Friday, May 14, 2004
Tigers, Take 2
The Rangers travel to Detroit this weekend to try to avenge last weekend's series loss to the Tigers...their first and only series loss since April 18.
Some random thoughts:
--I'm eager to see this Frankie Francisco kid that the Rangers called up to replace Doug Brocail (who went on the DL with appendicitis). Reports are that he has hit 99 mph on the radar gun and consistently throws in the 94-97 range. John Hart says he has the best arm in the organization. Francisco was aquired in the Carl Everett trade to the White Sox last Summer.
--How did Carlos Almanzar not get a look in Cincy last year?!? The story goes that Almanzar had an ERA around 3 the entire season in Triple A (Indianapolis?), but was continually passed over when the Reds called up minor league pitchers until he finally just walked out. Almanzar had a 15/2 K/BB ratio in 18 innings of spring work with the Rangers and hasn't stopped since then, replacing Jeff Nelson (who is now hurt himself) as CoCo Cordero's primary set-up man.
--It's been lost in the shuffle of the Rangers' surprising start and the play of Young, Blalock and others, but Gerald Laird has to be the front runner for Rookie of the Year. The catcher is batting over .300 and is second in the league in throwing out baserunners. He hasn't been completely looked over, however, as Tim Kurkjian says that Laird is "ahead of where Gary Carter was at his age."
--Alfonso Soriano continues his strong play in the field, still errorless since the season's first week. He has also been a positive influence in the clubhouse. This guy is untouchable right now if I'm the Rangers.
--Rafael Palmeiro contines to tarnish his legacy:
That's right, Raffy. Apparently everyone knew that you weren't going to be back this year but you. And it's not like if you were traded you couldn't have signed back here. In fact you would have had a better chance because the Rangers wouldn't have had the arbitration deadline in December to worry about.
--Chan Ho Outta the Park continues to suck.
--Ryan Drese does not.
--The Yankees and A-Rod come to town next weekend. I can't wait.
|
Some random thoughts:
--I'm eager to see this Frankie Francisco kid that the Rangers called up to replace Doug Brocail (who went on the DL with appendicitis). Reports are that he has hit 99 mph on the radar gun and consistently throws in the 94-97 range. John Hart says he has the best arm in the organization. Francisco was aquired in the Carl Everett trade to the White Sox last Summer.
--How did Carlos Almanzar not get a look in Cincy last year?!? The story goes that Almanzar had an ERA around 3 the entire season in Triple A (Indianapolis?), but was continually passed over when the Reds called up minor league pitchers until he finally just walked out. Almanzar had a 15/2 K/BB ratio in 18 innings of spring work with the Rangers and hasn't stopped since then, replacing Jeff Nelson (who is now hurt himself) as CoCo Cordero's primary set-up man.
--It's been lost in the shuffle of the Rangers' surprising start and the play of Young, Blalock and others, but Gerald Laird has to be the front runner for Rookie of the Year. The catcher is batting over .300 and is second in the league in throwing out baserunners. He hasn't been completely looked over, however, as Tim Kurkjian says that Laird is "ahead of where Gary Carter was at his age."
--Alfonso Soriano continues his strong play in the field, still errorless since the season's first week. He has also been a positive influence in the clubhouse. This guy is untouchable right now if I'm the Rangers.
--Rafael Palmeiro contines to tarnish his legacy:
Rafael Palmeiro told the Chicago Sun-Times this week that he realizes he
made "the biggest mistake of my baseball career" in August when he rejected
a trade to the Cubs. Said Palmeiro: "Looking back, I should have come here
[Chicago] in a heartbeat, but I didn't know then what I know now....I
remember going on a road trip to New York and Toronto. I must have called
[Rangers owner] Tom Hicks three or four times in the 10 days the Cubs gave
me to decide. I think there was a genuine desire on his part to keep me,
but his baseball people must have told him that they wanted to go in another direction because there were no talks about an extension or money. I asked
them, 'If I am not the direction you want to go, please tell me,' but they
never said a word."
That's right, Raffy. Apparently everyone knew that you weren't going to be back this year but you. And it's not like if you were traded you couldn't have signed back here. In fact you would have had a better chance because the Rangers wouldn't have had the arbitration deadline in December to worry about.
--Chan Ho Outta the Park continues to suck.
--Ryan Drese does not.
--The Yankees and A-Rod come to town next weekend. I can't wait.
Longhorn Sites
Astros Sites