Monday Morning Manager....Deep Freeze Edition

1) I like Kevin Millwood's approach to the heat--that the opposing pitcher has as much heat to deal with as he does. I also appreciate the team reinstating the 7:35 start. I wouldn't want a domed stadium. But I wouldn't be opposed to a retractable roof, either. Baseball is meant to be played outdoors, and the Rangers have a beautiful place to do so.

2) Tough to choose, but offensively it has to be Wilkerson. You expect Kinsler and Cruz to make strides forward this year. But we really need Wilkerson to be healthy and hit at least 20-25 HRs and drive in 80-100. Otherwise our lineup looks very thin.

3) Hurley, hands down.

4) Dirty.

5) Roy Hobbs. No good baseball reason. I just love the movie.

1. I do think the heat is a problem. Yes, I hear management say: "the other team has to play on the same field" - but the other team only plays a 3-4 games series against the Rangers in the heat, and then they move on to better climates. Meanwhile, during that homestand, the Rangers players are still here, playing the next team – still in the same heat - and that's not a problem?

Can't help but wonder if having retractable roof would not only help with keeping everyone in the stadium (including the fans) more comfortable - but would also cut down on the swirling winds and the "jet stream" to the OF - might make the Ballpark a little more attractive to recruiting and keeping pitchers.

2. I have 2 candidates - instead of looking for another "big bat" in the lineup I'm thinking the combination of Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts will provide enough boost in the offense that the Rangers don't have to look for a veteran bat - and save their trade ammunition (as well as room in the payroll).

3. Top pitching prospect right now: Eric Hurley – although, if Omar Beltre can get a visa, he might jump up to the top of the list.

4. I’d probably have the same feeling: sick to my stomach.

5. Actually, I’d prefer my alter ego: Marla Hooch (A League of Their Own) – but since I have to pick from TR’s list: Roy Hobbs – tower light smashing power – and c’mon Robert Redford – I’d buy a season ticket just for him.

1. If we did get a stadium, it would be nice to have a retractable...not a dome. Why is it, Texas is the only team that has problems bringing in players due to the heat? It isn't only the heat, its the losing. If you put together a winner, people are more likely to come.

2. Although, I do agree with the points made on this one, I would have to say Blalock. He hits behind Tex, and needs to have a big year in order to give Tex some protection. Also, I'm sick of watching Blalock cool off the opposing catcher fanning at most of the pitches(and wilkerson).

3. Hurley...now its HDV...can we get some High-Definition Pitching?

4. astericks. Barry Bonds was using steroids and even last year was caught with amphetamines?! Thats ridiculous. Bonds didn't even pass Babe Ruth in my book!

5. Are you kidding? We need pitching and offense! Roy Hobbs gives us both. Hobbs can pitch and hit then play right field or DH the rest of the time. We are already calling for Roy Hobbs with every homerun hit at the ballpark. aaah, I can see the fireworks now.

1. Retractable roof all the way, a little AC would be nice in August.

2. Gagne hopefully. If he can prove he is dominant again, then we can trade him at the deadline for a king's ransom and really back fill our depleted farm system.

3. Hurley all the way.

4. Vomitous

5. Hobbs all the way, sandwich him between Young and Tex and let him pitch every 5th day, can you say Babe Ruth?

1) Anyone that lives in this area knows that of course the heat is a factor. How could it not be? That's not saying it should be used as an excuse, which I don't believe that it has been, but it is definetly a factor. It is good to see the Rangers push back the start time back to 7:35. It would have been better if Safeco or Minutemaid Park came out before the Ballpark so we could have copied one of those stadiums instead of Jacobs Field or Camden Yard. The heat keeps me from going to as many games as I would like. A retractable roof would definatly improve on that. I think the team would play better and the crowds would be larger.

2) It has to be McCarthy. He needs to have a stellar year. Not just to justify trading away our top pitching prospect in forever, but because.... wait for it.

Pitching wins. The Rangers have to get production from the top of their rotation and this kid needs to develop and be our number two by the end of the year. We need 15 wins out of him. It's asking alot but the season could ride on his arm.

3) Eric Hurley.

4) You mean when not if right? It will be one of the saddest days of my life. My only hope is that A-Rod will own that record soon enough.

5) Billy Chapel.... wait for it.

Pitching wins.

1)Latin ballplayers and pitchers never seem to have a problem with the heat here(read: Vicente Padilla, amongst many in the past), it's always the frail pitchers (Clemens, Randy Johnson, etc. who have a problem..I'm kidding about frail). If the fans can withstand the heat, and the ticket and concession prices then the multi-millionaire ballplayers with individual suites, personal trainers and flying in a Leer jet across the country can just wing it too. I never heard Mickey Tettleton, Mark McClemore, Will Clark and Rusty Greer ever make excuses, and by the way, they won 3 of 4 years not too long back. If we had a retractable dome stadium, GREAT! It would be great for fans, players and everyone. . . .but we don't, so let's get on with developing pitchers, players and not worry about the heat. I wonder if I ever heard Fergie Jenkins in 1974, when he won 25 games, and finished most of his games till the last out of the 9th, and started I think like 40-something starts--he never said squat about the heat, he was professional and just flat pitched. That's what players and especially pitchers of that era did--their job. I would have love a retractable roof here, but once it was built, I'm happy with the beauty of it and the players should be happy just being able to play down here in God's country. Most players make their homes here in the North Tarrant-area anyway after they leave the game, so they must not mind it too much. IF the issue is "why can't the Rangers attract top free agent pitchers", then I think the answer would be wormy agents who don't want their darlings to sweat any. Thank you Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla, for showing a light in the path to others. . .HOPEFULLY, some day
2)My first thought would be a tie: Robinson Tejeda/Ian Kinsler. I think Tejeda can really step up and win alot of games, plus eat up alot of innings after Millwood/Padilla. I put Ian Kinsler there because I feel he can far surpass his power numbers and be a real offensive force, plus step up his defense. He's only going out for his second year, and I think he's going to be Michael Young-Great soon. (I wouldn't count on Brad Wilkerson at all, at any time, for anything clutch--sorry for the pessimism, but last year he sure gave us reason for that pessimism.)

3)John Mayberry Jr.

4)Bonds probably will but if I hear about it, I won't be watching Sports Center that night. I simply don't care to watch a cheater; in my mind Aaron's record is safe, because I don't feel Bonds has duplicated anything Aaron did--hitting home runs without "help". Regardless what the record books or newspapers, or pundits say, we all know his would-be record is tainted.

5)Gary Cooper from the "Lou Gehrig Story". A tower of strength, courage, a rock in the infield, and what a hitter. (Haven't seen anything but ***** Yankees" on the list, so I included my own. Thank you T.R. for the opportunity to relay our thoughts.

1) Heat is not as big of an issue as people make of it. No dome. I like the ballpark.

2) Josh Rupe and Nelson Cruz. They'll both be productive if healthy.

3) I'll give a slight edge to Eric Hurley over Edinson Volquez.

4) Makes me sick at my stomach. It will also be a controversial story that will never die and will still be talked about 10 years from now (until A-Rod breaks the record).

5) As nice as Willie Mays Hayes would be for a lead-off man, I'm going to take the Japanese import from the same movie who could scale the outfield walls.

1. Yes, the heat is a factor, especially in August (when games matter the most). How about a nice retractable roof for fans and players.

2. I hope we get some return from that Soriano trade. We could use Wilkerson's so-called "high on-base percentage" skills.

3. Danks got traded. Volquez can't throw strikes. And Diamond seems destined for a relief role. So much for the DVD.

I guess Hurley is our top prospect right now. Followed by Mayberry and Kiker.

4. Barry who? Never heard of him.

5. We need to run more so I'll go with Willie Mays Hayes.

1. I think the heat may wear down catchers, alot of pitchers have been "hot weather" types and actually perform better in hot weather. As far as the fans, drink more beer!
2. I would love to see Nelson Cruz get about 500 AB's, hit 25 HR's and hit about .280, but what this club really needs is a monster, career year from Blalock.

3. Hurley is easily the top prospect. If Daniels deals him away before we ever get to see him, I will invite him to a necktie party.

4. Congradulations Barry on a remarkable career. Where were all these high and mighties when other cheaters like Whitey Ford and Gaylord Perry were elected to the Hall of Fame?

5. Roy Hobbs. this is a no-brainer a guy who can single-handedly bring a team from the depths to a contender.

1. I like the fact that it gets hot in Texas. It makes it our home field advantage.
2. I'm going to go with McCarthy. I think this is a trade that didn't get talked about as much as it should've. This is probably better than getting Zito.

3. Hurley has the most upside so I'd go with him.

4. I might be one of the few but I'm pulling for Barry to break the record.

5. This is the best question yet TR.. The entertainment part of me wants to say Willy Mays Hayes because I love the fact that he puts all his batting gloves on the wall but I'm going to go with Billy Chapel because we could use another veteran pitcher. He kind of reminds me of Kenny Rogers

1. The heat is a problem but that should be an advantage for the Rangers. They get to play in it more times than most therefore get use to it. While I know how hard it is to get use to heat they should be the most familar on how the heat would effect their game play. It's great to have a retractable roof, since I have been to Safeco many times, but only when it's necessary (in the rain). If you are in the desert (Arizona) then I can see the point of having some sort of roof. So answering the question a retractable roof is better than a dome hands down.
2. Cruz has that opportunity since he looks like the leading canidate to start this year.

3. I just hope we have more than 1 no.1 minor league prospect this year.

4.Go Bonds! I applaud anyone who gets close to that record. I will be watching because it will be the only thing on. Too bad it will also follow with about a million stories regarding the "steroids era." It will now be so sad for the sport of baseball (America's pastime) to not question a person's ability to excel in the game without using.

5. It would have to be Hobbs. He would sell more tickets because he would be in the lineup more often proving to be one of the few that can do it all.

1. The heat was not a problem for Will Clark, Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer, Aaron Sele, Rick Helling, John Wetteland. No roof!!!!
2. Robinson Tejeda. He could be the best of them all now that Buck Showalter is gone

3. Joaquin Arias

4. Who cares

5. You male chauvinist piglets. Roy Hobbs has a bullet in his stomach. Billy Chapel is over the hill. Dottie Hinson: leadership, character, defense, flair, winning pedigree. Offense. Dump Laird, bring us Dottie!

1. There is nothing like the Texas heat. Our ballpark is like the taj mahal with a broken AC unit. Our whole team feels like they have probably played a full season and june isn't even over yet. We can try and justify it by saying other teams have to factor in the heat just as we do, but really our team is the team that has to factor in fatigue more than anyone else. I would love to see a roof but it aint gonna happen.

2. This is a hard question. I'm going to say Kenny Lofton just because i dont think we can be successful if our leadoff guy isnt getting on base. Lofton also has to cover more ground than anyone in the outfield and he is going to be big for our clubhouse. Lofton has the winning attitude and i think he will be the difference maker in 2007.

3. Hurley is our most important minor league player because of all the hype but im also interested in gold and seing what he eventually brings to the league.

4. Records are meant to be broken... just don't have it be broken by cheating. The thing is we don't really know how long he has cheated or even if he cheated at all. If Hank Aaron can applaud it then so will I.

5. Billy Chapel hands down. The guy was like the pitching version of George Brett. He stayed his entire career with the Tigers and never gave up even when he had nothing left.

1) I agree with Bingo and Panther. Why is the heat a problem now when it wasn't in '96, '98 and '99? I'm tired of hearing the Texas heat used as an excuse.
2) Blalock, hands down.

3) Hurley. We need pitching, and this kid is close.

4)Barry Bonds is one of the worst human beings to ever play the game.

5) Hobbs. Another Babe Ruth.

1. I think the heat in Texas is the most overrated problem in sports. I'm tired of hearing about it. If a FA is complaining about it, we don't want him. I suspect the complaints will end when the Rangers losing ends. I like Ameriquest Field, so talk to me about a retractable roof in another 30 years.
2. Due in part to the price we paid to get him, McCarthy tops my list. Tejada is a close second with Cruz in there, too.

3. I think Hurley, but in a couple of years, it could be Chris Davis. The guy has put up great power numbers everywhere he has been.

4. I'll want to throw up. I'll also become a huge A-Rod fan.

I totally agree with hondo, panther and treyfinley,...and, hello, NEWS FLASH: it is hot in Texas in June, July and August. (and September, etc.) Now that we have established that it is indeed hot during the summer baseball season in Texas, for the life of me I will NEVER understand mangagement scheduling all the day games when game time temps are 101, a blistering sun, Wilkerson's bat cracking (from the heat only) and vultures circling overhead...can't these be night games per chance? Wrigley Field/Cub games by Lake Michigan can do day baseball, and as ideal and romantic as day baseball might sound, in Texas it is ludicrous to schedule day games in June, July and August. I realize it is get-away day for both teams sometimes, but, hey, it is 101 for crying out loud. Just my 2 cents.

1.The summer heat is the Rangers home field disadvantage. What would a roof do to the home run jet stream?
2.The logical choice is Blalock, but now I have to say Sammy Sosa.

3.Diamond and Gold are our most valuable assets (can we get Carlos Silva?).

4.I don't think he can do it. I don't put much stock in Bonds.

5.Roy Hobbs, the organist already knows his song.

1. The heat is a problem for at least two reasons. It wears down pitchers in the hot summer months. And, it wears down the Ranger negotiators because no pitchers will come and pitch in the Arlington outdoor conditions.

2. Twins. McCarthy and Tejeda are twins in the situation they are in this season at least. If they pitch as well as Tejeda pitched at the end of last season, the Rangers should go to the playoffs. Honorable mention goes to Hank, Cruz and Laird.

3. Now we have High Definition Video (HDV). Hurley is numero uno.

4. I'd be sick. Just like I was when the controversy was just the many liters of steroids he's been using. Now he's a speed freak too.

5. Give me whoever is the best pitcher available.

Sorry kearneysp@hotmail.com. I posted my comments without reading everyone else's. I see you already made an HDV reference. And I thought I was witty! :)