San Francisco Giants

Zito Finito

Are You Shittin’ Me?

A Move Tom Hicks Can Be Proud Of? Believe It

Getting to first base

Everyone's a contender during spring training, but can Will Clark and the Texas Rangers come back from last season's disappointments?

A bush league of their own

Long before the Texas Rangers, major-league baseball was played in Dallas by a minor-league team called the Dallas Eagles

A fan's sour notes

Were yesterday's heroes better than today's?

Oscar Overhaul

The Academy--y-a-w-n--Awards desperately need a shot of sports

Ball Boys

The return on this Bonds: a lot of interest, very little payoff

Don't Know if the Dallas Stars Will Be Any Good, But Ticket Sales Will Be ... Dynamic!

​Two words: Dynamic. Pricing. That, per today's announcement, is how Your Dallas Stars have chosen to sell seats this season -- beginning this very Saturday, matter of fact, when regular-season single-game seats go on sale for October and November. And what, you may be asking, is dynamic pricing, ... 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 >>

Hard Times in New York Town

​Writes Mike Lupica in this morning's New York Daily News: "So it has come to this for the Yankees, after the Texas Rangers threw them down another flight of stairs, trying to throw them all the way out to 161st St., all the way into next season. It has come to CC Sabathia trying to keep them aw ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Five Reasons Why Your Texas Rangers Will Keep Postseason Badass Cliff Lee Next Season

Photos by Sam MertenCliff Lee tosses in the outfield on July 11 following his first start with the Rangers.​Ever since New York Baseball Digest's Frank Russo posted his "Five Reasons Why the Yankees Will Sign Cliff Lee" on Monday, it has made the rounds, and several of my fellow Texas Rangers ... 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 >>

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.

​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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Kelly Clarkson Isn't The Only Area Singer Scheduled To Perform The National Anthem For A Playoff Game Tomorrow Night...

Doug Burr​It's been widely reported already that Burleson's Own Kelly Clarkson, who is currently toiling away on her fifth studio effort, will be singing the national anthem tomorrow night in Arlington as the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants for Game Three in the World Series. And, hey, ... 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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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

​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 >>

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 >>

Whitt's End: 11.5.10

  Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Roy Williams can hyperbolize(?) about winning nine consecutive games all he wants, but the only drama left in the Dallas Cowboys' failed season is not if - but when - head coach Wade Phillips ... More >>

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

  Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *Roy Williams can hyperbolize(?) about winning nine consecutive games all he wants, but the only drama left in the Dallas Cowboys' failed season is not if - but when - head coach Wade Phillips ... 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 >>

Does Josh Hamilton Have a Chance to Be Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year?

​Let's see, he's won a batting title, an American League MVP, multiple Ginger Ale showers, our hearts and - almost, sorta -  a World Series. Today Texas Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton goes for another coveted honor - Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. Little deb ... More >>

Do the Rangers' New Owners Have the Money and Will to Build on a Winning Formula?

​Let's see, he's won a batting title, an American League MVP, multiple Ginger Ale showers, our hearts and - almost, sorta -  a World Series. Today Texas Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton goes for another coveted honor - Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year. Little deb ... More >>

Comedian Daniel Tosh Persuades Me That Barry Bonds and Other Roiders Are HOF'ers

Courtesy danieltosh.comDaniel Tosh​As a big fan of Tosh.0 -- a 30-minute show on Comedy Central featuring YouTube clips and jokes from comedian Daniel Tosh -- I set my TiVo for Sunday's premiere of Tosh's stand-up special Happy Thoughts. Finally got around to watching it last night. It sucked. ... More >>

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 >>

A Rangers Repeat? History Suggests Odds Are Long.

One Hit Wonders

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Do The Wash: 12 Songs We're Pretty Sure Ron Washington Hears In His Head During Games

World Series fever has pretty much taken over around these parts again. And for good reason: Having the hometown team participate in the Fall Classic in back to back years is somewhat of a rare treat -- especially for a team that, until recent years, had been as perennially bad as our own Texas Rang ... More >>

You Don't See These Auctioned Off Every Day: Signed Dallas Eagles Balls, From '55 and '57

Courtesy Heritage Auctions​I almost hate to tell you about this auction; I'd like these balls all to myself ... wait, that didn't come out right. But I've been watching 'em for the past, oh, week or so, and the prices aren't climbing like they oughta for such rare commodities as these: signed base ... More >>