Monday Morning Manager...Sunrise in Surprise

1. It’s all about public relations – I’ve come to the realization that’s pretty much all the Rangers owner and by association the GM are interested in, and that’s not a criticism of Michael Young. The Rangers want a “face” of the organization – like Mike Modano with the Stars or Dirk Nowitzki with the Mavs - the difference is that Mike and Dirk both have been to the championship round – Mike’s got a ring and Dirk will get one this year – I doubt Michael Young will ever get one with the Rangers. I was hoping there was going to be a difference in the baseball philosophy and player management of this team – silly me – the more things change the more they stay the same with the Texas Rangers.

2. I was against signing Sosa – I haven’t changed my mind in that regard. It’s not a “side-show” it’s the main event. As has been pointed out – the only stories we’re reading are about the number of swings Sammy takes in BP or how many policeman are escorting him around the complex, all the pictures we see are Sammy talking to whoever, or signing autographs – even on this blog - and that’s disappointing. What about Brad Wilkerson – is he healthy? What about the bullpen – who’s going to get the last couple of spots? What about the players who are out of options like Joaquin Benoit – where do they fit it –or do they fit in? Who is going to win the 5th spot in the rotation? But of course, none of that is as important as what time Sammy shows up at the complex everyday. To paraphrase something I heard from a friend: I'm just not sure Sammy Sosa is going to make the Texas Rangers any better than Jason Botts could right now.

3. Enthusiasm and “positive” energy are a fine thing, but a manager is only as good as the talent the GM is able to give him.

4. The Rangers shrewdest pick ever was not in the draft – it was a teen-age catcher from Puerto Rico – too bad he won’t go into the HOF wearing a red Ranger hat.

5. He was a “personality” that non-baseball fans knew – however, not always for the right reason. I’m not sure that his actual baseball accomplishments HOF worthy.

Not exactly venting – but I will say – The Days Inn on Bell Rd in Surprise – all the way – nice, nice people run the place, good breakfast, short ride to the ballpark (which is huge if you’ve attempted to drive Bell Rd – any time of day.) Looking forward to being there in a few weeks.

1. If the Rangers sign Michael Young, the fans will immediately say, good what about Teixeira. They signed Millwood last year and fans still wanted Barry Zito. If they sign Teixeira, they'll want to know about Blalock, then McCarthy, then Otsuka.....
2. He didn't answer any questions about steroids. Not surprising. He talks a good game. Let's see him play a few games.

3. Anybody is better than Showalter. Anybody.

4. Mark Teixeira/Rusty Greer.

5. **** Williams before Billy Martin.

Vents? More pictures of Toby and less pictures of Sammy Sosa

1. I think it's very important to get Young (and Teixeira and Kinsler) signed to long-term deals. The club keeps saying they want to build around the young infield, well then they need to commit. I think getting Young signed.

2. It's too early for me to make a call on Sammy. I want to give him a chance to prove he can be an integral part of this team though, so I'm waiting to see how he does in the next few weeks.

3. I think it'll make more difference than some people want to admit. Optimism and energy are contagious.

4. Mark Teixeira was the best, no doubt. Not sure on the shrewdest.

5. I could go either way on that discussion.

“2. He didn't answer any questions about steroids. Not surprising. He talks a good game. Let's see him play a few games."

Panther Parent --

We’ll see plenty of Sammy – haven’t you read what Rudy, Ron and Tom have all been saying? Forget that .211 performance in Baltimore -- Sammy is in! The whole “minor league contract/non-roster invite/he’s got to make the team in Spring Training” is just another disingenuous charade by Ranger management/ownership – are you surprised?

The manager thinks everybody is going to make the team and they're going to win the World Series. Not interested in what the manager says.

Our Latin bard said it best in his mailbag. What's going to happen when the manager tells Sammy Sosa that he's going to be a platoon DH...

1. Most of the fans (with some vocal exceptions ) want both Tex and Mikey signed. The Rangers should "try it,they'll like it" (the fan appreciation that is.
2. Sosa signing has made spring training the Sosa circus. It's not about him and the Rangers had better get a handle on it. This guy was a huge mistake and he hasn't told us about steroids yet.

3. Well you hope he can really move people but you know all they have to do is not buy into his enthusiasm and he'll be gone before the end of the season. I frankly had a hard time with the it's their clubhouse thing...kind of like the new parenting...my gosh you don't yell at your child do you...and we all see how that works out.

There was a young cather named Pudge...who from from Texas never should (have) budge (d)...excuse mee I just had to do that.

5. Billy Martin is baseball from a certain era...a natural successor to the ole perfesser...( I got two shortstops out there...the one I got out there and the other one I like a lot...(the last was Billy M) Still...naw...there are other places for the Veterans committee to go.

Well if it's so dry how can it be "cold" (now we've gone to Spanish for those who didn't like Latin??????)

And a great mailbag today also TR...thanks alot!

1. Young was grateful to get his current 4 yr $10 mil deal and he's earned his next deal and he will get it. This ownership is not afraid to spend money, it's just a little more careful to spend it wiser these days. They will do the right thing with Michael Young and the fans will be grateful. No one, however, should be surprised or blame this ownership when Teixeira leaves for New York or California, Boras is looking to cash in.
2. My first impression of Sammy is show me some Jason Botts, the player we should be following.

3. Washington's attitude and upbeat style will definately result in wins. If I had to put a number on it i'd throw 8 to 10 out there.

4. There were 495 players taken before Ian Kinsler in 2003 and very few of those are entrinched at their position much less made the big leagues and he's about to sign a long term deal to stay there.

5. no

1) M.Young is a fan favorite, isn't a showboat, is a class-guy, and deserves being the "face of the Rangers". Management must ante up, which I think they KNOW they must do, and are making strides towards that. The Rangers simply MUST start keeping the core together, not look to other team's free agents, who aren't as good as Mike and Tex anyway. Signing them shouldn't be to just placate the fans, it should be because the Rangers need an identity, and haven't had one since Johnny Oates vacated the premises.

2) Sammy neither surprised me or wowed me. He was just a ballplayer who is trying for a comeback, supposedly to help get his career back on track, but I believe to help Sammy's HR numbers. Whichever is the true goal, it helps the Rangers' offense. His presence could in NO WAY hurt our lineup. Tex must be protected. Who's going to do it--Mr. On Base Percentage (BW)??

3) Ron's personality will probably be good for a .500 record. Anything above that will be a plus in my book. He'll have a learning curve in pulling pitchers, and the like, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Not having the cherished "Book" to refer to being that he hasn't managed, gives him an innovative, and more risk-taking situation--and I like that, i.e...double steals, and the like.

4) I say Mayberry will be a horse for a long-time after Tex leaves via free agency..(I'm hoping not, but being realistic, with agent Boras)..the most shrewd draft pick: No opinion. Don't follow college baseball as closely as most.

5)Every team Billy touched turned around, and eventually won. Loved him, and should be chosen to be in the HOF.

******I have no rants, no vents, and want to clear up no obfuscations, except Billy Martin is spelled with an "i", and not an "o", but who's keeping count of such? Well, if one rant comes to mind, it would be to have the Trinity Railway Express patch up a line from Fort Worth and from Dallas, to enable the commuter-sick drivers to be able to take the rail to and from the game, and avoid the parking fee. (The Mavs and Stars have TRE running, and from all accounts, it is a success). Back when Tom Schieffer was asking for citizen input on the proposed new ballpark, I suggested extending the Tarantula Train in Fort Worth to the Ballpark, and have an enjoyable, family-oriented way to travel to and from the game. I thought it an outstanding idea, but never heard back from Sir Tom. Do any of you think you would ride rail to and from the game, or am I blowing in the wind? TR, your thoughts?

1) It is extremely important because Tex is probably going to leave for the east coast. Hicks has to have at least one of the two to maintain credibility which is obviously a concern of his. Again more justification. We signed Young, but Texiera wanted to leave. I still say offer Teixiera what Wells got in Toronto seven years 126 million and see what he thinks. If he rejects the offer then deal him and get something in return.
2) Sosa is the past, get rid of him! Even if he is marginally sucessful he is interfering with the progress of Botts and any other young player. Sosa is a side show. I could care less about his steroids issue. Let's talk about his corked bat which he was caught with. That shows a serious lack of integrity. Ask Grieve what he thinks about Sosa being here?

3)I like Washington, but no one has told me why he wasn't a candidate for the Oakland A's job. If he is so great then why didn't Beane hire him? I trust the Oakland A's track record more than J.D. "Juvenile Delinquent" and "Caesar" Hicks. How much difference does a manager make? I will say maybe 3 to 5 games. I still think Hillman would have been a better hire but he wanted more money. How Washington handles his pitching staff is going to determine his record, not his attitude.

4) Teixiera is the best #1. How about Kenny "The Cameraman" Rogers a 17th Round pick as an outfielder who was converted to a pitcher. The Rangers got their moneys worth out of Rogers eventhough he is a nut! If Righetti was a draft pick, then he is the best steal the Rangers had, too bad they didn't know it. The Blue Jays stole Henke from us, i don't remember if he was drafted or a free agent.

5) I was a Yankee fan in the 70's during Martin's hey day. Eventhough he could imbibe with the best of them, and was his own worst enemy, he was a winner! He deserves to go in for taking Jackson out of the game during the middle of inning and calling for Jackson to bunt. He definitely knew how to push peoples buttons, see George Brett and Reggie Jackson.

Hello TR, I just read that the Rangers offered I. Kinsler an long term deal similar to what Young and Blalock signed a few yrs ago... Kinsler seemed a little ticked because (i'm paraphrasing) "they weren't even in the ballpark of a fair offer." Hello? hows about league minimum for 2yrs kinsler and then go to arbitration for 3? Now it would seem to me that say a 5yr 20 million dollar deal would be more than fair.

1. From a public relations standpoint? Assuming we're talking well informed fans, very. Average fan? Modest impact.
2. First impression... I think he's focussed on the task at hand, as he should be. Many here are talking about whether it was a mistake or not. I think not... if he makes the team better, end of story. But what I have concern about is that it wont be a fair competition for Botts. I just keep thinking about Hafner. If it turns that way, I will be bitter.

3. Depends on the momentum. The positive chatter will grow thin and shrill if they struggle. If they get the momentum going, which I suspect they will, then he'll add to it... maybe he inspires 3-5 wins that way?

4. I'll go with the conventional wisdom here on Tex. As to shrewdest... this is really luckiest. OK, I'll exclude Pudge since we're talking formal draft. My call is Kenny Rogers. Incredible odds on a 39th rounder. btw, I despise Rogers, so no one preach to me about it.

5. If it were just Fame, then yes. But its really about performance, or production, and unfortunately I dont think Billy has the creds.

I forgot my rant. I am personally sick and tired of hearing the media talk about if Roger Clemens is going to retire to spend more time with his family or pitch with the Yankees, Red Sox or Astros. Clemens kids probably aren't kids anymore. Vote the guy Father of the Year and tell him goodbye. He picked the wrong career when he wanted to be with his kids. He has been doing this for 20 plus years, i think the time to worry about being involved in their lives was when they were children not in their 20's. This guys ego is so huge that he can't stand not to be talked about. He also is a dis-engenous person. Either retire or go to training camp and pitch the whole season as everyone else does. Primma Donna! And another thing, the guy was born in Ohio, he ain't a Texan. I don't care what college or professional baseball team he played or plays for. Did he ever give the retirement present, the Hummer, back that the Yankees gave him when he left? Someone in the media please ask this guy if he ever used or uses steriods or HGH!