(Image via flickr.com user Rich Anderson.)

My fire Ron Washington website was going to be up soon but with the Indians hiring Terry Francona over the weekend, it looks like that’s going to have to wait a little while.

But regardless many changes are going to be blowing in the Rangers camp this offseason between free agents, trades, released and maybe possible coaching and manager changes. Many players and coaches you may have seen the last of in a Rangers uniform.

“NO SERIOUSLY, RON WASHINGTON WOULD LIKE HIS PANTS BACK, YOU GUYS.” – Jay Jaffe [Sports Illustrated] via Twitter

This has been a terrific run from 2009-2012 for this group. The last four years have been fantastic for Rangers fans. Did fatigue play a part? Did Washington play his regulars too much? Did the front office not give the coaching staff a good enough bench to give the regulars time off? A quick look at what I think fatigue played a huge role:

Let’s look at the core players for example. Here are their games played in 2012 and the games they didn’t play in the final months of the season. Players will tell you they get off days [but only four the last ten weeks] on the schedule and they want to be out there every day and they played in two straight full Octobers. Here’s a look:

» Continue reading “GASSED And Look For A Very Busy Rangers Offseason”

(Image via flickr.com user Bart Hanlon.)

Colby Lewis went the disabled list with forearm tendonitis just before the all-star break. He made one start, had more issues, got checked out and it turned out to be a full-blown season-ending injury. He has a torn flexor tendon and will be out 9-12 months.

Lewis will be missed, as he has been the team’s best October starter the last two seasons. He is a free agent after this year, and it’s going to be interesting to see if the Rangers bring him back on some minimal, one year type deal, stash him away on the 60 day DL until possibly after the all-star break and then put him back in the rotation at some point in 2013.  I’m hoping that, for sentimental reasons, he sticks around for a while.

In other news, Roy Oswalt was scratched from his latest start, due to a recurrence of his chronic back problems.  Oswalt’s situation doesn’t appear to be season-ending, but who knows when his aging body will fully recover.

» Continue reading “RIP Colby Lewis’ Flexor Tendon & The Rotation Is On Its Head”

Ivan Rodriguez, the 1999 American League MVP and one of the best defensive catchers in baseball history, will announce his retirement Monday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Rodriguez wants to retire in Texas where he started a 21-year career in 1991. He made 10 of his 14 All-Star appearances and won 10 of his 13 Gold Gloves while with the Rangers from 1991 to 2002.

The Rangers traded for him late in the 2009 season after a season-ending injury to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Pudge was an integral part of those Rangers teams that advanced to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history in ’96, ’98 and ’99. Rodriguez’s best season was in 1999, when he hit .332 with 35 homers and 113 RBIs as the Rangers won their third AL West crown in four years.

Running the bases through the American League West, we find ourselves rounding third and heading home for a collision at the plate. We come face to face with the following back stops: Mike Napoli (Rangers), Chris Iannetta (Angels), Miguel Olivo (Mariners), and Kurt Suzuki (A’s).

Let’s begin this review with Mike Napoli, or as Ron Washington likes to call him, Dirt Bag.

After a whirlwind of an off season last year which saw Mike being traded two times in five days, the Rangers ended up with their catcher for 2011. And after a slow start to the season and a stint on the DL, Napoli came out with a vengeance for the remaining season, and the post season.

Thank you Angels and thank you Toronto for the trades. Throughout the 2011 regular season, the stocky catcher batted .320 (an 82 point jump from 2010), hit 30 moon shots (10^th in the AL), knocked in 75RBI’s, and threw out 36% of criminals trying to steal bases (4^th in the majors). And let us not forget, Naps was the Rangers recipient of the Hearts and Hustle Award.

In 20 at-bats during the 2011 World Series, Napoli posted an average of .350, hit 2 dingers, and knocked in 10 RBI’s. And if the Rangers had won the World Series, Napoli would have been the clear favorite for the MVP…no doubt about it. I can just hear the chants of Nap-O-Li! Nap-O-Li! Or at least I wish. Anyway, let us try to forget the past and look forward to the future. » Continue reading “Texas Rangers: AL West Catchers – The Year of Napoli.”

Now I bring you my favorite Rangers moment of 2011…

Derek Holland’s pitching performance in Game 4 of the World Series.

I know what you are going to say, “You’re #2 moment is a walk-off grand slam in a playoff game and your #1 is a pitching performance that wasn’t even a no-hitter?”  Yep. That’s right.

After a devastating loss in Game 3, where Albert Pujols demonstrated why he is the most feared hitter in all of baseball and put on one of the greatest offensive performances in playoff history, the Rangers needed to bounce back in a big way, and they needed Derek Holland to pitch like the Ace we all know is hidden inside there.

Is there an ace hidden in the Dutch Oven?

Holland went 8-1/3 innings, allowed only 2 hits, walked only 2 and struck out 7.  Holland is now only 1 of 12 starters who has pitched at least 8-1/3 innings in a World Series game and only gave up 2 hits.

We see glimpses of that Ace-potential here and there, but then are usually quickly reminded that he’s still a kid and growing into that potential.  I saw Game 4 as a breakout game for Holland.  Not only did he get the win, he delivered one of the best pitching performances in World Series history.

I expect to see a different Derek Holland in Spring Training, one that finally sees the outstanding pitcher that he is.  If this happens, Rangers fans should be beyond giddy for the 2012 season.  With a staff of Holland, (hopefully) Darvish, Feliz/Ogando/Harrison, and Lewis, the Rangers will be tough to beat…and that’s not even looking at their offense.

Well, another season has come and gone. My least favorite part of the year is the part with no baseball. The Rangers got there, went to the World Series for the 2nd straight year, and couldn’t pull it out.

Do I want to blame the so called rain out? (That was total BS that gave Carpenter an extra day of rest). YES. Do I want to blame the awful umpiring (especially in game 7…I’m pretty sure they should give Jerry Layne a ring.)? YES. But am I going to? NO. The Cardinals deserve their credit.

The Cardinals proved they wanted it more in game 6. They were one strike away from being sent home twice and they pulled it out. When you have that kind of momentum it’s hard to lose, and they got the best of our boys.

Rangers, and Ranger’s fans!!! You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. We had an incredible year. Do I wish we could have won? Absolutely. BUT, it looks like Nolan has this team on the right track and we’ll be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.

Like they say: that’s the way baseball go. I just wish it could have gone a different way.

Looks like the Dutch-'stache' has magical powers.

Ahhhh….much better. The World Series is tied at 2-2.

I got told tonight the Cardinals have a better lineup than the Rangers. I wanted to kill the guy, but my better judgement came into play. Let’s win it on the field. And win it on the field we shall do.

The Rangers came out blasting in the bottom of the 1st. Elvis singled to left, and with a Hamilton double, BOOM the Rangers are on the board 1-0. Derek Holland (hello? ACE?) came out hurling, and took control from the beginning. Even though his Dutch-’stache’ is god awful, it seems to be working for him and is making my husband uber jealous (he just wishes he could grow a mini one).

Oh Dutch-’Stache’ how I love thee. Holland pitches some B-E-A-utiful innings. In the bottom of the 6th, Cruz and Murphy walked, and then low and behold, Napoli comes to the rescue! The Dirt-Bag Napstick!!!  Napoli crushed one to the left field bleachers, putting the Rangers up for good 4-0.

I wish I could say more about the actual game, but I’m so proud of how well Holland pitched, there’s nothing left I can say. He’s looking like a legitmate ace in tough times.

What I can say….Texas pitching staff: take notes. Take what Holland did tonight and try and better it.  He set the pace, now let’s finish it.

FINAL: Rangers 4,  Cardinals 0

Well crap. Series 2-1 Cards.

Wanna talk about a different kind of game than the last two? Let’s talk. While the last two games have been close and low scoring, this game blew the run total out of the water (the Vegas line for total runs was at 9 1/2 for the GAME).

Talk about playing tug of war with my heart strings. 5 runs down, catch up, 5 runs down again, catch up, 5 runs down AGAIN, catch up a little, 8 runs down, catch up a little, 8 runs down AGAIN…well you get the picture and it wasn’t pretty.

The bats were on fire from the very beginning. Craig homered in the top of the first to put the Cards out to an early lead. 1-0. Then in the 4th, a HORRIBLE call on a potential double play ball- where Naploli almost took off Holliday’s head about two feet from the bag- landed Holliday on first with one out. It snowballed from there with yet another error by the Rangers (what happened to small ball and defense fellas?) and the Cards put up 4.

The Rangers started to rally in the bottom of the 4th when Michael Young led off the inning with a homer to right center. Betre followed with a single and then Oh Nelly! Boomstick (man I love that word)!!! 5-3.

Oh but we’re not done. Far from it actually. The Cards put up another 3 in the top of the 5th, and the Rangers get 3 right back in the bottom of the 5th. See what I’m talking about? Tug, tug, tug, happy, sad, happy, sad!

In the top of the 6th, apparently, the Rangers forgot who they were pitching to and Ogando threw one right down the pipe to Pujols.

Mini Rant: Ummm hello? This is one of the best hitters in MLB history. Who the hell is calling these pitches? Although he’s a great hitter, he’s also known to ground out into double plays. Why go for the strikeout with 2 runners on when he’s known to ground out? With the way your defense is playing tonight, Wash, you can’t afford to give up bombs to that guy. Who knows? Maybe the D would have botched the grounder…but seriously we already have 3 errors tonight at this point. I’d take another one over a multi run bomb any day.

Another Mini Rant: Why are we messing with the lineup? Torreabla go away. Napoli go back to catcher. Cruz go back to the 7 hole. You fit well there. Why mess with something that wasn’t broken? Ok I’m done…I think, but don’t quote me on that. 

Oh wait. Apparently we didn’t learn our lesson. Pujols jacked another one, this time for 3 runs in the 7th. 14 (yes. one-four)- 6 Cards.

The Rangers picked up one in the bottom of the 7th, but the Cards got one in the top of the 8th, so the boys were still down by 8. Score 15-7. Usually I’m ok…being a fan of this team takes patience. Never count them out, they always have fight, and something up their sleeve- but 8 runs with 2 innings left is a lot.

Well…once again no lesson learned. Pujols homers AGAIN, for the third time, tying him for most home runs in a World Series game, with none other than the Babe (Babey Ruth? anyone? Bueller?) and Reggie. Cards 16-7.

What I do know….All season long the Rangers have dropped a game and then have come storming back. Let’s bring that mentality to tomorrow’s game boys. Claw me!

FINAL: Rangers 7, Cardinals 16

Rangers win! Comeback, anybody? Holy moly! I’ve talked about almost having heart attacks by the time I’m 30 before, but this game took it to a new level. Talk about a pitching duel!!! Garcia (The Kid) and Colby had fantastic games and went through 6 scoreless innings.

I knew this series was going to be tough. Carpenter’s play at first last night solidified that fact for me. Tonight was a different feel. I just felt good about it. Both pitchers came out on top of their game and with some stellar defense on both sides it felt like neither team was ever going to score a run. Both teams got out of some scary situations, thank you Elvis for the amazing dive and flip to Kinsler to end the 5th.

The Cards started threatening in the bottom of the 7th when Freese (geez that guy scares the crap outta me) singled to center. A Punto (does anyone else think that guy looks like a hobbit?) single sends Freese to third and then a pinch single from Craig drove in the first run of the game.

Heart attack, heart attack, heart attack!!! We’re in the 8th and we had 3 hits on the board. What happened to our bats? Oh wait, we’re the Rangers and they always figure out a way to make it a game.

To the top of the 9th we go with the top if the lineup. Kinsler hit a bloop over the shortstop to lead off the inning and stole second (he was safe, but it was seriously close). Elvis drilled a single to right center, moving Kinsler to third, and with some great baserunning ends up on second with no outs. Hamilton drilled a sac fly to score Kinsler, and two seconds later Young drilled one to score Andrus. 2-1 Texas going into the bottom of the ninth.

Feliz came in and made it interesting like he always does and walked the leadoff guy. After back to back strikeouts and a fly to Nelly in right, game over. Series tied 1-1. Back to Texas we go! Claw, antlers, hook, ducks, whatever! Let’s go Rangers!

FINAL: Rangers 2, Cardinals 1