Heading down to Surprise, AZ this Thursday-Saturday. I haven't bought tickets to games yet, still planning exactly what teams I want to see. Anybody think waiting until I am there to buy tickets will be a big problem?

Any suggestions on other stadiums/teams to check out while there?

Any suggestions on places to eat or bars to check out? Or just things in general to do around Surprise/Phoenix?

This is my first spring training trip, look forward to your suggestions.

This may seem like a very lame topic or one not worthy of its own FanPost, but this subject has created a great dilema in my Rangers support. I have recently been looking for some new Rangers gear, but have been unable to find anything worthy. The only Rangers related items that exist are designed for either a) stadium wear only or b) for men 40 and over (no offense), who don't exactly have a good reputation in the fashion department (i.e. lots of t-shirts tucked in to jean shorts).

I am looking for some Rangers clothing that I can wear outside without seeming like a total dweeb. Not looking for anything totally douchey. I know this may be a result of being a Rangers fan rather than another team, such as the Red Sox or Yankees who have tons of stuff that normal mid-20s guys can wear (vintage t-shirts and hoodies, none of which fit like a trash bag), but any suggestions on where to find decent stuff? I found one awesome sweatshirt at www.nineteen47.com (click on Banner '47 - men's tab at the top of the page and you should see a Rangers hoodie hanging on the wall), but I have been unable to locate it anywhere, not to mention I am sure that stuff from here is probably way expensive. 

Thanks for the help.

Looking at the Frisco box score it shows Elvis committed his 15th error of the season. Can this be right? 15 errors? That seems like a ton for anyone and certainly a lot for a guy who is supposed to be a stud in the field. So how do they evaluate fielding for players in the minors? Everyone on this site considers Elvis a great defensive shortstop, is it because thats what scouts say or is this from first hand experience?

Frisco Box Score

I am not trying to start an angry political discussion but I was wondering what other people thoughts on players wearing the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day even though they are white.  I thought it was a great idea for whole teams to wear the number 42, something Ron Washington advocated for recently, and not just black players.  Apparently that is unacceptable to Torii Hunter.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Has-baseball-lost-the-meaning-of-Jackie-Robinson?urn=mlb,76568

I have never used this program but wanted to see if anyone knew whether I could use it (or a similar program) to watch the home opener today? I also had some other questions:

1) can I use sopcast on a mac? I can use another computer if I have to but its kinda of a pain.

2) could I use sopcast for every game?

3) what is the quality like?

Thanks to anyone that can provide assistance?

Sorry if this was already posted somewhere and I missed it, but I was looking at SI's Rangers preview and didn't quite understand some of the points it was making. In particular I hadn't heard anything about Cat being traded this spring and the article says the Rangers are lousy at catcher.

Texas Rangers

Where: Surprise, Arizona (Cactus League)

2007 record: 75-87 (4th, AL West)

New guys: Milton Bradley, Ben Broussard, Josh Hamilton, Kazuo Fukumori, Eddie Guardado, Jason Jennings

Gone guys: Jerry Hairston Jr., Victor Diaz, Akinori Otsuka, Sammy Sosa, Edinson Volquez, Brad Wilkerson

Wow, he's still here? The Rangers dumped a lot of veterans over the winter, but they retained Frank Catalanotto. The veteran lefty bat doesn't have a clear line on a job, and with the Rangers needing to make decisions on guys like Jason Botts, Nelson Cruz, and David Murphy, Catalanotto is a good candidate to end up elsewhere.

Winter grade: B. The Volquez-for-Hamilton trade was a good upside play for a team that had no good center-field option. Jennings and Bradley are nice low-investment free-agent plays, as is bringing in Fukumori, the veteran Japanese reliever. One good winter isn't going to be enough for this team, however.

NRI to watch: Catcher Taylor Teagarden is in camp following a .310/.426/.586 season split between the Cal and Texas Leagues. He's not a threat to make the team. However, follow how well he throws nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, and whether he's able to handle regular work behind the plate. In a system lousy with catchers, he's maybe the best of the bunch if healthy.

Job battle to track: C.J. Wilson starts the season as the closer, and his effectiveness late last year aside, his hold on the job is something shy of firm. He has the mechanics and the splits of a specialist, not a closer. Guardado lurks, and teams love giving him a shot at the job. Realistically, Joaquin Benoit or even Frank Francisco are candidates to take over at midseason.

One move to make: There's not much chance that the Rangers can hang with the Angels this season or next, so GM Jon Daniels needs to continue 2007's good work by dealing Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and even Michael Young as opportunities arise.

The Rangers will probably get out of the AL West cellar in 2008, if only because the A's will be free-falling past them on their way to 98 losses. Whether they can finish above third for the first time since 1999 depends on assembling a back end of the rotation, and how healthy a collection of injury cases can stay. A lightning strike -- like getting 1,500 PAs out of Bradley, Hamilton, and Hank Blalock while Jennings, Millwood, and Padilla all recreate their peak seasons -- could make them a contender, but in the long term, they'd be better off turning whatever good first halves they get into more prospect packages in the Mark Teixeira vein.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/02/18/bp.alwest/1.html

Starting in 2013 players who have contract clauses giving them money for awards such as the MVP or Cy Young won't be eligible to recieve votes. I kinda like the idea, but it doesn't really affect me one way or the other. I did like the comment by the agent who represents catcher Josh Paul, David Schwartz, stating he thinks the owners put the Baseball Writers's Association of America up to this to save money. Yeah Schwartz I'm sure you write a lot of these clauses representing Josh Paul and Rudy Seanez and I bet it will cost your clients tons of money.

link to article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3142555

Does anyone know where I can find ABC/ESPN coverage maps for Saturday's college football games? I know I most likely won't be getting a game I actually want to see, damn Boston and its ACC coverage, but I just want to be sure. I would love to watch Michigan State/Ohio State or Texas Tech/Missouri, no one wants Miami/Florida State.

So I really love college football and everything about my university, but I don't think I would rip a guy's balls off in my alma mater's name. If these people take the rivalry so seriously I think it is time for them ato reassess life. Umm WOW

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hYCD4Gu5sgpDRm3qzPcAyhDNNLDQ

Yet another Bengal arrested and this time its one of those nice A&M boys, Mr. Reggie McNeal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2685643

I wonder if anyone has done a comparison between the number of Cowboys arrested in the 90's v. the number of Bengals arrested in the 00's? At least the Cowboys got arrested for cool things like coke, weed, and hookers (sarcasm intended). The Bengals all seem to get arrested for being thug losers.

I don't know how he does it but that guy just manages to win. Crazy come back last week and then manages to beat the Colts this week....wow. Who knows if how good he will ever be but he just seems to have that knack for winning even though it isn't pretty sometimes.                                                        

In case you hadn't heard the news a peace sign is now considered a symbol of satan. Yes, satan. At least that is what some people in Colorado think.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061127/ap_on_re_us/anti_peace_sign

Hmmmmmm....I wonder else what could be considered a sign of satan......maybe a fluffy bunny?

It is early in the FA season but some names are already being snatched up. Now that Thomas may be off the market who do we go after?

I was thinking we should go after Bonds, the guy can still hit and love him or hate him people will come to the park. But then I saw a Bonds article on espn.com with this  
"When Texas papers mentioned Bonds as a possible target for the Rangers, owner Tom Hicks rushed to shoot down the rumors. Hicks said the club will not be signing Bonds."

I have not seen Hicks be so definite on this subject, especially since Washington has been brought in. Did I miss something that Hicks said recently?

At least I found one article so far that is not ready to kiss Theo's feet and thinks this $51M bid could have far reaching affects. I love how it mentions the Dumpmaster too.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AizpYQhtoMPwIeb3mAfDb5U5nYcB?slug=jp-matsuzaka111406&prov= yhoo&type=lgns

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Now that Texas, Auburn, and Cal lost today who will play for the National Championship? I really thought it was going to be an Ohio State - Texas rematch, but we know that went out the window tonight. I am personally getting the feeling that Ohio State and Michigan will play both this weekend and in the Championship game, which would suck. But I think Florida might lose another game as well as USC. What the hell is going on with college football?

Who do you think will play in the BCS National Championship game?

I can't believe no one has made a cowboys thread. So far I don't think anyone is missing ol' Drew. I am surprised we have allowed Romo to pass so much though.
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Can someone please enlighten me on why on the gameday thread at the astros site (crawfish boxes) they only post a play by play of the game? don't seem to be any comments or anything worthwhile at all. i could just use gamecast and get the same thing plus at least some graphics to keep me more entertained. i just dont get why anyone would read it

example:

http://www.crawfishboxes.com/story/2006/7/14/173433/820#commenttop

Does anyone else worry about the lack of position players we have as legit prospects? I know it is still early but a guy like Mayberry Jr. is a big worry for me that we spent a first round pick on a guy that is batting .235 in low A-ball. I know he hasn't been a pro long but he is 22 and I thought he was supposed to be some stud.

I dont understand all the fascination so many baseball critics have with Ozzie Guillen, how he is a guy that wears his heart on his sleve and players like that, how he is a change of pace from every other manger which results in him getting the most out of his players. i think these people live in a fantasy world and Ozzie is nothing more than a novelty act who happened to strike it lucky with a good team. dont get me wrong he did some good things and won a world series and all but he strikes me as a guy that will run a team into the groud with his hard-ass, take no shit style. it all works fine when you are winning and guys can shake it off and see results, but what about when you are losing? maybe not this year but sooner or later the team will lose its fair share and how will all that bitching sound then? maybe its just me but his respect me i'm a badass attitude has just become annoying.