Philadelphia Phillies

Major League Baseball's Screwball Economics

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

Josh Hamilton Continues to Troll Us Mercilessly, Says Dallas Isn't a Baseball Town

We tried not to hold it against Josh Hamilton for his occasional trip to Sherlock's, his ridiculous energy drink addiction, his snooze-worthy line of Christian clothing, and last year's collapse. And while that bungled fly ball -- you know the one -- was hard to forgive, that didn't change the fact ... More >>

All-Star Ballpark Food From Around the Country

Searching for photos of amazing ballpark food is like a self-inflicted wound. At the end of it all, I'm overwhelmed with the pain I've caused myself. Thanks to everyone's inclination to take pictures of food they eat, here's an ode to great ballpark food. (With one caveat: no hotdogs. That's a whole ... More >>

A Texas Rangers Midseason Report: It's Time to Go All In

With the baseball season at the symbolic halfway point, we asked former Unfair Parker Sam Merten to root around in his beard and see if he could come up with anything to say. He obliged ... and obliged ... and ... Sports are unpredictable. That's why we watch. And there's no greater evidence than t ... More >>

How Jimmy's Conquered Dallas

How did a humble neighborhood bodega become the city's sausage king? With a recipe restaurants couldn't resist.

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 Power of Plan B: Texas Rangers-Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 6 Preview and Open Thread

​Not so long ago, Minnesota Twins backstop Joe Mauer was the consensus pick as baseball's best catcher. But the 2009 American League MVP, four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and .323 career hitter had another injury-plagued season in 2011 (missing significant time for "leg weaknes ... 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 >>

Time For Y'all to Admit It: C.J. Wilson is a Bona Fide Ace

​No doubt Kenny Rogers is the Rangers' best all-time left-handed pitcher. But is C.J. Wilson already No. 2? He further helped his cause Tuesday night in Tampa, somehow resisting his stupid, "instinctive" urge to bare-hand comebackers long enough to shut out the Rays in a complete-game, 8-0 v ... More >>

Rangers-Angels Take Baseball's Center Stage. Or at Least They Should.

​There are only two division races in baseball. And only one with playoff implications. As we play the regular season's final month the Tigers, Phillies, Brewers and Braves each have leads of at least 7 games with only 20 remaining. In the AL East the Yankees lead the Red Sox by 2.5, bu ... More >>

Rangers Take Another Step Toward Peaking ... and October

​Seven games up with 38 games remaining. Magic number down to 32 (smallest in baseball along with the Brewers and Phillies). Three of the first four in the bag already in Anaheim, with a chance to sweep tonight. For those of us who make a living bitchin' and moanin' about this or that with ... More >>

Hook, Line and Stinker: The Cowboys' Catch and Release of Nnamdi Asomugha

After an epic swing and miss at the NFL's No. 1 free agent, the Cowboys are off and crawling at training camp.

For the First Time in a Long Time, We'll Recognize the Texas Rangers

Together again​A day short of six weeks after breaking his arm, Josh Hamilton is back. So is Nelson Cruz. And with them, will the Rangers welcome the return of their offense? After a weekend in Philly in which they were outscored only 5-4 over 27 innings of, let's face it, boring base ... More >>

With Josh Hamilton and Cliff Lee Looming, the Rangers are Somehow Surviving

​Adrian Beltre got the big hit. Ian Kinsler made the defensive play. And, in a first, Mark Lowe salvaged what Neftali Feliz ruined. The Rangers beat the Royals in extras last night and -- pending a weekend visit through Cliff Lee and the formidable Phillies' pitching staff -- might avoid ... More >>

A Rangers Repeat? History Suggests Odds Are Long.

One Hit Wonders

Batter Up

It's Never Too Early For Spring Training Knee-Jerk Reactions

Photo by Sam MertenIan Kinsler could be gearing up for a career year.​You hear it every year around this time: Spring training stats are meaningless. And, sure, while that can be true for guys like Doug Deeds -- the 29-year-old career minor leaguer who's hitting .357 with two homers and four RBI f ... More >>

Texas Rangers' Pitching Staff: No. 3 in the AL West

​I fully admit it, at the end of last season I was calling for C.J. Wilson to pitch Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Considering the way he'd pitched all year and the way Cliff Lee had struggled at times it made sense. Turns out both pretty pitched damn skippy in the playof ... More >>

Very Cool Move by Your Texas Rangers

​No, they didn't sign Josh Hamilton long-term or acquire Cliff Lee in a trade from the Phillies. But during last weekend's mid-winter banquet out at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine your Texas Rangers went out of their way to put a smile on the face of manager Ron Washington. During Hurricane K ... More >>

The Texas Rangers Are Better, But Who's Gonna Talk About 'Em?

​So now that the Texas Rangers have a hitter (Adrian Beltre) and a pitcher (Brandon Webb), they've got one more important hole to fill this off-season: Television play-by-play voice. Remember just before Game 5 of the ALDS, the Rangers announced they weren't bringing back nine-year veter ... More >>

The Next Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys Will Be ...

​Garrett Top. Unless of course, Jason Garrett pulls a Cliff Lee and spurns the metroplex. Make no mistake, the Dallas Cowboys' interim head coach is suddenly a hot commodity as other NFL teams' permanent head coach. In the wake of a 5-3 second half he has some real leverage now. How's th ... More >>

Ten Items Worth a Look-See: Mavs, Stars, Cowboys, Rangers and Fox News Pundit Says Michael Vick "Should Have Been Executed"

The fans gave him a break, and even President Obama applauded Vick's return to the NFL. Tucker Carlson of Fox News? Not so much.​10. Mark Teixeira says teammate Andy Pettitte's "probably leaning toward retirement," which is good news for the Texas Rangers and everyone else aiming to win the AL pen ... More >>

Texas Rangers' momentum comes to a screeching holiday halt by the Phils Who Stole Cliffmas

Dear Santa: Please Put a World Series MVP Under the Tree. Pretty Please?

Matt Garza's widely considered to be the best starter available, but could a better pitcher be had for the right price?​It's almost Christmas, and the Texas Rangers haven't done anything to address the hole in the rotation left behind when Cliff Lee signed with the Philadelphia Phillies and th ... More >>

Ten Sports Items From Yesterday That, In My Humble Opinion, Are Worth a Look-See

What's Favre's legacy? You tell me.​10. Christmas came early for Mavs fans, as Dallas ended the Heat's 12-game winning streak with an entertaining 98-96 victory last night in Miami. My wrap-up is forthcoming, but until then, Wilonsky over at Unfair Park showed us the team's official Christmas gift ... More >>

Closing the Book on Cliff Lee, Who Would Have Loved Texas For the Right Price

Sam MertenAdios, Cliff. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.​I know. I know. You're tired of hearing about Cliff Lee. He's a goner, and it's not like the Rangers didn't do their best to keep him here. Actually, I'd say Jon Daniels, Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg did too much in their attemp ... More >>

Cliff Lee Shuns Rangers, Shocks Yankees and Signs With Phillies

The Phillies?! Now Rangers fans don't even get a chance to boo him.​The good news: Your Texas Rangers didn't lose Cliff Lee to the New York Yankees. The bad/horrible/devastating news: Your Texas Rangers lost Cliff Lee. To the Philadelphia Phillies?! We heard persistent whispers all through ... More >>

So It Was About the Money: Texas Rangers Execs Say Cliff Lee Would Have Stayed in Arlington For More Years and Dough

Sam MertenJon Daniels and Chuck Greenberg celebrate the Rangers' first playoff berth in more than a decade.​The Rangers had a chance to re-sign Cliff Lee, but his demand for more money and years than Texas was willing to offer resulted in his decision to return instead to the Philadelphia Phil ... More >>

Rangers and Yanks Both Lose Cliff Lee Sweepstakes as Southpaw Heads Back to Philly

Sam MertenThanks for the memories, Cliff.​After much procrastination, former Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee has decided to return to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeting that the deal is for five years and approximately $ ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Over the Weekend: Free Energy, Foxy Shazam and Hollerado at The Loft

Free Energy, Foxy Shazam and HolleradoThe LoftOctober 22, 2010Better than: listening to politicians try to inspire hope with the upcoming elections.Free Energy​Philadelphia-based power-pop group Free Energy has been climbing very fast since their March 2010 debut album Stuck on Nothing, a critical ... 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 >>

The Nodding Donkey Plays Long Ball

Photos by Jose Ralat Maldanado​A week-long soft opening is the way to go when you want to draw in the crowds, at least that's what State & Allen Lounge owners Jonathan Calabrese and Anthony Winkler bet on -- and won -- with their the new Texas-themed sports bar, The Nodding Donkey. At the corn ... More >>

Cliff Lee, Where Have You Gone?

​More importantly, you ever coming back? I said yesterday I'd give the playoff ball to C.J. Wilson over Cliff Lee. Saw nothing in last night's 10-9 loss to Kansas City Royals that changed my mind. You? Thought I'd never write this: The Texas Rangers lost a game started by Clif ... More >>

Whitt's End: 8.27.10

Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *By no means am I an alarmist, but we need to see something positive from the Cowboys' first-team offense Saturday night in Houston. One long drive that ends in a touchdown. That's all. Give me that ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Whitt's End: 5.01.09

And then one day, just to keep his readers on their toes, the demented blogger stood Whitt's End on its head ... *For those inclined toward auditory masochism, I'll again be the analyst for Time Warner Cable/Metro Sports Channel 185's upcoming telecasts of the Texas Brahmas minor-league hockey ... More >>

Take It Easy On Lupe. And: EARTHQUAKE!

The Texas Rangers Are in the World Series! Sort Of!

Ask A Mexican

Fanatics tend to be rude, no matter where they're from—except maybe St. Louis

Boy Blunder

Is baseball's youngest general manager man enough to rebuild the Rangers?

Pull the Plug

Our intrepid correspondent gets punked like a girly man on the video gridiron

Know the Ropes

Indoor rock climbers go over the wall

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.

Baseball's Far Eastern Division

Strike accelerates exodus to Japan