The LEB Sports

Winter Workouts in Arlington

Daniel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 23:17:17 +0000

The Rangers concluded this week with winter workouts in Arlington for its pitchers. All of the Rangers major league pitchers and pitching prospects for next season were on hand except for Vaciente Padilla, who is working out on his own. Kevin Millwood has already lost 12 pounds since the season ended after announcing that he was in top shape coming into the 2008 season. You would normally see a player lose weight during a season and not be able to lose 12 pounds after the season ended. The assumption is that Texas pitchers were not conditioning properly which led to so many pitchers landing on the DL this year. Players were saying they were working out but what they were saying and what they were doing were two different things. This has to be a sore subject for Nolan Ryan, who put in 27 seasons in the majors and was known as a conditioning freak. As a fan, I get tired of hearing from the casual fan about how “the Rangers need pitching” or “when are the Rangers going to get some pitching” year after year as if they have the magical formula that Ranger management has not figured out yet. But hearing that the pitchers were not in as good of shape as they should have been and that all the DL trips could have been prevented really disturbs me. What could the 2008 season have been with the offense and a great bullpen that didn’t pitch well down the stretch because it was completely worn out by July? Thats frustrating. I dont expect Maddox to come in here and be the savior for this staff, but I do like that he is on board with Ryan’s philosophy that conditioning has to be a priority. Incidentally, Texas is now only one of six teams to have a full time conditioning coach at each of its organizational levels. I am excited to see what this new plan produces for 2009.

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Let the Winter Meetings Begin

Daniel — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:50:29 +0000

The GM meetings kicked off this week, which is usually the GM’s getting a feel for what is out there in the trade market. No trades were made, but the Rangers have a lot of interest in their catchers. Even with Laird having the most experience it is actually Teagarden that reported has the most interest among teams. The front runners are Florida, Kansas City, Boston, and San Francisco. Florida has mentioned Andrew Miller, Scott Olsen and Kevin Gregg. I am most intrigued by the possibility of Andrew Miller, who was the centerpiece in the Dontrelle Willis trade last winter with Detroit. Kansas City is interested in trade Zach Greinke if he does not take them up an offer for a long-term deal. Boston’s Clay Bucholtz, Brian Bowden, and Justin Masterson are all on the table, Bucholtz is who I am most excited about. San Francisco is shopping Matt Cain and left-hander Jonathan Sanchez. With Texas picking up the option on Blaylock, I think there is an opportunity to shop him and/or one of its catchers for one of these pitchers. All four catchers are on teams’ radar, its just a matter of which team values which catcher the most.

The hiring of Mike Maddux is sensational. The more this thing dragged on I thought there was less of a chance Texas would get him. He has a relationship with Nolan Ryan, who hired him as the pitching coach for the Round Rock Express, the team Ryan owned. He is also the older brother of Hall of Fame bound pitcher Greg Maddux. He did remarkable work with Milwaukee’s staff taking them from one of the worst staffs in the National League to one of the best last year. This is a time when we need someone at the pitching coach post that can get through to young pitchers. It is such a crucial time because Texas has more young pitching talent in the minors right now than it has in 20 years. Maddux is regarded as someone who can get the most of his pitchers and has a calm demeanor who is patient yet confident. How will he help develop Feliz, Holland, Main, Hunter, Harrison, McCarthy, Hurley? Pitching coach for the Rangers has been a revolving door, and my hope for this team is that Maddux is for their pitching as Jaramillo has been for their hitting.

A final thought, and I know I am going to get some heat for this, is that I think another trade piece the Rangers could have in mind is Ian Kinsler. I would say move him to the outfield, but since it is crowded I think he is a player that could bring in tremendous pitching talent in return. Defense was a problem for the Rangers just as pitching was last year. While Kinsler shows great range on balls going up the middle, he is one of the worst defending second baseman in baseball. There is not a long-term future for him at second base. I think the Joaquin Arias, depending on how his arm strength is progressing, could play second. He has great speed, hit very well after being called up last year and is great with the glove. Please feel free to give me your thoughts on this because I know to some this is a very radical idea.

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Thoughts and Rants Part 2

Daniel — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:40:36 +0000

I am thankful with how the World Series ended. I am glad Selig made the decision to suspend the game and not have it decided like a regular season game. If Pena did not have the 2 out single in the bottom of the six and Philly would have led, the game would have ended under regular season rules and the Phillies take the series. Glad to see Selig make a good call for a change.

Winter meetings start in a month and I look forward to seeing Texas shop its catchers for pitching. Several Rangers filed for free agency today including Milton Bradley and Hank Blalock. I think Blalock’s option for 6.2 million will get picked up, but Bradley will not get the multi-year deal he is looking for. Rumor has it that the Blue Jays may put a multi-year deal on the table. If the Rangers do not retain Bradley, Blalock will move to the DH role and Davis moves to first. This opens up a spot at third that will either be filled with a free agent or Travis Metcalf.

Texas is still looking to hire the pitching coach job, which has been a revolving door for the Rangers. Texas would like to get permission from the Brewers to talk to Mike Maddox, Greg’s brother. I think the Rangers will go with Rick Peterson or Dave Wallace. Dave Anderson was hired to help turn around the Ranger’s defense that led the world in unearned runs. With the turnover on the coaching staff from year to year, I wonder if the Rangers will be able to stick to their plan of building for the future.

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Thoughts and Rants

Daniel — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:28:15 +0000

I have been a die-hard fan of major league baseball since 1990, and there are a few players that I grew up with that I assume will play forever. Players that were playing when I started following the game like Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn and Roger Clemens. I take for granted while they are around until the day comes when they retire. Then I regretfully wish I could go back in time and watch their play. Greg Maddux has another year or so left, and is a player I have enjoyed watching almost every year in the postseason. Except this is the first postseason that he is not one of the star contributors, but in the bullpen. Looking at him he looks like he has been out of the game for 10 years, but while watching him pitch he looks like he could go another 5 years. For the Phillies, Jamie Moyer is 45 years old and a finesse pitcher like Maddux. Both pitchers were on the 1987 Cubs, Moyer’s career will not get him into the Hall of Fame, Maddux will be a first ballot. Moyer, who pitched briefly for the Rangers, has quietly amassed impressive stats on mediocre teams, Maddux was a regular in the postseason and has a collection of Cy Young awards and consistent seasons of 15+ wins. Both of the players fall into the category of guys that i assume will be around forever, but deep down know their career is nearing its end.

Another thing I have noticed while growing up a fan is that listening to Tim McCarver in the postseason was something I looked forward to. A former catcher, I respected his color commentary during a game. But his announcing gets worse every year and his comments about what players are thinking in situations are terrible. I wish the network would get someone else to broadcast along side Joe Buck. To the casual fan, he may be insightful, but to the knowledgeable fan his is a beating to listen to.

I think the Dodger fans were more inspiring last night than they players. I look forward to the postseason because it is supposed to be the best of the best. Not only could the Dodger’s lineup, minus Manny, not put any runs on the board, the defensive play is not what you would expect in the NLCS. The 3 errors in the 5th inning by Furcal was almost enough for me to turn the TV to something else. I want to see teams battle eachother and so far it has been nothing more than teams cratering that should be playing good baseball. If Tampa Bay makes it to the Series, there will be a lot of young pitching on the big stage, and I am curious to see how they hold up under the pressure.

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Romo Injured In Loss

Ryan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:05:35 +0000

As if the Monday following a Cowboys loss wasn’t bad enough, ESPN is now reporting that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo broke the pinkie in his throwing hand and will be sidelined for up to four weeks. The injury occurred on the first offensive play of overtime in yesterday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

For an offense, and a team, who haven’t looked like a Super Bowl contenders since Week 3, this is a difficult pill to swallow; in fact, I think this pill is of the suppository variety.

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This Week in Baseball

Daniel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:13:06 +0000

I knew both of these series had potential to bring a lot of excitement, but there was a part of me that was a little afraid it might be similar the division series, over and done with too quick. I don’t have an enormous amount of passion for any of the teams in the post-season, but I was hoping for some exciting baseball. I am glad to see the Dodgers took last night’s game and that both series are competitive. I cannot think where another trade deadline deal has made more of an impact than the one Manny has had. His production at the plate is one thing, but seeing his fire last night in the bench clearing near-melee is exactly what the Dodgers need right now.

I am curious to see if Tampa’s young pitching staff will hold up in Boston. I love watching the underdog, who had the better record in the regular season, go up against the champion and its experience. These next couple games are going to be Tampa’s toughest challenge yet.

Josh Hamilton’s Beyond Belief is now in stores and it is my goal to have this read by the end of the year. I briefly skimmed a few pages and it looks to be an easy read with an in-depth look at Hamilton’s life and his road back to baseball. Jamey Newberg wrote a good preview shortly after reading it……

http://newberg.mlblogs.com/

Hamilton will be at Prestonwood Baptist on Oct. 21 from 11-1pm. I plan on making an appearance.

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Here’s To Football: 2008 NCAA Week 5

Ryan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:30:33 +0000

I Love…

Kryptonite to Superman

Jacquizz Rodgers… Now, I’m a fan

“Oh too bad” for the Pac 10

… and the twins

I Love…

Alabama’s big game prep

To keep Georgia out of step

Saban’s done it once again

… for the twins

I Love…

4th and 1 a QB sneak

Tebow versus Jevon Snead

Give me the man with the perfect physique

… wait, what?! Good ol’ Nutt

I Love…

OU and Texas playing tough

Derek Williams ain’t small stuff

Rich Rodriquez says, “That’s enough”

… beats Wisconsin

AND I LOVE YOU TOO!

HERE’S TO FOOTBALL!!!

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