threshold and guaranteeing a $12 million contract for 2010 - is not only shut down for the season, but also put on waivers.

You?

​I raised the white flag a while back. Apparently you guys finally gave up, um, last night.

With the Texas Rangers in the middle of a pennant race for only the fourth time in their 37-year history and Cy Young candidate Scott Feldman pitching against a very beatable opponent, an announced crowd of 13,669 showed up Monday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

I watched some of this on TV and it didn't look like more than 9,000. At one point I heard Ian Kinsler calling for a pop-up.

Shame.

C'mon Mr. Sunshine, we need you more than ever.

​Uh-oh, another faceplant by Derek Holland.

After a doubleheader split the Rangers trail Boston by 4 in the Wild Card and Anaheim by 6 in the West with 20 games remaining.

If the Red Sox (who swept a doubleheader) and Angels (who never ever never lose) maintain their .600 paces they'll each go 12-8 down the stretch.

To catch tie Boston, Texas would need to finish 16-4 and to catch Anaheim the Rangers would have to go 18-2.

Daunting, to say the least. Not impossible. Not totally implausible. Just friggin' difficult.

Neftali Feliz likes him. So should you.

​I have no idea who or what Omega El Fuerte is. But if it's good enough for Texas Rangers' fireballin' phenom Neftali Feliz, it's good enough for me.

When the ridiculous rookie enters a game over the weekend in a crucial series against the Seattle Mariners, he'll be serenaded by cheers from frenzied fans and by the pulsating sounds of Omega - a hot Latin artist from his Dominican Republic - courtesy of Rangers' in-game entertainmant guru Chuck Morgan.

We've come a long way from a simple organ hitting a couple a notes as Major League batters stride to the plate or jog in from the bullpen. Go to a game in Arlington and you'll be reminded that the Rangers are, indeed, a little bit country, a little bit Rock & Roll and a whole lotta rap.

"Back in the day, organists in ballparks use to play something that had to do with the player's name or where he was from," says Morgan, who got his start in AA ball in Nashville in the late '70s. "That evolved into the playing of records for names and homes. Today, youth leagues, high schools, colleges and minor league teams all have access to music systems where music can be played with the click of a mouse. So a lot of these players, by the time they get to the big leagues, have had music played for them from youth leagues on."

You work out to your iPod; baseball players have Morgan.

Went to Rangers Ballpark last week and before a lazy, sparsely attended doubleheader, suddenly Korn was blaring through the speakers as Ian Kinsler came to the plate. Suddenly, the Rangers sounded like a shot of 5-hour Engergy. As the night wore on I heard some Brooks & Dunn, Gorilla Zoe and - when Frankie Francisco was summoned to close consecutive wins - something called Mambo Gago, this crazy ditty with a kickin' back beat but also what sounded like New York City cabbies laying on their horns.

"I start getting the list together around the first of March," says Morgan. "Some guys change daily, some change by homestand and some will hear something on the road or on the radio and change when they get back from a road trip. But this year, we've had very few changes."

If the record ain't broke, don't change it. Right?

Morgan was kind enough to send me the Rangers' full playlist. Some of the songs you'll recognize. As it seems we're headed for meaningful October baseball, the rest you better start becoming familiar with.

My review: Josh Hamilton went Christian, Kinsler and Michael Young kick it old school, Jason Grilli has the best taste on the team and the stoic, effective Darren O'Day picked the most fitting tune.

This Rangers' playoff run has had more twists and turns than a ... well, you know.

​At this point don't fear the valleys, just enjoy the roller-coaster.

Just when - yet again - it seemed your Texas Rangers were going to fall out of playoff contention by not scoring a single run in their last 15 innings in Baltimore, this happens.

The resilient Rangers, playing without big bats Michael Young and Josh Hamilton, last night scored 21 runs on 31 hits (Marlon Byrd had seven) in sweeping a doubleheader from the crappy Cleveland Indians. Why this didn't happen over the weekend I have no idea. Will it continue today I have am clueless.

I do have a decent vision of what will happen today ...

Now isn't the time for potential. It's the time for production. Right?

​The Rangers' past is sucky and their future is murky. There are frightening skeletons in the closet and financial potholes down the road.

The present, however, smells delicious.

That's why Derek Holland should be taken out of the starting rotation and replaced by Dustin Nippert. Love Holland. He's 23 with tremendous potential. But with the Rangers throwing meaningful pitches in September for only the fifth time in the franchise's 38-year history, the ball should be handed to their best pitchers and right now Holland's not one of the top five.

In this afternoon's doubleheader in Cleveland, Tommy Hunter and Brandon McCarthy get the chance to beat a sub-.500 the Rangers just have to sweep. But on Sunday Holland provided his third consecutive stinker in an ugly 7-0 loss to the Orioles.

Same ol' story: When he doesn't have command of his fastball and falls behind in the count, he gets pounded.

Not sure why I had a Christmas ham under my cap. But at least I can prove I'm a Rangers' lifer.

​They've lost Michael Young (two weeks with a hammy) and now maybe even Josh Hamilton (left last night's game with back ouchie). But, give them credit, your Texas Rangers haven't lost hope.

And why should they?

Allow me to quickly clarify my position: I don't think the Rangers will make the playoffs, but I sure as hell hope they do. I've been a fan since watching Frank Howard whistle a homer out to center field in the first game ever played in Arlington. I want them to rally past the Red Sox and Angels. I just don't believe it's going to happen. (Accuse me of reverse psychology, maybe. But not of being an outright hater.)

Make sense?

Last night, however, was another step - actually, three - in the right direction. Rangers beat the Blue Jays while Boston and Anaheim lost. The Wild Card race is, shall we say, interesting?

And just lookie what appeared in my inbox yesterday afternoon. I hope you're sitting down ...

'Twas a sweep. Get it?

​10. I'm impressed. Your Texas Rangers bounced back from Monday's gut-wrenching 18-10 loss with typical, testosteroned resiliency. Granted, the Blue Jays suck - 18 runs one night; last night only 12 hits in 18 innings - but the Rangers could've caved. They didn't.

9. I was reminded last night that there's something really special about meaningful September baseball. The crowd was only 17,203 - I swear there weren't more than 500 people in the park for the day's first pitch at 4:05 - but lively. With a full moon, a comfortable night and every fan hanging on every pitch, Rangers Ballpark was the place to be.

8. Not lost in the wins: Michael Young's pulled hamstring. Suffered in Game 2 trying to beat out a grounder, after the game it looked pretty serious. Ouch.

7. I realize I'm late to the party, but I don't trust C.J. Wilson. He got through the 8th in Game 2, but not before turning a 5-1 lead into a bases-loaded, one-out, 5-2 nail-biter.

6. Most amazing stat of the season that I would've lost $1 million betting against. Despite Josh Hamilton not hitting his 10th homer until Sept. 1 - he hit two in Game 2 after a 23-game, 99-at-bat drought - the Rangers are 16 games over .500. Given Hamilton's drastic drop-off, I would've believed Texas would be 16 games under maybe. But over? Get outta here!

​And the Rangers pull within 11-10! They were down 11-0!! This could be the historically fantastic game that catapults them and energizes them the rest of the season!!!

What a comeback!!!! Magical season/playoffs here we come!!!!!

One more clutch hit and ... Oops ... 12-10 ... 13-10 ... 14-10 ... 15-10 ... 18-10 ...

Like I said, this could be the game that craters what was left of the Rangers' chances.

Yeah, he had some help. But he blew it.

​*Catching and throwing the ball has rarely been a problem this season, but yesterday's 5-3 loss was hideously reminiscent of years gone by. First off, I blame C.J. Wilson. The worst thing you can do when protecting a 1-run lead is walk the leadoff man. Nelson Cruz made an error and Hank Blalock made a high throw and - considering they got only eight hits and scored only eight runs in three games at the Metrodome - the tiny margin for error bit them in the ass again.

*Tell me again why Taylor Teagarden is playing over Pudge? Rodriguez is hitting .321 since arriving from Houston; Teagarden was 3 for 19 on the recent road trip and is hitting .192. Nothing against Taylor, he's a great prospect. But with the scent of the playoffs getting stronger by the day, the best players should be on the field.

*The Rangers, by the way, had been 46-3 overall and 25-1 when leading after seven innings on the road. Amazing as that is, Sunday's loss hurt.

*A 4-5 road trip isn't horrible. But when you consider two of the wins came at Yankee Stadium, it's disappointing.

*Down 3 1/2 in the Wild Card and 5 in the West with 33 games remaining, the Rangers play their next 10 games against teams - Toronto, Baltimore and Cleveland - that are a combined 49 under .500. Anything less than 8-2 is unacceptible.

​Random thoughts after a roller-coaster, thrilling, frustrating, sweat-stained best game of the Rangers' season:

*From 0-4 to 2-4 to 7-4 to 7-5 to 10-5 to 10-9, seriously, what a damn entertaining baseball game.

*Elvis Andrus turns 21 today. His baseball IQ turns 219.

*I watched the game at a bar, so maybe it was just me. But that game wasn't in HD wasn't it?

*Something's not right with Kevin Millwood. Of course without him allowing a 4-spot in the 1st the Rangers wouldn't have been able to produce their biggest comeback win of the season.

*Thing I most like about Michael Young isn't his scorching hot bat. It's his "it's just another victory" approach. As a long-suffering Rangers' fan I'm guilty of knee-jerking wildy after each game. But with Young in the clubhouse, Texas' younger players have a veteran voice keeping them level-headed.

​I realize Pudge Rodriguez was brought here with the understanding he'd be a backup. But less than a week into his second coming, scuh-roo that!

If starting Pudge throughout the three-game series against the Yankees that starts tonight in New York hurts Taylor Teagarden's wittle feewings or momentarily thrwarts the return and/or development of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, so be it. Pudge has hit, called good games, is the best catcher on the team and, therefore, he should be playing.

Why? Because, youth movement be damned, for the first time in a long time your Texas Rangers are in the midst of meaningful August baseball. Pennants take priority over politics.

 

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This week's column in the Dallas Observer wasn't more dogpiling on Josh Hamilton, but rather some perspective on how unfairly most of us (yeah, I'm pointing at me) jumped on Josh Howard.

They both screwed up. They both - eventually - apologized. They are both deeply religious dudes.

They both ... get portrayed in the media quite differently.

When did you write off Tom Hicks: Before, after or perhaps during this photo op?

​Unless you consider the Dallas Stars' 1999 Stanley Cup a lifetime pardon, we've all got one. That is, that moment when Tom Hicks did/said something so outrageously inane that you WTF'd him onto your permament shit list.

For me it was the Texas Rangers' owner offering the bassackward philosophy of - and I'm paraphrasing - "Well, if you expect me to spend more money on free agents you'd better come out and spend more money at The Ballpark." My reaction was slump shoulders. Long face. Head buried in hands. And, of course, not going to The Ballpark.

Do you remember the Hicks Hiccup that did it for you?

Signing A-Rod? Chan Ho Park? Saying Rangers' fans weren't as passionate as Liverpool fans? Missing Stars' playoff games? Not having the cash to sign this year's first-round pick Matt Purke? Those exhorbitant water bills?

With the Rangers poised to make the playoffs and win a World Series sooner rather than later, it's time to determine where the owner fits in. Have the Rangers won because of him, or despite him? Will he deserve a seat on the parade's lead float, hoisting the trophy? Or a spot in the back, toting Zonk's drum?

In light of the team's likely sale and his ongoing financial woes, will he even be around to enjoy the success?

​Wow.

The greatest all-time Texas Ranger is coming home.

Despite Kevin Richardson's two-hit debut in last night's win, the Texas Rangers are this close to trading for catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. The deal, according to a team source I just got off the phone with, would send two "mid-level" prospects to the Houston Astros.

This, of course, is a five-star sign that management is in full-throttle, go-for-it mode.

For the first time in a long time, your Rangers have a better option than Kyra Sedgwick

​After Friday's monumental, six-run implosion in a gut-wrenching loss to the Boston Red Sox, I heard lots of calls for Frankie Francisco's job - if not his head.

But give Texas Rangers' manager Ron Washington credit. The guy is an unflappable optimist. At times to a fault, he trusts his players.

"Frankie's never been quite right since an early-season visit to the DL." "He can't pitch back-to-back days." "He'll mentally never recover from Friday."

Washington heard the calls, too. And how'd he respond?

He handed the ball - and the closer's job - back to Francisco on Sunday and Monday. And, boy, was he ever rewarded.

AL WILD-CARD STANDINGS

Texas Rangers	67	50	--	45
Boston Red Sox	66	51	1.0	45
Tampa Bay Rays	63	54	4.0	45
Seattle Mariners	61	57	6.5	44
Chicago White Sox	61	58	7.0	43

Now that's more like it.

​Okay, I'm impressed.

Friday night's kick-to-the-crotch loss to the Boston Red Sox felt like that moment. Big game. Big crowd. Gigantic implosion.

Frankie Francisco's blown save - six runs - felt like the big-bang instant in which a demoralized, gutted bunch of Texas Rangers' youngsters starts sinking in the standings, inexorably chained to the weight of an emotional defeat.

I likened it to a guy going to a club, catching the eye of an extremely hot, outta-his-league girl and getting her phone number, only to drop the digits down a sewer drain on the way home. Lost forever, along with his will to pursue another damsel.

But you know what happened before the Rangers could feel sorry for themselves? They played another game. Elvis Andrus and Julio Borbon literally ran through the sorrow, leading Texas to a record eight stolen bases in a 7-2 victory on Saturday night.

And then yesterday afternoon, the Rangers had the balls to win another game, take another series and - ta-da! - slip into the AL Wild Card lead with 46 games remaining.

Kids do the darndest things.

Some days the Rangers seem legit; others full of saline.

​Got this "friend" named Newy Scruggs. He has his theory that the Texas Rangers "play well against the big boys."

Hogwash I'd tell him, until the Rangers took two of three against the Angels last weekend. Then I watch Texas last night and - yep - I'm starting to embrace all sides of Newy's thesis. Including the flip-side which mandates that while the Rangers play up to their competition, they also stoop down to it.

Evidence: Indians 5, Rangers 0.

Deadspin

​Former Highland Park star and Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford had himself quite the summer bash recently. Girls in bikinis. Dirty dancing. Some sort of beverages in those same red cups that I serve alcohol in at my pool parties.

Who knows, maybe whipped cream made a cameo at some point.

But you know why these pics - on the same site that first posted the photos of Josh Hamilton's infamous night - aren't a big deal?

*Because Stafford doesn't go around making his "personal savior" a very public story (would you believe a 1,900-word feature and not a single "God"?).

*Because Stafford doesn't profit from his amazing Jesus-fueled tale of recovery and redemption.

*And, mostly, because Stafford's forthcoming about his partying. (Oh yeah, also because he ain't married.)

​How you get shut down by Gio Gonzalez and then light up John Lackey I'll never know, but your Texas Rangers deflected the dirt from their coffin in Anaheim this weekend. I still don't think they'll catch the Angels or make the playoffs, but taking two of three in California keeps baseball relevant past mid-August.

For the year before the year, it's an amazing season.

Derek Holland was devastating in yesterday's complete-game, 7-0 shutout win. His fastball had life and accuracy. His curve made even Vlad Guerrero look silly. In two of his last three starts he's made us all very happy the Rangers didn't give him up in a deal for Roy Halladay, eh?

Two wins over the Angels is trumped by only thing ...

​My problem isn't that Texas Rangers' All-Star Josh Hamilton got drunk, took off his shirt and playfully licked whipped cream - and vice-versa - off three hot females in an Arizona bar last January. My beef isn't that a born-again guy who continually tells us I Am Second decided to - according to the photos that look like they belong in The Hangover credits - bat himself first that night.

Problem? Hardly. Jealousy? You betcha.

Even though he's a drug addict tested for cocaine three times a week, he's allowed to drink alcohol. He faces no disciplinary action from the Rangers or Major League Baseball. Fine, no quarrels.

But Hamilton made a mistake. And it's a whopper.

While trumpeting his faith in Jesus Christ, he conveniently forgot the virtues of honesty and integrity. He misplaced the bit about being forthcoming. Informing the Rangers, MLB and his wife, Katie, about his hiccup was fine and dandy. But sometime well before Saturday - back in January preferably or at least upon the commencement of spring training in February - Hamilton should've come clean and volunteered the same information with the media, his fans, his teammates and, for crying out loud, his personal chaperone.

Because how many times since that night at Maloney's Tavern has Hamilton given a motivational speech, testimony or interview in which he gave props to his Savior's strength and reiterated a sobriety dating back to Oct. 6, 2005?

Sorry, but not telling the truth - the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God - is tantamount to lying. Right?

Ladies and gentlemen, the future. Well, at least part of it.

​And now you know why I didn't exactly shed a tear that the Texas Rangers decided against acquiring Roy Halladay in exchange for a package that included one Neftali Feliz.

In a word: WOW!

Merry Christmas, Rangers fans.

The 21-year-old righty made a spectacular Major League debut last night in what turned out to be a kick-to-the-crotch 3-2 loss to the Oakland A's, striking out the first four batters he faced and routinely touching 100 mph on the radar gun. No pitcher since 1962 had struck out the first four batters of a debut before Feliz turned the trick.

And it wasn't merely what he did, but how he did it: During Feliz' scoreless two innings, his first two pitches hit 99, he threw an 82 mph curve, a 91 mph splitter and his 30th and final pitch was a 101 mph fastball.

I believe it was about a year ago ... yes, it was last August that I was priming you for this day. Remember?

​Two years after sitting down with Texas Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels for this positive story with the negative headline, I had a long chat with him last week.

Daniels deserves tons of credit for Texas' No. 1 farm system, for strokes of genius like Andruw Jones and Darren O'Day and Elvis Andrus, and for, let's face it, shoving the Rangers into a pennant race a year ahead of schedule.

But as Friday's trading deadline approaches, Daniels has a dilemma.

Pitchers like Ian Snell and Cliff Lee may no longer be available, but does he "go for it" and trade prospects for a pitcher who could push Texas closer to a title right here and now? Or does he "stick to it" and continue the patient, building process that has the Rangers stocked with one of the best futures in baseball?

Let's ask JD, shall we? ...

I know the Texas Rangers swept the previously mighty Boston Red Sox and we're all atwitter about the American League West division race heading into August ... September ... maybe even October?

But what if baseball were governed according to, say, European football standards?

You know, the top teams rewarded with international play and/or advancement and the worst facing relegation to the league below. I can see the initial extended excitement. Actually a reason to watch Pirates-Nationals and your Rangers flirting with the Champions League? Yeah, I get it. But I also see some problems. As in, it would be a total upheaval of the current farm system.

But I'm a man of open mind. 

And being a man of international mystery and domestic food, my buddy Dave Faries actually thinks it would be a good thing. Dave, state your bloody case ...

Baseball claims that inter-league games add excitement. But let's say there were 11 teams in contention for the final "Champions League" spot while at least eight struggled to avoid dropping to AAA level - that's 19 races to keep track of, not including the five battling for the top spot.

In the minor leagues, things are even more dramatic. Instead of our two-team "World Series", we'd end up with a Champions League tournament pitting the top five MLB squads against a pool featuring the best from Japan, Canada (note Toronto has been kicked out of the MLB), Korea, Europe, South and Central America, and so on. An actual world series, if you will.

The enusing tables are as of last Sunday morning - July 19, the All-Star break - with standings based upon wins only. Ties are broken by the number of road victories. Just makes things easier. As it stands going into the break, the Indians, Padres and Nationals are likely to end up in AAA next season, with Sacramento, Colorado Springs and Norfolk top candidates to advance into the major league.

Jump for the insanity that would make for a delicious reality ...