Poor Toby's Almanac...Michael Jordan's Birthday

Every dog has his day and today we remember the former Chicago White Sox Minor Leaguer who never found his bat speed. He is 44 today.

The Week That Is: All Rangers are expected to be in camp on Wednesday for the first full-squad workout. That includes no less than 14 infielders, an unusually high number for a Major League camp. In fact, you could put together four complete infields out of the guys that the Rangers will have in camp

First team: 1B Ben Broussard, 2B Ian Kinsler, SS Michael Young, 3B Hank Blalock
Second team: 1B: Chris Shelton, 2B Edgardo Alfonzo SS Ramon Vazquez, 3B Travis Metcalf
Third team: 1B Nate Gold, 2B German Duran, SS Elvis Andrus, 3B Ryan Roberts
Fourth team: 1B Jason Botts, 2B Frank Catalanotto, SS Joaquin Arias, 3B Chris Davis

Of course it has been a long time since Catalanotto played second base. But that's why he's on the fourth team.

The Oracle of Elysian Fields: "I've learned to work out year-round. I want to stay here. I don't want to be one of those guys who stays here a couple of years and then fizzles out."

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.

Toby's Top Five:
1. Jason Botts – Manager Ron Washington said "I have trouble containing my excitement" watching him play first base. Being able to will give Botts an advantage in winning a spot on the Opening Day roster.

2. Florida Marlins – Word is they may finally get a new stadium and move in by 2011.

3. Thad Levine – The Rangers assistant general manager and his wife Claudette are expecting their first child sometime after Opening Day.

4. The Scoreboard – Best new watering hole in Surprise.

5. Bobby Jones – The Rangers Triple A manager is back in camp over 40 years after being drafted by the Washington Senators in the 36th round of the 1967 draft.

Ex-Ranger of the Week: Many former Rangers are in other camps on a non-roster invitation, including Gabe Kapler. He managed in the Minor Leagues last year but is attempting a comeback with the Milwaukee Brewers. Prior to Spring Training he was inducted into the Moorpark (Ca.) College Hall of Fame.

Anniversary: Tomorrow we remember Eddie Feigner. He was the king of King and His Court, the famous touring softball team. It was 41 years tomorrow that Feigner struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente and Maury Wills in a special exhibition softball game. Feigner passed away last year.

Birthdays – Somebody needs to remind John Mayberry Jr. to call home Monday. His dad, the former Royals first baseman John Mayberry Sr., turns 59.

Tuesday is the House of Stewarts Day. Rangers catcher Chris Stewart turns 26 while former Rangers pitcher Dave Stewart turns 51. Plus all-time great guy Jackie Moore is 69. Moore is a former Rangers dugout coach. Just like Don Wakamatsu, who is now with Oakland and turns 45 on Friday. Same birthday as Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, who turns 74.

Former Rangers pitching coach **** Bosman turns 64 today and one of his former pupils, Danny Patterson, is 37. Patterson's ten wins in 1997 is the Rangers record for a rookie reliever.

Cookie Monster: Shirley "The Cookie Lady" is in camp, watching workouts and bringing the players their favorite cookies.

On Saturday she brought Mench's Munchies, named after outfielder Kevin Mench that has peanut butter between two Ritz crackers and dipped in melted chocolate caramel.

Frank Catalanotto is not in camp yet but no doubt she'll bring him pineapple pecan with caramel icing. She has a list of the player's favorites and knows that Marlon Byrd loves oatmeal chocolate crisps with walnuts while Josh Hamilton loves oatmeal raisins and Wes Littleton is partial to white chocolate with macadamia nuts.

The chocolate chip lovers include Jamey Wright, Brandon McCarthy and Kevin Millwood. Michael Young, the Rangers Player of the Year, and Joaquin Benoit, the Pitcher of the Year?

"They like everything," Shirley said.

Last call:

"I spent seven years with the Minnesota Twins and we had two fields for Spring Training. One was the main field and the other was a back field that was a piece of junk that we called Iwo Jima.
Rangers manager Ron Washington