Arlington (Texas)

FBI: Convicted Mortgage Fraudster, Arlington Pizza Shop Owner, Tried to Bribe Federal Judge

Halid Amer played a small but significant role in the collapse of the housing market late last decade. He had help, to be sure, from slews of unqualified borrowers, overleveraged banks, absurdly loose credit and free-handed monetary policy, but it was the actions of Amer and people like him that mad ... More >>

Pension Officials Have Done $1 Million of "Due Diligence" in Luxury Vacation Destinations

The Dallas Police & Fire Pension Fund stumbled into a PR disaster when it went all in on the allegedly-art destroying Museum Tower, but that was far from its only foray into real estate. At times, as Anna reported last year, as much of a third of the fund's $3 billion portfolio has been tied up in l ... More >>

Pension Officials Have Done $1 Million of "Due Diligence" in Luxury Vacation Destinations

The Dallas Police & Fire Pension Fund stumbled into a PR disaster when it went all in on the allegedly-art destroying Museum Tower, but that was far from its only foray into real estate. At times, as Anna reported last year, as much of a third of the fund's $3 billion portfolio has been tied up in l ... More >>

Cowboys Stadium is the Favorite to Host College Football's First Playoff Title Game

College football's first playoff championship game may be coming to the Cotton Bowl. No, not the old, art-deco Cotton Bowl in Fair Park but the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, which has freed itself from the geographical shackles implied by its name and moved to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. ESPN, citing ... More >>

Turns Out Dallasites Love Their Libraries. If Only City Hall Didn't Hate Them.

There's a briefing for council today on whether or not our public library system sucks. Looks like the verdict will be that it does not totally suck, but it should, because we do. The briefing is based on a nationwide bench-marking system Dallas participates in with most other second-tier cities in ... More >>

How Will the Texas Rangers Celebrate 40 Years in Arlington? With Lots of Throwin' Back.

​Since every Cowboys game is a Game 6 these days, it's time to look to the 2012 baseball season, when Your Texas Rangers will celebrate 40 years in Arlington. And for those of us who've been going to games since first pitch at Arlington Stadium (thanks, Dad), today's announcement is full of all ki ... More >>

Josh Hamilton Showing Significant Improvement?

​Yes there's a question mark in that headline, because -- as always -- I'm a little confused. On Tuesday we got this press release from your Texas Rangers about star slugger and American League Most Valuable Player Josh Hamilton: Arlington, Texas--Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was d ... More >>

Rest in Peace, Tom Vandergriff

At left, City of Arlington; at right, James William Dunlop via UTA LibraryAt right is a photo of the first cars to come off the GM assembly line in Arlington. Standing at center is Tom Vandergriff.​Victor Vandergriff tells the Star-Telegram: His father, former Arlington mayor Tom Vandergriff, died ... More >>

Dallas-Fort Worth: Addin' Jobs, Takin' Names

Toothpaste for Dinner​This morning the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its latest look at employment and unemployment figures for Your Major Metropolitan Areas, and when they put the June '09 numbers next to the June '10 numbers, look at who comes out on top: "The largest over-the-year in ... More >>

Texas Rangers Draft Some Guys They Can Actually Afford

Rangers Matt Purke = Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda,​While UT-Arlington outfielder Michael Choice was the 10th overall pick in Monday's Major League Baseball Draft, your Texas Rangers went with a two-pronged philosophy: 1. Players who had character. 2. Players that were cheap. Not necessarily in ... More >>

Have You Seen Enough of Rich Harden?

​Tommy Hunter is a bulldog. A scrappy fighter of a pitcher who throws strikes and in his first start of the season hurled a complete game at the Tampa Bay Rays in Saturday's sweltering heat. Rich Harden is a, well, I dunno honestly. I never seem to have the patience to see his starts through. ... More >>

Everything the Texas Rangers Want You To Know About The Team's Bankruptcy In One Spot

When you're owed $25 million by a bankrupt ballclub, you get to sit at the head of the creditors' committee table.​I'm sitting here doing what I do every Saturday -- catching up on my Texas Rangers bankruptcy docs -- when I notice this buried in a hearing order filed by the court at week's end: "C ... More >>

Don't Mince Words, Liverpool FC Supporters. How Do You Really Feel About Tom Hicks?

​We've run this picture of Tom Hicks, oh, a million times in recent years; so have plenty of others -- it's iconic. So much so that I just saw it again on the UK Telegraph's Web site moments ago. Only this time, it was affixed to an American flag being set on fire by Liverpool FC fans outraged at ... 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 >>

Texas Rangers: Fool's Gold or Gritty Perseverance?

​While I was gone the Texas Rangers, well, um, let's face it ... they crumbled. Starters not making it past the fifth inning. Bullpen overworked. Bottom third of the order about as effective as BP's oil spill plans G, H and I. Four consecutive losses. Division lead kaput. Not good. I keep app ... More >>

Recapping the Rangers' Week That Was (in Court), and Reviewing the Lengthy Legal Docs

Sam MertenWas this press conference just one week ago today? My, how time flies.​This morning in the Sports Business Journal, Daniel Kaplan recounts the wild doings in the Fort Worth courtroom where, at the end of last week, the Texas Rangers, their creditors and Major League Baseball squared off ... More >>

The United States Trustee Breaks Down (And Tears Apart) the Rangers' Bankruptcy Filing

Sam MertenChuck Greenberg, Tom Hicks and Nolan Ryan at Monday's press conference formally announcing the Chapter 11 filing on Monday​Below you'll find one of many docs submitted to the federal bankruptcy court this week concerning Your Texas Rangers' voluntary Chapter 11 filing, done with the inte ... More >>

In-N-Out With Some High-N-Tight End-of-the-Day Follow-Ups to Which We Plead Guilty

​Where to begin? Let's go with Your Texas Rangers, who were back in bankruptcy court in Fort Worth for the second day of "first day" proceedings following Monday's voluntary Chapter 11 filing. Reports the Associated Press, U.S. District Judge D. Michael Lynn finally decided after a bidding war bet ... More >>

Greenberg Expects Some Creditors to React "In a Noisy Fashion" To Rangers' Bankruptcy

Photos by Sam MertenLeft to right: Chuck Greenberg, Tom Hicks and Nolan Ryan​Shortly after the Texas Rangers announced the team's plans to resolve its ownership situation in federal bankruptcy court, Tom Hicks said he and his lawyers agreed "about a month ago" that this was the best way to han ... More >>

Whitt's End: 5.21.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Where's Greggo? Be here Monday morning for the official announcement. As a bonus, I'll also reveal another familiar local radio voice(s) returning to the air on 105.3 The Fan come June 1. In the b ... More >>

From Tom Hicks to Jerry Jones to Mark Cuban, Owning a Sports Team Isn't as Easy as it Looks

Atta Boy, Jon Daniels

​Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels took a lot of crap early in his career. Altogether now ...    Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez to the San Diego Padres for who?! If you remember the answer is Adam Eaton, you have an idea of just how far Daniels has progressed. As if sque ... More >>

Um, Do Your Texas Rangers Have Enough Offense to Be Taken Seriously?

How's that new hitting coach working out?​What the what? I was listening to the Texas Rangers Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays and I left them in what I thought was good shape. Up 9-3 in the third inning. Rich Harden on the mound. Bats seemingly alive. Done. Then, yesterday aftern ... More >>

At Last, Monarch Alternative Capital Breaks Its Silence Over Stalled-Out Texas Rangers Sale

Monarch's managing principal Andrew Herenstein​Still no word from Major League Baseball concerning its imminent seizure of Your Texas Rangers in order to expedite the sale to Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan's Rangers Baseball Express. But, finally, there's been direct contact with Monarch Alternat ... More >>

Whitt's End: 5.14.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *This is why I thought Ron Washington should have been fired on the spot last summer when he first told Texas Rangers' management about his cocaine use: He can't be trusted. Twice in the last two w ... More >>

Which Rangers' Pitcher Do You Most Fear?

Welcome back.​Another weird game at Rangers Ballpark last night: *Something I've never seen: With Ian Kinsler caught dead along the third-base line during an aborted steal of home, Oakland A's starter Gio Gonzalez panicked and half-balked, half-wild-pitched him home with a crazy ass throw ... More >>

Why, Ron Washington? Why?!?!

​I like Ron Washington. Really do. It's just that I ... Hey, if this feels/sounds like deja vu all over again it's because it is. Bottom line: I honestly don't think the Texas Rangers' manager is good enough to go with his gut instincts. I'm a quirky, color-outside-the-lines guy, b ... More >>

Listen Up, Texans Rangers Fans: This Right Here Is How You Get Shi ... Um, Stuff Done

See, Rangers fans, we shoulda taken out billboards along I-30.​It's very possible, if not downright likely, that at any second now word will come down that Major League Baseball has seized ownership of the Texas Rangers in order to wrap up the sale of the team to Chuck Greenberg -- after which tim ... More >>

Reports: MLB Will Seize Rangers and Nullify Creditors' Loans, Which Means ... Bankruptcy

To be honest, I really thought we'd be done with this picture by now. Apparently not.​On the field, they're Your Texas Rangers -- back atop the American League West, fresh off the first four-game series sweep since '07 and headed into an early season showdown with one-game-behind-'em Oakland, ridi ... More >>

Texas Rangers: Less Fireworks, More Fun?

​And now, for two facts that have never ever gone together in the past: 1. The Texas Rangers are 10th in the American League (out of 14 teams) in home runs. 2. The Texas Rangers have a winning record. I know. Weird. When the Rangers beat the woeful Kansas City Royals on Sunday, they did it wi ... 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 >>

Cinco de Mayo: The Top 10 Sorta Mexican Athletes in the History of Dallas

​Should probably consult Gustavo for a round of Ask a Mexican on this, but with it being Cinco de Mayo and all I figured I'd just crack open a Corona and give it a go myself. 10. Mike Bacsik - Well, he was a local athlete with an affinity strong feelings for about Mexicans. 9. Bryan ... More >>

This is the Problem I Have With Rangers' Manager Ron Washington

​I like Ron Washington. Really do. I don't necessarily trust his relentless optimism about everything and I lost a lot of respect for him for using cocaine in the middle of last season, but I like him. There is a part of him, however, that I don't like. His in-game decisions as a basebal ... More >>

Don't Look Now, But the Texas Rangers are Pitching Well Enough to be Winners

​While you have been drowning your Mavericks sorrows, engaging in mosh-pit violence out at Edgefest 20 or keeping an eye on Dez Bryant's wacko mom, the Texas Rangers have started doing something very strange. Pitching. Well. Don't look now but the Rangers are now the first-place Rangers. Duri ... 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 >>

Texas Rangers: It Could Be Worse?

​You look at the Rangers' 9-11 start through 20 games and mumble "meh", same old Rangers. Right? But, believe it or not, this could be a lot worse. Consider: *Supposed ace Rich Harden is yet to make a quality start, issuing 18 walks in 17 innings. *Taylor Teagarden is 1 for 27. *Chris Da ... More >>

Major League Baseball to Tom Hicks: Do Not Eff Up Rangers Deal ... or Else

MLB commish Bud Selig​Before I left the office last night, I tried to get a comment from Major League Baseball concerning Tom Hicks's admission that the deal with Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan's Rangers Baseball Express is falling apart. Earlier in the day, when I'd gotten wind that this seemingl ... More >>

Tom Hicks, Say It Ain't So. Uh-Oh, It's So.

​Because of Tom Hicks and some rich dudes at Monarch Alternative Capital, Nolan Ryan may no longer be a vital part of your Texas Rangers. As I hinted at earlier this week, there are last-minute problems with the sale of the team from Hicks to prospective new owner Chuck Greenberg. Big problem ... More >>

How Hicks is Trying to Foul Up Rangers' Sale and Why MLB Won't Let Him

​Yesterday, Tom Hicks all but told reporters gathered in Boston that the pending sale of the Texas Rangers to Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan's Rangers Baseball Express is dead. But why, the very week Greenberg had hoped to have the deal done, did Hicks choose to say it now? That's the $570-million ... More >>

Your Texas Rangers: The Rumors and the Waaayaaaiting is the Hardest Part

​Four-game losing streak. Bats are dead. Fielding is iffy. Texas Rangers are 5-7 and in Boston for a series starting tonight. Brace yourselves, it could get worse. Today is April 20, better known as "the week of April 19th", better known as the week the sale of the Texas Rangers from Tom Hi ... More >>

Pho From Home: Le's Fire Pot

Le's in glorious Arlington.​It's freezing. I am always cold, by nature, but it is bonafide frosty. I need something warm in my belly, and I can't believe it, but I am craving pho. My brother, with whom I work, senses my impending breakdown and says the six words he or anyone who's in my inner ... More >>

Only Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Could Build A Palace Big Enough To Match His Larger-Than-Life Persona

Texas Rangers Win Again, Issue a Press Release That'll Blow Your Mind

Not sure why I had a Christmas ham under my cap. But at least I can prove I'm a Rangers' lifer.​They've lost Michael Young (two weeks with a hammy) and now maybe even Josh Hamilton (left last night's game with back ouchie). But, give them credit, your Texas Rangers haven't lost hope. And wh ... More >>

Like an Episode of Dragnet

Around the World In 60 Clicks

Share a global Kodak moment

Another Cool Sporting Event You Won’t See in the City of Dallas

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

Fur Fest

House cats attend Arlington convention

Damned Rangers

The Texas Rangers better win the pennant this year, if only to atone for subjecting fans to two decades of baseball hell. Mike Shropshire chronicles the team's cursed early years in an exclusive Observer excerpt.