Monday Morning Manager...Last flight to Yankee Stadium

1. It appears that if we do have a winning record at the break, we'll only be one game over.

2. Good #4 or #5 starter who can soak up some innings - but nothing more than that. I don't think he'll be in the rotation past 2009 - if he is, it'll probably mean we had some serious failings with Brandon McCarthy, Matt Harrison and Thomas Diamond.

3. No... for the last time, let Salty have his shot. He's improved his defense, now let's see if the bat comes around in the next couple weeks. If it doesn't, then you can give MaxRam more of a shot back there (providing Laird gets traded, that is).

4. Yes - I'd like to see him get a few more days off. Of all the guys on this club he is the one we cannot afford to run into the ground.

5. Nope. I try not to remember many series with the Yankees, because they usually clobber us.

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A special memory, indeed. In May, 1962, on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon, I attended a Saturday afterday game against, I think, the Baltimore Orioles. Yogi Berra got his 2,000th base hit, and the Yankees won. We had ridden the subway, and walked out into the beautiful green expanseive field of Yankee Stadium. The first sight of the field was later beautifully described by Billy Crystal in Ken Burns Baseball. We sat on the first base side, up high. A wonderful memory for a 13-year old from Texas, and formerly Los Angeles.

1. No.

2. #5 starter, #4 maybe.

3. No. Give Salty every chance to be really good for the next month. Swap him on July 31.

4. It does appear that way.

5. Best memory is easy. On April 7, I sat up the 3rd base line towards LF to watch the Yankees play the Rays in the Bronx. It will be my only trip to the Mecca of Baseball before they tear it down. I hate the Yanks, but I couldn't help but be giddy walking through Monument Park. It was really special imagining Mantle and Maris trading HRs in '61, the summer my dad learned to love baseball.

3) Since we know Salty doesn't play well defensively as a catcher and Ramirez does (watch his footwork and release from yesterday when he threw out the runner in 1st), the answer is obvious.

4) I am nore concerned pitchers have adjusted to Hamilton and he has yet to adjust to their adjustments. He is swinging at too many bad pitches.

1. I'm probably a little to optimistic but I do think that we will finish with a winning record. We may lose 2 of 3 against the Yanks but I think we can at least split a series with the Angels and win the series against the O's and Chi Sox. As long as we score runs then I think our pitching will hold it's own. That may be me being optimistic again...

2. He's done a good job in the transition from reliever to starter. He goes about 6 innings in every game and knows how to get out of jams. It will be interesting to see how he finishes off the season.

3. This is a tough question because I've been a fan of Salty, but watching him play defense is a roller coaster. Runners just go off on him and he always seems to have a ball slip beneath him when he should be going down on it and letting it bounce in front of him. His hitting hasn't been there either so it's hard to continue saying that we should be giving him a shot. The problem is that he may never get full time reps when you have guys like Laird and Max. Someone will get traded before the deadline. Right?.....

4. Josh is fine. The season wares on everyone and it was bound to happen to Josh. He was on as hottest of a streak as one can have so eventually he was going to cool off a little. He will have MVP numbers throughout the season. Not to much concern over here

5. My memory is that today my stinkin twin brother is a lucky dog getting to watch the game at Yankee Stadium and cheer against the Evil Empire. He went up there and saw the Subway series and gets to go to the game today. I'm bitter and jealous

1. No.
2. I think he's doing fine. He's getting enough starts that hitters will start making adjustments, though. How he responds will show us how far along he has come.
3. I don't think Max should share equal time with Salty. I think this time should be used to get Salty some consistent playing time. I don't know if he or Laird is the one to be traded soon, but if Salty's the one to be moved then it would be more beneficial to the Rangers to give him the chance to build his value. If he's not the one and Laird's on his way out, Salty needs to show us if he's capable of doing the job full-time.
4. I think it's a combination of fatigue, and of Josh starting to give up some at bats as viper mentioned earlier (due to fatigue?). The guy still looks strong, so I'm not too concerned.
5. I remember Juan Gonzalez and Dean Palmer hitting home runs in the Rangers' only playoff win.

1. Winning record? Probably not, somewhere around .500 very likely – I’m thinking one game under.

2. Considering the state of the Rangers starting rotation he’s okay. Keep him in the rotation until there are better alternatives

3. Hmmm, who wrote this just a couple of weeks ago “but it all comes down to there being no shortcuts in baseball. You can't get where you want to go that quickly. “ T.R. are you changing your mind and starting to subscribe to the Rangers Front Office theory of “young players have 10 days to produce or else!” ? Just my opinion: Max has been traded twice, one of the reasons being as good as he is offensively his previous teams have hard time finding him a place in the field. One nice throw on Sunday to get a runner out does not change years of scouting reports that say Max, at best, has the chance to be an average defensive catcher - maybe. All that being said, I think that splitting time between Max and Salty on the big league level does absolutely nothing to benefit the development of either player. One of them should be playing everyday at AAA, the other should be the everyday catcher for the major league team. This season is about finding out what the Rangers have and what they need to compete in the near future. Again, just my opinion the best way to do that is give players an EXTENDED opportunity to evaluate their performance (not just a couple of weeks). Which a long way to my answer of: Salty should play everyday – Max should be at AAA and the Rangers should have found different solution for backup catcher.

4. Yes. Expecting Josh to keep up the kind of production he had in April and May was probably not realistic. He probably does need to rest – note to Ron Washington – rest doesn’t mean playing RF or even DH – it means sitting on the bench eating sunflower seeds for a couple of days in a row.

5. Not really. However, I like what Greg Maddux said: "I thought it (Yankee Stadium) would be in black and white."
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1. No, but they shouldn't be too far off.

2. I think he's a good option for the back of the rotation next season. I worry about his endurance in the second half, having been a reliever previously. He will probably start to wear down by August, but he'll be stronger next year if he doesn't get hurt in the process. Hopefully they'll be carefull with his pitch counts.

3. I think Max should catch 1-2 games a week maximum, DH once and play first another. Playing 3 or 4 times a week justities him being here while letting Salty get regular AB's.

4. A little, but I'm more concerned about his pitch recognition right now. I don't think he's seeing the ball as well as he was in the first 2 months.

5. Game 7 of the '04 ALCS, not because I like the Red Sox, but because of the unprecedented nature of the comeback it capped off and the fact that it was at the Yankees expense.

1. no .500 or one game under.
2. he's the fourth best we have right now. barring injury he can cement his spot in the rotation for next season by being reliable this season.
3. yes. we have seen the defensive side of salty and its not pretty. i know max isn't the second coming of pudge but he should at least get a shot (especially if we're not resigning laird) because salty isn't proving to anyone lately that he is the better hitter either.
4. no. pitchers now know who is he and what he'll swing at. he just needs to adjust, see the pitches better and look for more walks.
5. caught a homerun ball with my bare hands in bp. during the game i got to see the rocket pitch for the first time, he struck out 10. and a week and a half later i went to atlanta and got to see pedro pitch against greg maddox. i got to see 3 hall of fame pitchers within a week and a half. also i got to sit field level right in front of monument park during a boston/ny game. the heckling going on in left field towards ricky henderson was as entertaining as the game itself. ricky went on to hit a homerun into those left field seats and later injured himself making a play in the outfield. the left field crowd did show respect when he was carted off the field. other than that i hate the place.

1. no .500 or one game under.
2. he's the fourth best we have right now. barring injury he can cement his spot in the rotation for next season by being reliable this season.
3. yes. we have seen the defensive side of salty and its not pretty. i know max isn't the second coming of pudge but he should at least get a shot (especially if we're not resigning laird) because salty isn't proving to anyone lately that he is the better hitter either.
4. no. pitchers now know who is he and what he'll swing at. he just needs to adjust, see the pitches better and look for more walks.
5. caught a homerun ball with my bare hands in bp. during the game i got to see the rocket pitch for the first time, he struck out 10. and a week and a half later i went to atlanta and got to see pedro pitch against greg maddox. i got to see 3 hall of fame pitchers within a week and a half. also i got to sit field level right in front of monument park during a boston/ny game. the heckling going on in left field towards ricky henderson was as entertaining as the game itself. ricky went on to hit a homerun into those left field seats and later injured himself making a play in the outfield. the left field crowd did show respect when he was carted off the field. other than that i hate the place.
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1. No winning record in this tough stretch before the all star break. Yanks, Chi Sox and Angels are hot. Bad timing to have a a worn out and banged up Hamilton and the fact that Millwood and Padilla have to pitch 4 to 5 times.
2. Feldman has been the most consistant starter this season as far as quality starts. Very suprising thinking he had been a reliever. I like his sinker and that he has pitched late in games. He has just been very unlucky as far as run support has gone. My only fear is that he will wear down from fatigue and the league will start to figure him out.
3. Salty should play at least 5 days a week at catcher and 1 day at DH. This is the only way to see what he has. You can tell by watching him at the plate that he is pressing and trying to hard every at bat. He sholuld be fine on offense (I hope, I am getting scared). I like MaxRam he should DH while Chris Davis plays 1st and can play 1st on days Davis DH's.
4. I sure hope Hamilton is going to be okay. he dosen't seem to be the same hitter he was in April and May, but who really expected that he was the best player on the planet. pitchers are adjusting to him and he just needs a few days off and to adjust his pitch selection.
5. 2004 ALCS when the Red Sox came back from 3-0 deficet and reversed the curse. The curse of A-Rod proved to be to much for even the great Yankees.

1. No, at the break they will be 2 games under .500
2. #4
3. No
4. Yes, but hopefully he will recover and do just fine
5. None

1. I hope we are 2- 3 over, but believe we will still be at .500
2. Feldman has beem amazing as a starter. I was ready to dfa him at the end of last season
3. SALTY MUST GO...may God forgive me he just is not a catcher, regardless of what he or the front office think...Max should be in the starting role with Salty as backup C/DH, then be packaged with Cat and Blalock at the deadline.
4. It looks to me as Josh is iin his own head too much...he nreeds to quit thinking, and just hit.
5. No memories of Yankees Stadium, except lots of losses.

Who here said CJ was not a closer? Looked like one in the 9th at NY. The only suggestion I have to RW is put Chris Davis at first and leave him. The guy is a natural 1st baseman.

You're dead right about Davis,fb. You have to feel sorry for Blalock, but Davis is looking the real deal.

Bye bye Blalock!!! We have our first baseman of the future. Feldman looked like an ace instead of a #4 or #5 tonight. CJ finally went 123 and Salty threw someone out. What is up with the Rangers? Kevin Millwood will probably take care of that tomorrow, but way to go tonight.

Evidentally some people think that 3 games is a career. Perhaps they should remember another 1st baseman who came up with Detroit a few years ago. Actually led the league in homers and was on a pace for 70. Before half a season he was sent down again and later the organization just seemed to forget about him. We picked him up I think as a free agent but he has no future with us....yup...Chris Shelton. Before you canonize a guy let him play a few games huh. No doubt Chris Davis is good but is he that good. Blalock is hitting 299...he was hitting 300 when he got injured last year....how did he become hamburger for a guy that has just 3 games? 2 homers and a double will not help you make the all star team or the hall. Lighten up!

1. The team has only lost 3 series since April (I Know a split in MN is not a win but it aint a loss either). Said it before, keep winning series and things will happen so they have every chance to be above .500 at the break

2. Monday's game was great. I like the way Feldman shook off that A-rod moonshot and just did his job. Although I think RW has him on a bit too short of a leash. Nolan is preaching the extra inning but every time Feldman is close to 100 pitches and someone gets on RW yanks him.

3. Salty just does not look like a catcher right now. I said before he looks like a DH/Backup right now. However, he is making strides defensively with the regular playing time so maybe this just needs to play out unitl Laird gets back and up to speed. Ramirez may be better right now defensively but that margin appears to be shrinking. Ramirez does not need to tak AB's away from Davis at first,

4. Hamilton does need some time off but Milton Bradley's inability to play the field on a regular basis is why we have this problem. Folks seem to forget that this is a brand new league for Josh and only his second year at this level. Let it ride, give him the time he needs and he will be the best Rangers outfielder ever and llikely one of the best ever in baseball.

5. Yankee Stadium holds nothing special for me. "I don't care who wins as long as it is anybody but the Yankees"

1) Yes they are about to reel off a streak...
2) I like Feldman and he will get better as he gains confidence. He is offsetting the terrible trade for McCarthy.
3) More than Salty, how many passed balls does Salty have? You don't learn how to catch at the major league level. If he is that serious about being a catcher send him to AAA or AA and let him catch everyday, before everyone finds out that he can't catch. I believe his future is at first base on another team. Ramirez is already a better major league catcher and he is supposed to not be that good. What does that say about Salty? Salt could have been the first baseman here this year and Davis could have come later.
4) Hamilton is hurting and playing through it. He should play right field from now on out. Murphy and Byrd can play center. Save Hams bat and let those guys get beat up.
5) Reggie Jackson 3 home run game in the World Series. Chris Chambliss's walk off homer against the Royals. Billy Martin pulling Reggie in the middle of an inning. George Brett going crazy after Billy challenging his home run due to pine tar..... So many and i know that this didn't happen at Yankee stadium, but watching Bucky Dent hit that 3 run homer against the hated Red Sox. I loved that one right over the Green Monster....

Blalock is going to have to go back to third base, hit for awhile show everyone he is healthy and then he can be dealt. It is hard to believe that Danks and Blalock could have been traded for Beckett and Lowell. If this was true then what does this team look like? Boy what held that one up? Oh that is right, we wanted to keep Danks for another year before we traded him. Beckett would look good at the front end of this rotation is from Texas and is a true ace. That is the type of guy we need. Maybe if we get competitive, he will come here as a free agent.

The reports of Blalock's demise are surely premature, but before we get crazy with comparisons lets put Shelton vs. Davis into perspective. Chris Davis is 22 years old and off to a hot start in the big leagues. At the same age Chris Shelton was at low A, 3 years away from the hot start he got off to in his second go-round in the majors.

I'm glad Davis did come up hitting right away, but I'm almost as excited to so those two plays he made to his left yesteray. He looks like a natural over there. Joba is probably going to slow his roll a bit today at the plate.

As far as Dgod's "Boy what held that one up?" - The answer would be Hanley Ramirez.

Fair comment, Fred, but I agree wth hefe that it's Davis's defensive work that impresses. All of us posters (and many commentators!) are guilty demanding power and average - and then complaining about defence. Then there's the seventh tool (the sixth, as I've already suggested, being character), the possession of a baseball brain. Does Davis have this? He did make a "brain" mistake in the first Yankee game when he failed to complete a double play by concentrating on the wrong baserunner, but it's early days. My feeling is tht Blalock could be another wally Pipp..... Alas! Poor Blalock, I knew him well. (With apologies to Shakespear)

Who was it said CJ wasn't a closer? Must have been a real baseball man. 2 over the yankees! Can't get much better than that. Wonder if Ponson is ready? I do not think Nolan will let Chris Davis go back to AAA. There is too much of an up side to him. Blaylock has to come back and take a job from someone but 1st base is not it.

1) Yes...I think the starting pitching will be just good enough.

2) His ball doesn't go straight at any time, so this spells probable success for him as a starter.

3) I am still of the belief Salty IS THE MAN. I like Max, but he might well need to be at third base if Chris Davis is locked up at third and Salty is at catcher. Of course, this leaves a question as to Ramon Vasquez, but I don't want the answer to be any longer. In short, I think Salty is best served catching full-time. Since Max is versatile and hasn't slid into a definable, permanent position, I'd put him at various places and let Salty develop.

4) Yes, I am. He probably hasn't performed as much, or in such heat as in Texas. I wish he'd be playing every third day at DH. Answer to your question is, yes, too much outfield in Texas in the Summer WILL make one break down. I'm afraid this is true with Josh.

5) Was it in Yankee Stadium where Bump Wills and Toby Harrah hit back-to-back pitches for inside the park home runs? If memory serves, it was. I'll always remember that feat (Maybe never duplicated), regardless if it was Yankee Stadium or not.

hefe...22 or 26...the point is that Shelton was the next best thing to sliced bread and he's just a tad from getting DFA'd here when Blalock comes back. What's really important here is to just keep Davis in proportion...he's just really out of AA . I hope he makes something of this chance but I've followed baseball for a lot of years (I still remember the 55 Braves) and I've seen rooks come and I've seen um go.

I'm sure you have seen a lot of rookies. I'm sure you've seen enough to realize a pattern in the rates of success and longevity that players who make it to the big leagues in thier early 20's have vs. those in their mid or late 20's. That's the reason I thought it was important to point out the age difference relative to level of play. I'm sure Davis is due his share of struggles in this transition rather he has long term success or not.

Maybe you can provide some insight into the recovery rate for a position player from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I can't find anything info other than for pitchers, who typically need 4-6 months after surgury to resume normal activity. I'm sure a first baseman must require much less, but I can't find any precedents.

And finally, a minor point of clarification. Shelton can't be DFA'd when Blalock gets back. His designation coincided with Davis' call-up.

Hefe...whoops. Missed the Shelton thing.

For some reason I don't remember hearing of another player recovering from carpel tunnel during the season. It's really the kind of thing you can plan an operation for.. In fact there is now a whole school of thought that says treat it without surgery. Yup. I had the surgery...both in wrist and elbow. And I was back in no time...but I'm not playing ball and I didn't fall on it and hurt it. In fact from what I think I know falling on it could reverse the whole operation. . Hank is overdue back from this one though.

The kid (Davis) looks sharp. I really want him to make it. It would be a nice touch for the Rangers...I just urge some caution about making him the next Texeria...or anyone else for that matter.

I have just one word for Mr Hicks...pitching. We should not have lost that game last night

Hey, Davis hit that pitch about 410 feet to straight away centerfield. I do believe that all of his home runs have been up the middle or opposite field. He is showing a lot of confidence right now. Most young guys struggle, so far he hasn't. Right now he is giving us what we need from our first baseman power, average and defense. I personally don't care if he is 16 years old if he continues to do what he is doing over there. He is the future no doubt until he proves otherwise. My only concern at this time is who is our catcher if Laird isn't? Salty definitely has not but Ramirez is blocking balls in the dirt. Salt is going to rue the day that he did not volunteer to play first base. Because Davis is now the firstbaseman. Goodbye Frank and Shelton. What the heck is going on with Benoit? I watched him last night and it appeared that he over relying on his changeup? Is he hurting??????

Trade Benoit, Blalock, Bradley, Catalanotto, Millwood, Padilla & Saltalamacchia. Padilla and Bradley are the only ones that are producing and might bring some signifigant return. But we might get something for all the others combined. I just hope that Hicks or Daniels dosen't over evaluate what has happend and think that this team is a continder for the playoffs this year and trade off all the young talent we have assembled in the minors. Very bright future but future is the key word.