SB Nation User Blog: Topgun22

OT: Texas/OU

Topgun22 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:05:11 -0000

I know it's only Tuesday (Wednesday Morning), but it's about time to start the thread. Both teams look very good early in the season against weak competition. Colt McCoy looks like Major Applewhite reincarnate, and OU looks unstoppable on offense. It's a battle of top 5 teams with Mizzou looming for Texas. What I want is not only predictions, but explanations as to why your prediction will come true.

I say Texas 27-17

McCoy is playing out of his head right now, and Muschamp has the defense rolling. The biggest question is UT's running game, but I think that they can get it done by committee (Yes, I'm a Homer). Thoughts?

It would really help if the 'Horns can pull the upset since I'll be in Austin for UT/Mizzou on the 18th.

Minors 8/26

Topgun22 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:05:25 -0000

I didn't see this anywhere else, so I thought I'd start a diary.

OKC and Doug Mathis got pounded. Mathis allowed 6R in 2 IP, but 0ER.

Frisco loses a close one to the Hooks.

Smoak with his first professional Home Run in a 1-4 evening, driving in 2.

Hamburger with the save for Clinton. Very shaky allowing a H and 2 BBs, but gets out of it unscathed.

Rookie Rangers up big in the 6th with a very strong outing from Wieland. 5IP, 2 H, 0ER, 1 BB, and 8K... very nice...

Minors 6/19

Topgun22 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:12:48 -0000

I didn't see a discussion thread up yet for today's games so....

Davis is 0-0, 2BB

Cruz is 2-2, 2B

Max Ram is 2-2, 2B

Beavan has given up 1 ER through 3 IP, with 2BBs though.

Bakersfield and Spokane both going later tonight.

Man, I can't even believe how much more excited I am about following the minor league teams this year than I have been in the past. Pure greatness!

Discuss......

Hamilton: AL Player of the Month for May!

Topgun22 — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:13:13 -0000

Per Jamey:

"MLB has just named Josh Hamilton the American League Player of the Month for May. He is the first American League player in the 35-year history of the monthly honors to win the award in both April and May in a given season. Eric Davis (1987), Bobby Bonilla (1988), and Mark McGwire (1998) achieved the feat in the National League."

Wow, just wow!

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German DFA'd

Topgun22 — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:07:22 -0000

Kam Loe recalled, per the DMN. This is really kind of an odd move. German had not been pitching poorly, other than a few control issues. And, to the best of my knowledge Kam hasn't exactly been lighting things up at triple A OKC. The team obviously needs a fresh arm in the pen for the rest of this sreies, but this move is a touch baffling to say the least. We have 10 days to trade or release German.

Random Question re: Minor Leagues and Trades

Topgun22 — Wed, 21 May 2008 20:13:34 -0000

Maybe not worthy of an entire Fan Post, but it didn't really fit anywhere else. I have a random question for those of you out there who know more about the way the system works regarding minor leaguers and when they have to be protected by being added to the 40-man etc.

At what point does it become somewhat counter productive to keep trading veterans for prospects? Right now our system is presumed to be loaded with talent, and we already have a 40-man crunch (somewhat). I know these players will have to be added to the 40 at different times, but is it possible to have too much talent at the minor league level that you simply cannot protect them all? I guess what I'm getting at is when does trading someone like Bradley for prospects begin to have diminishing returns due to the number crunch and it becomes time to trade 2 or 3 highly regarded prospects for 1 core type ML player who the team can control for a few years (ie Hamilton)?

Rangers Sign Ponson..

Topgun22 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:33:42 -0000

Per the DMN Blog:

"The Rangers signed Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal. He will be in major league camp on Monday. GM Jon Daniels said Ponson is in good shape and should be ready to pitch in games fairly soon.
Ponson gives the Rangers some more depth."

I know that this board in general has been against the signing of Ponson in the past, but that was when Hart wanted to pay a lot for him and hand him a spot in the rotation. I see no problem with giving him a minor league deal as insurance for McCarthy, Jennings, and Millwood. Supposedly he has been throwing 93-94 in his workouts and has dropped about 20 lbs. Not a bad insurance policy all things considered, it will keep the team from having to rush Hurley et al in case someone from the rotation misses an extended amount of time.

OT: Next Phase in Stadium Building?

Topgun22 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:14:03 -0000

This is an artists rendering of the proposed $450M stadium which would be built in St. Petersburg for the Rays. Looks pretty cool, on the edge of the water like the Giants stadium, but appears to have a better view from the water. I don't know how to just post the picture, so I'll post the link. Thoughts?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Tampa-takes-quantum-leap-in-ballpark-design?urn=ml b%2C67665

OT: Applewhite to Texas?

Topgun22 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:30:08 -0000

"Sources" are reporting that Major Applewhite could be headed to UT to join Mack Brown's staff. I had a couple of classes with Applewhite when I was at UT. He is a very smart guy, and obviously knows football. I have been saying for a couple years (as have many others) that he will be Brown's replacement when Mack decides to retire. If this rumor is true, it would seem to be a precursor to such a move.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/011508dnspoutmajor.21e1cbc8.html

OT: SMU Football

Topgun22 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:18:48 -0000

I'm not sure how many people care about the SMU coaching search, but I thought I'd share anyway since a large percentage of posters on this board live in the DFW Metroplex. ESPNews is reporting that June Jones will be leaving the University of Hawaii even though UH made an offer that would have made him the highest paid coach in the WAC. If that's truly the case then all signs point towards a Jones/SMU deal. I think the offense that Jones runs could be exciting and put SMU back on the map for the first time since the "death penalty".

Thoughts?

Anyone care? Update: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=Ape8.ByvjVKy4uEK3uRELwgcvrYF?slug=ap-hawaii-jones&prov=ap&type=lgns