More than likely, Tom Hicks will not be the majority owner of the Rangers this time next year.

It would have been human nature to sell out for one last big push at playoff success, one which would make 15 years of frustration more palatable while pushing the value of the franchise up to make his own financial situation easier.

Tom Hicks could have sold our future this week for this fall season.  I am convinced that the Blue Jays or the Mariners would have gladly traded Halladay and/or Washburn for our prospects, Holland and Elvis (name your price).  Halladay could have had enough money thrown at him to embarrass him into Arlington.

it could have been a successful fall that would have created a lot of concerns for the future.  He could have driven the value of the franchise up and made more money when he sells.

He didn't do that.  I tend to think he was a good steward of this franchise and I want to thank him for providing the leadership and staying with the plan.

There are assuredly other factors in this.  I do not believe this was only a noble gesture.  Still at the end, he made the right choice and we will reap the benefits of this week's decisions for years to come.

Thank you, Tom Hicks.

Assuming we don't get anybody at the trade deadline, what do we have internally that could conceivably help?  Feliz seems obvious but what about anybody else:  Benson?  Strop?  Boggs? Ramirez?

Is there any reason to believe we could be competitive this year with what we have (I guess with what is left after swine flu and rib removal, let alone glute problems)?

Can we realistically win the West with what is available up and down the minors?

I went to the game last night, just like I went to last year's Fiesta Bowl and the OU NC game against LSU at the Sugar Bowl.  I have  officially been asked not to go to any more bowl games because the University is getting tired of losing.  It isn't a big sacrifice.  No one in my family wants to go again.  We've been Tiger bait in the Superdome and Gator bait at Dolphin Stadium.  It is possible to have a good time elsewhere than when the other team is playing at home.

Here are some random thoughts about the BCS:

1.  2 of the sites of the national championship are played in SEC home country, if not home fields.  2 are played in a Pac-10 venue allowing USC to claim national dominance in the comfort of their own home. Usually, the local  Pro football fans/ticket holders get rights to these games and attend to root on their school or to sell to other alums.  Last night the crowd was about 5 to 1 Gator. 

2.  Jerry needs to get Jerry world as a BCS site for the NC so that at least 20% of the time a Big 12 team has a chance to win the championship at home.

3.  In the last 7 times OU has played for a national championship (5 fb, one basketball, one baseball), 5 have been played as basically a home game for the opponent.  OU is 1-4 in those games.

4.  Two things were different last night.  The crowd was hammered after a day of tailgating.  This was added to by the copious selling of beer during the first half up til the start of the third.  I saw 5 fights:  2 OU-FL but 3 Gator on Gator.  Ah, nothing like getting cocktailed and trying to prove who is more the Alpha male.

5. I won't watch the game on replay but could the first quarter have been any more fouled up?  The teams were tight, granted, but the refereeing was out of control.  They seemed scared and confused.

6.  I have had people talk smack and other send consoling messages but really, I am over it.  Here's why:  We lost.  Blame it on a lot of things but we couldn't stop Tebow at crunch time.  Hey, we lose sometimes.  What would have killed me was to not even get to play in the big game.  To not have the chance and to have my bowl denigrated to an exhibition would be the real pain.  We had our chance.  That's all you can ask.

7.  Life does go on.

After 3 hours of listening to Brent and Herbstreit annoint USC as all everything, I realized this sweet talk was generating Type II Diabetes.

Yes, the Stadium is first rate and the cheerleaders are always pretty but the game was a woeful mismatch when it was announced and it has played out as boring as was anticipated.

Granted announcers have to keep talking but come on, they lost to Oregon State.  This 5-0 bowl winning conference never leaves home.  When they do, they get spanked. 

This is a lovely home game for USC but I would rather hear about when the $300,000 man-Reggie the SC pro football player-is going to put them on probation and cost them their title. 

A little salt with that sugar might make this game a little more palatable.

Does anyone know how to email Josh and Tom?

We are wearing our Texas regalia and have pretty good seats.  If we get there early enough we intend to get pics that maybe I can publish if I figure out how.

Is this 75 words?  I get tired of creating stream of consciousness.

My son and I spent the last two days sightseeing in DC.  Homeland security has really changed the place.  Also, the American History exhibits in both the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art are closed.  Unbelievable to do that in the summer with all the tourists in town.  Still, with all the monuments, it makes you proud to be an American.

With the dollar down, at least 75% of the tourists speak something other than English as a first language.

Okay, this has to be 75 words now.

I have lurked on this site for a long time.  Now I may have something to say:

1.  I have followed baseball since 1959, when Bobby Allison, Camilo Pascual and Pedro Ramos played for the Senators.  Oh yeah, some guy named Killebrew.

2.  In all of those years I have never expereienced the lows and highs this team has given.  Those first 27 games were as painful as anything I have ever watched.  These last 69 games have been as exciting as any team I have seen.  We are never out of any game, no matter how bad a deficit we find ourselves.

3.  That said, I don't know if one starter and one reliever do anything for us this year.

4.  If we win at a 66% level, we go 94-68.  If California goes at their present pace, 60%, they go 97-65.  That assumes we win every series from here on out 2-1.  Hey, it could happen.

5.  What about the wild card?  Yeah, I guess it's possible given the Rays demise but will 94 games replace them or the Yankees?  I hope so.

Notwithstanding my concerns, I love watching this team.