As I’ve gotten reminded about in email, I’ve been pretty quiet lately. Part of that is that not a lot has gone on in Ranger land. There is the search for a new field manager to replace Buck Showalter. That’s part of the problem. I don’t think I’m qualified enough to offer any kind of brilliant insight into any of the candidates. There’s been a lot said by the other local fans (Jamey, Lone Star Ball, etc), that my words wouldn’t offer anything brilliant. :)
I still am not sure which way they’re leaning. There is the quote that Wakamatsu is the favorite, but beyond that, I haven’t heard much about which way they’re leaning (which by all rights we shouldn’t anyway).
The only thought of my own I can add here is that I don’t think Ron Washington will get it, as he’s more likely to want the manager’s job of his own team than to jump ship over here and manage the Rangers.
Hopefully we’ll find out soon. That is after the World Series due to Selig’s “don’t announce any big news like that during the World Series” edict.

Anyone who knows me knows I can’t stand the Yankees, but what happened today in New York is really sad.
As I’m also a Phillies fan, I knew Lidle from there, and something must have been seriously wrong for this to happen.
My prayers will be with his family, for sure.

In this day of the “Ricoh scouting report”, and “Great American Ballpark”, and the “phone company call to the bullpen” comes this story… I thought I had seen it all, but then I suppose I should not be surprised by this. The 7-11 company has figured out a way to get a really subtle sponsorship. They’ve purchased the actual start time of the games! What’s next? Some popular hair dryer company sponsoring the air driven hand dryers in the bathrooms? Perhaps if Marge Schott were still around, she could sponsor some pooper scopper thing for Schotzie.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to start weeknight home games at 7:11 p.m. under a sponsorship deal struck with the convenience store chain known for its Slurpee frozen drinks, the team announced Wednesday.
White Sox spokesman Scott Reifert would not disclose the value of the three-year deal with Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc., but he said the revenue it generates will probably be reinvested in the team or its ballpark.
The new start time does not represent a drastic change since many weeknight games at U.S. Cellular Field currently start at 7:07 p.m., Reifert said.
“We’re just talking about four minutes, so it’s not much of an inconvenience for the fans,” he said.
Margaret Chabris, a spokeswoman 7-Eleven, said the company has been working to develop sponsorship deals with other sports teams and entertainment venues.
The Chicago area was targeted for such a deal because of its high concentration of 7-Eleven stores, she added. There are more than 180 of them in the area.
“Every time the media announces the game’s start time it will be a gentle reminder of our sponsorship,” Chabris said.

I was watching the Tigers / A’s game last night, and was listening to Lou Piniella in the booth. Whenever I think of him, I think of what happened against the Rangers on September 18, 2002. I looked back in my old entries, and this is what I wrote about that game:

This is the time of year that folks who root for bad baseball teams find ways to do other things. I’m no different. Last night I spent a lot of time watching the Monsters Inc. DVD that I got in yesterday. :)
I tuned in late to the game, and guess what? We lost in extra innings again. However, by far and away the most entertaining thing of the game that I watched was Lou Piniella’s blow up after Mike Young made a spectacular play at second to get (at least by the umpire’s call) an out. Lou of course came out and had a major Lou meltdown. Quite funny to watch, ESPECIALLY as the umpire kept his cool and didn’t say a word, just kind of stood there and let Lou spew. I’m fairly sure that egged Lou on a bit more than he might have. Was also nice of the TV folks to leave the game on Lou, and not cut away to commercials, so we could see it all. There’s only one picture below of this, wish there were more stills. Quite quite funny.

For those that don’t remember it, check this out – I found a video of this when looking around for something else.
As a Rangers fan however, it makes me sad, as it shows Travis Hafner in a Rangers uniform. Grrrr. He should still be in that uniform. Thanks Mr. Hart.

Here’s a cool link for you to check out. The site mlbtraderumors.com has been doing analysis of each team and what they’re projected to look like in 2007.
Here is their link. I did something smiliar a few days ago (although I’ve been too sick to think too much about who we should keep – 102 Degree fevers do that to you!).

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Yankees LOSE!
Oh man, you gotta love that. I was so wrong on that series prediction, too. But I’m really happy I was wrong about this one. Really happy. I seriously enjoyed watching this game.
Good for them. Today’s actions means I can stop living in fear of a New York New York World Series, which definitely means I would have tuned out. Thanks Detroit for letting me watch the World Series!

What a shame that the Veterans Commitee or whomever it was who was responsible for getting all the old Negro league players enshrined into the Hall of Fame this past summer didn’t include Buck O’Neill. He should have been there enshrined with the rest. Buck was there. He gave a great speech, and seemed to enjoy himself.
Shame on you guys. You blew it. Now it’s too late. He’s died.
Screw your “rules” about eligibility, and whne the next chance might be. You must put him in there in 2007 as a pitiful attempt to rectify the mistake you made by not including him with all the others from earlier this summer. It won’t be good enough, but at least his plaque will be there with everyone else’s. As it should be. As it should have been this summer.
If you get a chance, go watch the Ken Burns Baseball series. Buck O’Neill talks a lot in that, and you get an idea as to how much this man had to offer. I said this a lot when he was alive; I would have paid good money to see him and the rest of the Negro league players play. I get the impression the on the field baseball part of their lives was a lot of fun. Induct Buck!
I’m also still miffed at the Rangers for not retiring Oates’ 26 while he was still alive, but I’d write forever on that one if I get started down that path.

The A’s swept the Twins. Didn’t think that was going to happen.

Saw this posted elsewhere about another team, so I thought I’d post it for the Texas Rangers. If you’re still undecided about which team to root for in the playoffs, perhaps you can base it around which former Texas Rangers players are on the team:
American League:
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez
Athletics: Esteban Loaiza, Justin Duchscherer, D’Angelo Jimenez
Twins: Dennys Reyes, Phil Nevin, Jason Tyner
Tigers: Kenny Rogers, Pudge Rodriguez, Craig Monroe, Marcus Thames
National League:
Dodgers: Aaron Sele
Mets: Darren Oliver, Julio Franco
Cardinals: Randy Flores
Padres: Chan Ho Park, Rudy Seanez, Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez
I think that’s everyone. I miss anybody?

I decided to take a look at what is going on with the 40 man roster and comittments to 2007. I’ve seen bits and pieces here and there, but not a complete list. After asking Jamey Newberg a couple of questions about minutae regarding arb eligible players, I think I’m correct in this list.
2007 Committed Money:

• Hank Blalock – $4.75 Million
• Kevin Millwood – $7.5 Million
• Mark Teixeira – $9 Million
• Michael Young – $3.5 Million
• Ron Mahay – $1.2 Million team option
• Total: $25.95 (assuming Mahay’s option is picked up)

2007 Dead Money:

• Alex Rodriguez – $7 Million
• Phil Nevin – $2 Million (signing bonus due Jan 15, 2007 – not sure if we pay or not, could be Twins)
• Buck Showalter – $2 Million

Free Agents:
Adam Eaton ($4.65 Mil)
Carlos Lee ($8.5 Mil)
Eric Young ($700,000)
Gary Matthews ($2.8375 Mil)
Jerry Hairston ($2.3 Mil, Rangers owed 0, $1.5 Mil covered by Cubs)
Kip Wells ($4.15 Mil)
Mark DeRosa ($675,000)
Rod Barajas ($3.2 Mil)
Vicente Padilla ($4.41 Mil)
Arbitration Eligible:
“Arbitration eligible” means they’re bound to us (unless they’re non tendered), but we do not control salary.
Akinori Otsuka ($1.75 Mil)
Brad Wilkerson ($3.9 Mil)
Rick Bauer ($350,000 est)
Joaquin Benoit ($775,000)
Miguel Ojeda ($350,000)
Ron Mahay ($1 mil, also has 07 team option)
Rangers Controlled Salary Players:
“Rangers controlled” means they are not yet eligible for arbitration, and we can dictate salary.
C.J. Wilson ($331,500)
Daniel Haigwood (Unknown, presumed min)
Drew Meyer (Unknown, presumed min)
Edinson Volquez ($329,000)
Frank Francisco ($331,500)
Freddy Guzman (unknown, presumed min)
Gerald Laird ($332,000)
Ian Kinsler ($327,000)
Jason Botts ($328,000)
Joaquin Arias ($327,000)
John Koronka ($329,000)
John Rheinecker (Unknown, presumed min)
Josh Rupe ($328,000)
Kameron Loe ($348,770)
Nelson Cruz (Unknown, presumed min)
Nick Masset (Unknown, presumed min)
Robinson Tejeda (Unknown, presumed min)
Scott Feldman ($329,000)
Victor Diaz (Unknown, presumed min)
Wes Littleton (Unknown, presumed min)
Hopefully that’s all right. I believe it is, but if I’m flat out wrong on something, and you can prove it, please let me know. :)