John Blake

The Rangers Have Lots of Weapons. No, Seriously. Those Are Guns

So. We stumbled on this photo on Tumblr a while ago and had to ask: "Hey Texas Rangers. Why are so many of you holding assault weapons?" Rangers spokesman John Blake sent word from the road a few moments ago: "Several of the Rangers visited the Navy Seals Training Facility today in San Diego." There ... More >>

The Great Bratbino: A One-Pound Brat in Honor of the Rangers' Josh Hamilton

The Texas Rangers announced yesterday that soon you'll be able to upgrade that Boomstick dog to a combo meal, which includes two one-liter bottles of Coke. And, in fairness, since Nellie got a hot dog in honor of his hot bat, Joshie gets one too: The Great Bratbino. John Blake with the Rangers tel ... More >>

Josh Hamilton to Address Whatever Happened on Monday at Press Conference Today

​Several Friends of Unfair Park have asked: Why nothing about Josh Hamilton's alleged "relapse"? Well, because for now, we don't know much, just that the recovering (and re-recovering) addict may have had something alcoholic (not sure what or how much) at Sherlock's (no shit) on Monday and that Ia ... More >>

After Club Signs Nathan, Moves Neffy to Rotation, Rangers Offer Wilson Arbitration

​My bad. Been meaning to get back in here and post something, anything, of note, and there's been plenty in recent days. And as Josh's Broken Groin notes, it's been way too long. So then, to today's Breaking, or Broken, Rangers News: The club has offered salary arbitration for next season to C.J. ... More >>

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 >>

Now's Your Chance to Help Get Eric Nadel or Mark Holtz in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel​At this late date there should be no need to explain why Texas Rangers broadcaster Eric Nadel is a local treasure; he's as much a part of summer 'round these parts as 85-degree lows. I just went back and listened to his final-out call from October 12 -- it still breaks me ... More >>

Texas Rangers to Honor Shannon Stone, and Son, With Bronze Statue at Ballpark Next Season

Shannon Stone​The July 7 death of Shannon Stone at the Ballpark in Arlington continues to impact the Texas Rangers, who moments ago announced that a statue will be commissioned by the ball club to pay homage to the 39-year-old Brownwood firefighter. According to the release from club spokesman Joh ... More >>

That's the Way Downloads Go: Now You Can Own Merle Haggard's Ron Washington Song

​I listen to something from this recording of Merle Haggard at the Longhorn Ballroom back in 1982, oh, probably once a week; never do get tired of "Mama Tried" or "Tulare Dust." And I still have that whole series of "That's the Way Baseball Go" T-shirts dating back to the glorious fall of 2010. Ju ... 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 >>

At the Ballpark in Arlington, New "Safety Initiatives" In Advance of Higher Railings

Photo by Sam MertenThe view from Section 235, from which Tyler Morris plummeted 30 feet in July 2010​This just in from the Texas Rangers' John Blake: Beginning Friday, when the club opens a seven-game home stand against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Rangers will introduce "a series of new safety init ... More >>

The Tragic Accident at the Ballpark Last Night

At 10:02 last night, an email from the Texas Rangers arrived in the in-box bearing the subject heading "Statement From Texas Rangers CEO and President Nolan Ryan." This is what it said: The adult male who during tonight's game fell approximately 20 feet from section 5 in the left field lower reserve ... More >>

Ron Washington To Get His Caddy Today

​There's no game out at the Ballpark today -- shame too, since it's likely The Last Lovely Day before summer slams into high gear. Nevertheless, at 11:30 this morning Nolan Ryan and Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington will find themselves at home plate, where Ryan will give Washington the keys to ... More >>

Dave Barnett to Replace John Rhadigan As Texas Rangers' TV Play-by-Play Man

Dave Barnett​About half an hour ago, Richie posted an item on the Sportatorium: John Rhadigan, hired in January to replace Josh Lewin as the Texas Rangers' TV, play-by-play announcer, is already out. Moments ago, the team confirmed with an Official Statement that follows in full. But long story sh ... More >>

Hamilton and Cruz in Frisco Tonight? Might Be a Good Time To Take in a RoughRiders Game.

​John Blake just sent word: Josh Hamilton will return to the world of the baseball living tonight in Frisco, when he begins a rehab stint with the RoughRiders as Steve Buechele's second-place squad takes on the Midland Rockhounds. Hamilton, benched with a non-displaced hairline fracture of his rig ... More >>

He Was a Ranger (and a Senator) From the Very Beginning. And He Finally Saw a World Series in Arlington, One Month Before He Died.

Courtesy the Texas RangersCharles Wangner​On October 17, as the Texas Rangers were smack-dab in the middle of the American League Championship Series, The News ran a very nice story about Charles Wangner, who, more than most, knew what it was like to be a long-suffering fan of the ballclub. Wangne ... More >>

Turns Out, It Takes Two Bushes to Throw Out One Opening Pitch for World Series Game Four

​This just in from John Blake and Major League Baseball: Yet again, Nolan Ryan will toss out the first pitch at the Ballpark in Arlington for a post-season game, when, tomorrow evening, he takes the mound for Game Three of the World Series. (And, no, apparently he's unavailable to work a few innin ... More >>

Kelly Clarkson? Check. Lyle Lovett? Check. Martha Plimpton? Che ... Wait, What?

Courtesy FOX BroadcastingMartha Plimpton on Raising Hope​So, we know who's throwing out the ceremonial first pitches tomorrow and Saturday. Well, John Blake, Texas Rangers spokesman, just sent over the final list of scheduled performers for World Series Games Three and Four. No surprises on the li ... More >>

Kelly Clarkson? Check. Lyle Lovett? Check. Martha Plimpton? Che ... Wait, What?

Courtesy FOX BroadcastingMartha Plimpton on Raising Hope​So, we know who's throwing out the ceremonial first pitches tomorrow and Sunday. Well, John Blake, Texas Rangers spokesman, just sent over the final list of scheduled performers for World Series Games Three and Four. No surprises on the list ... More >>

Speaking of Ballparks and Getting the Munchies, A Look at the Rangers' New World Series Menu

Sam Merten​Texas Rangers spokesman John Blake just sent word: For World Series Games Three and Four at the Ballpark in Arlington -- oh, right, Game Five too, fingers crossed -- the team's done beefed up (heh) its sports menu. Also: The team's added more places to buy beer in the park, which, a ... More >>

That's the Way T-Shirts Go, Redux: The Other Great Ron Washington Fashion Statement

​Last week we bought a few of the DropWear.com fellas' Ron Washington tees. And, despite rumors and reports to the contrary, the Texas Rangers have not officially commissioned anyone to do a "That's the Way Baseball Go" tee. Says spokesman John Blake via e-mail, "This is actually an unlicensed pro ... More >>

Now To the Team Hicks Used To Own: Your ALCS-Playing Rangers and Tonight's Deets

​Hell of a way to bookend the day -- in a courtroom first thing in the morning watching Tom Hicks's attorneys fight to keep ownership of Liverpool FC, then at the Ballpark in Arlington tonight to watch Tom Hicks's old team fight to keep home-field advantage over the New York Yankees in its first-e ... More >>

As Soon as the Texas Rangers Win a Game, I'm Buying One of These "Claw & Antler" Tees

​They've been on pre-sale since forever, with "mid-September" as the made-available date. (And at $31 too, including shipping and handling!) But Texas Rangers exec veep of communications John Blake just sent word: Beginning today, "the official Claw & Antler Shirt is now available at the Majes ... More >>

It Truly Is a Dream Season as Texas Rangers Inch Toward Home Sell-Out. In August.

Baseball Almanac​If you were planning on attending tonight's Rangers-Yankees game -- and I was considering it -- be warned: It's damned near a sell-out. Ballclub spokesman John Blake just sent word:As of 1:30 p.m., only obstructed view and scattered single tickets remain for tonight's Texas Ranger ... More >>

Stars Prez Jeff Cogen Talks, Very Briefly, About Why He's Leaving For the Nashville Predators

Jeff Cogen​When word came down that Jeff Cogen, till today the president of Your Dallas Stars since 2007 and before that president and chief operation officer of Your Texas Rangers, was decamping for the Nashville Predators, where he'll be chief executive officer, I called his cell hoping that may ... More >>

The Texas Rangers Thrive while Owner Tom Hicks' Sports Empire Crumbles.

Wait. The Texas Rangers Got Cliff Lee?

​So tweets New York Post baseball columnist Joel Sherman. To which MSNBC adds this concerning the pick-up of the Seattle Mariners pitcher:There is no report yet as to who those others may be. Given Texas' financial issues, it's possible that they could be veterans in salary offsets or it could be ... More >>

Nolan Ryan Visits Injured Firefighter Who Fell From Second Deck at Rangers Ballpark: "I Was Expecting Him to Look Worse Than He Is"

Photos by Sam MertenThe view from Section 235.​As Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young and others took the field this afternoon for pre-game stretching, the shocking fall of a 25-year-old firefighter from Corinth from the second deck of Rangers Ballpark was clearly on their minds as they ... More >>

Judge Agrees With Rangers' Attorney: Hicks Didn't Have to Sell Team to Highest Bidder

Sam MertenIn federal court this morning, Nolan Ryan looked much like he did at the presser announcing the team's prepackaged bankruptcy -- totally defeated.​With his broad shoulders squeezed in tightly next to Chuck Greenberg, Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan looked like he'd rather be tossi ... More >>

Your Texas Rangers Unveil Plan to Complete Sale of Team to Chuck Greenberg, Nolan Ryan

​Moments ago, John Blake, exec veep of communication for Your Texas Rangers, sent word that there is, at long last, a plan in place that will finally give Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan's Rangers Baseball Express control of the team. And, yes, it does involve "a voluntary, 'prepackaged,' court-sup ... More >>

Rangers Call Cowboys QB to the Mound: Staubach Finally Gets First Pitch Duties

​Speaking of Your Texas Rangers ...Just checked the e-mail this glorious baseball-season-y Sunday afternoon to find a missive from John Blake, exec veep of communications for the ball club, who sends word that Roger Staubach's throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers' 1:05 p.m. home ... More >>

All About the Rangers Baseball Express as Hicks, Greenberg and Ryan Hash Out Deal

​No need to ask Lisa LeMaster for any further comment this time around -- the press release below, just sent out by Texas Rangers spokesman John Blake, is all we're going to get about the consummation of the "complex business deal" that's one step closer to putting Tom Hicks's ball club in the mit ... More >>

Texas Rangers Pitch In to Help Cedar Hill High, While Tom Hicks Jr. Apologizes (Again)

​Let's start this item with some kind words for (for now) Tom Hicks Sr.'s baseball club, which, at 12:30 p.m. today will help out Cedar Hill High School, where students returned from the winter break to find the baseball team's field house ransacked and more or less destroyed by vandals. Texas Ran ... More >>

Christmas Comes Early For Tom Hicks

​Last night, Texas Rangers exec VP of communications John Blake sent the word since heard 'round the sports world: Tom Hicks has 30 days to get a deal done with Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan before asking MLB (and his myriad creditors) if it's OK, pretty please, to sell ... More >>

Texas Rangers Swear the New FM Broadcast Won't Leave Outlying Areas Without Their Ball

Several Friends of Unfair Park have asked why the Rangers would broadcast a majority of their games on The Fan, when KRLD-AM has such a mammoth signal, especially at night. Which is why I called John Blake, the team's recently returned exec vice president of communications, to discuss the decision b ... More >>

Whitt's End 1.9.09

Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *First things first. If you plan to see this movie, or even think it looks remotely entertaining, please, leave these premises immediately. *Nothing official yet (UPDATE: Now it's official), but I hear E ... More >>

Rangers Sign Maddux! Finally Get Pitching Help! Wait … What?

CNN Dismisses Bishop T.D. Jakes As a “Prosperity Pastor”

Another Texas Rangers Loss

Rained Out

No refunds, Rangers fans, even though the dark clouds of the A-Rod trade threaten the entire season

Ready to Rumble

Or, how our columnist came to know Rangers outfielder Carl Everett

The Buck Starts Here

New Texas Rangers manager Buck Showalter makes the team much better. Problem is, he can�t hit leadoff, play center field or pitch.

The A-Team

Love it when a plan comes together? Not so fast. Sure, they've got A-Rod and I-Rod, but what about Rusty Greer hitting leadoff, Tim Crabtree closing, and Johnny Oates acting human? John Gonzalez goes to Texas Rangers spring training to look for answers.

The spring of our discontent

Raphael Palmeiro is hurt. Johnny Oates is grumpy. Pudge Rodriguez is acting like a spoiled brat. Lee Stevens just wants to play baseball. Welcome to Texas Rangers spring training.

Senor baseball

Luis Mayoral's job with the Rangers isn't all brown and white

One angry man

After a long history of public drunkenness and allegations of slashing two men's throats, it is time to examine the troubled practice of Dr. John Hargett

Buzz

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