Thanks to AJM, who said it would be cool to post this here. 

We are now taking preorders for the 2012 Bound Edition of the Newberg Report, my 13th annual book on the Texas Rangers.  It’s nearly 400 pages commemorating the 2011 World Series season, easily the greatest and most compelling in the history of this franchise.  It’s all chronicled in the book, in daily, exhaustive, emotional detail.  For any Rangers fan, this book will be one to look back on for years and years.

The 2012 Bound Edition, with forewords written by Rangers Assistant GM Thad Levine and Ben Rogers and Jeff “Skin” Wade of the Ben & Skin Show on ESPN 103.3 FM, not only looks back on 2011 but also serves as a primer on what you can expect from this organization for years to come.  Nowhere can you find more information and analysis on the players that the Rangers are developing as future members of the major league team and, in some scenarios, as ammunition for trades such as the ones Texas made to strengthen a World Series-bound roster the last two summers. 

More than 3,000 of you on this mailing list are past customers of the Bound Edition, but for those of you who are relatively new to the Newberg Report, here is what you can expect from the book:

THE FEATURES

The book picks up right where the 2011 Bound Edition left off, taking you from October 2010 through October 2011 and containing every report I wrote in that span (including every “Trot Coffey” rumor dump), from the aftermath of the 2010 World Series all the way through the 2011 World Series, including a post-season that was certainly the most epic period of baseball in Texas Rangers franchise history.  The Bound Edition is the most thorough account you’ll find of the many twists and turns that the 2011 season took, and of the implications of the personnel moves that highlighted it. 

The day-by-day journey that the book takes through the magical 2011 campaign, from the off-season through the World Series, makes the 2011 Bound Edition a seriously outstanding holiday gift.  So, you know, buy lots of them.

Not just a complete record of the Rangers’ season, the book includes a feature section comprised of an entire section of new material that won’t ever appear on the website or in any e-mail deliveries.  Included in that section are rankings and analysis of more than 70 Rangers prospects throughout the club’s highly ranked farm system, as well as the series of my MLB.com articles from 2011 featuring 25 of the most prominent prospects in the system, making the Bound Edition a primer on the players who will keep this organization in contention for years to come.

I won’t yet reveal the photographs that appear on the glossy front and back covers – taken by some of the best photographers in the business – but they both capture the historic heights this franchise reached in 2011 and feature some of the organization’s top young players.  As always, the covers are perfect for autographs.  And as we always do, we will put together at least one book release party, and probably two, where you can bring your books and get them signed by Rangers players and officials.

And it’s a pretty awesome cover this year.

THE PRICE

The 2012 Bound Edition is $24.95 per book, plus shipping.

Because I have to front the costs (and for obvious reasons we’re printing more this year than we ever have before), if you plan to buy copies of the book, preorders are appreciated.  The plan is to have the books ready for delivery in time for the holidays.

I also have all the previous editions of the Bound Edition for sale.  The price breakdown is as follows:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->2012 Bound Edition – $24.95 (shipping is $5.00 for first book, and $2.00 for each additional book)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->2011 Bound Edition (First World Series edition) – $20.00 (free shipping)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->1999/2000 through 2010 Bound Editions – $15.00 each (free shipping)

SPECIALS

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->A gift set of all 13 Bound Editions is available for $175, which is a $35 discount

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Buy three or more copies of the 2012 Bound Edition, and I’ll throw in a free copy of the 2011 Bound Edition, which chronicles the Rangers’ first ever World Series season

ORDERING

You can order by credit card through PayPal.  To do that, click here (or type in http://www.newbergreport.com/buythebook.asp), and it will take you a few seconds.  Just type in the quantity you want and your email address, and click the “Pre-Order Now” tab under the book cover graphic.

You can also order by check or money order, payable to “Jamey Newberg,” at:

Jamey Newberg

Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C.

Thanksgiving Tower

1601 Elm Street, Suite 4100

Dallas, TX 75201

Paypal orders will be most prompt in terms of turnaround time. 

Regardless of your method of payment, please make sure to include your mailing address, and specify how many of each book you want. 

NOTE: IF ORDERING VIA PAYPAL, PLEASE PROVIDE A PHYSICAL ADDRESS.  WE CANNOT SHIP PAYPAL ORDERS TO P.O. BOXES.  (If you can only receive your order at a P.O. Box, please pay by check.)

I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s book, primarily because of the amazing story we all got to live through this season.  I’m extremely biased but, trying to pretend to be slightly objective, I think this is the kind of book – these last two years especially – that any Rangers fan’s library should include.  I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

Thanks.

Jamey

THE 2011 BOUND EDITION OF THE NEWBERG REPORT

We are now taking preorders for the 2011 Bound Edition of the Newberg Report, my 12th annual book on the Texas Rangers.  It’s well over 300 pages commemorating the 2010 World Series season, easily the greatest and most compelling in the history of this franchise.  It’s all chronicled in the book, in daily, exhaustive, emotional detail.  For any Rangers fan, this book will be one to look back on for years and years, no matter what happens with this franchise going forward.

The 2011 Bound Edition, with forewords written by Chuck Greenberg and Brad Sham, not only looks back on 2010 but also serves as a primer on what you can expect from this organization for years to come.  Nowhere can you find more information and analysis on the players that the Rangers are developing as future members of the major league team and, in some scenarios, as ammunition for trades such as the one that made Cliff Lee a Texas Ranger in July.  More than 1,500 of you on this mailing list are past customers of the Bound Edition, but for those of you who are relatively new to the Newberg Report, here is what you can expect from the book:

THE FEATURES

The book picks up right where the 2010 Bound Edition left off, taking you from October 14, 2009 to November 3, 2010 and containing every report I wrote in that span.  It’s the most thorough account you’ll find of the many twists and turns that the 2010 season took, and of the implications of the personnel moves that highlighted it.  Not just a complete record of the Rangers’ season, the book includes a feature section comprised of more than 50 pages of new material that won’t ever appear on the website or in any e-mail deliveries.  Included in that section are rankings and analysis of more than 70 Rangers prospects, broken down by position.

The day-by-day journey the book takes through the magical 2010 campaign, from the off-season through the World Series, makes the 2011 Bound Edition a seriously outstanding holiday gift.  So, you know, buy lots of them.

The Bound Edition also contains complete 2010 statistics for every player who appeared with the Rangers’ big league club, all six minor league affiliates, and the Dominican Summer League squads, plus full details on the Rangers’ 2010 draft.

I won’t yet reveal the photographs that appear on the glossy front and back covers – taken by some of the best photographers in the business – but they both capture the historic heights this franchise reached in 2010 and feature some of the organization’s top young players.  As always, the covers are perfect for autographs.  And as we always do, we will put together at least one book release party, and probably two, where you can bring your books and get them signed by Rangers players and officials.

THE PRICE

The 2011 Bound Edition is $25.00 per book plus shipping ($4.95 for the first book, $2.00 for each additional book).

Because I have to front the costs (and for obvious reasons we’re printing more this year than we ever have before), if you plan to buy copies of the book, I’d be grateful if you were able to preorder.  The plan is to have the books ready for delivery in time for the holidays.

I also have all the previous editions of the Bound Edition for sale.  The price breakdown is as follows:

    *      2011 Bound Edition – $25.00 per book (plus shipping: $4.95 for first book, $2.00 for each additional book)

    *      1999/2000 through 2010 Bound Editions – $15 (shipping is on me for the past editions)

SPECIALS

    *      A gift set of all 12 Bound Editions is available for $150, which is a $40 discount

ORDERING

You can order by credit card through PayPal.  To do that, click the book cover image on the front page of www.NewbergReport.com (or type in http://www.newbergreport.com/buythebook.asp), and it will take you a few seconds.  Just type in the quantity you want and your email address, and click the “Pre-Order Now” tab under the book cover graphic.

You can also order by check or money order, payable to “Jamey Newberg,” at:

            Jamey Newberg

            Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C.

            Thanksgiving Tower

            1601 Elm Street, Suite 4100

            Dallas, TX 75201

Regardless of your method of payment, please make sure to include your mailing address, and specify how many of each book you want.  

I couldn’t be more excited about this year’s book, primarily because of the amazing story we all got to live through this season.  I’m extremely biased but, trying to pretend to be slightly objective, I think this is the kind of book – this year especially – that any Rangers fan’s library should include.  I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

Thank you to AJM for allowing me to post this here and thanks, as always, for your support of the Newberg Report.

Jamey

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest (and final 2010) installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com, which I turned in late, late last night.  This week’s column ranks the top 10 Rangers prospects of the last decade, at the height of their prospecthood – in other words, without the benefit of hindsight.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Top_10_Prospects_2000s

I despise Newberg Report/ MLB.com columns.

Jamey

As I mentioned in my report this morning, Chuck Greenberg wants to do a game-watching event with the Newberg Report, likely sometime in September.  This would be a charity event (we’d charge something like $10 or $15 admission and give 100% of it to the Rangers Foundation).  We’d give Chuck a microphone for Q&A throughout the night.  Brainstorming now on other things we might do -- though it may be that simple: watch the game, ask Chuck Q's, eat, drink.

Given the crowd we had with Chuck in January, we’d need as big a space as possible, but would obviously also need a number of TV’s viewable from the room so we can watch the Rangers game as the event goes on. 

Sherlock's Arlington and Sherlock's Dallas are candidates, but given the above (huge room, lots of TV's, food and drink, space that would acoustically allow for a good Q&A), I'd like to know if any of you have suggestions on locations I might approach to see if they'd want to host the event.  (We might even do more than one before the season ends.) 

I'd appreciate it if you'd post your ideas here, or you can email me at GJSneaker@sbcglobal.net.

Thanks.

Jamey

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at the Rangers' top 10 July trades of the last 15 years.  

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Top_July_Trades      

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

ALSO...if you want to submit a question for the August game program Q&A, you need to do so today.  I've got a bunch of good candidates and will choose which two to write up tonight.

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at the players with the top 10 tools in the Rangers minor league system.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Top_Tools     

From an LSB standpoint, I think it's fair to say that any discussion of the top Tools would probably start with me.  Grundle.  Punt.

-- Jamey

My weekly column for www.texasrangers.com has been posted (after I submitted it to Michael Young for approval).  This week’s column takes a look at Blake Beavan, a pitcher few could have ever thought a few years would eventually sneak up on us as a top prospect.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/MLB_column_Beavan    

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

-- Jamey

We’re now ready to start taking reservations for the seventh annual Newberg Report Night at Rangers Ballpark, which will be on Sunday, July 25, when Texas wraps up a four-game series against the Angels. As always, we’re doing this right around the conventional trade deadline . . . and getting a 90-minute pre-game Q&A session with GM Jon Daniels.

And I’m happy to announce that, depending of course on where things stand with the sale process, Chuck Greenberg has offered to join us for the Q&A portion as well.

One other new feature this year. As always, a ticket to the event costs $30 per person, which includes all the pre-game events as well as your game ticket (parking is not included). But the Rangers have offered the Newberg Report community a sizable discount on luxury suites for that night, and as a result, if you want to watch the game from a suite, you can attend the entire day’s events for $100 per person. The suites hold 20 people each – if you have a group (of anywhere between two of you and 20 of you), just let me know so I can be sure to put you together in the same suite.

We have about 300-350 people attend this event every year, and are at absolute capacity as far as the Hall of Fame Theater is concerned – so please make your reservations as soon as you know you’ll be attending. Once we reach Theater capacity, we’ll have to close registration (though we can continue to sell spots for the game only: $15 for stadium seating and $100 for suite seating). Last year we sold the event out in eight days.

Here’s what we tentatively have planned (the details historically get better as we get closer to the event):


3:00 Doors open

We’ll gather in the Hall of Fame Theater at Rangers Ballpark. You’ll get your game tickets once you enter the Museum – no need to go to Will Call or anywhere else.

You’ll have the opportunity in the front lobby of the Hall of Fame to make a donation to our designated charities, which this year will be (1) the Hello Win Column Fund through the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and (2) a local women’s shelter. You may donate any amount; for every $10 you donate, you will get one ticket for a memorabilia raffle we’ll have during the event.

As usual, I would recommend getting there as early as you can in order to get a good spot in the auditorium. Some of you might have to stand – the theater capacity includes not only the room’s 235 permanent seats but also extra folding chairs and standing room.


4:00 Will Carroll & Kevin Goldstein Q&A

Baseball Prospectus writers Will Carroll (an annual Newberg Report Night guest) and Kevin Goldstein (who joined us for the first time last year) are tentatively set to join us again this year. They’ll conduct a Q&A session officially beginning at 4:00 p.m., as the theater starts to fill up – though typically they grab the podium closer to 3:30.


4:45 Raffle/Auction, charitable presentation

More details on this later. As we’ve always done, we’ll raise money for a charitable effort at the event, including through your purchase of raffle tickets that day. For every $10 you donate, you will get one ticket for the raffle. Whoever makes the largest donation at the event will get his or her choice of any of the prizes. The remaining prizes will be raffled off.

We’ll likely also have a few special items to put up for a quick live auction.

After the auction we’ll make a quick charitable presentation.


5:00 Jon Daniels & Chuck Greenberg Q&A

While it’s not possible this far out to guarantee his availability, Rangers GM Jon Daniels is expected to join us, as he has the six previous Newberg Report Nights, for a lengthy Q&A session. The fact that the event is less than a week before the conventional trade deadline makes the possibilities even cooler (though don’t expect him to take other GM’s calls on speakerphone). This is a really unique opportunity, one of my favorite days on the baseball calendar every year.

Also, as mentioned above, prospective owner Chuck Greenberg will join us as well, subject to any limitations from the sale process. If you were at the Sherlock’s event in February, you know Chuck’s going to be as fired up about getting together that day and night as any of us.

JD and Chuck will arrive at 5:00 and take your questions in the auditorium for about 90 minutes.


6:30 Adjourn to the stadium

At about 6:30, we’ll conclude in the auditorium and head to our seats for the 7:05 first pitch. (Again, you’ll pick your game tickets up in the Museum when you arrive.) The seats will be in the lower bowl on the first base side, as always. And this year, if you choose, you can sit in a luxury suite with fellow Newberg Report folks at a very affordable cost, thanks to the Rangers.


Please sign up and pay as soon as you know you’ll be coming. Spots are first come, first served, and again, last year we sold out in just eight days.

The cost, once again, is $30 (stadium ticket) or $100 (suite ticket), and you can pay in one of two ways:

1. You can order by credit card through PayPal by going to www.paypal.com, selecting the “Send money” option, and typing in GJSneaker@sbcglobal.net where you are prompted for the e-mail account.

2. Or you can send a check or money order, payable to “Jamey Newberg,” to:

Jamey Newberg
Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C.
1601 Elm Street, Suite 4100
Dallas, TX 75201

Let me know what questions you have. I look forward to seeing lots of you there on the 25th.

Jamey

The developments coming out of last night’s Detroit-Cleveland game understandably delayed the posting of a number of stories on MLB.com today, including this week’s installment of my column for www.texasrangers.com, which I submitted last night.  But the column, in which I rank the Rangers’ last 10 drafts, is now posted.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Ranking_the_Texas_Drafts

Also, in case you missed last night’s in-game chat session and want to check out the transcript, you can click http://bit.ly/060210_FSSW_Chat and read it there.  I’m not sure how long it will stay up on the FoxSportsSouthwest.com site, but probably at least the rest of the afternoon.

Thanks.

-- Jamey

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at the dangerous stress being put on the Rangers bullpen, and the possible solutions.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Relief_for_Rangers_pen

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

-- Jamey

P.S.  A free email about DirecTV offers to the first person who can guess D.A. Tron's favorite former Angels catalyst, and why.

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at the top 10 secondary pitches among prospects in the Rangers farm system.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Top_10_Secondary_Pitches      

The rankings are based on conversations I had with people in the game as well as Rangers bloggers Jason Parks and Jason Cole.

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

-- Jamey

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at the shifts over the past 20 years in the priority the Rangers have placed on developing catchers.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/Catching_Cold   

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.  Viva Ron Spellman.

-- Jamey

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at the top 10 Rangers prospects acquired from other organizations.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/aIAIQy  

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

Continue reading this post »

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s Top 10 column takes a look at what future could lie ahead for Rangers first baseman Chris Davis, and includes some Davis defense video.

Here’s a direct link to the column:

http://bit.ly/MLB_column_Davis_fate

Please note that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

The latest installment of my weekly column for www.texasrangers.com is now up.  This week’s Top 10 column takes a look at the best Rangers picks of the last 20 years in each of the first 10 rounds of the draft, and includes video from C.J. Wilson’s studio appearance last week on MLB Network.

Here’s a direct link to the column.

Next column might be the top 10 reasons that "It's a Shame About Ray" is D.A. Tron's favorite song.

The good folks at MLB.com have now posted the second 2010 installment of my weekly Newberg Report column for www.texasrangers.com.  This week’s column takes a look at Joe Mauer and why he shouldn’t make Rangers fans mad at Mark Teixeira.

Here’s a direct link to this week's column:

http://dwarfurl.com/2947e

Please note, Josey, that the column is set up to allow fan comments at the bottom of the page.

-- Jamey

Hope AJM doesn't mind me posting this here. 

My weekly column for MLB.com is changing a bit this year.  Instead of a weekly Top 20 Prospects ranking, as we’ve done the last two seasons, we’re going with alternating themes:

1. Twice a month I will do a “Keep Your Eye On” column where I’ll take a close look at some sort of development or tidbit from the minor or major leagues for Texas.

2. Another two times a month I’ll run a Top 10 list from the Rangers’ farm system – but it won’t be a straight prospects ranking.  One week it might be the top 10 right-handed starting pitchers.  The next, maybe the top 10 power hitters.  Or the top 10 Latin American signees.  Or the top 10 pitches (not pitchers, but pitches) in the system.  All with commentary.

On the second theme, I already have a list of ideas for categories, but I’d appreciate it if you would feed your own ideas back on what you’d like to see ranked in the Rangers’ farm system this season, especially if they’re a little less conventional.  Whenever I solicit ideas from you guys, I’m glad I did it.   

So let’s get it rolling: Please shoot me some top 10 suggestions for the column.  Post 'em here or email me at GJSneaker@sbcglobal.net.  Thanks.

Jamey

Join us tonight from 6:00 until 8:30 at Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub (9100 N. Central Expressway, at the northeast corner of Central and Park Lane) for the off-season’s second Newberg Report Book Release Party.  Come early if you’d like and get something to eat and drink.

The evening, emceed by the great Chuck Morgan, will kick off with Q&A sessions with Rangers assistant director of player development Jake Krug and prospective managing general partner Chuck Greenberg, followed by a live auction and then a Q&A session with Michael Young.  These won’t be scripted sessions.  Your questions, their answers.

We’ll have the 2010 Bound Edition for sale, as well as Carson Leslie’s book, “Carry Me.”  Carson, as most of you know, passed away three weeks ago at age 17, after a courageous, dignified three-year battle with cancer.  To hear from Carson himself and learn more about his book, take a look at this four-minute YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYJ7zgJISpM

Carson’s family will be on hand for tonight’s event.  All proceeds from the winning auction bids will benefit Wipe Out Kids Cancer, the charity through which Carson and Michael met and became friends.

The auction, presided over by local auctioneer Luther Davis, will include five copies of Carson’s book and five copies of mine, each signed by Young; bats signed by Young, Ian Kinsler, and Josh Hamilton; baseballs signed by Young, Kinsler, Hamilton, Scott Feldman, Neftali Feliz, and Derek Holland; a glove signed by Young; and a batting glove signed by Young.  We’ll auction off the 21 items separately.

Young and his wife Cristina Barbosa have committed to make a contribution to Wipe Out Kids Cancer that matches the total of the 21 winning bids.

See you tonight.

Well, this oughtta be cool.

One week from tonight, Tuesday, February 2, Chuck Greenberg is going to make a public appearance.

At the second Newberg Report Book Release Party.

Michael Young and Rangers assistant director of player development Jake Krug have already committed to do Q&A sessions with us that night, and now Mr. Greenberg has agreed to do the same.  He’ll have a microphone in hand and will take your questions, too.

The party will begin at 6:00 p.m. at Sherlock’s Baker St. Pub (9100 N. Central Expressway, at the northeast corner of Central and Park Lane).  We’ll plan to go until 8:30 or so. 

We’ll have the 2010 Bound Edition for sale, as well as Carson Leslie’s book, “Carry Me.”  This won’t be an autograph event, but Michael will sign five of my books and five of Carson’s and we’ll auction the signed books off live to the 10 highest bidders.  Professional auctioneer Luther Davis will help us get the job done, and there’s a strong chance we’ll also have some baseballs, bats, batting gloves, and other good stuff donated by a number of Rangers players up for auction.

All winning bid proceeds will benefit Wipe Out Kids Cancer.

I’ll get back to you with more details.

Make plans to join us Tuesday night.

If we were to schedule a second Newberg Report book release party on Tuesday evening, February 2, featuring the following:

•    2010 Bound Edition for sale
•    Carson Leslie’s book, “Carry Me,” for sale
•    Q&A session with Michael Young
•    Possibly another Q&A guest or two
•    At Sherlock’s on Park Lane in Dallas

Would you attend?  This probably will NOT be an autograph event.

And by the way, in lieu of an autograph session, what we're thinking of doing instead is this: Michael will sign 10 books to go to the 10 highest bidders that night.  All proceeds from each of the winning bids to go to Wipe Out Kids Cancer.

Jamey

jamcadbury (Texas): Jamey Newberg of the Newberg report recently ranked Jurickson Profar as the 6th best prospect in the Rangers’ system. Is he crazy or simply more knowledgable than the rest of us?

Kevin Goldstein: I think he’s clearly talking to some very smart people.

========================================

He was struck, as well, by their apparent silence.  It seemed probable to him that in any given grouping of an African gray parrot -- a notoriously prolix species -- and a boy of nine or ten, at any given moment, one or the other of them ought to be talking.  Here was another anomaly.  As for what it promised, this the old man -- though he had once made his fortune and his reputation through a long and brilliant series of extrapolations from unlikely groupings of facts -- could not, could never, have begun to foretell.

========================================

(To get to 75 words, I pasted a passage from the only writer I know with a deeper vocabulary than Goyogringo.)

. . . still hasn't turned up (http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/12/18/1207227/book-release-party).  I was hoping as we got photos sent in from folks who were there that at least one would turn up with a shot of Josey in it.

When we took that group shot (the first one in Scott Lucas's batch of 25 -- http://s408.photobucket.com/albums/pp170/slucas66/NewbergBook09/?action=view&current=2cf5f3ed.pbw) -- there were at least 10 people lined up with their cameras, so I'm hoping that there are still a number of photo batches that will be forwarded our way.

If one turns up, I'll be sure to share it with you guys here.  My holiday gift to you.

I didn't want to put this in the report, since it wouldn't matter to the masses, but man, I was so stunned that Josey not only showed up but identified himself.  Never thought he'd do that.  Ever. 

I don't know how many of you he introduced himself to (I bet not many -- he actually seemed almost introverted), but if you were in line near him, he was the one who talked Chris Davis's ear off for about five minutes.  I was on the other end of the table and couldn't hear what they were talking about, but they were both smiling the whole time so it didn't look like much in the way of trash-talking. 

And nobody gets the underbill of a ballcap signed like Josey does. He must have a hundred signatures on it. Cool pennant he was carrying around, too.

Josey & Friends,

Whether you’re planning to be at the book release party on Thursday evening or not, it’s not too late to order the 2010 Bound Edition for yourself or as holiday gifts.

To order books, go to http://www.newbergreport.com/buythebook.asp

If you preorder before the party, your books will be packaged for you in advance and ready for pickup when you get to the party. That will save you some time as far as the autograph line is concerned.

You can buy books at the party as well ($25 each). Please note that there’s no admission fee for the party, but you need to have the 2010 Bound Edition to get autographs from our Rangers guests: Rusty Greer, Ian Kinsler, Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland, and Chris Davis. The party lasts from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Sherlock’s in Arlington ( 254 Lincoln Square Center in Arlington (few blocks west of the Ballpark, just south of I-30 and west of Collins). Non-smoking, kids welcome.

The players will sign the books as well as your baseballs, bats, baseball cards, etc. But we’re limiting it to three autographs per player to keep the line moving. (Don’t hesitate to arrive early.) We’ll have a Q&A after the autograph line dies down as well.

For those unable to come to the party, I’m told that the books will begin to ship tomorrow or Wednesday. Expected delivery time is 3-6 days, so you can still order now (http://www.newbergreport.com/buythebook.asp) and have the books in time for the holidays.

Another thing: The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will be on hand at the party to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Rangers/Toys for Tots program, which the Kinslers are the team spokespeople for. It’s not required that you bring toys, but I encourage you to do it. Let’s support the effort to help needy children in North Texas experience the joy of the holidays.

Jamey

It’s official – the book release party for the 2010 Bound Edition will be on Thursday, December 17, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub & Grill (254 Lincoln Square, a few blocks west of Rangers Ballpark).  The private party will be non-smoking – definitely kid-friendly.

Autograph / Q&A guests will be Rusty Greer, Ian & Tess Kinsler, Scott Feldman (probably), Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland, and Chris Davis.

Admission is free – but the "cost" for getting autographs from our guests is the purchase of a 2010 Bound Edition, which you can pay for now (via PayPal) or at the event.  (The guys will sign your baseballs, bats, cards, etc., too -- but you have to have the book to get autographs.)  Limit three autographs per player.

Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will also be at the gathering to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Rangers/Toys for Tots program – which the Kinslers are the team spokespeople for.  Please consider supporting the effort to help needy children in North Texas experience the joy of the holidays.

Follow-up reminders on Bound Edition orders:

* Free shipping on November orders.

* Starting December 1, a shipping and handling fee (the publisher’s, not mine) of $4.95 per order will be applied.

* No shipping fee, of course, if you pick your order up at the party.  If you’ve already ordered your books or plan to before the party, I need to know from you in advance whether you plan to pick your book(s) up at the party.   Otherwise your order will ship to you a few days before that and may not arrive in time for you to bring it to the party for autographs.

So if you plan to come to the December 17 party and haven’t told me yet, please do that.  Thanks.

Book ordering details: http://www.newbergreport.com/buythebook.asp

Jamey

Adding a new feature to this year's book (as I put the finishing touches on things.....all top 72 prospect features are finished) -- a BA-like rundown of the system's best tools.  But I want to go beyond what BA does.  What other categories do you want me to add besides the following?

Best Hitter for Average                
Best Power Hitter                      
Best Strike-Zone Discipline        
Best Bat Control                   
Fastest Baserunner                 
Best Baserunner                    
Best Athlete                       
Best Fastball                      
Best Curveball                     
Best Slider                        
Best Changeup                      
Best Control                       
(should I have separate category for Best *Command*?)
Best Life                          
Best Defensive Catcher            
Best Defensive 1B                 
Best Defensive 2B                 
Best Defensive SS                 
Best Defensive 3B                 
Best Infield Arm                  
Best Defensive Outfielder        
Best Outfield Arm                
Most Exciting Player             
Best Manager Prospect

JDN

Story just broke on the Ticket that a call was made from John Wetteland's Argyle, Texas home to the police at abotu 12:30 this afternoon, with a suicide threat.  Police reportedly surrounded his house and he came out, hands up, and said "I need help."

Story just broke on the Ticket that a call was made from John Wetteland's Argyle, Texas home to the police at abotu 12:30 this afternoon, with a suicide threat.  Police reportedly surrounded his house and he came out, hands up, and said "I need help."

THE 2010 BOUND EDITION OF THE NEWBERG REPORT

I’m now taking preorders for the 2010 Bound Edition of the Newberg Report, my 11th annual book on the Texas Rangers.  It’s over 300 pages commemorating the 2009 season, an intense, dynamic year of baseball that gave us more ups and downs than we’d seen from this franchise in a long time.  It’s all chronicled in the book.

The 2010 Bound Edition, with forewords written by Peter Gammons and Kevin Goldstein, not only looks back on 2009 but also serves as a primer on what you can expect from this organization for years to come.  Nowhere can you find more information and analysis on the players that the Rangers are developing as future members of the major league team and, in some scenarios, as ammunition to trade for veterans brought in to join the core of the club.

More than 1000 of you on this mailing list are past customers of the Bound Edition, but for those of you who are relatively new to the Newberg Report, here is what you can expect from the book:

THE FEATURES

The book picks up right where the 2009 Bound Edition left off, taking you from October 13, 2008 to October 12, 2009 and containing every report I wrote in that span.  It’s the most thorough account you’ll find of the many twists and turns that the 2009 season took, and of the implications of the personnel moves that highlighted it.  Not just a complete record of the Rangers’ 2009 season, the book includes a feature section comprised of more than 50 pages of new material that won’t ever appear on the website or in any e-mail deliveries.  Included in that section are rankings and analysis of more than 70 Rangers prospects, broken down by position.

The “Poised” rankings of the 10 minor league position players and 10 minor league pitchers that I’m predicting breakout years for in 2010 are back, as is the annual “40-Man Roster Conundrum” chapter, in which I look at the roster decisions facing the organization this winter plus an explanation of how the Rule 5 Draft works. 

The Bound Edition contains complete 2009 statistics for every player who appeared with the Rangers’ big league club, all six minor league affiliates, and the Dominican Summer League squads, plus full details on the Rangers’ 2009 draft.

The glossy front and back covers once again feature action shots – taken by some of the best photographers in the business – of some of the Rangers’ top young players, perfect for autographs.  The cover art was designed by the exquisitely talented Drew Sheppard and, as usual, the great Marty Yawnick of Type A Design masterminded the layout.

The book itself is full of player photos as well.

THE PRICE

As always, the 2010 Bound Edition is $25.

Because I have to front the costs, if you plan to buy copies of the book I would appreciate it if you’re able to send payment now.

If you pay for your order by November 15, I will waive the standard $2-per-book shipping charges.  Accordingly, the book will cost you only $23 if you pay by November 15, either by (1) check or money order, or (2) credit card through www.PayPal.com .  Since sales of the book have increased each year, it’s easier on me if I know early roughly how many to have the printer generate for the first run.  The books should be ready for delivery around December 15 at the latest, in time to help you not only stock your own reference shelf or coffee table but also fill Christmas and Chanukah lists for your friends and family. 

I know the $2 discount isn’t much, but I don’t have much of a margin to deal with.

As we’ve done the past several years, we’ll have a book release party, with players in attendance to sign autographs and shake hands and do a Q&A with us.  Details soon on the location, and the date.

I also have all the previous editions of the Bound Edition for sale.  The price breakdown is as follows:

2010 Bound Edition – $25 (but $23 if you pay by November 15)

2009 Bound Edition – $20

2008 Bound Edition – $15

2007 Bound Edition – $15

2006 Bound Edition – $15

2005 Bound Edition – $15

2004 Bound Edition – $15

2003 Bound Edition – $15

2002 Bound Edition – $15

2001 Bound Edition – $15

2000 (a.k.a “1999”) Bound Edition – $10

SPECIALS

1. Again, if you pay by November 15, the price of the 2009 Bound Edition is reduced from $25 to $23.

2. A gift set of all 11 Bound Editions is available for $150, which is a $25 discount.

ORDERING

For those who are in a position to pay now, I’d appreciate it.  You can order by credit card through PayPal (more on that in a moment) or you can send a check or money order in whatever amount your order comes to, payable to “Jamey Newberg,” at:

Jamey Newberg

Vincent Lopez Serafino Jenevein, P.C.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 2000

Dallas, TX 75201

In addition to your check or money order, please make sure I have your mailing address, and specify how many of each book you want.

Ordering by credit card through PayPal is very easy.  Just go to www.paypal.com, select the “Send money” option, and type in GJSneaker@sbcglobal.net where it asks for the e-mail account (and again, make sure you identify exactly what years of the Bound Edition you want, so we know what to ship to you).

If PayPal is new to you, signing up is extremely user-friendly, costs you nothing, and is completely secure. Go to https://www.paypal.com/refer/pal=gjsneaker%40sbcglobal.net and follow the simple instructions.

For inventory and printing purposes, I would appreciate it if you would respond to this e-mail and let me know how many copies of the books you plan to order, whether you’re sending payment to me immediately or not.

TO SUM UP

I want you to know how much I appreciate the level of support you all have given me in every phase of the Newberg Report.  Your support in the form of buying the Bound Edition is a concrete way to sustain it.  If you have questions about the book, please ask.

Again, here’s the drill:

1. Respond to this e-mail and let me know what you plan to order, even if tentatively (please do this whether you are taking advantage of the early discount or instead plan to pay later on).

2. Pay by credit card at www.PayPal.com, sending it to the gjsneaker@sbcglobal.net account.  Payment now helps a bunch, if you’re in a position to do it.

3. Or send payment by check or money order to:

Jamey Newberg

Vincent & Moyé, P.C.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 2000

Dallas, TX 75201

Thanks again for your continued support of the Newberg Report.

Jamey Newberg

www.NewbergReport.com  

Wait until you all see the work that LSB's own Drew Sheppard has done for the cover of the 2010 Bound Edition.

Wait until you all see the work that LSB's own Drew Sheppard has done for the cover of the 2010 Bound Edition.

Wait until you all see the work that LSB's own Drew Sheppard has done for the cover of the 2010 Bound Edition.

Six more words, and I'm there.

A bunch of you emailed me this afternoon to let me know that we got a mention today during a Peter Gammons segment on ESPN Radio’s Scott Van Pelt Show, which airs on XM Radio. 

I was able to find the segment on ESPN’s website, at http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/player?id=4482194.  The Rangers discussion and Newberg Report Night mention starts at about 2:10 in.

The great Joey Matschulat also created an audio file containing only the Rangers/NRN stuff, but I don't know how to put an .mp3 file into one of these posts.