MVN - Most Valuable Network

Rangers Link Dump: 7/5 Edition

Friday was the first true day off I’ve had from the Texas Rangers in weeks, if not months. I’m not going to lie, either: it was simultaneously enjoyable and liberating.

The relentless self-induced pressure to produce relevant, high-quality material on this organization is a tremendous burden to carry, particularly when coupled with the inherent stresses created by everyday life. It is that burden which gives me a particularly deep-seated respect for those who possess regular, non-baseball associated day (or night) jobs, and yet tirelessly devote themselves to virtual non-stop coverage of Rangers baseball.

Since taking over the reins to Baseball Time in Arlington from the estimable John Vittas last February, I have continually strived to provide some of the most enlightening and informative takes on Rangers baseball available via the web medium. The enticing brand of detailed statistical analysis and hard-hitting opinions offered by Jason Parks, Craig Barnes and myself continues to grow exponentially in popularity, a trend that we have all worked very hard to establish as the status quo going forward.

So, as we prepare to dive into yet another collection of links and quotes from across the baseball landscape that is uncharacteristically bereft of that aforementioned brand of opinions and analysis, let me say it again: thank you for your continued readership, comments and words of encouragement. A brief holiday weekend tuneup, and we’ll be as good as new.

If only it were that simple for the baseball team we all know and love.

Dallas Morning News: Texas Rangers’ loss to Orioles has Padilla hurting

One game, three injuries to the starting rotation.

Even in the strange, twisted history of Texas Rangers pitching, this may be some kind of record.

By the time a 10-4 loss to Baltimore was complete Friday, the Rangers had lost Vicente Padilla for the game and perhaps his next start with a bruised thumb and a neck strain, and lost today’s scheduled starter, Eric Hurley, to a sore left hamstring.

When they left Orioles Park at Camden Yards, the Rangers were just hoping nobody got singed by a Roman candle while watching the Fourth of July fireworks on the Inner Harbor.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Hurley scratched from today’s start vs. Orioles

Kevin Millwood had to leave his last start early. Vicente Padilla is ailing. Now rookie Eric Hurley has been scratched from today’s start because of his hamstring. Hurley, who won his last decision, hurt his left hamstring before Friday’s game.

“I was doing some sprints today and I pulled up a little lame,” Hurley said. “I should be all right. I don’t think it’s a huge deal. My leg’s been tight the past couple of days.”

Hurley’s spot will be taken by Scott Feldman, who will pitch on his regular rest. Feldman was scheduled to start Tuesday to give the former reliever some extra rest. Hurley (1-1, 3.57 ERA) said he hopes to take Feldman’s spot Tuesday against Los Angeles.

Postcards from Elysian Fields: Fourth of July Happy Hour at the Elysian Fields Bar & Grill

Ian Kinsler is second in the league in hitting and said, “Yeah, I can see myself leading the league. I can see myself as any kind of champion. Why not? Somebody has got to do it.”

USA Today: All-Star nod will affirm Hamilton’s climb from addiction depths

[Josh Hamilton] has ventured out a few times with teammates and says he feels more accepted by his Texas teammates than in Cincinnati last year, when no one invited him out. He sensed jealousy and perhaps resentment over the attention his comeback story received

“I even heard comments that I was signing too many autographs for the fans,” he says. “It just got worse as the year went on.”

The discord played no factor in the trade, but, [Wayne] Krivsky said: “There were issues in the clubhouse. Maybe that stuff would have gone by the boards had he stayed.”

Dallas Morning News: Wilson says former teammates created bad chemistry for Texas Rangers

While praising the Rangers’ clubhouse chemistry on a local radio show Thursday, outspoken closer C.J. Wilson said the improvement was attributed as much to subtraction as addition.

Wilson lauded the arrivals of players such as Milton Bradley and Eddie Guardado for their influence in the clubhouse. But he also said there were key players on last year’s team who were more interested in money than in winning baseball games. He also said an unnamed key veteran was “mean” to younger players.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much better it is now than it was two years ago,” Wilson told KTCK’s Bob Sturm. “And the most obvious thing I can say is, you look at the roster, the guys that we have now versus the guys that we had then.”

MLB.com: Catalanotto hoping to stay with Texas

Frank Catalanotto started July with a three-hit night on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. He wonders if he’ll end the month with a new team.

“I have no idea what to think or if I’m going to be around or not,” Catalanotto said Friday before the Rangers’ game with the Orioles. “I’m curious to see how it’s all going to shake out.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 5th, 2008 at 1:42 am and is filed under Link Dump, The Season. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.