Rangers Sweep Mariners; Getting Closer to Football, Golf Talk

With Evander Holyfield in attendance and thanks to the girlfriend scoring tickets from work, I had the pleasure of sitting front row behind the Rangers dugout last night as the Rangers swept the Mariners and now have 5 wins in a row (2nd longest winning streak of the season). Not many people possibly care, but Holyfield makes a return to the ring this Friday night at the American Airlines Center . His opponent not even a Buster Douglas worthy Jeremy Bates with record of 21-11-1.


As for the Rangers currently standing at 61-58, they still sit 5 games back off the A's and only .5 game back of the Angels. With plenty of series against both teams left thanks to the unbalanced schedule, anything is possible. Although the A's do this every year, so it's hard to be that optimistic.

The Rangers managed to handle pantheon worthy prospect "King" Felix Hernandez to the tune of 6 runs in a little over 5 innings . From my vantage point, the kid has sick, sick stuff (including a fastball that can touch 99 on the gun, an 89-90 slider and an offspeed pitch that just dives right at the plate). Felix just needs to get a little more seasoning at the major league level before he starts to dominate. At age 20, I'd say he has a pretty bright future.

Here is another Rangers story from the
Star-Telgram about the Rangers bullpen, most notably Wes Littleton out of Cal-St. Fullerton.

Next Simms Chooses Louisville

Matt Simms, son of former Super Bowl MVP and Louisville native Phil Simms, has committed to sign with U of L, his high school coach said last night. Rivals.com ranks him as the nation's 13th-best pro-style quarterback.



The 6-foot-2 Simms led Don Bosco Preparatory High School to an 11-1 record and the New Jersey parochial state final as a junior last year. He threw for 2,744 yards and 30 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes.

"He's got a tremendous arm, but he's so much more than that," Don Bosco Prep coach Nunzio Campanile said. "He's that rare commodity who has great talent and all the intangibles. He's smart, he's a great leader, he's tough and he's got a great heart. He's about as good as there is for a quarterback

Not that I watched it, but the Cowboys beat the Seahawks 13-3 on Saturday night . Tony Romo played the entire game converting 19-25 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown. Of course, the only thing the first preseason game proves is just how desperate this city is for football. No, there is no quarterback controversy although it proves that Romo might have a better football future than his near scratch handicap in golf.

Speaking of Golf, the PGA championship has snuck up on us this week at Historic Medinah golf club in Illinois . The course which hosted the famous '99 PGA when Tiger and Sergio (And Sergio's miracle "closed eye" shot right up against that tree) dueled to the very end with Tiger coming out triumphant. Strangely, Sergio still lacks a major and it can basically be summed up that he has failed to show up since then on a Sunday when in contention at a major (this year's British and the '01 US Open at Southern HIlls come quickly to mind).

The course is playing a ridiculous 7,561 yards to a par 72. Expect long hitters to do very well this week. Probably won't be any Jeff Slumans ('87 PGA winner) or Corey Pavins ('95 US Open at Shinneock) holding up the Wannamaker trophy this year. As most golf fans know, the PGA is the last chance for anyone outside of the top 10 to make the Ryder Cup team. As usual, I hear people on this side of the pond (well just Lanny Wadkins this past weekend at the International) expecting big things out of the US team when they play over in Ireland at the end of September.


Fat chance. The Europe team is much better and much more experienced and always hands the Americans their asses over in Europe. And you can expect tensions to be running extra high with Europe and the rest of the world in general not real big fans of the US currently. Either way, expect fireworks as I expect the US to make a last stand before being totally humiliated in an event they once owned.

If you don't believe me, check out the last 20 years of Ryder Cups dating back to the Mid 80s.

2004 Oakland Hills CC, Bloomfield Township, MI 18.5 Europe 9.5 USA Europe in a Huge way wire to wire in one of the biggest ass whippings in the event's history

2002 Sutton Coldfield, England USA 12 ½ Europe 15 ½ Europe nips the US in England thanks to some heroic putting on Sunday

1999 The Country Club, Brookline, MA USA 14 ½ Europe 13 ½ The scene of Crenshaw's famous "I believe in fate" speech. Unless you witnessed this event live or in person, it's hard to create the drama on that day. Easily one of the top 5 sporting events I've ever witnessed and the comback was complete when Justin Leonard's miraculous putt to beat Olazabal. And of course the American team trampling on the green with wives and cameraman before Olazabal missed the putt to halve the hole.

1997 Valderrama GC, Sotogrande Spain Europe 14.5 - USA 13.5 Gutwrenching defeat for the Americans. Probably the best the US has played on Europeans soil since they last won in 1993.



1995 Oak Hill CC, Rochester, NY USA 13 ½ Europe 14 ½ In probably the most underrated Ryder Cup that I remember, just an unbelievable Saturday teams and Sunday singles. Ended up with Nick Faldo (with an ace in Sunday singles) beating captain's pick Curtis Strange to give Europe the victory.

1993 The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, Eng USA 15 Europe 13 USA's last win in Europ and probably the last time the US had momentum on their side in this series.

1991 The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, S.C. USA 14 ½ Europe 13 ½ "The War at the shore" as it was called had some nailbiting action and some unblelievable winds of the South Carolina coast. Hail Irwin narrowly beat Bernard Langher in a Sunday match for the ages. This was more a survival test than golf under those conditions. There were more casualties than heroes on this day, but the US had finally won again.

1989 The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, Europe 14 USA 14 The dispicable draw that helped Europe retain the cup. I vaguely remember this one but I remember Mark Calcavecchia and a few others butchering the 18th hole as became the custom for America during this time period.


1987 Muirfield Village GC, Dublin, Ohio USA 13 Europe 15 The disgrace of all disgraces for US golf fans losing at Jack's course with Jack Nicklaus is captain. Easily one of the worst days in US golf history.




1985 The Belfry, Sutton Coldfield, Eng USA 11 ½ Europe 16 ½ While I personally don't remember this Ryder Cup (I was 7 for crying out loud), this Ryder Cup would become a signal of the years to come for the US after such long dominance in this event.

So that final tally since 1985, 6 wins for Europe, 3 wins for the USA and 1 draw in which Europe reatained the cup. Pretty pitiful and I wouldn't expect things to change this year.

Here is a list of both teams heading into the PGA:

USA

1. WOODS, Tiger 4,150.000
2. MICKELSON, Phil 2,474.375
3. FURYK, Jim 2,076.000
4. CAMPBELL, Chad 1,129.602
5. TOMS, David 1,072.250
6. DiMARCO, Chris 830.000
7. TAYLOR, Vaughn 780.833
8. HENRY, J.J. 778.750
9. JOHNSON, Zach 756.477
10. WETTERICH, Brett 746.000

All I got to say is Tiger, Phil, and Furyk better play out of their minds because this top 10 looks absolutely scary on paper. Of course, the US may need that sort of underdog mentality on their side. So this may not be so bad afterall. Of course, maybe we should suit up Tom Lehman and Pavin (both captain and co-captain this year) for these matches. Brett Wetterich, Zach Johnson (A&M clown), JJ Henry (TCU boy), and Vaughn Taylor are going to be pissing in their pants during their first matches.


Europe's squad
1 David HOWELL 208.65
2 Colin MONTGOMERIE 207.88
3 José Maria OLAZÁBAL 202.09
4 Henrik STENSON 201.76
5 Luke DONALD 192.25
6 Sergio GARCIA 190.30
7 Paul CASEY 165.33
8 Padraig HARRINGTON 154.46
9 Carl PETTERSSON 154.12
10 Robert KARLSSON 151.46

This team looks much better on paper than the Americans especially when you consider how good Olazabal, Monty, and Garica are in team play. David Howell and Luke Donald form a somewhat fearsome England duo.

The teams in their current form look like a huge advantage to Europe, espcially playing in front of the fans in Ireland . And because it looks like such a mismatch on paper. And because crazy things happen when I don't get to watch them live, I am predicting the US pulls off the miracles and wins on European soil.

Okay, not really but it would be a good story wouldn't it.

Vancouverwon't be too bad as a consolation to missing the ryder cup. Your damn sure I'm gonna watch that son of a bitch on TIVO and maybe even catch the Sunday singles if I'm lucky.

USA, USA, USA

Do or Die Time

The Current AL West Standings look as follows on August 8th:
W L % GB Strk
Oakland 61 51 .545 -- Won 5
LA Angels 58 54 .518 3.0 Won 3
Texas 56 57 .496 5.5 Lost 3
Seattle 54 57 .486 6.5 Won 1

If the Rangers want to have any chance to win this division, they must at least win one of the last two games in this Oakland series, preferrably both.

Also (big thanks to Fraser for his help), I have finally figured how to post Youtube videos directly on this page. So be expecting plenty of these from here on out. Today's link is a montage of the greatest plays during Rocket Ismail's career at Notre Dame. Whether or not your remember him, this clip is worth checking out...










Texas Has Started Fall Practice and it's tough not to get excited about this team even without Vince. We have so much talent coming back around two very young quarterbacks. I feel like I have paid my dues going out and seeing our team practice in the fall at least 1 or 2 years while in school. Glad to see some other picking up the slack. Cody Daniel attended a tonight or last night and had a good writeup. Hope he doesn't mind making his good work public.

My Thoughts:

1. Jermichael Finley is going to play a BIG role this year....I hope # 16 isn't on OSU's radar....the QBs love throwing to him. He stood out bigtime. Huge, Fast, great hands, and already has swagger. # 1 surprise for me...just how good he is and how important he will be.
2. Both QBs can throw it....It's going to be whoever reads D's better - and I think Colt is ahead. Snead is bigger and has a quicker release but McCoy is more productive in the drills vs the defense....Our # 1 CBs are tough. Snead had a tough time with the # 1 unit with # 2 WRs....but I think its just our DBs are great. I love Tarrell Brown's game....
3. Kelson looked great.....Fast as Hell and big. Killebrew got kicked out of a drill for laying out Nate Jones in a non-hitting drill....Mack scolded him and Chizik patted him on the rear....I think Gene liked it.
4. Kindle was held out of practice (?)
5. Shipley looks good but held his hammy after one play where T Brown beat him in the air....I just hope he can stay healthy...I have my doubts. He reminds me of a white Aaron Ross in build and speed....makes good adjustments in the air as well. Could be really good but he has to be tougher. FAST.
6. Quan, Billy, and Sweed will make a GREAT starting WR corp - Shipley 1st off the bench
7. TE will be a strength this year as well....Tweadie looks great and I already jocked JF.
8. The rumor is right....Selvin Young is back. He looks GREAT. J-Chuck is exactly the same....shifty and fast as a jitterbug.
9. Reverses might come out more often looking to get the ball in Quan, Billy, and Shipley's hands more....
10. Starting D is going to be better this year....no doubt in my mind. They looked ready to play tomorrow...Chizik's got his squad moving, yellling, and having fun.
11. Snead is more talkative with the other players than Colt.......always low fiving and chatting all practice.
12. Freshman report: Jones got reps, Norton got reps, and so did R Joseph, J Henry, McGee, Webber, Payne, Earnest etc...all will play 2nd/3rd string and Special teams most likely. I was pleasantly surprised with Josh Marshall bigger and faster than I expected...probably still RS b/c of our depth at WR
13. Utalski may start at RT with Blalock moving in to RG or Dockery will play RG and Blalock will stay at RT....
14. Mack has lost 20ish lbs.
15. We're going to be good....I feel better about our team than when I went. QBs will struggle some but their is SO much talent around them...

Odd News Link of the Day

Lindsay Lohan wants to take a break from her partying ways and spend some time in Iraq and entertain the troops Marilyn Monroe style. Only in America. God bless this country...

Bomar Out at OU

Unbelievable news out of Norman today....







OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma starting quarterback Rhett Bomar will not play for the Sooners this season following an investigation by the team, according to a television report.

Oklahoma confirmed that two players had been dismissed by the team but did not identify them. The school said in a statement that the players violated NCAA rules by working at a private business and taking "payment over an extended period of time in excess of time actually worked."


Oklahoma City television station KWTV reported that Bomar, who set an Oklahoma freshman record with 2,018 passing yards after taking over as the Sooners' starter in the second game last season, was one of the two players who had been permanently dismissed.


"We spend a considerable amount of time addressing our players regarding their personal conduct and the NCAA rules," head coach Bob Stoops said in a statement. "They know exactly what we expect from them. Ultimately, they have to make right decisions. The same holds true for our boosters. When they do not, the consequences are serious, and we will not tolerate this behavior.


"Our team and university actions are necessary because of the intentional participation and knowledge of the student athletes in these violations," Stoops said.


A top-rated recruit out of high school, Bomar redshirted his first season while 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White completed his career. Bomar lost a quarterback competition to Paul Thompson last fall, but was named the starter after the Sooners lost to TCU in the first week.


He started Oklahoma's final 11 games and completed 54 percent of his passes, while throwing 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Oklahoma finished 2005 by winning six of its final seven games, including a victory against Oregon in the Holiday Bowl.


"I firmly believe that our program is stronger than any individual player and that a championship program cannot compromise its values," Stoops said in the statement.

Dead Last; Papi Does it Again

David Ortiz did it again tonight for the Red Sox. There is no better hitter to watch bat right now with the game on the line, and Ortiz won another won for the Red Sox tonight with a 3 run walkoff to give the Red Sox a 9-8 win over Cleveland .

Ortiz hit a bomb off closer Carmona to dead center field and it seemed like every one in the stadium was waiting for Ortiz to hit one out. And he did...





The same day the Rangers make two more trades ( acquiring Kip Wells from Pittsburgh and Matt Stairs from KC for some spare minor league parts) in an effort to make an legitimate try to try and win the West, the team goes out and loses 15-2 in Minnesota . Texas now stands last place in the AL West at 52-54, 4 games back of first place Oakland. Just an awful, awful performance starting with John Rheinecker going 1.2 innings and givng up 8 Earned runs. Granted some of the damage was done by some shoddy fielding by newly acquired Carlos Lee, but this was Rheinecker's last start as a Ranger at least this season anyways.

Let's be honest as all rangers fans have painfully figured, this team is going as far as its pitching. Overall Team ERAs in the AL West:

Angels - 4.09 ERA (#2 in AL)
Oakland - 4.24 ERA (#3 in AL)
Seattle - 4.39 ERA (#5 in AL)
Texas - 4.63 ERA (#9 in AL)


The revamped rotation looks as follows:

Millwood -- Been just awful at home (6.28 ERA) but very effective on the road (2.96 ERA). We at least have a chance with Millwood starting and is as close to an ace as the RAngers are going to have for the next few years.

Vicente Padilla -- 10 game winner and a free agent in the offseason, the Rangers need to go after him hard to sign him up long term. Challenges hitters with his fasttball and seemingly can win games at Ameriquest (4.50 ERA at home).

Adam Eaton -- Let's not even discuss his first start. Supposedly has decent talent at #2 stuff, but he seems to be too much of a health risk for the Rangers to go after in the offseason. Thank god for Akinori Ostuka working out as closer because Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez are performing well in San Diego.

Kip Wells -- Dunn's favorite starting pitcher comes over from Pittsburgh and will be an innings eater. This is a good thing becuase he will probably come in and be our #4 starter because the #5 situation is even more murky.

John Koronka/John Wasdin (should go down)/Edison Volquez -- This team needs a spark and maybe Volquez is it.

No matter how pitiful the offense looks at times this team isn't even going to sniff the AL West without better pitching. The Angels and A's both rank top 4 AL in pitching so the Rangers better start playing soon or it's over.

I think it may already be over. Let's hope not...

Evil Empire Awaits

The Rangers begin a huge 3 game series tonight against the hated New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez returns to Arlington once again amid a storm of controversy.

With the return of Adam Eaton who starts Tuesday against New York and Kameron Loe to the pitching staff, the Rangers appear poised to hang around in this AL West race at least a little while long standing only a 1/2 game back of the A's currently thanks to a 6-5 opening roadtrip after the all star break.

Buck Showalter was taken to the hospital yesterday reportedly because of dehydration. Hopefully, he is ok and will be back for tonight's game.




Tiger Wins in Dominating Fashion at the British and Claims his 11th Major

I've never seen him look better and he looked to be a man on mission all week. You could tell how focused he was all week by his outburst of emotion on 18 after the win thinking about his father. Powerful stuff.

Astros Finally Win - Still 10 Games Back in NL Central


Better get hot soon Houston fans....

Since this is a DFW Blog, I feel obligated to post about the 3 county police chase involving a hijacked 18 wheeler and hostage which winded through the area yesterday. This chase actually came right by the golf course in Oak Cliff Sarah and I were on while playing yesterday. Pretty wild... Thankfully, it ended without anyone being hurt.

Hanging Around

Thanks to some good pitching by Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla along with some timely late inning hits by Hank Blalock, Gary Matthews Jr., and Mark Derosa, the Rangers won back to back games in Toronto and ended up taking 2 out of 3 from the Blue Jays to win the series.

The toughest part of this road trip awaits starting today where the Rangers go to Boston for 1 game where John Rheinecker matches up with Curt Schilling. The Rangers begin a 3 game series tomorrow in Chicago against the defending world champs. So far, the Rangers have somehow managed to stay afloat during this critical stretch of games. It's not getting any easier.

Rangers Interested in Shea Hillebrand?

Hillebrand would be a nice addition to a lineup desperately in need of some help. I'll take a chance with his supposed baggage in Toronto. Kevin Mench trade rumors are always swirling...

Sports Guy Chooses a Soccer Team for the Upcoming Season

I've decided to go with Arsenal. While some might call it a bandwagon pick, I want to at least be able to watch my team play on occasion, so I am sticking with my initial gut choice. Plus, I just love to root for Thierry Henry.

Powerful ESPN.com Article About the Tragedy that is Pat Tillman's Death

Finally...

Haley Joel Osment Wrecks His Saturn

Big Week Ahead

The Rangers offense hit the wall in the worst way this weekend in Baltimore failing to get even one extra base hit in 1-8 and 0-4 losses. It was the first time since the pre-ARod days back in 2000 that the Rangers offense failed to produce even one extra base hit in consecutive games. Not the time of year for the offense to experience a power outage. The next ten games should go a long way to determining whether the Rangers are serious about contending in the AL West.

The Rangers start a 3 game series in Toronto before heading to Fenway for a makeup game on Thursday. They finish this opening 2nd half roadtrip with a 3 game series against the defending world series champions in Chicago before heading home to face the Yankees in Arlington.

The offense better wake up in a hurry or the Rangers could very easily find themselves in 3rd place by this time next week.

I put the Fenway picture in this post because I got some great news this weekend thanks to the Girlfriend. Some of her family lives in Boston, and I will be attending my first game at Fenway Park over Labor Day weekend when the Sox play Toronto. I cannot freaking wait!

Also, the countdown has officially begun for the start of college football season. Last night's ESPYs on ESPN were filled with Longhorn clips and highlights from last year's Rose Bowl and other great Vince moments. It's amazing how much exposure Vince Young has brought our school, and I couldn't be happier. If you want to stroll down memory lane, check the archives on the right hand side of the page and there are quite a few posts that I made during last year's national championship run. Kind of fun to relive last season week by week.

I took a peek today at the initial lines for the first week of college football starting on Labor Day weekend. There are already a handful games that I have circled as potential good plays so be ready. Plenty of homework still to do before first kickoff, but I am starting to get pumped!

Stars Sign Washed Up Eric Lindros

No idea what the Stars organization is thinking with this signing. If they are trying to gain some credibility with fans to prove they are serious about contending, you do not sign the human concussion machine Eric Lindross. Sure it's nice the Stars have at least tried to shake things up by letting Guerin and Arnott go because both guys woefully underachieved in the playoffs. Sure, the team has added some nice role players including Daryl Sydor. But bringing Lindross in here does nothing for me, and I have little reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season. Oh well, something tells me I won't lose any sleep over it.

Keep in mind that a 29 year old Jamie Langenbrunner was also on the free-agent market this offseason. Why we let a proven playoff scorer go in the first place baffles me.

Tex Awakes from Slumber; Finally some 2nd half MLB Predictions

Mark Teixeira hits 3 home runs as the Rangers open the 2nd half in emphatic fashion with a 15-1 win in Baltimore. The Rangers hit 6 home runs total and most importantly Teixeira hopefully got the spark he needed to get his season going. Derosa was 4-4 and got on base six times. Wilkerson, Barajas, and Derosa all homered in this game as well.

Unfotuantely, Oakland came back and clipped
Boston 5-4 in 11 innings.

To keep the Houston readers happy (Glover - you big pussy):

Aubrey Huff homers in his Astros debut and the hated Astros .
beat the suddenly cold Marlins 5-1.

2nd Half Predictions

AL WEST Rangers -- You're damn right I'm going to pick the Rangers but the AL west race will most likely come down to the last weekend of the season.

AL EAST Boston -- I think the young arms for Boston (Papelbon, Lester, Hansen and company) will be the difference as Boston faces a very heated race with a resiliant Yankee team. If Matsui can come back for the Yankees in the middle of August and the setup men and rotation can hold up the Yankees could win this division. I still think Boston will win in the end. Toronto could should be the biggest pest to both these teams and I wouldn't be surprised to see them hanging around for awhile.

AL CENTRAL White Sox -- As most of the experts have predicted, you would be stupid to pick against the White Sox and Ozzie Guillen right now. The Detroit Tigers are going to be tough to beat as long as their starting pitching stays tops in the majors as it was in the 1st half. For this reason I'm saying...

AL WILDCARD Detroit -- Jeremy Bonderman, Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, and the rest of the pitching staff should help Detroit edge the Yankees out for the AL wild card.

NL EAST Mets -- Obviously the only NL team that strikes any fear in the AL righht now.

NL CENTRAL Cardinals -- Somehow, some way with Pujols, Rolen and Edmonds they have to get by the rest of the NL central I hope.

NL WEST Padres -- This race should be at least somewhat intersting and I expect the Rockies to have a solid 2nd half.

NL WILDCARD Brewers -- Just because I am not giving the Astros fans any satisfaction.

Should be a hell of a 2nd half....

Scattershooting

Since I have a renewed interest in promoting my blog, I am just going to come out and start posting as much random stuff as possible in the hopes that someone reads this stupid page. But because this is a DFW sports blog at heart, you will be seeing plenty of Rangers, Stars, Mavs, Cowboys, SMU, TCU, FC Dallas, Fort Worth Cats, and anything else DFW sports related. Anyways, let's get going.....

In a surprising twist, the Mavs have decided to use their mid-cap exception on signing another blast from the past, Greg Buckner.

While Buckner was a nice player in his time here in Dallas and some of his other stops (Philadelphia and Denver), the fact remains he has never averaged more than 7 pts. in his entire career. Sure it's nice that he had 86 3 pointers last year which led his team and played some good hustling defense which is I'm sure something Avery likes to see in guys. But this seems a little disappointnig considering the Mavs were SO CLOSE to signing a Mike James, a guard with a ring who averaged over 20 points a game last year in Toronto.

Regardless, the Mavs are going to be formidable next year with whoever ends up coming back and I'm still looking forward to next season even if I don't watch a game until January. Still so bitter.....

YOUTUBE ALERT

No idea how the hell my dad got this link from some ND Alum buddy of his but I found it rather disturbing if not mildly funny about the evil that is USC.

Political Link #1 of the Day
America has Another Fan

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in a recent interview with ABC let his feelings known about America, and shockingly, they weren't that Good. Here is a sample:

"Americans have a severe disease — worse than AIDS. It's called the winner's complex," he said. "You want an American style-democracy here. That will not work."

Politcal Link #2 of the Day (Use BUGMENOT.COM for Login)

This story made me laugh...

Rove Booed at Latino Conference


In other news...
Zidane called a Terrorist

2nd Half MLB Preview and Rangers 1st Half Grades Coming Soon....

Michael "Fucking" Young and 2nd Half MLB Predictions

While I know most of the country and even the crowd in attendance didn't seem all that excited about tonight's All Star game, I was plasantly surprised by tonight's midsummer classic. Thanks to Michael's Young 2 strike, 2 out triple in the top of the ninth off Trevor Hoffman. With the AL trailing 2-1 and the long AL winning streak in jeopardy, Young was able to drill a pitch in the gap to score 2 runs. Unbelievably exciting play and Rivera shut down the door in the Ninth for a 3-2 AL victory.

I figured I would go ahead and give my 2nd half predictions for the AL first on how I think the playoff race will play out.

AL West

All-Star Break
W L % GB
Oakland 45 43 .511 --
Texas 45 43 .511 --
LA Angels 43 45 .489 2.0
Seattle 43 46 .483 2.5

Obviously I am partial in this race, but I think the Rangers have enough this season to at least play meaningful games in September. And that's at least start for our sorry franchise. With that said, the A's have to be the favorite once Harden comes back off the DL and Chavez gets fully healthy. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Mariners or Angels mount a small charge thanks to some good young pitching from the likes of King Felix in Seattle and Jared Weaver with Anaheim.

Keep in mind that the last time the A's and Rangers meet is September 4th-6th in Oakland. I think both teams will be deadlocked until very late and hopefully the Rangers can pull out some magic for once.

Final Standings

W L % GB
Texas 91 71
Oakland 90 72
Seattle 83 79
Anaheim 80 82

US Government In Action

With all the shit going on this country right now, you would think the US congress would have more pressing issues to deal with than the controversial offshore gaming industry.

But in a move that clearly shows where Republican lawmakers priorites lie, the Christian values leaders have decided to take these offshore gaming websites head on.

Here is the main jist of the Bill

The legislation would make it illegal for banks and credit card companies to make payments to these sites and increases the maximum prison time for violations from two to five years. It also allows law enforcement officials to force Internet service providers to remove links to the sites

As someone who uses offshore gaming websites to make wagers, I don't really see what Congress is trying to accomplish by passing this bill other than to waste everyone's time and prove yet again that this government can't accomplish anything. Obviously Congress is not trying to totally eradicate wagering on sporting events or stop poker playing in this country? Are the Republican leaders of this country that detatched from reality that they believe the government can eradicate the "evils" of society like sports gambling and poker while keeping the "good evils" like the lottery system (revenues to the state) and horse racing (strong lobby who has been exempt from this bill)?

Let's also imagine what people are going to do if they can't go online to bet. The return of the "street corner" bookie who you meet at the local sports bar or the hallway at school to make your bet. And the mafia gets a huge boost in a long forgetten cottage industry.

Instead of finding out ways to tax the offshore gaming websites and generate tax revenue, this Congress is choosing to try and tackle a problem they have no hope of ever fixing.

I love the hypocritical and fickle nature of our government in cherry picking what they deem as necessary to fix.

The Liberatrians are looking like a better and better party every day.

And yes I will continue to post my picks when the college football season starts because damnit, someone out there will take my bets.

What a finish!!!! Italy is the Champ

I know most people don't care what team I rooted for in this World Cup. I freely admit that I only truly become a futbol fan once every four years when the world cup rolls around. Since this world cup started, outside of the obvious US allegiance, I have been rooting for Italy (I've been there, absolutely love their Unis, and I have fond memories of their world cup final team in '94) and the Netherlands (obvious reasons). After this year's World Cup, I can honestly say that I am going to make a concerted effort to try and follow soccer in the years between World Cups as much as possible because I really had a fun time following the sport during the last month.



Italy wins the Cup in PKs

In addition, this World Cup has made me a lifelong fan of Italy. What a fantastic team effort during this whole tournament. I better get used to the GolTV and Fox Soccer channel over the next few years. They need to become a regular part of rotation.

A very memorable quote from one my favorite Italians (maybe the best nickname in the tournament -- "snarling dog") after yesterday's win:

As Gennaro Gattuso walked past his coach, an almighty grin on his face, he summed up the mood of his team-mates. "This is the best feeling in the world," he said. "I feel like I'm incredibly drunk."

And my last thought on the World Cup:

Thanks to Hurst and a host of others who have circulated the link of all that hot chicks either at the world cup games or shown pictures of all the players wives/girlfriends who are usually hot foreign models.

My favorite duo -- Thierry Henry who was one of the most dyanmic scoring threats in the entire tournament from France and his girlfriend, Nicole Merry.


She is just fantastic.

Rangers Enter All Star Break in a Tie for First

If you take two out of 3 from Minnesota when they have Francisco Liriano and Johan Santana pitching back to back in the series, you have done a hell of a job. The Rangers should get an extra boost of confidence going into the all star break with two series wins over Toronto and Minnesota.

This team has a real shot to make some noise probably more because the AL west is so crummy this year than anything else. But I'll take it over the alternative of being 10+ games back in the AL East or Central.

White Sox Defeat Red Sox in 19 Inning marathon

Doesn't it always seem like the White Sox end up on the victorious side of things in games like this?

Deflating loss for the REd Sox. Luckily, they have 3 days to recover from such hearbreak.

This is going to be one hell of a second half in MLB this year.



And oh yea, did I mention that football is getting closer? I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Begrudgingly Back -- Time to Move On

Well, it's been awhile. I doubt anyone has been even checking this site, but because at least one person (Fraser) is giving me a boot in the ass to update this damn blog. And since at least one person cares to read this site, that's enough for me.

I always intended this blog to a be collabortion of of Cuyler, Zach, and I doing entries on a random basis. Eventually it just kind of turned into my Rangers website scattered with some Collge Football gambling advice. While this blog will continue to have a sports focus, I am going to try and give more commentary on whatever I deem necessary since apparently this has turned into my blog. And damnit I have an audience to satisfy even if it is only one person, thanks Fraser.

So if I am going to jump back into this thing, this is as good a time as any. This is a sports crossroads of sorts with the Mavs ending their long playoff run last night in pathetic fashion. When you combine the Mavs collapse and Phil's meltdown on Sunday at Winged Food, it is a good time to jump back into this blogging fray.

I am starting from scratch. While the Mavs run was fantastic for anyone associated with Dallas, the last 4 games are a bitter pill to swallow. As much as I keep telling myself that I shouldn't care so much, I realize that you can't stop being a fan of a team. And whlie the NBA is deplorable and I really didn't even watch the Mavs that much in the regular season, this loss still stings.

I know the Mavs just like all Dallas teams got a lot of people on the bandwagon when you start having success in the playoffs. All of Sudden every one you know or see is talking about the games. It's a fun experience and you like for it to happen again. And as much as you wonder where all these people were when the team stinks, It's still fun.

And for those of you who have followed the Mavs since the really bad days and you know what I'm talking about, you must be patient. Becuase as close as we came to the title this year, I'm ready to get back off the mat and get back to the Finals next year. And lucky for us, we have owner who will make sure that happens.

I've been to Reunion when 3200 people show up and the team goes 11-71.

I remember Rich Adubato, Gar Heard, and Jim Cleamons.

I am proud Brad Davis is up in the rafters -- okay I lied about that one.

The 3-Js and everything that came wiht that whole mess.

I remember when Cuban bought the team and had talked with me and a bunch of other fans up in the upper deck during a game before it was cool to be a Maverick fan.

I remember game 5 in Utah because I was there thanks to Jay's boss.

I also remember Marcus and whoever else getting doused in silly string by the Jazz Mascot. And meeting Chris Tucker in the same weekend.

Calvin Booth.

I was at game 6 against SA n the Western Conference finals and Steve Kerr ripping out our hearts.

I still miss Michael Finley and anyone who rips him should be ashamed to be a Mavericks fan because he carried this franchise on his back for 5 years.

I will always remember the Big 3 and how despite hard Don Nelson tried he would never win a title without playing any defense.

I remember all of these things most but I will not remember any of those things more vivdly than this series against the Heat.

Hearbreaking but we will be back.

Golf is a game not perfect

Anyone who has played golf for any length of time can tell you about the shanks. They are not a pleasnt thing to experience. Unfortunately, my loyal and faithful playing partner, Brian Polarek, is going through an episode of the shanks currently with his iron play.

It is not pleasant to watch but I experiencing the shanks is infinitely worse. As someone who has battled the shanks once or twice in the past, you just have to fight through it Polarek.

You have two options:

1) Take a couple weeks time off and don't think about golf at all. This problem you are having is all mental. I see really no difference at all mechanically in your swing. You probably just need a few weeks to recharge your batteries and hopefully by spending some time away from the game, the shanks will disappear. At least that's the hope.

2) Get a lesson or two. YOu don't need to sign up with Hank Haney or Butch Harmon. Just go to your local range and find someone who has experience teaching golfers. You probably just need someone to give you a few things to work on and swing tip or two to concentrate on for the next time you go out. You'd be amazed how one or two tips can totally change your mental outlook. Of course, I wouldn't know because I haven't had a lesson since I was 8. But I hear they are really beneficial. At the very least, give Golf is a game not Perfect by Dr. Bob Rotella a read. This book delves into the mental aspect of the game, and you certainly right now could use some mental help.

Golf is a great game, but it certainly can be the most frustrating activity out there as well. Hang in there Polarek. You'll get through this buddy...

Never a dull moment in Ranger Land - Dominguez dealt to A's

As the Rangers soap opera of an offseason continues, 2 days before opening day, they trade their #5 and enigmatic starting pitcher, Juan Dominguez in a 3 way deal with the Cubs and A's.

I don't know what to think about this deal, but knowing Rangers history with pitching. Trading Juan Dominguez to the A's is most likel going to bite us in the ass.

We got prospects as iffy as Dominguez as far as potential success in the majors.

The Rangers acquire a pair of Johns, John Rheineckerfrom the A's organization and John Kronka from the cubs. Reinecker is a top 20 type pitching prospect for the A's who pitched very well in AAA last year (1.77 ERA), but also has injury problems in his throwing hand (sound familiar).

Kronka slides into the #5 starting job although he probably is going to get lit up pitching in the ballpark. He had a 7.00 ERA in his first cup of coffee with the Cubs last year.

Now, John Kronka may turn out to be a huge bust in Arlington, but this guy has some talent and the Rangers got something decent in return for Dominguez. Getting a lefty who most likely can pitch as well Dominguez this season is all the Rangers really need for this season. With no lefties at all in the rotation in a ballpark that favors left handed pitchers is not a good thing. Kronka at least alleviates that problem short term until John Danks eventually hits Arlington.

With the Eaton news coming down early in the week, I was getting very nervous about the Rangers getting off to a slow start. This trade certainly doesn't do anything to quell those nerves. I'm just ready for this season to start because we have done plenty this offseason to shake things up. Time to play.

Okay, had to get that off my chest. I will take it easy on Rangers talk this year....

Hopefully...

Meet Mr. Durant

As I have already pointed out on countless other occassions, I like following high school recruiting for both basketball and football. I have done it since I was a little kid and I don't see the point in stopping now.





Well I had a chance to see Kevin Durant in person (along with Cody, Matty Fraser, and Kapral) about a month ago. Durant's team (Montrose Christian) was playing in a game against perennial high school powerhouse South Oak Cliff and their own high school All-American, the still undecided Darrell Arthur. Even better for us, this game was in South Dallas. Let's just say we were in the minority at this event. It was a good time and we got to see some amazing high school talent up close and personal.

Well yesterday, the nation saw what Kevin Durant is all about in the McDonald's High School all star game. This 2006 class is the best overall talent I've seen on one court since back when Garnett and Stephon marbury came out many moons ago. Unbelievably, everyone in last night's game will play at least one year thanks to the genius move by David Stern on imposing an age restriction on entering the NBA draft. While everyone who follows basketball knows Greg Oden is going to be the next great Big Man in basketball, Durant put on a show last night. The kid is only 17 years old at 6 foot 10 inches and a shade over 200 pounds soaking wet, has nothing but improving to do as he gets older. The kid has a size 20 shoe! and something ridiculous like a 7'3" wingspan.

I have seen very few players at the high school level with as much skill as Durant. I've heard so many people try to compare him to some of the greats (Garnett, Rashard lewis, Tracy McGrady, etc.). The truth is Durant is going to be one of the greats but he is going to do it his own way.

I'm just glad Texas is going to be the place where he plays his college ball before he takes his talent to the NBA. I would not be shocked to see him spend two years with the strength guy at Texas (Todd Wright), and he will be the #1 pick for sure in a couple seasons. He is that good.

A couple of other playrs who stood out in yesterday's McDonald's All American game.

Javaris Crittendon and Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech): Both of these players showed some unblievable talent and Georgia Tech is in for a signficant upgrade with these two guys coming in next year for Paul Hewitt

Jon Scheyer (Duke): This guy will help Duke fans get over their hero Redick leaving school. This guy is another in the long line of white guys who go to Duke and can flat out shoot the ball from the outside.

Chase Budlinger (Arizona): This is a big, 6'8" power forward from Cali is going to play for Lute Olsen. He shared MVP honors with Durant and appears to have a ton of skill.

Darrell Arthur (undecided): The South Oak Cliff (SOC) star is down to two schools. Kansas and Texas. I got to give the nod to Texas at this point only because it makes too much sense for him to slide into Aldridge's spot in the middle if and when Aldridge declares for the draft and becomes the #1 pick. I think Arthur is going to get a call from Aldridge (formerely of Seagoville in the DFW area), and Arthur is going to end up in the Burnt Orange.

I hope......




Eaton out 3 months

Just as I begin to get optimistic about the Rangers, their supposed #2 starter goes down with a tendon injury in his pitching hand. As a result, we are going to have R.A. Dickey and most likely Juan Dominguez at the back of the rotation to start the season. Kameron Loe and Vicente Padilla all of sudden have very little room for error as the top 3 guys in the staff are going to have to carry the load early on.

Dickey and Dominguez honesly isn't that much different than Eaton/Dickey, because Eaton most likely would have struggled early in the ballpark.

I just hate to the start the season with so many injury concerns along with Wilkerson's shoulder and GMJ's hamstring. Oh well, let's get this season started already before someone else gets hurt.

I still think the Ranger pen will hopefully be back to 2004 levels when it had one of the best bullpens in the league. Last year was a nightmare in the 7th, 8th and sometimes 9th innings and Coco had an medicore by his standards season. Having the WBC Japanese star (Akinori Otsuka) as the primary setup man for a hopefully resurgent Coco Cordero will make the Rangers much better at the end of games.

Joquin Benoit, Alfonseca, Shouse, Rule 5 draft pick Fabio Castro, and either Scott Feldman or Erasmo Ramirez will round out the pen.

It looks like Laynce Nix will break with the 25 man roster on opening day thanks to GMJ starting the season the DL.

Masters Pool Obligatory plug for Johnny Mackovic (yes that John Mackovic's son) Masters Pool that gets bigger and bigger every year. Sign up a team or 10 see how you do

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Kenton Paulino!!!!

Bring on LSU because we are on our way to Indy!

Soriano Mess; Big Weekend Ahead; Bush

Alfonso Soriano continues to insist on not moving to left field. Despite being one of the worst, if not the worst, defensive 2nd baseman in all of baseball, Soriano has snubbed both GM Jim Bowden (sure to be fired after this mess in trading for Soriano) and legend/manager Frank Robinson.

I used to be a Soriano fan but this is truly disheartening. He has two options, move to left or get put on the "restricted list" and miss a year of service time and not become a free agent until after the 2007 season. Ouch. Either way, Soriano is putting his $10 Million 2006 salary at-risk if he decides to challenge Washington brass and gets put on the restricted list.




Huge Weekend coming up starting with the Sweet 16 Thursday and Friday night and finishing with the Elite 8 and Players Championship final round.

I will try to put up my Sweet 16 picks tomorrow but no promises.

I try not to put anything political in this blog, but this news today I thought warranted mentioning. George Bush said today (in a seemingly nationwide speaking campaign to show he knows what the hell is going on) that the US will be in Iraq as long as he is in office. Boy, oh boy, what a huge clusterfuck this "War" in Iraq has become.

Okay, political rant over.

What a First Day -- Friday Picks

Wow! is all I have to say about the first day of the tournament. Granted, I'm not in Vegas with Polarek and Company. But I was able to watch almost all of the games online while at work.

Let's get to Friday's picks already. Keep in mind I'm mired in a malaise this college basketball season and have basically sucked the last few months. But I do watch a lot of college hoops. For whatever that's worth....

Wisconsin (+1) over Arizona -- I am just not convinced Arizona can we a game in this tournament, and I think Wisconsin is usually pretty solid this time of year. Lute Olsen always looks in pain when watching this team. Wisconsin's best player (Tucker) and their guard (kid looks exactly like Chris Rock) just seem like a much better team to me than Arizona. Medium Sized Play

I can just picture all the dumb ARizona students at the Vegas casinos blowing their money on this game.

Georgetown (-4) over Northern Iowa -- I just like Georgetown a whole lot this year. Maybe I'm just nostalgic for the Ewing uniforms with those gray undershirts. Whatever it is, I think Georgetown is gonig to wear Northern Iowa down. Watch out for NOrthern Iowa's shooting, always something to handle in the tournament.

Small Play

Russ Feingold on ABC

YOUTube.com is a fantastic website.

If for some reason you forget to Tivo something (I HATE when that happens), this is a good place to look.

Free signup also...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NktXCmEu1NU&search=feingold

(Cut and Paste the Link)

Even if you don't like politics (you know who you are), check out the site.

No Whammies, a hurt Ranger, and Plano

With March Madness soon to get underway this Thursday, I thought now would be a good time to put up some random links that you may or may not care about. I'll try to put up my NCAA bracket sometime before the games tip.

First off, CONGRATS to my alma mater, the Plano Wildcaats, who won the 5A boys basketball state championship Saturday night with 60-58 win over Humble Kingwood in Overtime.

It looked like Plano athletics were dead and buried a few years ago, but after the football team's renaissance and my brother's old coach, Tom Inman, leading the basketball team to a state title, PLANO is officially back in the sports arena. That brings a smile to my face as pathetic as that may sound.

I don't know how many of you watched game shows growing up in the 80s. If you did, chances are you remember Press Your Luck. A fabulous game show during its time, and I actually have caught quite a few re-runs of the show thanks to the greatness of the Game Show Network. Unfortunately, the show's host, Peter Tomarken (63) died tragically this morning in a plane crash in Santa Monica, CA.

We will not soon forgot you Mr. Tomorken.

Onto more grim news for our beloved Rangers, their leading 5th starter candidate, Josh Rupe, was flown back to Dallas today to examine "an injury to his right elbow". Not the type of news you ever want to hear but especially right towards the end of Spring Training. Rupe most likely will still win the 5th starter job if healthy, but given this news, I'm not holding my breath.

The Rangers most likely will give Juan Dominguez a chance given his strong end to the 2005 season, and the fact none of the DVD trio is ready to go quite yet.

Volquez is making a strong push and has an outside chance of getting the 5th starter job if the Rangers continue to get discouraged about Dominguez.

My hunch is Buck will start the season with a Millwood/Eaton/Pidalla/Loe/Dominguez rotation and hope Volquez tears it up in AA/AAA and bring him up as needed.

Danks is also coming on strong, but still a young 20, and I thinke he still needs another full season in the minors.

Ticket to get Cowboys; March Madness Time

Well, I spent the weekend in Washington, D.C. so I am a little late to the March Madness party that started this past weekend with teams starting to get their invites to the dance.

I, the sick bastard that I am, follow a lot of this worthless conferences because I enjoy wagering on college hoops all season. Not big money but I enjoy putting some money in play following college basketball.

For that reason, I absolutely love this time of year. Two years ago, living at Jefferson, Marcus and I had a pretty good run and I remember being up about $500 at the end of the regular season. Come tourney time, i took a huge bath culminating with a $75 on Georgia Tech +6 or something against UCONN. Of course, UCONN wins the final by 7 and I had burned basically all of my profits by the end of the tournament.

I will advise anyone putting money on games during this time of year to tread lightly. You can get burned.

With that said, I will be posting college hoop plays here from time to time and we'll see how it goes.

I like Iona tonight -8 against St. Peters in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) final. After the Marist Red Foxes got hot and fizzled, Iona has been the class of the MAAC all year and St. Peters has gotten hot recently but is nowhere near the team Iona has been all season.

St. Peters did beat IOna 76-72 back on January 30th at IOna. That would worry me except Iona beat St. Peters 83-75 on the road earlier in the season. Conferences like this don't have any at-large bids so anything's possible, but I'll take the far superior team and lay the points in this one. Small play.

And as of 5 o'clock today, the Ticket is going to be broadcasting Cowboys games for the next 5 years. Not sure if that is a good or a bad thing yet. Frankly I really don't give a damn because I get sick of Cowboys talk on the Ticket already. I do know one thing. I am going to be really sick of Mickey Spagnola very quickly. And no Marcus, I will not leave MICKEY ALONE.

12 Commits on March 1st, Officially Insane!!!!!

People always wondered how Mack Brown would recruit once he actually won something. Well, he went ahead and won the whole enchilada and his first conference title all at once. And we are now starting to see the dividends of UT's first national championship in football since another Texas nut was in the White House.

University of Texas, less than one month after the 2006 signing day, already has secured 12 commmits its upcoming 2007 class. Now I don't know how closely you follow recruiting (and anyone who knows how big of recruiting sicko in my younger days can tell you the story of my attendance when South Grand Prairie WR B.J. Johnson annouced his commitment), but this is unprecedented.

Now I have no idea how the guy (Geoff Ketchum of Orangebloods.com and possible homer) who comes up with these rankings and considering none of these kids have played a down of football in their senior season of HIGH SCHOOL take it with a grain of salt.

But it looks to me like Texas is getting whoever the hell they want and everyone else can fight over the scraps. But hey, I just call it how I see it.

Curtis Brown WR 6-0 174 4.4 - Gilmer, TX #6 player in the state
Russell Carter DE 6-3 230 4.7 - Houston, TX #18 player in state
Jerrod Gooch OL 6-4 284 5.58 - Vidor, TX #42 player in state
Kyle Hix OL 6-6 290 - - Aledo, TX #17 player in State
Michael Huey OL 6-5 290 - - Kilgore, TX #50 player in state
Andre Jones DT 6-4 305 5.66 - El Paso, TX #9 Player in State
Aundre McGaskey OL 6-4 290 5.2 - La Marque, TX #12 Player in State
Matt Nader OL 6-6 295 5.13 - Austin, TX #24 Player in State
Keenan Robinson LB 6-3 211 4.5 - Plano, TX (Plano East guy) #14 player in Sate
Earl Thomas ATH 5-10 174 4.4 - Orange, TX #26 player in state
Ben Wells DB 6-0 174 4.45 - Beaumont, TX
Foswhitt Whittaker RB 5-9 170 4.4 - Pearland, TX #41 player in state

Hook 'em

Awakening from Slumber

Well, I have not updated here since right before my trip out to Pasadena for a certain National Championship game some of you may have heard about it. Well, it's been back to reality since the most amazing game I may ever see in my lifetime and I've been taking a "hiatus" to hopefully recharge my batteries and come back better than ever to give you more worthless sports points and other pointless commentary.



Since I've been gone, I have been impressed by both Fraser and Hammond who are doing some damn fine work with their blogs.

Even came across Bill Bredesen who apparently is living somewhere Southeast Asia currently. Some pretty amazing stuff he is up to these days.

2006 has gotten off to a hell of start. Let's just forget that Winter Olympics thing ever happened. I actually enjoy the olympics more than the majority of the population but those things really serve no purpose.

Since this is pretty much the slowest sports time of year and I have to get this down on paper. Inevitably, one or two of these weekends will be screwed up because of some other obligation. Anyways, let's talk about upcoming weekends you might want to circle on your sports calendar. Well, if you are pathetic enough like me to schedule your other crap around important sports weekends.

March 17th Opening Round NCAA Weekend either in Vegas (go the Paris casino sportsbook) or Dallas where hopefully Texas is going to be playing its first and second round games. Either way, the St. Patty's day Greenville scene will be happening. The only weekend where it really seems cool to be "in" Dallas. Somewhat correct me if I'm wrong and the parade is actually on the 11th. Anyways, Glover and whoever else lives within driving distance, get your ass to Dallas this weekend.

March 24 The players championship and NCAA (Sweet 16 / Elite 8) games makes for a nice sports Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

April 1st and 3rd If Texas makes it to the final four in Indianapolis, i have to go. Could Texas possibly pull of the most impossible of feats and win the baseball, football, and basketball championship in succession. There is no possible way is there? I'm about to pass out thinking about if the Horns make the final four.

We certainly have talent and I'm not going to bet against us. Not ready to book my flights to Indy, but at least start looking into lodging for what would amount to a historic weekend and i'm not using hyperbole when I talk about historic and Texas trying to win the Final 4. I may really learn to like 2006 even if the Middle East is on the verge of total collapse. But i digress.

April 8th - 9th The Masters, enough said. The Rangers also end an opening weekend homestand with Detroit after Buck's boys open the season with a series with the Bo Sox. I like this Rangers team a lot and maybe it's blind optimism but I'm pumped about the Rangers this year. Hell, if Greg Davis can be a national championship coordintor and assistant coach of the year then anything's possible right. Let's just hope the Rangers compete for a playoff berth first. Baby steps...

April 29th Normally I don't need to see the NFL draft. This year is not one your normal drafts. Where do Bush, VY, and Leinart end up? Who do the Saints with their vagabond franchise (i'm sorry but new orleans is only going to have maybe 200K population post Katrina no way they can support an NFL franchise) take? Do the Texans end up with Bush? Who do the cowboys take in the first round? I would have to think Offensive line. Will the cobwboys ever take a qb somewhat high in the draft and actually try to develop a qb who didn't field grounders the prior season? Either way, the 2006 draft is must see TV.



June 9th to July 9th

World Cup in Germanyshould be extra exciting this year given the host country where all the Euros and crazies like Shane or Rylan will pack the stadiums. Interesting fact: Germany who won their only World Cup the only time they hosted back in 1974. This is almost certainly the strongest US squad ever to play in a World Cup. Unfortunately, we got put in the "Group of Death" many pundites think. Ghana is probably Africa's best team and is certainly no gimme. Italy and Czech Republic should both be classic tilts.

Either way check it out even if the games will be on at some ridiculous hours. Certainly can't be worse than the South Korea/Japan world cup when almost every game was on live during the middle of the night in the states. Fortunately for me, I was unemployed during the last world cup. Good times. No such luck this year.

June 17th and 18th
The US Open will have high rough and a fantastic last two days almost assuredly at historic Winged Foot. This course in New York is definitely on my top 10 courses in the United States. Last time a major was played at Winged Foot was the PGA where Davis Love won his first major and beat Leonard in what amounted to a 2 man race during the weekend. I hardly see anybody not named TW running away with this thing. Still hard to believe Leonard only has 1 major with all the near misses he has had throughout his career. Maybe he'll get #2 here. Okay, that jinxed it for sure.

September 9th The Ohio St. University trying to get revenge on the Longhorns this time in Austin. I will freedly admit that I have a tough time going to a North Texas / LA LA trouncing in the 100 degree afternoon heat at DKR. But when Ohio St. comes to town the year after you win the national championship, I get my ass down to Austin. Ohio St. loses a ton on defense and Santonio Holmes going pro definitely is going to at least slow Ohio St. early. Depending on our quarterback play, I see Texas getting the W. Might be the loudest DKR game atmosphere ever.



Sept. 22th - 24th Personally, my favorite sporting event and it's played every other year. The 2006 Ryder Cup at the K club in Ireland should be a very interesting one. Assuming the US team decides to play with pride. And I think they will since they have lost the last 2 cups since '99 (miraculous Justing Leonard putt against Olazabal which is the one ryder cup most casual golf fans remember). I still think the Euros will prevail where they haven't lost a cup to the Americans on European soil since 1993 at the Belfry. Either way, always awesome theater.

Nov. 24th Doesn't matter what we're ranked or what A&M is ranked, it's always fun to watch us destory A&M in person if you get the opportunity. I got to see it in 2000 when Simms made swiss cheese of the Aggy secondary. It happens almost every year now and I don't see that trend changing this year. Aggy almost certainly will have a better record this year but they probably won't be much better than .500 in conference. And those are just facts right now until proven otherwise when talking about A&M football.

Looks like an interesting '06 to be shaping up in the sports world. Now I just need to find out a good show to see. Over to Fraser's blog I go...

Off to Pasadena

I leave tomorrow morning EARLY and get into LA around 7:30 AM Pacific time. We are just over 24 hours away from what may be the most hyped up game in college football history, and I finally got TIX.

I will be in attendance when USC and Texas kickoff tomorrow for the national championship.

Should be a hell of a game, and I got everything I have left from bowl season ($100)on Texas +7.

If we don't win, it better be close.

Hope everyone enjoys the game.

See you in a few days hopefully with Texas being crowned national champs tomorrow night!!!!!

Back Against the Wall Time

Okay, This bowl season has been crazy. Nothing standard about the way this entire bowl season has played out and tonight's LSU-Miami outcome just continued the odd string of games that have played out the last week or so.

Don't get me wrong, it has been a great and exciting bowl season, but this is crazy. One thing I have to give credit it to is the Big 12. The conference is doing a hell of a a job. OU and Kansas both had great wins and even Mizzou snuck one out against South Carolina. The only dud was Colorado who just was in disarray without their head coach going into bowl season. Pretty dang impressive.

I don't know how the rest of the bettors out there have been doing, but I've been on a roller coaster. Won my first three out of the gate (Toledo, BYU, and NAVY - BIG), and I have been in a tailspin ever since including heartbreakers in Nevada (1 pt. win but didn't cover the -2.5 on Christmas EVE), Clemson (DAMN JAD Dean got his PAT blocked and the final score ended up being 19-10, and I had Clemson -9.5, OUCH), and Minnesota's meltdown today after leading 21-10 at half.

I guess it isn't all bad since Dave had South Carolina -4 today and was up 21-0 going into for another touchdown and Mizzou intrecepts the pass and returns 99 yards for a touchdown. From there, Mizzou never looked back and end up winning going away.

It's been a rough ride. This is my last stand tomorrow. Well, until January 2nd of course:

TCU -3 against Iowa St. in the EVI.Net bowl -- Medium

Despite a 49 day layoff, I still think TCU will win this one. I don't what it is but I just have never been on the TCU bandwagon this year. And since nothing is going right this year, I might as well ride them in the bowl game. They have a chip on their shoulder and would love nothing more than to knock off one of the big boys. And if you are in TCU's world, beating Iowa St. is knocking off one of the big boys. All I got at this point is emotional angles since my gut instincts this year have been totally wrong for the most part.

TCU has had a huge turnover differential edge this year, but so has Iowa St. so who knows who has been the luckier team.

I think for whatever reason the way Iowa St. finished their regular season (2nd blown chance to win the Big 12 North) is a huge negative way to end the season. Tough to get up for this bowl game. But the Big 12 has been the best conference in bowl season so far so this is a risky play. Hell, I just want to win a game at this point.

Tulsa +7.5 over Fresno St. in the Liberty Bowl -- Small

I have been riding Fresno all year so I figure why not go the other way with the way my luck is going . I really don't have a lot else other than a lot of these games seem to be fairly close for the most part. Tulsa has relished the role of underdog to this point and I expect them to at least match Pat Hill's gameplan. Steve Kragthrope seems like a good bright young mind and they should give Pat hill a good game. I just hope they are physical enough to play with Fresno's lines. That's what this game will come down to and turnovers of course. I think Tulsa makes this close and could even win outright. That's the hope anyway.

Tulsa / Fresno over 61

Yes, I've resorted to betting totals this bowl season. I might as well at this point. Nothing else is working. Both these teams have some pretty potent offenses and okay defenses. I expect this game to go like many of the other bowl games already have, hopefully a high scoring affair. Anyways, wish I had better logic, but I'm just looking for a W.

Good luck to everyone this weekend. I will be back Monday, assuming tomorrow is not another bloodbath. Okay, I'll be back...

Forget the Cowboys: Stars, Rangers, and Mavs All Making Noise

I know that Dallas traditionally and especially with the media is a Cowboys town. I've come to accept that fact. Hell, I will freely admit that I despised the Cowboys when I first moved here. I grew up an ND fan and hated the University of Miami with a passion during my childhood. So when Jimmy Johnson left Miami for the Cowboys right about the time I moved to town, it was bad timing.


While I accepted the Rangers and Mavericks as my own upon arriving in the Metroplex circa 1989, I refused to root for the Cowboys because their new head coach was Jimmy Johnson. In hindsight, that decision was probably a huge mistake. Instead of letting bygones be bygones and forgetting JJ's college allegiance, I continued to root against the cowboys all during their championship runs of the 90s. I was the guy at the Super Bowl parties in this area rooting for the Bills while the Cowboys won 3 super bowls in 4 years. It was not a pleasant experience. Even now, the Cowboys are #4 on my Dallas sports pecking order because of that history.

While I may have missed out on some glorius times to be a Cowboys fan, I stayed true to my allegiances and feel like I am a better fan because of it.

Which brings me to my main point, you could argue right now that the other three DAllas franchises (Stars, Mavs, Rangers) who have always played 2nd fiddle to the Cowboys are all in better shape in terms of competing for a Championship than the city's #1 team.



Mavericks

21-7 T-1st with San Antonio for best record in the West

The Mavericks look to be in better shape than ever before to make a run at a championship. Even the 2002-2003 team which had a magical run all the way to game 6 of the Western Conference Finals probably isn't as well equipped as this Mavericks team to win a championship. Avery Johnson after going through some growing pains last year has assembled along with Cuban a team that has a legitimate shot to knock off San Anotonio in the west.

Dirk is the superstar and has really picked up all aspects of his game this season and is looking again like one of the top 5 or 10 best guys in the league.

The backcourt is shaping up nicely with Jason Terry, Devin Harris, and Darrell Armstrong all doing a good job handling the point guard duties.

If Josh Howard and Marquise Daniels can ever be healthy at the same time, they can provide a pretty formidable 1-2 punch at the small forward position.

Jerry STackhouse looks to be rounding into form especially after that posterized dunk on Jermaine O'Neal last night.

Desagana Diop has exceeded anyone's expectations in providing a formidable defensive presence around the basket

This team has everything it needs to make a deep run in the playoffs and the future is very bright indeed for the Mavs




Stars

23-10-1 47 pts. T-1st in Pacific Divison

After a very slow start to the season (especially from their goalie), the Stars quitely have been on a tear recently and have put themselves in good position to make a run this year hopefully deep into the playoffs.

The Stars have been able to find a good mix of veterans with up and coming young players to put together 2 or 3 good lines of scoring punch on their lines. Modano has had a renaissance of sorts teamed up with the always underrated Jeri Lehtinen.

If Turco can get that monkey off the back in the playoffs, look out. If anyone remember the Stars cup run in '99, you really can't beat playoff hockey. It should be a fun April/May/June around DFW if the STars and Mavs play up to capabilities this Spring.




Rangers

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies"

-- Letter from Andy Dufresne to Red in the movie Shawshank Redemption

I know readers around here get sick of me talking about the Rangers. Well, there is plenty of room on the Rangers bandwagon and I think 2006 could be the season the Rangers become relevant in this area again. The Rangers have been stuck in mud ever since their last division title in 1999 and have never won a playoff series in their franchise's history.

From the A-Rod trade debacle to the Chan Ho Park signing, this franchise has done almost nothing right (well, that's probably overly harsh but you get my point) in the last 5 years.

As hard as it has been to root for this team during the last few seasons, 2006 should be the year where all that pain and suffering pays off. The young, wonderkid GM Jon Daniels has basically done everything right this offseason short of bringing a 21 year old Roger Clemens in here. He has made all the right moves (Chris Young trade makes sense after the Millwood signing) and has not given away any major pieces of our farm system (Adrian Gonzalez would never have a role on this team as long as Tex is here) in the process.

The future has never looked brighter for the 3 "other" teams in Dallas sports.

So while everyone around the area (most especially the media) worries about the Cowboys playoff lives and how they are going to make it in, I will be waiting for the Stars, Rangers, or Mavs to bring Dallas its next championship.

And oh yea, the Horns are in the rose bowl too so we may be talking about that as well..

Christmas comes late in Arlington: Millwood to Texas.....

Oh my god, Tom Hicks shocks the world and gets Millwood away from Boston and a host of other teams.

I am speechless.

I started to question Jon Daniels plan after the Young for Eaton swap, but this signing makes that deal make sense.

Your 2006 starting rotation in Arlington:

Millwood -- 5 years 60 million dollar deal (5th year option based on number of innings pitched)

Eaton -- Arbitration year but will most likely be resigned if he pitches well (at home especially)

Padilla -- Another arbitration guy who will want to rebound from a shaky '05. Former all-star so asking for a decent season is not unreasonable. Will be interesting to see how he handles AL hitters.

Loe -- I love this guy and I think he proved late in '05 that he can be an effective starter for us. Expecting big things....

Dominguez -- Obviously has had some shaky streaks, but not too much pressure as a definite #5 guy.

Offensive outlook tomorrow.

Update coming tomorrow about Stars, Mavs, and of course more Rangers talk.

Glendon's BACK!!!!! and other Random Stuff

Dave -- This post is certainly relevant to you and should bring back some fond memories of our Bent Tree West days. Anyone from the DFW area during our high school years (well at least if you were following high school sports like us nerds), will most likely remember Glendon Alexander.

Glendon of Newman Smith fame is still the leading point scorer in Texas 5A history and averaged something like 33 points a game during his high school career.

Dave and I and maybe Cuyler, Zach? saw him play in person many times. The guy's pregame dunks were stuff of legends. Good times.

Anyways, Glendon's on his way out of jail after getting in trouble for among many things

stealing $46,500 from a Carrollton dentist, $1.5 million from a California adult entertainment executive, and cash, jewelry and shoes from former major league outfielder Derek Bell

Free Glendon!

Bet you can't guess where this shot ended up?




Rangers Pick Up Pitcher, Give Up Pitcher???

The Rangers pick up Padres starter, Adam Eaton (28) and a pretty darn good setup guy, rightanded Akinori Otsuka (33) who was a great closer in Japan and has peformed in his first two major league seasons as a 7th and 8th inning guy.

He is exactly what Jon Daniels was looking when he mentioned top priority for this offseason along with starting pitching (new rotation now most likely Eaton/Padilla/Loe/Dominguez/5th?) and I'm glad he picked Otsuka up. I'd say the bullpen and starting pitching are at least somewhat upgraded going into 2006.

Offense looks at least to be somewhat more productive with additions of Jiminez/Kinsler at 2B and Wilkerson in the outfield to replace Soriano and Hidalgo. This team will be better in '06 but probably won't win the West without a few more moves at some point.

Giving up Adrian Gonzalez (great prospect at 1B but is blocked by Tex and needs to play now) and Termel Sledge (would have fought for a 4th or 5th outfield slot) is not a huge price.

But Chris Young being added to the deal baffles me. This is a guy who is signed through 2009 at a reasonable price and is hometown, Highland Park product. I'm really surprised Daniels made this deal but he must really have a feeling about Eaton. It's a magnified risky move because Eaton is a potential free agent after the 2006 season and has already stated publicly before this trade that he would need "crazy money" to sign with Texas when he was rumored to be coming here.

You never know, maybe Eaton is lights out and Otsuka leads the Rangers bullpen to a playoff run and both sign long term deals this offseason.

I sure hope so, because losing Chris Young is really confusing for an organizaiton supposedly hell bent on growing home grown pitching. DVD can't get here soon enough after this deal.

I'm still optmistic about 2006 and this hopefully is just a speed bump in the already wild Ranger offseason.

One name to look for: Chad Bradford who was not offered arbitration by the Red Sox. He is a right-handed bullpen submarine style pitcher who spent some successful seasons with the A's in the AL West. He would be another nice bullpen piece to throw at rivals. He is only 30...

More randomness to follow later this week.

Leinart Living it Up -- BRAVO

After the heisman cermony Saturday in NYC, these photos would probably be much funnier if this chick was a cow...

Check out the chick in the background's face -- somebody's jealous!!!





And the accompanying email:

>
>
>quick story you guys might enjoy. went to a party at laurens on
>saturday night. about 20 people. half of us went to some random bar,
the other half went to this upscale place called Marquee (davedigital
would definitely know this place). anyways, these 2 pretty girls who
were visiting lauren from texas went to
Marquee, i didn't of course opting for the hole in the wall with $3
beers.
>
>So yesterday morning, lauren calls me and says "Do you know some guy
>named Matt Line Hart?" i laugh and say yeah and don't bother to
correct her. she says, well he was at Marquee last night, and hit on
one of the girls from texas all night, danced with her, and then was so
drunk he groped her....she turned around and slapped him, and left.
>
>i said yea yea, i doubt it even though it kinda made sense that he
would be in an upscale club getting trashed after losing the heisman. i
told her i'd believe the story when i saw pictures. wellll, here they
are..........
>
>
>
>joby west coast trash

Sori Traded !!! Rangers get Wilkerson from Nats

The Rangers FINALLY make a move dealing one of my personal favorites, Soriano, but the the Rangers need to free up payroll (Sori would have made $10 Mil in 2006 with arbitration) and this deal makes sense becauase you can plus Wilkerson in center and bring up minor league stud Kinsler to play 2nd. Getting Sledge (should be a 4th outfielder) and a PTBNL is a good return for Jon Daniels first trade.

I give this a thumbs up. Now let's go get some pitching...

I will always be a fan of Soriano. I hope he does well in Washington. He might not enjoy being moved to left field with Vidro entrenched at 2B.

More to come tomorrow...

Cuyler's Fleeting Moment of Fame

Not sure if I've known anyone to actually get a question answered on one of these nationwide chats.

Well our good buddy Cuyler practically batted leadoff on Ivan Maisel's ESPN chat today.

Shockingly it was a decent question. Here is the full transcript of the chat with Cuyler's portion pulled out below:

Cuyler, Atlanta, GA: Ivan: What is your take on conference championship games? On one hand, it hardly seems right that conference championships can be held by teams with the same record that did not play eachother (Big 10). On the other hand, why should teams like Va. Tech and Texas play teams that do not deserve to be in the position to make it to a BCS game? thanks for your thoughts.

Ivan Maisel: (4:02 PM ET ) Look, we don't have a playoff, and the cnoference championship games shouldn't be seen as a replacement. You have to view them the way you view conference hoop tournaments. They are a blatant money grab. Fair, unfair, who knows? The bottom line is that the conferences are willing to expose their regular-season champion to one extra game in order to make a few million bucks. That is your "system" right there.

Thanksgiving Weekend Recap

Nice, LONG Thanksgiving weekend to review with various links and commentary.

Irvin in Trouble Again

While possession of drug parapenelia alone is hardly a serious offense, a Class C misdemeanor -- punishable by a fine of up to $500, it is Irvin's prior track record of serious drug use (crack, cocaine) and other run ins with the law that seems to be fueling the fire in this situation. I'm not exactly a huge Michael Irvin fan myself and I hardly want people to feel sorry for the guy. But let's not crucify him over this. He shouldn't be fired from ESPN. He's not Leonard Little. He's not Rae Carruth. He's not Dwayne Goodrich. I'm certainly not trying to call Michael Irvin a model citizen, but let's not blow this out of proportion like the media always tries to do. Luckily for Irvin, he IS the media as long as he is working for ESPN and it looks like they are going to stick behind him through this ordeal. Hell, they might get a bump in ratings as a result of this mess. I just hope this latest police blotter report is not going to be the tipping point for his critics to keep him out of the hall of fame. His critics were already calling his questionable character one of the main knocks against his hall of fame chances.


Moving on to college football, A WACKY final regular season of college football was full of close games, wild finishes and just bizarre outcomes. Let's recap:

An Ugly Win is Still a Win
I was in attendance on Friday when Texas was able to hang out to beat A&M in College Station, 40-29. Texas played it very vanilla on defense. Gene Chizik elected to play a base defense against the A&M option attack led by Mcneal replacement, Stephen McGee. The vanilla defensive game plan by Chizik almost proved costly as A&M shocking was able to move the ball with ease against the previously stout Texas defense. I tend to think this was just a flat performance (especially from the front 7), and once Texas finally started blitzing late in the 4th quarter, A&M finally was shut down.

Probably less alarming was the performance by VY at the quarterback position. He didn't have his best day throwing and was basically shut down completely with his running game, netting only 19 yards on 11 carries. Rumors have been rampant (Texas fans of course) that much of the team including VY was sick before and during the game on Friday. Kasey Studdard supposedly had a 103 fever during the game. Whatever the case, this was one uninspired performance against a fired up, nothing to lose Aggie team. As long as Texas stayes focused this week, I really see no reason to be alarmed about Friday's perforamnce against A&M.

Speaking of alarming, let's move topics to the rest of the big 12.

Biggest Choke -- Part I

Colorado needing a win to cline the big 12 north and playing as a 16 point favorite at home against a seemingly lifeless Nebraska team gets pummeled 30-3 in what can only be described as an outcome that further disgraces the pitiful big 12 north. After Colorado's loss, Iowa St. had a golden opporunity on Saturday to clinch the North with a win over Kansas, but the result was .....

Biggest Choke -- Part II

Iowa St. for the 2nd Straight year fails to finish the deal with a loss to Kansas in overtime 24-21. Look, I don't mean to pick on the teams in the North. But the credibility of the conference is really starting to wane as the North continues to fall further and further into mediocrity. Until Nebraska turns their program around, I really see no change to the trend we have been seeing the last few years. Kansas St. is never going to be as dominant as they were when the conference was in its infancy. Colorado will always be good but never great unless somehow magically Barnett is able to find out of state recruits to spurn regional ties to hometown schools. Mizzou is mizzou. They consider their season a succes if they get to a bowl game. Kansas is doing good for a basketball school but will never aspire to be much more than that. Iowa St. has a nice little program but Iowa will always be the dominant program in a state not blessed with enough talent to support two big time teams.

Because of the obviously problems created with such a talent gap between North/South, the big 12 needs to start evaluating itself and thinking about ways to improve its current situation or the conference may start to see a serious decline in the next 5-10 years.

Simmons discusses Karate Kid . This is a good read..... And while I've been on Sports Guy overload reaching new levels of weird when Z and Defee went to his book signing. I'd like to see a see review of his book by the way....


How good is Brady Quinn?
Notre Dame has had a rennaisance type season under head coach Charlie Weis. Dunn's dad (an ND alum) is predicting multiple MNCs. Supposedly, recruiting is just taking off right now for ND. Whatever the future holds, Brady Quinn sticking around for next season would be a good place to start. Another season under Weis couldn't hurt Quinn, who I would proj ect as a 1st rounder, probably top 15 pick right now. Of course,Jeff Samardzija may be the best athlete in college athletics right now. A first round type baseball talent at pitcher, Samardzija will have his choice of football or baseball at the next level. I'm not going to rule out him doing both at this point. He's that good.