Im bored and I saw him on a Cowboys write up.  I'm sure he'll be back on the Rangers before long because the DMN hates Ranger fans (just kidding).

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is the distinct pleasure of the management to present the evening's star attraction. For your listening and dancing participation and enjoyment, tonight on this stage, it will be my privilege to give you one of the world's last living, working rhythm and blues reviews. Here they are, back after their exclusive three-year tour of Europe, Scandinavia and the sub-continent. Won't you please welcome from" St Louis Gerry Fraley

via i.tsn.com

via lolabrigada.files.wordpress.com

So I come across this article in the DMN where Dirk's girlfriend now says she is pregnant with his child.  Jeez, if this is true... wow... what a bad decision.  I still cannot figure out what was going on with him.  I mean the guy could of walked into just about any place and walked out with a cute chick.  Bad Luck.

And Bad Karma for the Mavs.  You can't tell me he wasn't thinking about this during the series. Although I suspect I know the problem.  All I can say is Bad Beer = Bad Decisions.  C'mon Dirk!?!?! Miller Lite... Really?  I think he should sue the Miller brewing company for giving him bad beer goggles. 

So logic thereby dictates if you drink too much Miller Lite you sleep with men...

via www.dallasnews.com

Is there some unwritten rule in NCAA ball that says you cannot use a wooden bat because it shows up the other team?

via www2.hawaii.edu

I am referencing this story where a Baylor baseball player was using a wooden bat and the coach from SFA tells the pitcher to hit him, it then blows up and the coaches are going toe to toe.  The coach then admits to the umpire that this is the reason he is hitting the guy.  To which the Baylor coach replied "Obviously it set me off to hear him articulate that so clearly."

I was never aware of this.

I would think that it would be understandable - if you wanted to tune up for summer league ball or maybe not lose your touch or even break a slump if you have a "lucky" bat or something.

Thoughts?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-11-sox-brite-chicagomay11,0,2133168.story

via www.midwestsportsfans.com

Okay so he admits he was throwing at Kinsler.  I actually don't have a problem with this, he threw behind him, didn't hit him and had no intention of putting him on base.   I am just curious does he get a suspension? He says he threw at him with intent, should this garner a suspension? or a fine?  Or is that reserved for headhunters only?

MLB-suspends-Josh-Beckett-six-games-for-throwing

Doesn't an admission of "throwing a pitch with intent" fall under the rubric of an "aggressive action"?  Kind of interesting. 

Anyway like I said I am ok with it and I am wondering if any of our relievers would even consider this.  I don't remember any of our guys throwing a retal pitch, but I am sure it has happened.  (Other than Vinny that is, but he is berserk so who knows why he hits people ::cough:: AJ Pierzynski::cough::) I don't think any of our guys have a real nasty demeanor, I guess maybe FF would be our enforcer if need be.

via l.yimg.com

Pirates, Vazquez near deal

Updated: December 11, 2008, 11:02 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of a two-year, $4 million deal with infielder Ramon Vazquez.

Vazquez hit a career-high .290 with a .365 on-base percentage with the Texas Rangers last season.

A left-handed hitter and utility infielder, Vazquez has a career .257 batting average in eight major league seasons spent with the Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.

Buster Olney is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.

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Damn Rangers first they let Pitt steal Matt Kata and now porno stache.  A truly sad day.  Moment of silence please.....

The list is the top 100 Currently signed draft picks up to 10th round and their bonus amounts.

Top Unsigned Ranger Picks

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Guardado sweats out practical joke Team had reliever believing he was bound for Nationals By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

I have always liked baseball practical jokes, the bubble gum on the hat, and the hot foot always make me laugh.  I love watching old school replays of the Jay Johnstone stuff even though I know it is cheezy.  Forgot to mention that I have a warped sense of humor I guess because I remember laughing at this and the Kyle Kendrick to Japan thing.

2 things interesting to me about the Ranger practical joke:

John Hart was with the mgmt team

and Eddie was mad about going to the Nats.

link

Jayson Stark

Rangers

Unbeknownst to most of North America, only two teams in the whole sport -- the Angels and Rays -- have a better record than the Rangers over the last three months (45-34). So GM Jon Daniels says: "I don't see us unloading the farm system to get into the rental market. I don't see us holding any sort of fire sale." But that doesn't mean the Rangers don't have some interesting pieces on their shelves. Step right up and make an offer for Vicente Padilla, Kevin Millwood, Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd, Frank Catalanotto or Gerald Laird. Daniels would listen to anything that "makes sense." And to make sense, any offer would have to upgrade this team's rotation, at least for the long haul. So why are the Rangers willing to trade Padilla, their leading winner (11-5)? No, not because of dollars. And no, not because he's an astronaut, either. Because he's as talented as any pitcher on the market. So the Rangers are telling other clubs they're willing to deal him if they can get back a young starter they can plug into their rotation by next season, if not immediately. They've had only back-burner interest so far, from a group that's believed to include the Tigers and Yankees. But in one of the least-inspiring rotation markets ever, that could easily change in the next week. Incidentally, two pitchers the Rangers don't intend to deal, despite extensive interest, are relievers Eddie Guardado and Jamey Wright.

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Why would we keep either of them?  Serviceable? Yes they are. I love Eddie's demeanor but lets face it that arm is held together with chicken wire and duct tape.  And the electrician?  Not a bad middle reliever but he has come back to earth as of late and he gives me seizures when he comes in the game lately!  And honestly does anyone but me remember that people were begging the Rangers to DFA Vinnie this offseason?  Props to management for hanging on to him and now he may be at the top of someone's wish list at the trade deadline.  Unbelievable.  Anyone out there put any eggs in Jayson Stark basket?

Just FYI - Some nice options there in Colorado and they will be eager to get a good pitcher for the right price later in the year. May be something worth watching in the future.

http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_9163855

"The Rockies also have kicked the tires on Oakland's Rich Harden and Joe Blanton and Texas' Kevin Millwood. Harden is hurt, limiting interest; Blanton is currently not available. And while the Rangers will listen on Millwood, they want the right players in return, not salary relief.'

Rangers items of note so far:

Chris (Waco, TX): Is there an ace in theRangers system and if so when will we see him?

SportsNation Keith Law: (2:20 PM ET ) I really like Michael Main, one of their first-round picks this year, but he's probably 3-4 years out. Eric Hurley's not an ace but he's very good and he's a year or so away.
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Jon Daniels (Arlington, TX): How would you rate the job I have done so far? One really bad trade but otherwise not too bad. From the bottom to the top half of farm systems.

SportsNation Keith Law: (2:34 PM ET ) I think you've done a very good job, much better than some of your local writers want to admit. You've got a legit case to say your system is #2 overall behind the Devil Rays'.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=18571