SB Nation User Blog: sam in so cal

Deadspin about to take a dump on RBIA

sam in so cal — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:26:09 -0000

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

Marquis H/A Splits - is HOU Home away from Home?

sam in so cal — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:23:43 -0000

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.

(dead horse alert) Galarraga is good.

sam in so cal — Fri, 01 May 2009 14:37:11 -0000

I utilised the search function and could not find a thread more recent than 1April that mentioned Galarraga. I wanted to find an opportunity to discuss the former Ranger ahead of his next dominating performance tonight at home against the Tribe.

CBS has Armando ranked 7th among AL/NL starting pitchers - which is VERY surprising to me since people here seemed so adamant that he wasn't very good, citing a litany of numbers/stats/seemingly important ratios - all in a manner to protect JD from criticism.

The great news is that Jennings is rated 272 among relief pitchers - up from 290 last week...

Awesome.

Wireless (wifi) at RBIA? Couldn't get access.

sam in so cal — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:12:41 -0000

So I asked a question earlier (in-thread) about wifi at the Ballpark.

Rodney's answer:

Yes, there is.
Verified yesterday by RachelB & Craig.

I found what was obviously a Texas Rangers wireless network (with good strength), but it required username and password.

Anyone else have luck, or is there some way to get access to the Rangers' network?

Does anyone (Rachel or Craig) know who to contact that could provide details of wifi service(s) available.

Thanks in advance,

Sam

Let's "get down" - O/U set at 74 1/2

sam in so cal — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:49:48 -0000

As a follow up to this thread (http://www.lonestarball.com/2009/2/11/756042/wednesday-a-m-stuff) I wanted to provide the LS Ballers with an update.

One of the most recognized gambling websites, Bodog, has the Rangers listed at 74.5 for 2009 wins.

http://sports.bodoglife.com/sports-betting/baseball-futures.jsp

Obviously the significance is that this line is available for public wagering through the website as opposed to previous O/U discussions that were more "hypothetical" in nature. This is an actual line and is the best barometer of sentiment that I can find. The line is created to attract half of the money to one side and half to the other side, and it is adjusted as wagers are placed.

I searched the terms "over under" before posting, so I hope that this does not rehash an existing thread.

rangers town halls starting

sam in so cal — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:19:01 -0000

i want to preface this by saying that i searched "town hall" and "caravan" before posting this. i would hate to be regarded as a renegade poster with no regard to the unwritten etiquette of LSB.

is anyone planning on attending one of these?

what should be expected in terms of accessibility, transparency and honesty - especially from daniels?

maybe a better question - with the lack of activity in the offseason, are there are any questions that need to be asked?

2009 MLB Odds

sam in so cal — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:28:42 -0000

preliminary odds for the 2009 season have been posted. over/unders and other detailed odds usually do not appear until the spring, but here are odds on AL pennant, NL pennant and world series:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/mlb/odds/futures/

texas is 35/1 (AL) and 75/1 (WS). both seem a little low.

of interest to me - the teams that odds makers place below the rangers:

BAL/SEA/KAN (AL)

SEA/BAL/CIN/SD/WAS/KAN/PIT (WS)

- - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - -

UPDATE (Friday) Texas has dropped to 38/1 and 80/1

JD's One Year Deals (a review of Tim MacMahon's lovefest)

sam in so cal — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:56:30 -0000

Daniels has done wonders with one-year deals

Now that the season has progressed and nears its completion, it seems like a good opportunity to review a midseason rave from DMN writer and underappreciated DMN blog contributor Tim MacMahon.

Tim usually has a lot of negative things to say about the Rangers, but I refer back to one of his more glowing posts about JD's prowess with one year deals - turning something into nothing...

Strangely absent is any reference to Jason Jennings - a COMPLETE failure by JD.

Touted prematurely as a "success story" was the signing of Ponson.

Bradley flamed out sometime after this was written May 20th, contributing very little when the Rangers needed July/August momentum. IF Daniels had an opportunity to move Bradley and didn't then it was another failure, but if there were no offers then it was probably a good signing although Bradley ultimately failed to see his maximum potential despite a great start to the season.

The Lofton year was great for the future of the franchise.

I dissent from MacMahon and question what Sammy Sosa provided this team during his one year.

Gagne was a great move even though Gabbard is, in retrospect, another waste. Murphy hopefully continues to overachieve.

Low risk/high rewards or just a couple of good moves with a healthy dose of crap littering the list of one year signings?

Also, since at least half of the one year signings have been busts, the "low risk" component is actually double for the signings that worked out, right?

In other words, if Bradley was considered a success at $5M (don't know any of the salaries off the top of my head and won't look), you also needs to add salaries of Jennings, Broussard and Ponson to that amount to determine total amount risked versus what was received (high reward). This year the Rangers spent several million on one year contracts and got Bradley. Risk versus reward, good or very average?

good news - i'm going tonight

sam in so cal — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:07:07 -0000

to everyone that hates me here, i have some very good news...

i won't be posting my contrarian views for the next several hours because i am going to the game - front row right field.

please don't expect a recap, but i realized that my lake elsinore bakersfield recap sucked relative to some (all) of the subsequent recaps that have appeared in this space. besides, the game is on tv.

so, to everyone that hates when i disagree, please give this post a rec.

sam

scattershooting while wondering whatever happened to...

sam in so cal — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:49:54 -0000

mark connor.

i wanted to take this opportunity to say how glad i am that the rangers made a much-needed change at pitching coach. i can't imagine how much worse the worst team in baseball (ERA and unearned runs) would be if he was still wreaking havoc on the staff.

i know - it's too soon to get up the new guy's ass, but i am laughing uncontrollably at the mess he stares at every day. feldman is stretched beyond his limit, dl millwood is perpetually hurt (and SUCKS when he actually shows up), mendoza is circling the drain... on and on. i know he has nothing to work with and no time yet to make his presence felt, but WOW this staff is HORRIBLE.

he's either got the worst job ever or the best opportunity ever. i mean if he waits around long enough, the staff gets better even with no input from him. win - win or lose - lose?