At this point, it's essentially a foregone conclusion.  In fact, I'm not even sure that my lead is surmountable - with only a handful of games next week.

25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

It's down to 2-3 people, but the top 5 are included (to demonstrate the mastery of the leaders by noting the separation).

Three weeks remaining in the 2009 College Pick Choose Contest, and anything could happen (not really, but I'm trying to keep it interesting).

POW! POW!

It's hard to believe that 5+ weeks have passed since the Rangers were eliminated - especially with the World Series just ending last night.  I guess in other ways, it seems like it's been 2-3 months.

I wanted to give an update to the earlier post re: Playoff Refunds

4-6 weeks after elimination was the promised date for the refunds which is next Monday night (effectively Tuesday).

With one stated exception (http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/10/20/1093305/playoff-ticket-refunds#) refunds have not been received.  I purchased tickets during both presales within the first 2-3 minutes using two different cards (one card for each presale), so I think I am indicative of the group.

Hopefully this is completed (started and completed) by Tuesday.

http://tinyurl.com/whoneedstwo

(my creative URL)

Woman Accused of Offering Sex for World Series Tickets on Craigslist

article starts:

A Philadelphia woman was arrested Tuesday after she allegedly posted an ad on Craigslist offering to perform sex acts in exchange for World Series tickets, MyFoxPhilly reported.

article continues...

Susan Finkelstein, 43, was charged with prostitution and related offenses after police say she advertised herself as a buxom, blond, die-hard Phillies fan who was desperately seeking World Series tickets and would have sex to get them.

i searched but could not find any discussion on the cowlishaw statement that an email had been sent to those that purchased playoff tickets (the tickets in addition to the season tickets seats) that a refund would not be forthcoming until november.  obviously, the season ticket holders will get the money credited toward next season (as one option), but i am specifically addressing the extra seats.

cowlishaw: http://tinyurl.com/yjkvsv6

1. if there was a discussion that i missed i apologize.

2. i did not receive an email.  i bought extra seats, spending $900+ - mostly from a debit card (mastercard linked to my checking account).

3. i thought that the team had said six weeks after the season originally.  that's mid-november, right?  is this really news, or is the email referenced the original email about purchasing playoff tickets?  i guess what i am asking is, "has anything changed?"

4. if the team has changed the refund date, can i file a dispute with my credit card company (bank) and get my cash back now?

i was planning on waiting until mid-november, but if the dates were changed AFTER i purchased tickets, i need the money as bad as the rangers need the money (well, maybe not THAT bad).

http://vegaswatch.net/2009/09/evaluating-april-mlb-predictions-2009.html

(opens in new window)

Because it's impossible to quantify everything that affects (potentially affects) a team's record over the course of 162 games (especially unknown future events like injuries), predictions made before the season are usually pretty inaccurate - especially when given for more than one team.  I think I picked the Rangers to lose 90 (or more), and there were (in my mind) a lot of issues surrounding this team that concerned me, warranting that prediction.  I was (mostly) wrong, although the team made a concerted effort plunge toward the end.

It's tough to predict with any accuracy.  That said, it's good/enjoyable to look back and see how everyone fared.  Here's an article doing just that.

The season ticket holder presale started at 9am this morning - game 1 ALDS only.  A code was sent to season ticket holders for purchasing up to four seats.

For me, this was a big step forward toward a building playoff frenzy.  Although we are still on the outside, hitting refresh every three seconds to be able to buy seats was somewhat exhilarating.

I ended up with four aisle seats Section 25/Row 26.

How did you do?

While the rest of you were undoubtedly working extremely hard at your jobs yesterday (Wednesday), I was on what turned out to be a pretty amazing date at the Ballpark.  When I was selected to be on a new series that premiers later this month I had one request - let me plan the date.

My immediate thought was to somehow plan a date that involved the Rangers in whatever way possible, knowing that this had tremendous potential to be a really cool experience for the lucky girl (and certainly for me, too).  My first email was to my longtime friend and marketing executive for the Rnagers, Chip K.  Chip immediately put a plan in motion and brought Dale P. (EVP Marketing) into the loop.  Dale and Chip guided us through the red tape with MLB, and in no time we had traction.

My date and I walked around the park, sat in my seats adjacent to the dugout, went in the dugout, played catch, had a picnic in the outfield, and a couple of other really cool/memorable activities (that unfortunately did not include any of the bases beyond first - LOL).

The date went off without a hitch yesterday except for one horrendous problem - I developed "Steve Blass Disease" (at the worst possible moment).  Channeling my inner Mark Wohlers, I sprayed the field with errant throws while the poor girl tried her best to catch them.  At least I didn't go Chuck Knoblauch and hit Keith Olbermann's mom in the face.  That *might* have been worse.

I can't explain my inability to make anything that even remotely resembled a good throw, but it was pretty damn embarassing.

Anyway...  the date airs late August, and I will update you guys with more details later.

Stay Hard...

Glowing review of Angel Stadium with promise to visit Texas next

This opens in a new window - because I care like that...

There's a lot to like about every ballpark - even the best ones have issues.  Deadspin has taken it upon themselves to share these issues on a park-by-park basis.  Fortunately, RBIA is not the first ballpark reviewed.  Unfortunately, it's second - as soon as they climb off Angel Stadium.

With the new series titled "Why Your Stadium Sucks..." I can't imagine they are going to ignore the punch list that gets regurgitated regularly:  parking, heat, lack of roof... and so forth and so on.

More good news...  They want your help, so make sure you e-mail in what your opinions.  craggs@deadspin.com

Jason is obviously having difficulty pitching at Coors - the last start v San Diego notwithstanding.

The assumption that his problems are solved by being on the road might be shortsighted in light of his next appearance - the juice box in Houston.

Forgive me for the stupid question, but what's his biggest problem - fly balls?

If so, does Houston seem like Coors South tonight?

The good news is that Moehler might be even worse pitching in Houston with his 9.22 home ERA.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.