Poor Toby's Almanac - Dancing Rabbit Creek Day

Yes it was just 177 years ago today that the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek was proclaimed. That was the first removal treaty in the Indian Removal Act that led to the Trail of Tears and the Indian Nation that is now part of Oklahoma. Many Rangers fans up in Oklahoma so we wish them well on the Dancing Rabbit Creek Day.

The Week That Is: The Rangers first exhibition game is on Wednesday, although technically this one against the Royals is a charity game and not part of the Cactus League. Or not. Who knows around here? Officially the Rangers are 69-78 since the showed up in the Cactus League in 2003.

Camp Hamilton: Josh Hamilton finished his round of batting practice and it was Adam Melhuse's turn.

"You mean I have to follow that?" Melhuse said to hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.

It's a tough act to follow. Hamilton's prodigious batting practice displays of raw power have easily been the single most impressive thing about the Rangers camp thus far.

"The best BP I've ever seen," said David Murphy, who has also been in Hamilton's group. "He's right up there with David Ortiz. I used to think I was good until I got in there with him."

Mark Teixeira was pretty good too. He put up some pretty good power numbers for the Rangers over the past few years. But Hamilton may have more raw ability.

"His bat speed is incredible," veteran scout Mel Didier said. "Teixeira was pretty good but Hamilton – in my mind – is even quicker than Teixeira."

The Oracle of the Elysian Fields:
"The best thing that's happened to me in this camp is the attitude and the shape these guys have come in and the way they're getting after it. They're really getting after it. They really are."

Manager Ron Washington.

Toby's Top Five
1. Ian Kinsler – This is a guy who understands commitment to team and community.

2. Jarrod Saltalamacchia vs. Gerald Laird – Saltalamacchia has impressed with his work habits but Laird has shown he is up to the challenge.

3. Kameron Loe – The Rangers like what they've seen so far. He could be poised for another strong Spring.

4. Joaquin Arias – He's healthy and maybe ready to regain prospect status. Inside word is don't forget about him even with Elvis Andrus in camp.

5. Julio Borbon – The Rangers rookie outfielder was at the University of Tennessee last year and no doubt dancing with glee over the Volunteers historic win on Saturday night.

Ex-Ranger of the week: Justin Duchscherer pitched just five games for the Rangers in 2001. The following spring he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Luis Vizcaino. In 2005 he was an American League All-Star. Now he's the leading candidate to replace Danny Haren in the Oakland rotation.

Old Rangers never die: They just show up in other camps on a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training. Among them:

Jason Bourgeois – White Sox
John Koronka – Rockies
Scott Podsednik – Rockies
Ken Huckaby – Royals
Laynce Nix – Brewers
Marshall MacDougall – Padres
Victor Santos – Giants
Ryan Drese – Braves
Ryan Bukvich – Orioles
Dan Kolb – Red Sox
Rick Bauer – Indians
Victor Diaz – Astros
Chan Ho Park – Dodgers
Tanyon Sturtze – Dodgers
Fernando Tatis – Mets
Juan Gonzalez – Cardinals

Birthdays: Ron Santo turns 67 on Monday. The former Chicago Cubs third baseman is not getting younger. He needs to be in the Hall of Fame. That is the single biggest oversight in the history of the Hall of Fame elections.

What do Terrence Long, Al Rosen, Pepper Martin and Ed Appleton have in common? They were all born on Feb. 29. Who is Ed Appleton?

He was 4-10 with a 3.32 ERA for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1915. He was also on their team in 1916 when they won the National League pennant. Then he slipped into obscurity.

He was the first Major League baseball player ever born in Arlington. And the only one until Ben Grieve came along. Hunter Pence makes it three. He also passed away in Arlington in 1932.

Anniversary: On this date in 1943, the Texas League announced that it would cease operations for the remainder of World War II.

Last call: "Milton Bradley wants to win. If he's got a reason to be angry, then I'll just try to get up there before he gets thrown out. But I'm not going to take away his fire. I'm not going to stop that."
Ron Washington.