As we speak (or type or read), practice is underway at the complex in Surprise. It's a great day to be a baseball fan!
A few things...
1. Kevin Mench is coming back. I think I've been through all the emotions regarding this news. First I was excited, then I was confused and a little angry. Now, I am somewhere in the middle. When I think of Mench, I remember a guy who is fun-loving and goofy and full of laughter. I remember his crazy streak of consecutive games (7) with home runs. I remember his odd toe injury that was caused by him wearing shoes that were too small for his feet. Instinctively, I was excited that this crazy guy was coming back. Then, I began thinking about it more and became really confused. Why would we sign another outfielder, especially one who has struggled mightily in the past couple of years? Being a Botts fan, I became nervous because I want him to get the full opportunity to show us what he's got. Mench puts a twist in that opportunity. That nervousness has worn off a bit now, because I realize a little competition is not a bad thing in spring training. Competiton causes some to rise up and some to falter under the pressure. I don't know about you, but I want a guy on my team who is able to withstand pressure and competition rather than a guy who lets it get to him and buckles as a result. So whoever it is who rises up from this competition...whether it is Wilson or Guardado, Saltalamacchia or Laird, Botts or Cruz or Mench...I want the one who takes the situation they're in and uses it to make themselves better. So I say bring on Kevin Mench. He might not have the most stellar numbers, but he's got the biggest head in all of MLB. How can you resist that? :)
2. I am SO interested to see how our starting pitchers bounce back from last season, especially Padilla and Millwood. Both of them had horrible, horrible seasons and didn't even look like themselves. I was so annoyed with Padilla and his bad attitude that I didn't even want him to come back. After reading this article, it sounds like Padilla is trying to get it back together. I can't wait to see how his work pays off. Regarding Millwood, I think he will do great this year. He may not go back to his ERA-winning form, but he will be bound and determined to not let last year happen again. He is a professional, and I trust that he is going to give it everything he has in 2008. I predict we will see a completely different Millwood than we have ever seen before.
3. This is off topic, but is anyone else out there annoyed when you go to a game and the Rangers fans seem outnumbered by fans of the opposing team??? Don't get me wrong, I love the Red Sox, but I would never cheer for them over the Rangers at our own ballpark! This might be a lost cause, but lets try even harder to cheer loud for our team when those big market teams come to town. Lets get real, most of those fans are bandwagon anyway! :)
41 DAYS!!!
I liked your off topic rant. I blame the rangers for not putting together a team that commands national attention. When their biggest off season buzz is bringing in Nolan Ryan, you have a problem. Every baseball fan knows who plays on the Yankees, Mets, or Red Sox. Can anyone outside of Texas name more than two Rangers?
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Mench will not be missed in Milwaukee since they have headed in the higher OB% direction...but there is no denying his huge head and great attitude and ability to throw a football from the warning track to home plate.
I am eager like you for all these spring questions about rosters to get answered and drooling at the blue print of miracle worker Rudy Jaramillo with Milton Bradley and Josh Hamilton for that matter..
And since I live far far away from Rangers paradise at teh park, I will scream as loud as I can from Montreal whenever I tune into Josh Lewin and the Big Kaat which is whenever extra innings carries the Rangers home telecast.
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Here are my top 10 reasons why people outside of Texas know about the Rangers....
10) Josh Lewin has some obscure baseball information up his sleve
9) CJ Wilson, Kameron Loe, and a snake share an apartment together
8) Michael Young drinks the same brand of milk as Cal Ripken
7) Jarrod Saltamachia may have the greatest name in baseball
6) Hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo could turn a pimp onto playing baseball and make him into a .300 hitter
5) Vincente Padilla closely resembles Lamont's friend "Chico" from sanford and Son
4) Eddie Guardado might be older than anybody's grandpa
3) Ranger's former GM Doug Melvin might win another division as Brewers GM in 2008 and if he does, the Rangers will be talked about on national TV
2) Jason Jennings is from Texas
1) The Texas Rangers scored 30 runs in ONE GAME last year!!
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Very nice, Steve!
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Haha, awesome Steve! Thanks for commenting!
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"This is off topic, but is anyone else out there annoyed when you go to a game and the Rangers fans seem outnumbered by fans of the opposing team??? Don't get me wrong, I love the Red Sox, but I would never cheer for them over the Rangers at our own ballpark! This might be a lost cause, but lets try even harder to cheer loud for our team when those big market teams come to town. Lets get real, most of those fans are bandwagon anyway! :)"
I'm a Rays fan, so I know exactly where you're coming from. Nice Rangers preview here, I think Saltalamacchia can be a franchise player for the next 10-12 years...unfortunate that my Braves gave him up.
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Being a Phillies fan I agree with you on both points of point number 2. Padilla is a great talent but his head is not always in the game. He was very frustrating in Philadelphia and it was time for him to leave.
Millwood is a good pitcher who with your offense should win 15 or so games this year. He is consistent and as you said, a professional. Sorry to hear about his hamstring but he should be ok by opening day.
www.philliesphorum.mlblogs.com
Thanks,
Bill
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