AL Central

Trophy Club's Proposed New Logo a Bit Too Marxist for Some

The logo for the town of Trophy Club is consists of a star-studded, presidential-looking seal framing the town's signature clock tower. A pair of crossed flags, one for the U.S., one for Texas, jut in either direction. A black-and-gray ribbon unfurls underneath emblazoned at the center with a blue D ... More >>

Major League Baseball's Screwball Economics

As another season begins, MLB faces an unsustainable future -- and you’re picking up the tab.

Big Thanks To Minnesota

Tigers by the Tail

In the World Series Match-Up Between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals, Don't Dismiss the Impact of Tony La Russa

St. Louis CardinalsTony La Russa on the field at Busch Stadium yesterday afternoon.​For whatever reason, my relationship with baseball went from casual to deeply committed bordering on obsessive during the 1986 baseball season. Like most kids growing up in North Texas, my father taught me to l ... More >>

Albert Pujols Better Than Joltin' Joe? Say It Ain't So!: Texas Rangers-St. Louis Cardinals World Series Preview and Game 1 Open Thread

Texas RangersGives you that warm, fuzzy feeling inside, doesn't it?​It's finally here. Pinch yourself. Your Texas Rangers are back in the World Series, and this time feels much different than last year's playoff run. There's a confidence flowing through my body that just wasn't there before, a ... More >>

The 10 Best Moments at This Year's Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase

Mike BrooksMind Spiders on the rooftop of The Bone.​ It's tough to look back on an event like Saturday night's Dallas Observer Music Awards showcase and try to come up with a conclusive best-moments list. With 52 bands playing 10 stages over the course of a ten-hour period all throughout Deep Ellu ... More >>

Memo to Ron Washington: It's the, Um, Postseason, Just In Case You Forgot

Photos by Sam MertenPerhaps more than any of his players, Ron Washington needs to break out of his postseason slump.​After the Texas Rangers fired Buck Showalter following the 2006 season, general manager Jon Daniels interviewed five candidates. Of course, there was Ron Washington, a longtime ... More >>

Forever Young: Texas Rangers-Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 4 Preview and Open Thread

Photo by Sam MertenElvis Andrus and a beardless Michael Young haven't hit their strides yet at the plate, but that's about to change. ​As depressing as it was, I believe Game 3 of the American League Championship Series was an anomaly, much like Game 1 of the ALDS. Nothing seemed right. And w ... More >>

Shark-Infested Waters: Texas Rangers-Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 3 Preview and Open Thread

via​Wow. What an amazing start to the American League Championship Series for Your Texas Rangers. Two close games. Two incredible wins. Now Detroit has to win four of the next five games to get back to the World Series for the first time since they fell to St. Louis in 2006. Ain't gonna hap ... More >>

Fear the 'Stache: Texas Rangers-Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 2 Preview and Open Thread

Back in February 2009, I penned a cover story about the Texas Rangers' new philosophy of relying on kiddos from their farm system instead of throwing big money at the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Chan Ho Park and Kevin Millwood. The youth movement was in full swing that spring as Elvis Andrus took over ... More >>

Heritage to Sell a Dallas Eagles Jersey. So Let's Talk to an Ex-Eagle Turned Revered AL Scout.

​Just got off the phone with a gentleman who's also keeping an eye on Texas-Detroit: Alex Cosmidis. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is pulling for the Tigers -- surprising, since Cosmidis once played baseball in Dallas and in Fort Worth, first as an Eagle in 1955 and '56, then as a Cat th ... More >>

Verlander, Smerlander: ALCS Preview and Rangers-Tigers Game 1 Open Thread

[Editor's note: At the request of a few regulars, we're going with a rare weekend-night open thread to celebrate the Rangers' second straight appearance in the American League Championship Series. Will we do this again tomorrow? Hard to say. Let's see how tonight goes. I'll be in and out, but tonigh ... More >>

Begin 2011's Post-Season Play By Reliving Texas Rangers' 2010 World Series Run in MLB Spot

​Thanks to my 8-year-old son's intense but not at all unpleasant love affair with baseball, I've spent way too many evenings in recent days glued to the MLB Network watching Tampa Bay and/or Boston slug it out to see which team lands the American League wild-card spot. Because if the Rangers beat ... More >>

Michael Young: Half Man, Half Hitting Machine

Though slumps and stardom, all Michael Young does is hit.

Last Chance to Get in Line for Rangers Playoff Tickets, Fingers Crossed, and Other Game Notes

It's Colby v. McCarthy tonight. Hang on.​Nice to see our sports columnist thinks the race for the AL West is "over." Still, though, coulda sworn the Rangers have 18 games left on the schedule, including three against the Angels at season's end; the magic number remains a far-from-over 17. Guess th ... More >>

Mike Adams Flops in His Rangers Debut. Even Worse Than Cliff Lee Flopped.

Welcome to Texas?​The Titanic. Waterworld. Joey Galloway as a Cowboy. The Dallas Wave. And now, finding his sheepish spot among the worst debuts in the history of ever: Mike Adams, Texas Ranger. Ugliest opening act on our baseball team since waaay back, well, actually, since Cliff Lee stunk ... More >>

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Schizophrenic Rangers

The record. Still intact.​And you thought trying to figure out the post-lockout, new NFL was tricky. Try getting a handle on your Rangers. Good news: In their last five games they've out-scored opponents a whopping 37-16. Bad news: In those games they're only a mediocre 3-2. That's wh ... More >>

Rangers to Honor Blyleven On ... Wait. What's This? Foxy Brown's Throwing a First Pitch?

​While we await some return phone calls and sift through some rather nutty legal docs, let's take a closer look at this release the Texas Rangers' John Blake sent out announcing some highlights from the upcoming homestand that begins tomorrow with games against the Jays. Because there are some int ... More >>

Meanwhile, Your Texas Rangers are Suddenly Back Where They Started

​Been a little concerned obsessed with the Mavs. But I did catch some Rangers' baseball Saturday afternoon. Saw enough of Derek Holland to say "Wow!" And apparently he isn't alone. After swooning without Josh Hamilton, the Rangers tumbled from their 9-1 start into mediocrity. Don't look now, ... More >>

Well, That Didn't Take Long: Welcome Back, Josh and Nelson

​Yesterday I surmised that the Rangers' offense would suddenly improve with the returns of sluggers Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz. But not me -- nor even Texas -- thought it would happen that fast. Or that far. Fresh off the disabled list, Hamilton homered in his first at-bat and Cruz ad ... More >>

Whitt's End: 5.20.11

​ Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Mavs got outplayed last night, plain and simple. The Rangers' loss to the Royals was more painful. Texas was one pitch from winning until .230-hitting Mike Aviles capped a gutsy 11-pitch at ... More >>

Josh Hamilton Breaks His Arm: My Top 10 Observer-ations

Uh-oh.​10. With Josh Hamilton it's always when, not if. And now you know why a lot of us were cringing and complaining when we saw him sliding on the rain-delay tarp in Baltimore last Friday night. He's one of the best players in baseball, but also one of the most injury-prone. 9. And do I ... More >>

Even Ron Washington is Making the Right Calls During Rangers' 9-1 Start

​The Rangers are 9-1, their best start in franchise history. They've outscored their opponents a ridiculous 60-26. They've beaten the aces of Boston (Jon Lester), Seattle (Felix Hernandez) and now Detroit (Justin Verlander). They're hitting homers, getting immaculate starting pitching and winn ... More >>

If the Rangers Can Beat Justin Verlander in Detroit, Watch Out

​Two more homers. Another win, this one 3-0 over the Baltimore Orioles. Three consecutive series victories. Everything, it seems, is going boffo for the Rangers. With 18 dingers, 58 runs, splendid starting pitching and an 8-1 record, they are both the talk of baseball and the best team in ... More >>

Rangers 26, Red Sox 11: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. That, my friends, was about as thorough a three-game sweep as you can produce. The Rangers out-scored Boston by 15 runs and slugged 11 homers. And that wasn't the Royals, remember -- it came against the team most experts predict will represent the AL in the 2011 World Series. 9. Mos ... More >>

BREAKING NEWS: 105.3 The Fan to Talk Sports in the Morning Beginning April 11

​Yes, 105.3 The Fan is tweaking again. But this time it's not merely another shuffling of the deck, but more so a commitment to talk sports in the morning. Out at The Fan as of April 8 are long-time radio veterans Jagger and Gregg Henson, to be replaced Monday, April 11, by "New School ... More >>

Whitt's Merten's End 3.11.11

Photo by Sam MertenChuck Greenberg and Texas Rangers co-chair Bob Simpson celebrate after outbidding Mark Cuban in an auction to own the club​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's Merten's End: *Well, that was quick. Chuck Greenberg formed ... More >>

Let's Get This DH Situation Addressed: Rangers Should Re-Sign Vladdy or Risk Getting Worse

Sam MertenVladimir Guerrero​While the Texas Rangers waited for Cliff Lee to make up his mind, the best options to fill the team's hole at designated hitter flew off the board. The Chicago White Sox snatched up the two best fits, re-signing Paul Konerko for three years at $12.5 million per season a ... More >>

Let's Get Cliff Lee ... AND Zack Greinke

​Is that doable? Seems like it. Although the Kansas City Royals are reportedly getting impatient with the Texas Rangers' low-ball offers. I understand the odds are against the Rangers getting Lee, who is now also talking to the Boston Red Sox. But - dream with me here a little - how would a s ... More >>

Werth It? Doing the Rangers' Math as Fat Contracts Swirl Around MLB Winter Meetings.

Photos by Sam MertenDamn. If Jayson Werth commands a seven-year, $126 million deal, how much is this guy worth?​Prior to the beginning of baseball's winter meetings yesterday at Walt Disney World Resort, a flurry of activity resulted in big-name players dealt and fat contracts inked. Predictab ... More >>

Barack Obama and Our Most Athletic Presidents

​Wasn't exactly Cortland Finnegan vs. Andre Johnson, but The Prez got into a scuffle last Friday. On the basketball court. With an elbow. Barack Obama received 12 stitches to a cut on his lower lip after an errant elbow during a pick-up game by Rey Decerega, the Director of Programs for ... More >>

Major League Baseball Players All Agree: Josh Hamilton Is the 2010 Player of the Year

Sam Merten​This just in: Sporting News has named its 2010 Major League Player of the Year -- and it's a certain Anchorman-quoting center-fielder for Your Texas Rangers. And as SN is quick to point out, that's the consensus among 326 major leaguers -- this isn't no sportswriters' award, keep in min ... More >>

Today In Music News: Wilson/Crowe Call It Quits, The Hold Steady Support The Twins And Toby Keith Gets Social

Your daily dose of national music news for Monday, September 27, 2010...Divorce news that sucks as bad as your parents calling it quits: Nancy Wilson and Cameron Crowe are getting divorced. Members of The Hold Steady lend their support for the Minnesota Twins with a new song.Toby Keith may play up ... More >>

How - and When - the West Was Won

​"It's Time", meet "It's Over." With an 11-4 thumping of the Detroit Tigers last night - combined with the Oakland A's loss in Kansas City - the Texas Rangers won their first American League West division championship since 1999. I know the magic number is 10 and there are still 18 games rema ... More >>

Who You Want: Yankees or Rays?

​I spoke too soon. Maybe you thought it too. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that if and/or when the Texas Rangers made the playoffs they'd face the New York Yankees. NY would win the American League East, the Tampa Bay Rays would win the Wild Card and the Minnesota Twins the Central. A ... More >>

No-Hitter = No Biggy

​I always TiVo the Texas Rangers. But last night when I got home my roommate already had the game on and when I got home I heard TV voice Josh Lewin exclaim:    "Hit record on your DVRs, you're about to witness history!" Whoa, I exclaimed back, the possibilities running through my m ... More >>

Hot Doggin' Home Runs

Texas Rangers: Meandering Toward the AL West or Charging Toward AL Home-Field Advantage?

​How you looking at your Texas Rangers these days? A) Despite Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Oakland A's they're playing well enough to maintain a comfy cushion in the American League West, holding a 7.5 games lead with only 51 games remaining. B) They were held to two or fewer runs five times on a ... More >>

Fat Lady May Be Warming Up, But Rangers Haven't Won The West ... Yet

​I'll say it, Texas Rangers' fever is at an all-time high. Sunday night's 6-4 win improved Tommy Hunter to 8-0, allowed the Rangers to win three of four from the Anaheim Angels and pushed their lead to seven games with 63 remaining. More than 160,000 fans went to Arlington Thursday-Sunday. Wi ... More >>

It's All In The Timing

Future Headline: Rangers Fan Seriously Injured Scrambling for Homer on Greene's Hill

Greene's Hill​The Texas Rangers - and the fan who tumbled over the railing and fell 30 feet into a lower deck while chasing a foul ball - were lucky last night at the ballpark in Arlington. As Cleveland Indians manager Manny Acta said, "A fatality could have happened there." The adult male fan wa ... More >>

News & Notes: Test Scores, Grocery Stores, Modano a Red Wing? and a Peek at the Plans for the Continental Building

Carla Ranger​A few items of interest with which to belatedly kick off your work week (lucky):On Thursday we noted that Dallas Independent School Board trustee Carla Ranger has found a new obsession: banishing the minimum-grade policy that disallows teachers from handing out grades lower than 50. T ... More >>

The Top 5 Uniforms in the History of Your Texas Rangers

​The Texas Rangers broke a four-game losing streak last night with a 9-6 walloping of the Chicago White Sox. But they didn't look good doing it. I know those white beanies atop their head were special Memorial Day caps, but in a word ... Godawful. The Colonial the other day had a pink out. Ba ... More >>

Whitt's End: 5.7.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Newy Scruggs is on vacation next week from 105.3 The Fan, which means two things: 1. I'll miss my pawdnuh. 2. At least one of the days I'll be joined by a very special, very familiar mys ... More >>

Whitt's End: 4.30.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today to pay our last respects to the 2010 Dallas Mavericks. In life, they were an entertaining bunch. Fun. Fast. Full of energy and entertainment. But i ... More >>

With a 22-Game Taste, Let's Circle the Bases: Last-Place Rangers Have First-Place Potential

Ian Kinsler makes his season debut tonight against the Mariners and lefthander Cliff Lee, who's also making his first appearance of the year. ​While Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has cryptically blamed the refs yet again for his team's fourth first-round exit from the playoffs in the last seven y ... More >>

Everything Old is New Again in Arlington, On the Brink of a New Rangers Season

Patrick MichelsMichael Young takes a few cuts before Friday night's exhibition.​For the first time since fall, the smell of hot dogs on the grills overtook the Ballpark in Arlington Friday afternoon, as the stadium came rumbled back to life for an evening exhibition against the Royals -- ... More >>

Star Ball

Creatures of Bad Habit

Have we lost the art of drinking?