SB Nation User Blog: Austin Ranger

Justin Smoak | MFK Game

Austin Ranger — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:19:11 -0000

I guess it's no surprise, but I'm not quite sure what to think about the Justin Smoak pick in the draft. Thoughts?

On a more important note, I have a MFK game selection for everyone...here are the three choices:

Britney Spears, Jami Gertz, and Rachel Bilson

For the record, mine would be K, M, F.

(1) I can't stand Britney

(2) Who wouldn't want to marry Jami

(3) I'd be hitting dat all night long

All-Star Balloting

Austin Ranger — Wed, 28 May 2008 01:25:54 -0000

The All-Star balloting so far is interesting and, in some cases, a joke...

Jeter getting well over twice as many votes than the next short stop tells me that NY is overwhelming the voting with the "pitty factor". Besides his hitting, there's really not much there -- yeah, yeah...leadership blah blah blah. Statistically, he's a poor infielder and on the verge of being moved to first. This is clearly a "gimme" for having him start in the last All-Star game to be played in that $hithole in NY.

OK, after having gotten that obligatory rip on the NYY out of the way, I'll work through the order...and I'll only look at the AL because nobody really cares about the NL, do they? I have, by the way, put in my 25 votes.

First Base: Youkilis is a "no-brainer". Enough said.

Second Base: I can get on board with Pedroia. Scrappy lil' fellow. I'm glad to see Kinsler getting some respect.

Short Shop: Already made my point above. To be sure, the most insulting thing here is the number of votes he's received relative to 2nd, 3rd, etc. He's not that much better.

Third Base: OK, he's been injured, but it's hard to vote against A-Rod. Besides Hamilton, he is the best player on the planet even if he does choke in the post-season.

Catcher: Varitek has the lead, but I'd probably pull for Rodriguez.

DH: It's big Pappi. Despite a slow start, I'd like to see anyone who'd not chose Ortiz to be the DH on their team.

Outfield: Hamilton at 6th is a joke. He should solidly be in second, behind Ramirez. The only good news is that, despite Ramirez's significant lead, the next 5 are fairly close. Hopefully, the SI spot as well as common sense will set in and people will give Hamilton at least a starting position (3rd or better).

The link to the results so far are below.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080524&content_id=2763042&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

Maxim's Hot 100 is Wrong

Austin Ranger — Sat, 24 May 2008 00:53:27 -0000

I like Maxim, but I have to say that whomever did their Hot 100 must be a switch hitter. I don't even think they were close on some of them. Here's my top 7. I know that Julia Ormond is a caveat of "in her day", but she's still hot. I'm sure we could go back in time and pick others...after I made this, I remembered that my all time....in the history of man...of all time...is Donna Reed....

1. Rachel Bilson

2. Jessica Biel

3. Eva Mendes

4. Sarah Michelle Gellar

5. Kate Beckinsale

6. Anna Faris

7. Julia Ormond (in her day)

I'm So Happy I Could Pee

Austin Ranger — Tue, 20 May 2008 01:51:44 -0000

The Rangers were 9-18 coming out of April and now they're contending for 2nd in the AL West.

How brilliant is Beane. Reloads his whole team...rebuilding year...hanging in second...unbelievable. Grant is brilliant...his predictions on the record throughout the months so far is so close is friggin scary.

I freakin' hate the Angels...can't even decide on a real name...they have to make some stupid marketing trick to try to get LA fans...pathetic...I'd root for an NL team like the Padres before the punk a$$ Angels...

Ranger Fan Living in Boston

Austin Ranger — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:30:54 -0000

I haven't ordered Extra Innings yet (just moved to Boston) and weekend's series was the first time I've been able to watch the Rangers this season...

Just sad...and I'm going to hear about it on work tomorrow. In both games so far, the Rangers were looking competitive right before they unraveled -- especially last night.

I wasn't naive to think the Rangers would win the AL West this year, but I was hoping that a surprising second place finish might be in the cards. Now, it appears to be deja vu from last season and they'll be 19 games out of first by the all star break again.

I like some of the trades that Daniels made last season (Teixeira, et al) for young talent, but I'm starting to second guess the dyslexic approach of going back-and-forth. Although I enjoy watching Hamilton launch balls like they deserved a drubbin', I'm not sure that trading Volquez away was the best move.

The Indians should serve as a blueprint for rebuilding -- Shapiro was brilliant a few years ago. At the time, everyone thought he was nuts (trading away Thome of all players), but his plan worked. Beane is another one -- everyone expects, or expected, Oakland to finish last. Even though it's early, they are at least playing .500 ball. Although it might be a few years before Oakland can consistently compete, at least they'll be in a good position. If the Rangers don't commit fully to rebuilding, we'll get mediocrity in a few years with a middle-of-the-road approach...and, at least so far, not even be competitive in the interim. I know the farm system is starting to look strong, but it can even be stronger with some additional young talent.

I think that Daniels should have gone all the way and stuck with a direction -- he still can. It means allowing EVERYONE to be up on the block except for young talent. Kinsler is the only starter that should be off limits.

Otherwise,

Vote on Danks Trade

Austin Ranger — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 15:25:17 -0000

I have been traveling and just got online to find out about the Danks trade. I was shocked because the Rangers have been so protective of Danks.

I have mixed reactions about the Danks trade. I hate to see Danks go, but many seem to think that McCarthy is a right-handed Danks...only a little ahead in his development.

I'm wondering what everything thinks. Is this a good trade, not sure so trade, or a bad trade?

Poll

Good Trade, Not So Sure, or Bad Trade?

Good Trade

74 votes

Not So Sure Trade

34 votes

Bad Trade

9 votes

117 votes | Poll has closed

Who's Your Favorite Ranger (Current Roster)

Austin Ranger — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:28:55 -0000

Just wondering...who's your favorite Ranger.

When talking favorite players, I only casually look at stats. Usually, there has to be more there.

So, vote for your favorite Ranger and you could also explain why...

Poll

Who's Your Favorite Ranger? (Current Roster)

Wilkerson, B.

0 votes

Kinsler, I.

11 votes

Millwood, K

0 votes

Young, M.

37 votes

Padilla, V.

1 votes

Blalock, H.

6 votes

Laird, G.

3 votes

Catalanotto, F.

4 votes

Tejeda, R.

1 votes

Teixeria, M.

8 votes

71 votes | Poll has closed

Spring Training in Surprise, AZ

Austin Ranger — Sun, 10 Dec 2006 00:37:04 -0000

Does anyone have any past Ranger spring training experiences they wish to share? Good...bad?

I have never been to spring training for the Rangers, but am seriously thinking about going this year. I'm just wondering what people's experiences have been in the past.

I'll be taking my son, if I go. Any helpful thoughts on going and what to do while there would be appreciated.

The McGwire Debate

Austin Ranger — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 15:03:25 -0000

The debate on whether Mark McGwire should be voted into the Hall of Fame is heating up.

The Hall of Fame is not a right, it's a privilege. As such, it is perfectly reasonble to expect clarity on whether Mark McGwire benefited from the use of steroids during his illustrious career. He had the opportunity to do so but chose not to provide that clarity and, as a result, irreparably damaged his baseball legacy.

Lastly, those feeling nostalgic and weepy about the thought of McGwire never making the trip to Cooperstown should take note of this -- he absolutely had to have known that his congressional testimony would cost him the Hall of Fame or, at the very least, put it in serious jeopardy and yet he took the easy way out. This is simply not good enough for the Hall of Fame.

Poll

Would You Vote for McGwire?

Yes

13 votes

No, but Thank You

11 votes

NFW

2 votes

26 votes | Poll has closed