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World Series 2007

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Definitely am not interested in the Red Sox winning this. Go Rockies. It’ll be portrayed as a David vs. Goliath kind of thing, I’m sure, and I’ll be rooting for the Colorado team. I saw the Rockies play in their inaugural season in 1993 when they played in Mile High Stadium. I wish I still had my Rockies hat I bought that day, but it’s gotten lost over the years.
I don’t want the Red Sox to win, mostly because they’ve become the Yankees. They’re the overspending high priced expected to win team. The only difference between the Red Sox and the Yankees now are the total number of World Series rings. Besides that, I view them no differently. I used to love going to Red Sox games in Arlington, except since 04 when the Sox won their series, their fans have grown more obnoxious than Yankees fans – something I didn’t think possible.
My prediction is Red Sox in 5, although I would like the Rockies to win – don’t care how many games.

Quiroz Gone

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  • C Guillermo Quiroz outrighted to AAA
  • C Guillermo Quiroz refused assignment, took free agency [ Link ]

Francisco Signed

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  • P Frank Francisco signed a one year contract, avoiding arbitration [ Link ]

Is Rudy Jaramillo out?

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Rudy Jaramillo is the last remaining link to Johnny Oates’ original coaching staff from 1995. He’s the longest tenured coach, and is widely respected and loved by his hitters. It does seem however, that 2008 will be the first year he’s not here in quite some time. That will feel odd.
Tim McMahon over at the DMN Rangers blog links to a rumour post that says that Jaramillo will go to the Mets as the hitting coach. As you recall, Rudy was a runner up to current Mets manager Willie Randolph, and the GM there (Omar Minaya) goes way back with Rudy.
If this does happen, who would you want to come in here? My personal choice for a hitting coach would be Rusty Greer. I think it would be a wonderful way to get him involved again – you know a lot of fans would make a big deal out of him being back in uniform. Plus with Mike Wood not a Ranger anymore, uniform number #29 is open again. Plus I bet Zack Minasian wouldn’t give out #8 next year, either.
Seriously though. If Rudy Jaramillo is gone, who would you want as a hitting coach? Leave a comment here – would like to see some feedback. Danke.

Roster Moves a Plenty

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There were a bunch of roster moves today. Mostly all procedural. The only real fallout of this is Mike Wood, who declined his assignment to AAA, and took immediate free agency. Below is a list of all the moves today. But before we get to this list, I wanted to mention this funny piece from last June with Mike Wood.
It was the video CJ Wilson made with various members of the bullpen. It’s darned funny. If you’ve seen it before take another look – it’s a funny piece. Check it out.

  • IF Joaquin Arias reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Akinori Otsuka reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Josh Rupe reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Willie Eyre reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Willie Eyre signed to a 1 year minor league contract for 2008
  • P Willie Eyre outrighted to AAA
  • P Mike Wood outrighted to AAA; Wood took free agency
  • C Chris Stewart outrighted to AAA
  • OF Kevin Mahar outrighted to AAA [ Link ]

Ton of Moves

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  • IF Joaquin Arias reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Akinori Otsuka reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Josh Rupe reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Willie Eyre reinstated from the 60 day DL
  • P Willie Eyre signed to a 1 year minor league contract for 2008
  • P Willie Eyre outrighted to AAA
  • P Mike Wood outrighted to AAA; Wood took free agency
  • C Chris Stewart outrighted to AAA
  • OF Kevin Mahar outrighted to AAA [ Link ]

Rod Barajas

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Rod Barajas spent 2007 with the Phillies after some strangeness in a contract negotiation with the Blue Jays.
Anyway, he won’t be back in Philly, as the Phillies declined his $5 million 2008 contract, buying him out for $500k. (link)
I wonder if we’ll be hearing talks of him back here – one would think not, but if we move Laird as has been talked about, one never knows what might happen. Anyone think we’ll see Guillermo Quiroz or Chis Stewart back in 2008? I would think not.

The Best of Times; The Worst of Times

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Sports tonight was most definitely a mixed bag. Big time. My emotions were all over the place. Such highs. Such lows..
It was the best of times..


It was the worst of times..

Even as bad (and I do mean BAD – it was really really awful) as that third picture was, I can still take solace in the fact that
THE YANKEES LOSE! THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YANKEES LOSE!
In an unrelated comment to either of these. Is it just me, or does Chip Caray sound just like Joe Buck? I kept thinking Joe Buck was working the game, and I remembered this wasn’t Fox.

Get Baseball Mogul 2007 for free!

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Baseball Mogul 2007I don’t know if you know of a game called Baseball Mogul or not. It’s a rather fun baseball game where you get to uber-micro manage a team. Set contracts, lineups, hot dog and ice cream prices, build a new stadium, move your team, etc, etc, etc. It’s a (mostly) text based game, and is a great way to pass some time if you’re into baseball.
You can read some more about it on Wikipedia here or on the official page for it here. Please note that this link will not get you the free game, just read it for info – the free link is later on in this post.
Anyway, to celebrate the playoffs, the program’s author (Clay Dreslough) has decided to give away last year’s edition of the game (2007) for free. All you need to do is go to the website and download it. The current edition is the 2008 version, but there’s nothing wrong with the 2007 edition if you don’t have it, or perhaps have an older version. The catch is that once the World Series is over, the offer is gone. The page with the free download is here.
I’ve been a fan of this game for many a year, and have bought many editions of it. If you’ve never tried it, I suggest grabbing the free download here – it’s the full game, just not the 2008 edition. There is a demo available for the 2008 version too, but that is limited to one season; this 2007 is the whole shebang.
If you’re into stats, numbers, and “sim” games – then you will probably like this. Give it a try.
Have you played this game/series? Let me know in the comments here.

Congratus to Carlos Pena

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OK, it lasted two days. I had to say something. :)

Congratulations to former Ranger Carlos Pena who won the AL Comeback player of the year award.

I remember when he was here thinking he was going to be the next big time 20+ year Ranger player, and he fizzled. Didn’t do great in either Oakland or Detroit. Of course he has a monster year in Tampa Bay, and his agent is Scott Boras. You think he’ll be staying there?

But that issue aside, it’s nice to see him figure it out. We’re in the market for a regular first baseman, what do you think? :) Shows you how long ago he was here, the mug shot pic I have has him wearing a red cap.