Per Maury Brown's Twitter:

Longoria pulls out of ASG due to an infected ring finger on his right hand. Michael Young of Rangers to replace in starting line-up.

Does this mean that the AL will be one player short? I can't imagine that they fly someone out last minute.  Either way, will be cool to see 2 Rangers in the starting lineup, even if MY can't win the game in the top of the 9th.

Update:  Jamey's reporting it too.   He says Chone Figgins will replace Longoria on the roster.

Forgive me if this post is a little long-winded.....  I just got back from the event and I have to say I am very pleased.  Jon was very forward, invited all kinds of questions and continued to answer them unitl a professor cut him off.  He started off with a few questions asking for a show of hands: Who were Cowboy fans, who were Ranger fans, who was voting Republican, who was voting Democrat.  Surprisingly it was about 50/50, but leaning towards Republican.  I say surprisingly because this is UNT, but I guess it is the Business department hosting the thing.  He gave a brief run down on his background.  Josey will be happy to know that he had no problem joking about his ice cream and donut slinging.

You had lots of professors asking general business questions, a few generic questions (Are we going to sign C.C.?) but there were definantly some that we've been asking ourselves around here.  I'll start off a few nuggets of info then move into my questions, because I'm arrogant.

- Blalocks option will probably be picked up

- In regards to the Rule 5 draft, the four names mentioned by Daniels as key decisions were: Poveda, Vallejo, Mayberry and Schlact

- Mentioned Feliz could start at AAA next season

My questions

I asked about the financial landscape with players changing.  I used Kinsler as an example of locking players up before FA, and mentioned other clubs doing the same, such as Longoria.  He explained why Ian was such a good choice to do that with.  They believed in his skill set, loved his character and mentioned that as a lower-round pick, financial stability was important for Ian.  Jon said that he sees more and more teams going this route, and mentioned that Tampa Bay probably felt as strong with Evan as they did with Ian.

My next question was about the amateur draft, and if they noticed any certain type of player undervalued or overvalued.  He used Moneyball as an example of teams focusing on a certain type of player.  He said they try to avoid focusing on a certain type and cited Beavan and Smoak as examples of players from each level.

I asked about communication with other clubs, if there were any particular organizations that gave him the run around, or blew him off.  Some people always talk about how Theo won't trade with JD again so I was curious to see if left an indication that a club wouldn't deal with him.  He said the Rangers have great contacts and communication with about 8-10 clubs, and mentioned that there are probably another 4 that they have less than average contact with.  He said that it is important to keep all avenues of communication open.

I asked what he was looking for from the coaches positions he had to fill and he choose to focus on the pitching positions.  He said they were looking for a coach to give their pitchers the same swagger that the hitters have.  He also mentioned someone with experience with young pitchers.

Other questions

Re: "Coddling" pitchers - Believes that word is mainly the media.  Says it will be nothing drastic, but a gradual plan to challenge them.  He said Nolan doesn't believe they are babying their pitchers, but wants to challenge them.

Re: Beavan's velocity -  Said he was concerned, but believes it will come back as he adjusts to the rigors of professional ball

Re: Inoa - Disappointed, but didn't sling much mud at the A's.  At least not compared to some quotes I heard shortly after the situation

Re: What prospects he was most excited about - Holland & Feliz.  Not much of a surprise there.

Re: Media - Said he doesn't pay attention to it anymore.  Mentioned Galloway by name and said when they talk casually and Galloway admits its show business.  Mentioned Galloway slamming the Herschel Walker trade at the time, but didn't come out and admit he was wrong after the Super Bowl wins (nor would he expect him to).  Said the hardest part is your friends and family reading it.

Re: Scoreboard/Sound system.  Looking into upgrading.  But we already heard that from Chuck.

He talked a lot about the farm system, Caribbean and Pacific Rim scouting, and sticking to the plan with the window for competing beginning next year.  He placed an emphasis on treating how you want to be treated, and mentioned hiring people that were courteous and helpful to him when he was a peon with the Rockies. 

Afterward, I had to chance to speak to Jon for a few minutes.  I told him I loved what he was doing and that he had a bunch of other fans.  I told him that right now is as excited as I've been as a Rangers fan.  I talked to him for a bit about my Master's Thesis, which relates to baseball.  He told me I knew my stuff and thanked me for my dedication.

So there you go, sprite, if I left anything out feel free to add on.

I'm sure this is meant for students, but I figured I would share anyways.  Not sure if they will be checking IDs or if this is an open event.  All I know is that I will be there.

Jon Daniels - Distinguised Lecture Series

UNT College of Business students have an opportunity meet Jon Daniels, the eighth general manager in Texas Rangers history and the youngest general manager in Major League Baseball history. Daniels is scheduled as a Distinguished Lecture Series speaker on October 10, 2008, from 10:00-11:30am, in the Golden Eagle Suite in the University Union.

I figured someone might as well start one up.  A lot of craziness going on with the election and economy.   I have to admit I'll be relieved when both of these things shake out.  I'm going to keep it simple a post a few links I found interesting the past few days.  I guess we should keep this somewhat civil.  Flame away for my early 20's, liberal slant.

FiveThirtyEight's projections for the day.

You just got Barrack rolled.

Keyshawn Johnson gets owned by T.O.

P.S. Where's Sharky?  I haven't seen him in about a month outside of football threads.

Well it is another boring Friday where I am trying to avoid as much work as possible.  On the Rangers front, I don't expect much to happen today until 10:59 when some news on Smoak/Ross breaks.  That is why I decided to post my 10 "Desert Island Albums," and challenge you to do the same.  This isn't supposed to be the "best" or even your favorite.  But if you were going to be stuck on a island with only 10 albums, which ones would they be.  This gives us an opportunity to put our musical taste out in the open.  Several people here have had some musical bickering, and this provides us with a nice reference.  Who knows, maybe someone you debate with constantly will have similar taste in tunes.  A few guidelines:

1.  No compilations or live albums.  If you like an artist that much you should be able to pick out a studio album.   I understand there are some bands that are better live, but it makes the exercise a bit more challenging.

2.  Multiple CD albums are allowed, but lets try not to get too carried away.

3.  One album per artist.  Solo material or different bands are allowed.  Ex: The Beatles and Lennon.

And on that note, my list.  List is in alphabetical order.

The Beatles - The Beatles [White Album]

Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced?

Neil Young - After the Goldrush

Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam

Radiohead - OK Computer

Tom Waits - Closing Time

The Who - Quadrophenia

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Missouri Pitcher Aaron Crow has signed with the Ft. Worth Cats

  Well this is interesting.  AJM had a posts a few days ago about the Nationals' refusal to go above slot money for their draft picks.  Usually, that's a strategy you want to determine before the actual draft process.  I know a lot of us were hoping for Crow at 11,  and it looks we'll be able to see him up close in Tarrant County.  Of course in a different uniform.....

Also, lifting a link from YourNameHere's fanshot last night...

Smoak signing uncertain

I feel confident something will be worked out by tommorrow, but you never like to hear that.... Only 3 of the Top 10 picks have been signed, so it is likely that Smoak and the Rangers are waiting for a few more deals to go through before settling somewhere above slot. Giants are rumored to be a fourth Top 10 team to sign their pick.

Greetings!  I have finally returned from New York City.  I picked a poor week to leave as far as Rangers' news goes, but I managed to catch some great matchups in New York last weekend.  My family was never big baseball fans, so some of my first baseball memories (besides Ranger losses) were watching the Yankees win their consecutive World Series.  Therefore, it was always a dream of mine to make it to Yankee Stadium before it was torn down.  Being a poor college student, I had to wait till the very last season.  Thank god for credit cards.  For the record, Yankee and Shea were my 5th and 6th stadiums to visit (Old Arlington, New Arlington, Camden, Minute Maid).  This post will be fairly picture heavy, just a fair warning.  Here was my schedule

Friday June 20: Volquez vs Mussina

Saturday June 21: Thompson vs Giese

Monday June 23: Hernandez vs Santana.

Friday:

I got to my hotel room at about 5:30 EST, giving me enough time to throw my stuff down, grab a bite and hop on the subway for the game.  As soon as you get off the subway you see the new stadium.  I made my way into the stadium where I sat along the third base line, upper part of the first level.  I ended up sitting next to a New York City cop.  Him, along with everyone else (both days) were very impressed I came all the way from Texas, just as a baseball fan.  Over the course of the weekend I met a dozen fans who came from all over the country to "catch a game" at Yankee Stadium just like I did.  Tonight the Yankees faced a loss at the hands of Volequez (7 IP, 2ER, 5Ks).  It was a great game.  The energy in that stadium for a interleague game with no real history was off the charts.  Nothing like I've ever seen in Arlington.  The fans would scream at the players but it was always something encouraging.  Very entertaining game that went down to the very last out.

Mussina delivers a pitch.

Volquez delivers a pitch.

Griffey swings.

Saturday

Not such a great game.  I left my hotel at 10 o'clock, arriving at the stadium at 10:20 for a 1 o'clock game so I could get into Monument Park.  They opened the doors at 11 o clock and closed them at 11:15.  Didn't get.  Needless to say I was a little angry, but there are worse places to spend the morning than Yankee Stadium.  There was a group of older fans from Cincinatti that I met on the subway and stood in line with, and we discussed Volquez/Hamilton.  I let them know that Rangers' fans were rooting for Volquez and they confirmed they were keeping their eye on Josh, wishing him the best.  One of the guys had a connection to the team and mentioned some kind of team cruise.  Take it as a grain of salt, but he said several players said they wouldn't be attending if Josh did.  I think this goes back to some antimosity we heard in the Reds' clubhouse.  I had worse seats on Saturday, sitting in the upper level first base side.  However, since the game was such a lopsided-loss,  I was able to move down later in the game.

New Stadium

Arod doubles

Arod gets another hit.

Mr. Yankee

Jeter legs out an infield hit.

Monday

Probably the best pitching matchup I've seen in person.  I've seen some great pitchers, but not quite like this one.  However, my exciement was quickly extinguished by the doucheness of Mets' fans.  I've always hated the Mets and their fans, but in recent years that hatred has died.  David Wright and Johan Santana are probably two of my Top 5 players in the game right now.  So I've rooted for the Mets more recently than in the past.  Not anymore.  As friendly and cordial as the Yankee fans were, the Mets' fans were as rude and stand-offish.  I'm a pretty outgoing person, and I always strike up conversations around me.  I actually began the game rooting for the Mets, because come on they were playing the Mariners.  I got no response to my friendly banter and questions so I decided to keep to myself.  Santana didn't have his stuff early and quickly gave up a Grand slam to Felix Hernandez of all people.  Unfortunately, I was taking photos of Johan so I missed the pitch.  He was quickly booed.  Bottom of the fourth, David Wright grounds into a double play to end the inning.  He is promptly booed.  It is at this point I say fuck this team and root for the Mariners (in my head of course).  Then I start to look around and notice that the fans in my area are all from Hotchickswithdouchebags.com.  They are literally every Mets' fan stereotype I have ever imagined.  Well it only gets worse.  Beltran storms home on a wild pitch and takes out Felix covering home.  When Felix goes down my section ACTUALLY CHEER HIS INJURY.  It begins with a simple Beltran chant but then continues as Felix is obviously seriously hurt.  They continue cheering and hollering like a bunch of assholes.  Felix gets up and tries to throw a pitch before collapsing.  The crowd laughs and begins cheering AGAIN.  Of course, they give a half-hearted clap as he limps to the dugout with the assistance of two trainers, but it's too late, I am pissed off.  How these people can cheer an injury of a star player of a team they play every three years is beyond me.  Not that it's anymore acceptable, but I could at least understand them doing this with Cole Hamels or something.  So basically I sat there the rest of the game pissed off and I left as soon as Johan was taken out.  Is it possible I sat in a section that was a poor representation of Mets fans?  I'm sure.  But screw it, I don't care.  Fuck the Mets.  Walking back to the Subway I met a nice couple that was at the Saturday Rangers' game.  I asked them if their actions on the tarp gained them some points with Mets' fans any they said it did, so that kind of fuels our guesses.  Anyways here's some pictures from that game.

Felix delivers a pitch.

Johan delivers a pitch.

Asshole Mets' fans booing the injury of a star player (Look in the background you can see the training staff around Felix)

Shea Stadium

So there you have it.  The rest of my activities while in the city:  Bronx Zoo, Metropolitian Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Spamalot on Broadway (Monty Python's Holy Grail for those that don't know), two nights of Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden (I even met Jeff Ament, the bassist), and all the other landmarks in the city.  It was a great time.  Hope you guys enjoyed the read, assuming you made it this far.  I leave you with something you will only see in New York City...