SB Nation User Blog: slc ranger

OT : I hate ESPN...

slc ranger — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:03:27 -0000

And here is another reason why :

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/notebook?page=notebook/onthemark1110

Here comes the rant. This shit just pisses me off. This SEC homer, who of course is a grad of Georgia, has the nerve to say any team in the ACC or Big East has done more to deserve a shot in the BCS over Utah. Really? Last I checked the Utes were the original "BCS busters" in 2004 and they thumped PItt, and they would have done the same thing to any other team that year not named USC or Auburn. I'm not saying this years Utes are as good as the '04 team, I don't believe they are. However the MWC is a much better league this year than it was then and is far better than the Big East or ACC. I don't understand the lack of respect for my Utes. I don't think they should be in the NC game, but if they go undefeated why do they not belong in the BCS? The Utes could hang with almost anyone this year except perhaps Florida, Texas, Tech, and Oklahoma. They may not beat teams like Bama, USC, Penn St., OK St., etc. but they would have a shot, and they deserve that shot, I don't want to see them play another Pitt if they win their next 2 games.

There are good college football teams not in the BCS conferences. I know this may surprise some of these ESPN jackasses. Utah or TCU's defense would hold any team in the country under 20 points (except Florida, Texas, Tech, Oklahoma, and OK St.). Their defenses are that good. Why is it when they play a 13-10 game it's boring, but when a Big XII or SEC team plays a 13-10 game it's a "defensive slugfest". BYU and Boise St. would put up 40 + on most teams in country. However when they do it in their conferences it's just another "crazy WAC shootout" (even if the team isn't in the WAC anymore). However when teams in the Big XII put up 40 or 50 on each other it's a great offensive game.

Like them or not Utah and Boise St. belong in the BCS. Certainly more so than any Big East or ACC team. I think Boise St. is overrated, but they have been there before and won, and if they go undefeated then they deserve to go again. If teams in the MWC, WAC, C-USA, MAC, and Sunbelt don't deserve to go to a big bowl when they go undefeated then just seperate them from the 6 BCS conferences into their own college football subdivision.

I know many here won't care about this, but I figured I'd post it for myself to blow off some steam and for any other fans of the "mid-majors" out there. I know there are some Frog fans on this board as well. Someone needs to start to stick up for the little guy in college football and I wish someone in the media would do so as well. Damn, what I wouldn't give for a playoff system. 8 teams. Keep the Bowl system. the first 4 games can be called the Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, and Orange. Then play a Semi-Final and a Championship Game. I just don't see it happening though. These greedy BCS college presidents will never let it happen. They don't even like one of the "mid-majors" getting a little piece of the pie every other year or so.

ESPN treats college football like they do MLB. If you're not the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Cubs, etc. then you don't belong in the league and you get no respect. I hate them for it. End of rant.

BMac starting for OKC...

slc ranger — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:42:20 -0000

So the RedHawks are going to be here in Salt Lake the next four days and I plan on going to at least the first 3 games (I'll have to se how my daughter is holding up on Friday). With many of the Ranger kids already up I was thinking about who I was really looking forward to seeing. I just checked Shroom's site and low and behold he has BMac going tomorrow. Not bad.

This will be the first game(s), and probably last, I see in person this year. It will be nice to see JMJ, Tx2, and Duran, but I must admit I'm a little disappointed with the level of prospects right now at OKC that I will get to see. Ya know, compared to the other guys in the system with other teams. It's a good and bad thing of course. Guys like Davis, MaxRam, Boggs, Hurley, and Harrison are with the Rangers sooner than many of us expected, but I still selfishly would have liked to have been able to see some of them play in person before they hit the bigs. Oh well.

One thing a I can say is that I won't be doing in depth game fanposts with pics, etc. like some of the other peeps here at LSB have done. They are nice, but I just don't think I will have time to do so. Besides, I don't think I like you guys that much anyways.

Poll

How many homers will I see Nellie Cruz hit in the 4 game series here in Salt Lake?

1

12 votes

2

29 votes

3

15 votes

4

2 votes

5+ and then get called up

5 votes

5+ and then be dealt by the deadline

14 votes

77 votes | Poll has closed

Another Disappointing Start

slc ranger — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:45:17 -0000

Well another bad start to the season for the second straight year. This time it's 9-18. Ugh. While we have seen one Dallas area coach/manager already get canned today, many here would like Wash to suffer the same fate as Avery. Let me just say this though. No matter who takes over the team if Wash is fired, whether it's Howe, Walbeck, or someone else, they will still have the same team. To me a team is 95% players and 5% manager (if that). I don't want this fanpost to be about Wash though. We have had enough of those already.

Instead, I'm trying to see what positives can still come form this season. For me it all starts with developing the young players and getting some of them significant playing time this year to see what they have. This is what I would like the Rangers roster to look like come August 1st, after the trade deadline.

*Lineup*

1- Kinsler - 2B

2- MY - SS

3- Hamilton - CF

4- Bradley - RF (deal him if a team overwhelms you at the deadline though)

5- Blalock - 3B (deal him if a team overwhelms you at the deadline though)

6- Salty - CA

7- Davis - 1B (play everyday in AAA until July 31st)

8- MaxRam - DH (play everyday in AAA until July 31st, can also be the backup CA)

9- Murphy - LF

*Bench*

Duran (play everyday in AAA until July 31st)

Boggs (play everyday in AAA until July 31st)

Shelton (emergency catcher)

Vasquez, Laird, Byrd, and Cat should all be dealt for whatever we can get for them.

Broussard should be DFA'd by then.

*Rotation*

Millwood

Padilla (deal him if a team overwhelms you at the deadline though)

Gabbard (please stay healthy)

Hurley (pitch every 5th day in AAA until July 31st)

Mendoza/ Mathis/Harrison/Feldman/Pirate/Ponson (deal him if possible as well)

I don't think we see B-Mac this year. :(

*Pen*

BGL

Jack (deal him if he has good value)

Wright (deal him if he has good value)

Guardado (deal him)

Wes

Fx2

Rupe

Madrigal

Rheino

Nippert

German, Fuku, and Jennings should be DFA'd or dealt if possible.

Most of this teams young talent is still a little ways away. But some guys like Salty, Davis, MaxRam, Hurley, Duran, Boggs, Mathis, Harrison, Gabbard, Mendoza, etc. need to get a lot of playing time the last 2/3 months of the season. Plus if we are able to deal some guys we should get at least a couple young players back that we could take a look at as well. Let's face it, when the Rangers get crushed what do we all do? Go to the minor league sites to see what some of the kids did to try and lift our spirits. So what do you guys think? Would you be happy with that lineup come August 1st? Are there any other young players that may be able to contribute this year, for example if Mayberry tears up AAA do you bring him up? Thoughts?

5 Rangers...

slc ranger — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:46:36 -0000

I could do without right now. I have tried to stay positive with this team. After all I didn't expect then to finish with more than 75 wins or so. The last 4 games though have left me rather upset. There are many players that are underperforming right now, but here are the 5 guys that I would like to see gone as soon as possible.

1) Ben Broussard - I was not a fan of him coming here to begin with. He has shown some power and that he can hit RHP a little but his defense is pretty bad and I don't think he hits over .240 as a full-time player. I'm one of the few that still thinks Botts has a shot and this year should be that chance. Dump Broussard.

2) Marlon Byrd - Byrd is a great guy. I love his hustle, defense, and attitude. However I don't think he can hit like he did last year and whatever value he had at the beginning of the year is slowly fading away. Deal him to a team that needs a defensive 4th OFer.

3) Frank Catalanotto - The guy has no defensive value and on a team that is already loaded with left-handed hitters his offensive value is almost non-existent as well. I think Cat is on the way down. He has been a good hitter over his career but last year was the beginning of his decline. Hopefully he starts to hit well enough for some team to want to pick up his contract.

4) Jason Jennings - The guy has shown little control and his velocity is at 82-86 mph. That's just not going to work. I think he would lead the league in HR allowed if kept in the rotation all year. It's still early but he has shown me nothing so far and I wouldn't be hurt if he was DFA'd tomorrow.

5) Gerald Laird - I will say this about OMFT. He can bunt and has a very good arm. That's about it though. I'm not a fan of his other defensive abilities including handling the pitching staff, getting in front of balls in the dirt, and framing pitches. He does have some value and the Rangers should take advantage of that ASAP. Salty is tearing up AAA right now and this lineup needs another right-handed bat.

List the 5 Rangers that you would dispose of and why. And yes, you could include a coach, for example. Or perhaps a certain over-paid player who is defensively challenged if you wish. Vote in the Poll for the one that stands out the most to you.

Poll

Name the one Ranger you would like to see gone.

Laird

16 votes

Broussard

17 votes

Cat

24 votes

Byrd

9 votes

Jennings

17 votes

MY

5 votes

Wash

9 votes

Botts

4 votes

Dusty Tits

2 votes

103 votes | Poll has closed

OT: McCain a naughty boy?

slc ranger — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:39:48 -0000

This could spell the end to McCain. He is already viewed as not conservative enough by many on the right. The NY Times took a play right out of the republican/Rove playbook by waiting on this story. They release it now that McCain all but has the nomination sealed up. This could hand the Presidency to Obama/Clinton if more comes out and it turns out they had a romantic relationship. Wow. (Sorry AJM about the political diary, I know about your rule and if you want to pull this I understand)

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/us/politics/21mccain.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogi n&adxnnlx=1203571055-W815bDcNyyYDHlL6OY8YcQ

Celtics for real?

slc ranger — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:35:46 -0000

So with tonight's win the Celtics are now 28-3. This is the best start for any team since the shot-clock era began.

I realize they have played a soft schedule so far and have yet to play the elite in the West (Dallas, San Antonio, and Phoenix) but this team is for real. I think they are easily in the top 5 in the NBA right now with those 3 Wetern teams and the Pistons.

They have found a few bench players in Posey, House, Tony Allen, and Big Baby. Their defense has been great, and watching the "PGA Tour" has been a lot of fun. They did go 4-0 on a recent west-coast trip including wins over the Lakers and the Jazz as well.

I am not saying they will win it all. In fact I think they will lose in the Eastern Confrence finals to Detroit, but for the first time in over a decade watching the NBA is a option for me. I know there are a lot of Dallas fans here but I'm curious as to what you think. There is also a poll on you right as to how far you think this team will go.

Poll

How far will the C's go?

NBA Finals Champs

8 votes

Win the Eastern Confrence

12 votes

Lose in the Eastern Confrence Finals

5 votes

Lose in the Eastern Semi's

3 votes

Bounced in the first round

3 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed

Long Suffering Fan

slc ranger — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:17:06 -0000

I'm sitting here watching the playoffs thinking... when was the last time any of my teams actually won a championship? As it turns out it was when I was 7 years old, I wasn't much of a fan back then.

Just curious as to what other sports teams people on LSB are Die-Hards for. I assume there are quite a few Cowboy fans here but also probably some big college sports fans as well.

Are there any other long suffering fanatics out there? Who do you cheer for in other sports? What is your all-time favorite moment as a fan for your favorite teams?

My favorite sports and teams are listed below in order of how much I like the sport...

Baseball- Rangers
College Football- Utah Utes
College Basketball- Utah Utes
Football- Raiders
Basketball- Celtics

The Celtics won the Championship in 85/86 when I was 7 and the Raiders won the Superbowl in 1984. I have had glimmers of hope- Rangers in mid/late 90's, Raiders in '03, Utes in basketball in the mid 90's made a final four and a few sweet sixteens, but I would have to say my favorite moment in sports so far was the undefeated Utes in '05 who went to the Fiesta Bowl but of course did not get a shot at USC (who would have probably beat Utah by 20 but it would have been nice to at least see them get a shot). A close runner up was the first division title in '96.

Anyway, just kinda bored and wondering what everyone thinks. I just want one World Series in my lifetime and as soon as the Rangers win it all that will be my #1 moment. Until then I just watch other fans celebrate their moment of glory.

NL MVP

slc ranger — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:15:03 -0000

So while watching the play in game with the Pads and Rox, Firebat and myself had a debate over the NL MVP. I am curious as to what others think.

I believe there are 3 or 4 candidates (if you include Fielder).

Rollins
Holliday
Wright
Fielder

I believe they finish in the above order but all 4 had great years. If you have a vote who do you vote for NL MVP? I have included a poll, but as always the "V" for valuable will come up when talking about MVP...who was the most valuable player to their team?

Poll

Who is the NL MVP?

Jimmy Rollins

6 votes

Matt Holliday

26 votes

David Wright

12 votes

Prince Fielder

2 votes

Other

0 votes

46 votes | Poll has closed

Your 2008 Redhawks?

slc ranger — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:31:11 -0000

We have all speculated on who will be the Rangers starters next year. However, with 2009 a more realistic year for a competitive team how would you stack up AAA next year?

Where do players like Davis, Duran, Boggs, Hurley, Harrison, JMJ, Rupe, Kometani, Arias, etc. fit in?

Any players making position changes? i.e. Davis!?

How about the rotation, are Hurley and Volquez in the bigs or heading the charge at AAA?

I really hope the Rangers can compete in 08, but if not, who are we grooming for the 09 team?