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Michael Young Whiffs; Texas Rangers Lose

By Richie Whitt
Aug 11, 2011

Not saying by any means that it was an easy or routine play. As Rangers' manager Ron Washington said, the ball was "smoked." But it's a ball that third baseman Michael Young could've stopped, right?When Young did the ole on Casper Wells' hot shot in the 7th inning Wednesday night,...
The Rangers Keep Walking Off to Hold Off the Angels

By Richie Whitt
Aug 10, 2011

Driving back from San Antonio last night I was re-introduced to the Rangers. Hello, drama! After overcoming deficits of 7-2 and 3-0 in the 8th inning in wins over the Indians last weekend, the Rangers -- thanks to a bad, postpartum outing by Alexi Ogando -- spotted the lowly Mariners...
Mike Adams Flops in His Rangers Debut. Even Worse Than Cliff Lee Flopped.

By Richie Whitt
Aug 3, 2011

The Titanic. Waterworld. Joey Galloway as a Cowboy. The Dallas Wave. And now, finding his sheepish spot among the worst debuts in the history of ever: Mike Adams, Texas Ranger. Ugliest opening act on our baseball team since waaay back, well, actually, since Cliff Lee stunk it up by allowing three...
Rangers: 2 Losses + 2 Trades = Better Team

By Richie Whitt
Aug 1, 2011

Your Rangers lost two of three in Toronto over the weekend, and came out of it a distinctly better team. How's that? Texas was handcuffed by (again) Brett Cecil Friday night and by Brandon Morrow Sunday afternoon. But more importantly, GM Jon Daniels pulled off two trades that instantly have transformed...
Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Schizophrenic Rangers

By Richie Whitt
Jul 26, 2011

The record. Still intact.And you thought trying to figure out the new post-lockout NFL was tricky. Try getting a handle on your Rangers. Good news: In their last five games they've out-scored opponents a whopping 37-16. Bad news: In those games they're only a mediocre 3-2. That's what happens when one...
Rangers' Offense Gone, But Shannon Stone Not Forgotten

By Richie Whitt
Jul 25, 2011

So the Rangers exploded for 12 runs Friday night thanks to Nelson Cruz' eight RBI. On Saturday they authored a dramatic 9th-innning comeback, powered by three consecutive bunts and a walk-off hit by Michael Young. So surely Sunday night would provide some thrills. Some entertainment. Some drama. At least some runs? Nope. A game...
The Tease That is Rangers Pitcher Derek Holland Continues, Escalates

By Richie Whitt
Jul 21, 2011

One night he's Sandy Koufax; the next Sandy Duncan. For two starts he's Kate Upton; then last night we get a heaping, hideous dose of Kate Smith. More? No? Get the picture? Good. Because when it comes to Rangers' starter Derek Holland, you never know if you're getting beauty or...
Rangers 7, Angels 0: My Top 10 Observer-ations

By Richie Whitt
Jul 20, 2011

10. Remember not long ago when it looked like Alexi Ogando was done? Since three sub-par starts in June he's back to being one of the best surprises in baseball, especially after last night, when he threw eight scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 2.72 (7th-best in the AL)...
Nolan Ryan Hospitalized in Houston with Heart Problems. Yikes.

By Richie Whitt
Jul 18, 2011

From the Rangers: Nolan Ryan was hospitalized in Houston after experiencing discomfort early Sunday morning at his home in Georgetown, Texas. Mr. Ryan will undergo tests on Monday for what is believed to be a recurrence of the heart condition which he has previously experienced. Mr. Ryan is resting comfortably and...
Rangers Partying Like it's, well, June 2010

By Richie Whitt
Jul 18, 2011

Your Rangers have done what good, potentially great teams do: Beat shitty opponents. When the Rangers begin their series in Anaheim against the second-place Angels Tuesday night, it will be their first opponent with a winning record in a month. Amazing. Since playing the Braves in Atlanta on June 19, the Rangers' last 23...
Rangers Building Momentum For Second Half, and the Future

By Richie Whitt
Jul 14, 2011

The Rangers start their post-break schedule tonight in Seattle. Despite a seven-game winning streak, baseball's sixth-best record and a one-game lead in the AL West, president Nolan Ryan sounds none too satisfied. "It concerns me," Ryan told ESPN when asked to assess the state of the Rangers at the break...
Backbackbackbackback ... to the 1995 All-Star Game Right Here in Texas

By Richie Whitt
Jul 12, 2011

Lyle Lovett sang the National Anthem. Nolan Ryan threw out the first pitch. Joe DiMaggio was on hand. Barry Bonds and Cal Ripken Jr. opposed each other. And, in the NL's 3-2 win at the brand new Ballpark in Arlington, the Marlins' Jeff Conine was the MVP for his pinch-hit homer...
Going, Going ... Yawn. How to Fix Baseball's Broken All-Star Gala.

By Richie Whitt
Jul 12, 2011

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, which will inexplicably determine home-field advantage in...
Triumph Over Tragedy: Rangers Roll Into All-Star Break

By Richie Whitt
Jul 11, 2011

Thursday: The lowest point in the history of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Sunday: The high point of Texas' baseball season. Was sitting at a blackjack table in Las Vegas when I looked up and saw Nolan Ryan in front of a microphone on TV. As the closed caption scrolled "Josh is...
Is Josh Hamilton a 2011 All-Star?

By Richie Whitt
Jun 30, 2011

Silver Boot secured? Check. First place in the AL West? Check. Representation in next month's MLB All-Star Game? Che ... Not so fast. While Ian Kinsler's first two-homer game in almost two years lifted the Rangers over the Astros, 3-2, and gave them an intrastate five-peat, Texas may wind up with no starters...
Did Josh Hamilton Have Alligator Arms? Yes. Will He Be in the Lineup Again Tonight? YES!

By Richie Whitt
Jun 29, 2011

After Tuesday night's 7-3 victory over the hapless Houston Astros, we can fit the Rangers for another Silver Boot. Texas got homers from Josh Hamilton, Mitch Moreland and Ian Kinsler and C.J. Wilson cruised against baseball's worst team. A favorable ump call helped the Rangers in the 6th when Jeff Keppinger beat...
Baseball Goes Bonkers: The Top 5 Championship Celebrations in Sports

By Richie Whitt
Jun 29, 2011

Watched South Carolina win their second consecutive College World Series last night. Their celebration -- gloves and hats flying in a giant infield dog pile -- got me to thinking: Does baseball over-celebrate? Or, perhaps, do they do it just right? Think about the Mavs' reaction after a 31-year wait to...
Dirk Nowitzki's Final Assist This Summer to ... Michael Young

By Richie Whitt
Jun 27, 2011

His Flamingo Fadeaway on the mound with a basketball was funny. And his cartoonish, exaggerated Max Patkin-like delivery was funnier. Dirk Nowitzki on Friday night was the best thing on a Rangers' pitching mound in a while. Only thing better would've been if Michael Young's leaping catch wouldn't have saved Captain...
Texas Rangers and Josh Hamilton Are Fighting the Summer Blues

By Richie Whitt
Jun 27, 2011

Alexi Ogando has suddenly produced three consecutive outings of five innings or less. Fourth outfielder David Murphy just went 1 of 9 to drop his average to .233. And the Rangers have lost 12 of their last 19 -- including 3-3 on a homestand against the Astros and Mets -- in...
Just When You Think He's All Right, Neftali Feliz Blows One to the ... Lastros

By Richie Whitt
Jun 23, 2011

Was gonna construct a list of the Rangers' worst losses this season, then I realized after last night's 5-3 self-Heimlich to the Houston Astros ... there is no No. 2.Two-run lead in the 9th. All-Star closer Neftali Feliz on the mound. At home. Against the worst team in baseball. And one...
Mitch Moreland Closes the Case at Rangers' 1st Base

By Richie Whitt
Jun 22, 2011

First place, thanks to 1st base. With his 11th-inning homer to beat the looming storm last night in Arlington, Mitch Moreland not only provided a walk-off win over the Houston Astros but also further cemented our confidence that he's the Rangers' 1st baseman of the present, and the future. It's been...
The Top 10 Lamest "Rivalries" in Sports

By Richie Whitt
Jun 21, 2011

As I watched Mitch Moreland's gargantuan, 472-foot homer sail into the soon-to-be stormy June night, I was reminded that the Rangers-Astros' fight should be stopped on account of inhumane bludgeonry. Moreland's blast -- tied for third-longest in baseball this season -- capped an 8-3 Texas cakewalk that continued its dominance...