NL West

42 Reviewed: Trying to Make Flesh-and-Blood of a Baseball Hero

Major League Baseball's Screwball Economics

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

Best Recipes for Spending the Super Bowl with Food Nerds

If you need evidence that food nerds don't know sports, take a look at the intro to this video for short rib nachos. Painful, right? But ask yourself: What would a Sunday game be without a good tailgate? Who turns on a big game at home and doesn't at least offer some Buffalo chicken dip? While some ... More >>

Five Key Holes the Rangers Need to Fill This Winter, and How They Should Fill Them

Just a few days after the 2012 MLB season kicked off in Japan, one of the elite players scheduled to become a free agent in the coming offseason took himself off the market. The Giants enticed Matt Cain to stay in San Francisco, signing him to a six-year, $127.5 million contract extension -- the mos ... More >>

That’s How a Baseball Season Go

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 >>

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 >>

Tony Romo's Top 5 Performances

​Jerry Jones said he was "outstanding" despite last week's loss to the Jets. Sunday afternoon in San Francisco the owner almost shed a tear in talking about the quarterback's gutsy performance in a 27-24 overtime victory over the 49ers. It's already been a controversial, mesmerizing, f ... More >>

Going, Going ... Yawn. How to Fix Baseball's Broken All-Star Gala.

​Not appearing tonight at baseball's All-Star Game: Derek Jeter, Jose Reyes, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, C.C. Sabathia, David Price and Albert Pujols.Injuries can't be helped, but the mid-summer classic needs to be fixed. From last night's boring home run derby to tonight's exhibition, ... More >>

Ten Career Suggestions for Justin Timberlake, Since He's No Longer That Interested In Music

"I'm totally posting this on Myspace later."​The word has gotten around quickly: Justin Timberlake was indeed among the investors that bought a stake in floundering social networking site Myspace this week. According to the press release from Specific Media, Timberlake's partners in this ventur ... More >>

The Over/Under On Parade-Related Arrests Today Is 12. Place Your Bets, Please.

Photo by Leslie MinoraStill an hour to go before the parade officially commences, and ... man, a Bud does sound good right about now.​As you might have heard, just a few folks have skipped work to hang out in downtown today to pay homage to a group of very tall men (and one of-average-height Puert ... More >>

The Day Willie Mays Played in Dallas

​Willie Mays turns 80 years old today. I didn't need ESPN to tell me either. When I was a boy, Mays's birthday was a High Holy Day. He was, and still is, my dad's favorite ball player. He still wears his New York Giants cap; still pines for the Polo Grounds; probably still dreams about The Catch.W ... More >>

A Rangers Repeat? History Suggests Odds Are Long.

One Hit Wonders

My Top 5 Worries About the Texas Rangers at Spring Training

​I know that stats are usually meaningless during baseball's spring training. But trends and feels aren't. The San Francisco Giants won the Cactus League in 2010 with an 23-12 record, but their opponent in the World Series - your Texas Rangers - went a last-place 10-19. Pitchers are usua ... More >>

Rockies 11, Rangers 10: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Crowd last night was around 8,000, just a couple days after a record 12,000 for Rangers-Giants. As opposed to the Royals-A's on Tuesday, when I swear there weren't 1,000 people here. Nothing like a World Series to crowd the bandwagon. 9. I've said it before and I'll say it again: N ... More >>

You've Got Questions, Ron Washington Has Answers

​Let's make this simple, shall we? Sat down with Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington yesterday here in Surprise and asked him what I thought were some pertinent questions. Allow me to paraphrase, in the spirit of keeping this short and sweet in the wake of last night's 3.5-hour, come-from- ... More >>

Hey Look, The Sportatorium Does Cover Pro Rasslin'!

Snowing like a mother -- yes, again -- as I leave the warm confines of Collin County for Dallas. Tried to be in a grumpy mood this morning, but this video made me giggle. For those of you who are clamoring for Michael Young trade news, only thing new is that the Colorado Rockies have lost interest ... More >>

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I Have A ... List. Of the Best Black Athletes in the History of Ever

​While a lot of you are off work today, take time to remember and refresh the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. The rest of us? Let's commemorate MLK Day with an impossible task: Selecting the world's all-time greatest black athletes. First step, choosing the criteria. Sheer athleticism? ... 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 >>

The Case Against Cliff Lee

​Whether free agent Cliff Lee chooses to re-sign with the Rangers because of Arlington's proximity to his Arkansas home or bolts to New York for the extra dough, his decision undoubtedly shapes the future of both teams significantly. Yet in all that's been said and written about Lee, rarely do ... More >>

FC Dallas is the latest proof that the metroplex can host everything without winning anything.

The Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys offer a study in contrasts as they each lose in different ways.

You Like the Texas Rangers More than Las Vegas

​Witnessed lots of folks outside Rangers Ballpark last night who believe in their baseball team. The Rangers Rally was a warm hug on a chilly night and the theory goes like this: The present belongs to the San Francisco Giants, but the future belongs to the Texas Rangers. You buyin' it? ... More >>

Taking Shelter From the Storm, Dallas Republicans Are Fired Up in the Palomar

​With a monster show of force, and a little help from the weather, Dallas County Republicans have made their presence known tonight, bringing Central Expressway and Mockingbird Lane to an absolute standstill pulling their Large Vehicles into the Hotel Palomar for their election night cash-bar bacc ... More >>

2010 World Series GAME 4 - Giants 4, Rangers 0: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Okay, I'm convinced already. Tommy Hunter isn't a "big game" pitcher. In all three playoff starts he failed to get out of the 5th inning. At this time of year, starters should be able to get more than 12 outs. Not Hunter. 9. Haven't seen Vladimir Guerrero look that harmless very often. ... More >>

2010 World Series GAME 5 - Giants 3, Rangers 1: My Top 10 Observer-ations

To the victors ... the celebration.​10. Not sure what manager Ron Washington was doing going to closer Neftali Feliz in the 8th inning of a game the Rangers trailed 3-1. If the Rangers had forced extra innings it would've been an interesting mix-'n-match bullpen. Unfortunately, Texas' bats ... More >>

2010 World Series GAME 3 - Rangers 4, Giants 2: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​10. Yes metroplex, for the first time ever there will be baseball ... in November. Regardless of Tommy Hunter in tonight's Game 4, Game 5 will be Monday night, Novembrer 1, at Rangers Ballpark at 6:57. And oh, by the way Giants fans, you know where you can stick those brooms. 9. During the ... More >>

Whitt's End: 10.29.10

  ​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *I know this sounds crazy, but I honestly think there's something to it: The World Series has been a psychological letdown for your Texas Rangers. Winning the ALCS and beating the Ya ... More >>

2010 World Series - Rangers vs. Giants: Game 2 Preview

Given my druthers, I'd rather get blown out than lose a heart-breaker. We could digest and regurgitate and over-analyze the Texas Rangers' 11-7 World Series Game 1 loss to the San Francisco Giants here Wednesday night, or we could simply say that - for the first time in his ... More >>

Let's Get High With Newy Scruggs

​I felt like I was watching Dazed and Confused last night -- though, to be honest, the whole Tim Lincecum-as-Mitch Kramer meme's been around for a good long while, well before The Wall Street Journal asked Wiley Wiggins about it during Giants-Braves. And speaking of pot -- well, I was -- Newy Scru ... More >>

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington makes the most unlikely of journeys from cocaine to Champagne.

Dallas Mavericks Off and Running Toward Another 50-Win Season

​Thankfully there isn't a team in the NBA called the Giants. While the Cowboys got walloped by New York Monday night and the Rangers were whipped by San Francisco last night here in the City by the Bay, your Dallas Mavericks are on pace to go 82-0 after opening the season Wednesday night  ... More >>

Before Game Two of the World Series, a Look at How the Ballpark's Preparing for Game Three

Photos by Sam Merten​Although I've long considered Matt Cain one of baseball's most underrated hurlers, there's no reason why C.J. Wilson can't rebound from getting knocked around by the Yankees in Game Five of the American League Championship Series and tie up the World Series tonight. But ... More >>

2010 World Series GAME 2 - Giants 9, Rangers 0: My Top 10 Observer-ations

​ 10. Is there anything more hopeless - more frustrating - in all of sports than watching a baseball reliever not be able to throw a $%#@^&* @&^%ing strike?! Right before our very eyes the World Series deteriorated into a Little League game where incompetent, intimidated pi ... More >>

Mayor Tom to New York Times: Rangers in Six

Patrick Michels​Tom Leppert Fact: He pitched a few innings of junior varsity at Claremont McKenna College in Southern California. So notes The New York Times this morning, in a pitching duel between the Dallas mayor and San Francisco's mayor Gavin Newsom, a former first baseman for Redwood High Sc ... More >>

2010 World Series - Rangers vs. Giants: Position by Position Breakdown

​I called Rays in 5 in the ALDS and Rangers in 7 in the ALCS. Why stop while I'm ... tied? Got in to the City by the Bay last night and this place is in a baseball frenzy. There's a pervasive baseball buzz. Lots of similarities between the San Francisco Giants and your Texas Rangers in the Wo ... More >>

Rangers vs. Giants: Grilled Crab at a Ballpark Instead of Nachos? This is America, Dammit.

See you for Game Three.​Since City of Ate readers are the sort who might hesitate upon being offered a World Series ticket, taking a much-needed moment to wonder what they might find to eat at the game, we offer here a cheat sheet to the leading concessions at Rangers Ballpark and AT&T Park. ... More >>

Even Tail-Get Snacks Come With a Cause
for Giants Fans

Do the cured ones cost extra?​How does a Giants fan celebrate the start of the World Series? With a community supported agriculture box, of course. Winning the title for "Game tie-in least likely ever to be seen in Dallas," San Francisco's popular 4505 Meats this week announced it was putting ... More >>

Granted His Emergency Continuance, Dallas Attorney Sends a Postcard from San Francisco

​I am now headed home to watch Game One with my 7-year-old son and the man who took me to my very first ballgame at Arlington Stadium in 1972, my father. I thought my dad would be cheering on the Giants. He grew up here but spent his Park Row childhood rooting on Willies Mays and McCovey, the latt ... More >>

2010 World Series GAME 1 - Giants 11, Rangers 7: My Top 10 Observer-ations

10. Bigger Giants' ass-kicking: New York 41, Cowboys 35 or San Francisco 11, Rangers 7? The football Giants ran off 31 unanswered Monday night in Arlington. The baseball Giants erased an early two-run hole with eight consecutive runs in the middle innings. Either way, ouch. Dare I say toni ... More >>

Can the Texas Rangers Win National League-Style Baseball?

Hey, maybe Nolan Ryan can give the Rangers' pitchers some hints. ​Baseball has its problems: A reluctance to use instant replay. Arrogant umpires and their customized strike zones. An All-Star exhibition game that actually affects the World Series champion. But of all our national past ... More >>

2010 World Series - Rangers v. Giants: Texas is the Favorite. And Deservedly So.

​It's 1972 vs. 1958. It's also, unless I'm seeing something terribly wrong and homerish, a clear advantage for your Texas Rangers over the San Francisco Giants. Right? The Rangers, born in '72, have never been to the World Series. The Giants have been here three times since moving from N ... More >>

Whitt's End: 10.22.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End:*Roger Staubach to Tony Hill to beat the Redskins in '79. Alvin Harper running free against the 49ers to clinch the NFC Championship Game in '92. Dirk Nowitzki's long 3-pointer to secure Game 2 of ... More >>

Baseball Saying Yes to No

Ah, the good ol' days. Are they here again?​Tampa Bay Rays' pitcher Matt Garza tossed a no-hitter last night. It was the fifth this season in Major League Baseball, most since 1991. Funny thing is, now the San Diego Padres and New York Mets are the only current teams wit ... 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 >>

Rangers Win a Big Game and an Even Bigger Catcher

​Your Texas Rangers enter July with the best record in baseball. And a new starting catcher. While rookie pitcher Omar Beltre surrendered a homer to the first Major League hitter he faced and lasted only four innings, Vladimir Guerrero turned a game, a series - and perhaps a season - &nb ... More >>

DCT's Most Valuable Player Swings For The Fences; T3 Tunes UP [title of show]; One Thirty Productions Presents Its Favorite Austin Playwright

Now's the time to raze Arizona. Here's how you can help.

Whitt's End: 11.6.09

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Haven't received a return call all week from Greg Williams, which is weird if not troubling. Something's up. Maybe he's merely at his vacation condo in Colorado and temporarily out of pocket. Or m ... More >>

The Goal Line

If Blackie Sherrod's just another writer, then Wilt Chamberlain was just another center