Apparently the Rangers have earned the right to look down their noses at the Royals

PunkinDrublic · 09-27-2007, 07:25 PM

Rangers shake off some bad signs

With a plan in place, there's a flicker of hope for the future

10:40 AM CDT on Thursday, September 27, 2007

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ARLINGTON – A woman with Michael Young's last name and number tattooed above her right ankle stood in a concession line minutes before the first pitch Wednesday in the Rangers' final home game of the season.

A few feet away, a dude with a red Mohawk had the Rangers "T" painted on his head.

Imagine, if you will, how many fans like this the Rangers would have if they actually played some September ballgames that had playoff implications.

For now, Jon Daniels has given you a sliver of hope that might happen in your lifetime because there's a tangible plan in place for the Rangers to succeed. Tom Hicks would argue the Rangers have had a plan since the day he hired Daniels to run his ballclub a few years ago.
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Perhaps, but it wasn't a plan ordinary folks could see. Now, they can. Frankly, it's a plan that has the potential to succeed if Hicks and Daniels continue to follow it, even through the tough times that accompany every franchise.

If they don't, this franchise has no hope because you can't win by trying to buy the best team in baseball unless you're the Yankees. And, maybe, the Red Sox.

Before you pooh-pooh the notion of the Rangers having hope for the future, understand there is no hope in places such as Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Fans in those cities know their teams will stink until the end of time.

That doesn't have to be the case here.

If the Rangers continue to rely on the scouting and development of their own players, while staying away from over-the-hill big-name free agents such as Barry Bonds, then the Rangers have a chance.

Frankly, it's their only chance.

So put your faith in the Rangers' front office, no matter how silly that sounds or how much they've disappointed you in the past. Obviously, that's a lot to ask of a fan base that has enjoyed one playoff win in franchise history.

Hope resides in Arlington because the Rangers have some players they can build around including Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C.J. Wilson and Kevin Millwood, even though he's had a lousy season.

Others such as Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd, Joaquin Benoit, Brandon McCarthy, Kason Gabbard, Brad Wilkerson, David Murphy and Gerald Laird should have roles on the team.

But it's the cadre of players who have not yet reached the big leagues that the Rangers acquired for Mark Teixeira, Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne that will determine the long-term future of the organization as well as Daniels and Ron Washington.

It's hard to put your fate in prospects because they will break your heart as often as you pop champagne corks over their development, but that's the only way for the Rangers to turn this franchise around.

Daniels, who attended fall instructional league meetings a few days ago, understands this. He also knows the Rangers haven't had this much talent in their minor league system since Sammy Sosa, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez were all there at the same time.

"In terms of the level of talent and character," said Daniels, "it's easily the best it has ever been."

Washington is part of the future, based on the one-year extension he recently received. Like any first-time big league skipper he struggled to make the transition from coach to manager.

This much is clear: His team refused to quit on him.

Trust me, that's the most important aspect of this season. The Rangers were 23-42 on June 13. A few days earlier, I had written – without equivocation – they were the worst team in baseball.
Ron Washington can point to a five-game win streak over the division-winning Angels as a sign of improvement.
LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN
Ron Washington can point to a five-game win streak over the division-winning Angels as a sign of improvement.

These days, the Rangers are nowhere close to baseball's worst team.

They are 10 games over .500 since their low-point of the season with an everyday lineup that has to be among the worst in baseball because of trades and injury. Their team ERA, once historically bad, has shrunk considerably. They have a winning record in one-run games, an indication the club has bought into Washington's offensive philosophy.

Still, it takes time for every team in the Rangers' minor league organization to understand the importance of taking pitches, going from first to third on singles and how sacrifice bunts impact scoring.

Washington must also continue to enhance his relationship with his coaching staff and his players. He must do a better a job of understanding who can deal with his blunt demeanor without folding mentally and when to criticize players publicly.

"It's impossible not to be optimistic after the way we started," Daniels said. "This is a bottom line business, and it has been a disappointing season. But we have laid the foundation for the future."
Before you pooh-pooh the notion of the Rangers having hope for the future, understand there is no hope in places such as Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Fans in those cities know their teams will stink until the end of time.

**Buck** · 09-27-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

Rangers shake off some bad signs

With a plan in place, there's a flicker of hope for the future

10:40 AM CDT on Thursday, September 27, 2007

• E-mail

ARLINGTON – A woman with Michael Young's last name and number tattooed above her right ankle stood in a concession line minutes before the first pitch Wednesday in the Rangers' final home game of the season.

A Sports Tattoo???

What the gay?

PunkinDrublic · 09-27-2007, 07:36 PM

This kind of pissed me off when I read it this morning at breakfast. The ****ing Rangers or their columnists at the Dallas morning news have no business talking shit about the Royals. We're talking about a team that has pissed away their big market payroll and competes worse than a small market club. They hired a dumbass kid with no experience to run the team as opposed to the Royals who have hired someone who learned under one of the most successful GMs of all time in John Shurholtz.

Oh and the rest of this guys column was just a bunch of bullshit about how the Rangers are headed in the right directions.

Deberg_1990 · 09-27-2007, 07:46 PM

How many titles do the Rangers have??

At least the Royals have such a thing as the "Glory Years"

Hootie · 09-27-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckinKaeding

A Sports Tattoo???

What the gay?

Great...a woman has a sports tattoo on her ankle...you're a dude! Jesus...

Hammock Parties · 09-27-2007, 07:50 PM

You're damn straight we will. **** the Royals. Pathetic piece of shit team. RANGERS FOREVER!!!

teedubya · 09-27-2007, 07:57 PM

Texas Rump Rangers.

Haha ah hah aaha

PunkinDrublic · 09-27-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

You're damn straight we will. **** the Royals. Pathetic piece of shit team. RANGERS FOREVER!!!

What have the rump rangers got to look forward to? They've got absolutely no history of winning anything. What's going to be the difference next year?

sportsman1 · 09-27-2007, 08:47 PM

I Live in this cess pool and let me tell you that is complete garbage. The Rangers are one of the biggest joke franchises you find. They have accomplished nothing, and Tom Hicks has managed to completly run the team into the ground. The Fort Worth Star Telegram always takes pot shots at the Royals and the Chiefs mostly because of a complete Texan Arrogance. Dont let anyone fool you, we are a much prouder franchise with much better fans then the sRANGERs will ever have.

teedubya · 09-27-2007, 08:51 PM

A-Rod. Ha aha ha aah

sportsman1 · 09-27-2007, 08:52 PM

A-hole was definitly a shining moment for Mr.Hicks.

RJ · 09-27-2007, 09:17 PM

Folks, I have bad news. EVERY team looks down their collective nose at the Royals.

Hammock Parties · 09-27-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

What have the rump rangers got to look forward to? They've got absolutely no history of winning anything. What's going to be the difference next year?

Our stadium kicks ass! And we hit lots of home runs! HOW MANY ROYALS ARE IN THE 500 HOME RUN CLUB??? HOW MANY HAVE PITCHED PERFECT GAMES?

tk13 · 09-27-2007, 09:42 PM

That's the problem facing the Rangers really. They play in a tough ballpark for pitchers... it's hard to build a winning team that way. The teams with extreme hitting ballparks like Texas, Cincy, Colorado have had trouble keeping a solid pitching staff together.

PunkinDrublic · 09-27-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Our stadium kicks ass! And we hit lots of home runs! HOW MANY ROYALS ARE IN THE 500 HOME RUN CLUB??? HOW MANY HAVE PITCHED PERFECT GAMES?

How many world series appearances do the Rangers have? Game set match bitch. The stadium is okay but every time I've gone out there it's hot as ****. You had George W. Bush running the team and now you have another incompetant, inexperienced kid running the team so I guess the Rangers have an affinity for stupid people.

09-27-2007, 07:25 PM
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $4470670	Apparently the Rangers have earned the right to look down their noses at the Royals Rangers shake off some bad signs With a plan in place, there's a flicker of hope for the future 10:40 AM CDT on Thursday, September 27, 2007 • E-mail ARLINGTON – A woman with Michael Young's last name and number tattooed above her right ankle stood in a concession line minutes before the first pitch Wednesday in the Rangers' final home game of the season. A few feet away, a dude with a red Mohawk had the Rangers "T" painted on his head. Imagine, if you will, how many fans like this the Rangers would have if they actually played some September ballgames that had playoff implications. For now, Jon Daniels has given you a sliver of hope that might happen in your lifetime because there's a tangible plan in place for the Rangers to succeed. Tom Hicks would argue the Rangers have had a plan since the day he hired Daniels to run his ballclub a few years ago. Rangers/MLB Blog: Rangers Newsletter: Inside the Rangers Rangers 16, LA Angels 2 Out with a bang Another 200 hits for Young Game photos Attendance drops off slightly Fans catch home finale Video: Home finale Box score \| Highlights Schedule \| Roster \| Stats MLB scoreboard More Rangers Perhaps, but it wasn't a plan ordinary folks could see. Now, they can. Frankly, it's a plan that has the potential to succeed if Hicks and Daniels continue to follow it, even through the tough times that accompany every franchise. If they don't, this franchise has no hope because you can't win by trying to buy the best team in baseball unless you're the Yankees. And, maybe, the Red Sox. Before you pooh-pooh the notion of the Rangers having hope for the future, understand there is no hope in places such as Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Fans in those cities know their teams will stink until the end of time. That doesn't have to be the case here. If the Rangers continue to rely on the scouting and development of their own players, while staying away from over-the-hill big-name free agents such as Barry Bonds, then the Rangers have a chance. Frankly, it's their only chance. So put your faith in the Rangers' front office, no matter how silly that sounds or how much they've disappointed you in the past. Obviously, that's a lot to ask of a fan base that has enjoyed one playoff win in franchise history. Hope resides in Arlington because the Rangers have some players they can build around including Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C.J. Wilson and Kevin Millwood, even though he's had a lousy season. Others such as Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd, Joaquin Benoit, Brandon McCarthy, Kason Gabbard, Brad Wilkerson, David Murphy and Gerald Laird should have roles on the team. But it's the cadre of players who have not yet reached the big leagues that the Rangers acquired for Mark Teixeira, Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne that will determine the long-term future of the organization as well as Daniels and Ron Washington. It's hard to put your fate in prospects because they will break your heart as often as you pop champagne corks over their development, but that's the only way for the Rangers to turn this franchise around. Daniels, who attended fall instructional league meetings a few days ago, understands this. He also knows the Rangers haven't had this much talent in their minor league system since Sammy Sosa, Juan Gonzalez and Ivan Rodriguez were all there at the same time. "In terms of the level of talent and character," said Daniels, "it's easily the best it has ever been." Washington is part of the future, based on the one-year extension he recently received. Like any first-time big league skipper he struggled to make the transition from coach to manager. This much is clear: His team refused to quit on him. Trust me, that's the most important aspect of this season. The Rangers were 23-42 on June 13. A few days earlier, I had written – without equivocation – they were the worst team in baseball. Ron Washington can point to a five-game win streak over the division-winning Angels as a sign of improvement. LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN Ron Washington can point to a five-game win streak over the division-winning Angels as a sign of improvement. These days, the Rangers are nowhere close to baseball's worst team. They are 10 games over .500 since their low-point of the season with an everyday lineup that has to be among the worst in baseball because of trades and injury. Their team ERA, once historically bad, has shrunk considerably. They have a winning record in one-run games, an indication the club has bought into Washington's offensive philosophy. Still, it takes time for every team in the Rangers' minor league organization to understand the importance of taking pitches, going from first to third on singles and how sacrifice bunts impact scoring. Washington must also continue to enhance his relationship with his coaching staff and his players. He must do a better a job of understanding who can deal with his blunt demeanor without folding mentally and when to criticize players publicly. "It's impossible not to be optimistic after the way we started," Daniels said. "This is a bottom line business, and it has been a disappointing season. But we have laid the foundation for the future." Before you pooh-pooh the notion of the Rangers having hope for the future, understand there is no hope in places such as Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Fans in those cities know their teams will stink until the end of time.
Posts: 9,541

09-27-2007, 07:36 PM	#3
PunkinDrublic Stay down bitch! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $4470670	This kind of pissed me off when I read it this morning at breakfast. The ***ing Rangers or their columnists at the Dallas morning news have no business talking shit about the Royals. We're talking about a team that has pissed away their big market payroll and competes worse than a small market club. They hired a dumbass kid with no experience to run the team as opposed to the Royals who have hired someone who learned under one of the most successful GMs of all time in John Shurholtz. Oh and the rest of this guys column was just a bunch of bullshit about how the Rangers are headed in the right directions. __________________ Disappointing my parents since 1976 Last edited by PunkinDrublic; 09-27-2007 at 10:03 PM..*
Posts: 9,541

09-27-2007, 07:46 PM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $334454	How many titles do the Rangers have?? At least the Royals have such a thing as the "Glory Years" __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,411

09-27-2007, 07:50 PM	#6
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $1030478	You're damn straight we will. **** the Royals. Pathetic piece of shit team. RANGERS FOREVER!!! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 296,719

09-27-2007, 07:57 PM	#7
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9003042	Texas Rump Rangers. Haha ah hah aaha
Posts: 36,826

09-27-2007, 08:47 PM	#9
sportsman1 Nomadical Transient in Chief Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10005215	I Live in this cess pool and let me tell you that is complete garbage. The Rangers are one of the biggest joke franchises you find. They have accomplished nothing, and Tom Hicks has managed to completly run the team into the ground. The Fort Worth Star Telegram always takes pot shots at the Royals and the Chiefs mostly because of a complete Texan Arrogance. Dont let anyone fool you, we are a much prouder franchise with much better fans then the sRANGERs will ever have.
Posts: 1,456

09-27-2007, 08:51 PM	#10
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9003042	A-Rod. Ha aha ha aah
Posts: 36,826

09-27-2007, 08:52 PM	#11
sportsman1 Nomadical Transient in Chief Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, TX Casino cash: $10005215	A-hole was definitly a shining moment for Mr.Hicks.
Posts: 1,456

09-27-2007, 09:17 PM	#12
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9895202	Folks, I have bad news. EVERY team looks down their collective nose at the Royals.
Posts: 14,937

09-27-2007, 09:42 PM	#14
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1667500	That's the problem facing the Rangers really. They play in a tough ballpark for pitchers... it's hard to build a winning team that way. The teams with extreme hitting ballparks like Texas, Cincy, Colorado have had trouble keeping a solid pitching staff together.
Posts: 56,594