Remembering a childhood filled with baseball cards and sports board games.
Including the one I invented myself at age 9.
T.R.’s Memoirs: Never found the Holy Grail under the tree, but still had lots of fun
Quick note:
I am retiring. After 32 seasons, I will no longer be a beat writer for the Rangers as of Dec. 28.
Thank you for reading in the Denison Herald, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and .
After a 40-year career, all I can say is I did the best I could.
Elvis Andrus is an all-time favorite.
That's not just me... that is the opinion of anybody who ever walked into the Rangers clubhouse.
His legacy and place in the pantheon of Rangers history is secure. He will be missed.
Greatly.
This guy is 37 today.... His slash line is .294/.389/.505 .... His .894 OPS is the second highest of his career right now ... Happy Birthday to Shin-Soo Choo
Some of us were there on June 20, 1991 when he was 19 years old and made his MLB debut at Comiskey Park. He had a two-run single and threw out two baserunners. Today he turns 48 years old and is in the Hall of Fame... Happy Birthday to Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez
Ummm.... I am honestly blown away by the many text messages, responses, tweets, calls and emails received today.
It was overwhelming. Helen and I read every one of them. It is impossible to respond to everybody so I wish to say from my heart.
Thank you very much one and all!!
Ian Kinsler has announced his retirement...going to work in the Padres front office...The Rangers need to bring him to Arlington for one day and place him in the proper place deserved in franchise history....What Rangers accomplished in 2010-11.... KInsler was a huge part of it
Best part of the closing ceremonies was seeing the crowd give Neftali Feliz a big ovation. The Rangers don't go to two World Series without him doing the job as the closer. He deserved a strong reception
Adrian Beltre said he will only accept a trade if he gets a real chance to win....and can make a meaningful contribution to New team...says trade must work for him and the Rangers
Instead of God Bless America.... The Orioles sing This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie during the 7th inning stretch..... two thumbs up from this viewpoint
Rangers are talking to the D-backs about starting pitching and Zack Greinke could be in play. Any potential deal is not close but the two teams have been talking
Post-game drama.... Red Sox manager Alex Cora was not happy the Rangers dropped a foul pop so Minor could get his 200th strikeout in the 9th... The Rangers said too bad... they weren't happy the Red Sox were swinging at the first pitch in the eighth to keep Minor from getting it
Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is donating $1,000 to every Rangers Minor League player to help them through the crisis. Choo wants to the Minor Leaguers to be able to focus on their careers and not worry about money
There is at least one generation of Rangers fans - maybe more - who have no idea or could care less about what happened in 2011.
That was the best rotation in Rangers history and I bet most couldn't name at least two of their starters
Beltre on his future: "If I feel like I can’t hit anymore which sometimes this year I’ve felt that I can’t hit anymore, if I can’t compete with the young guys, yes, I’ll pack up my bags and go home. Right now, I’m not at that stage yet. I might be there at the end of the year."
Live in Plano...Still can't watch the Rangers on local television. I even tried
@BallySportsSW
and I had my credit card out. No go. For the third straight year...I can not watch the Texas Rangers. Oh well... I was able to watch them for 32 years. It was fun.
Ron Washington is back in the World Series as the Braves third base coach. But it is frustrating to me that he hasn't been given another chance to manage again.
The San Diego Padres have fired manager Andy Green... they should hire Ron Washington...if ever a team needed Ron Washington .. it is the Padres.... he would win there...End of story
I am going to keep wearing masks because it is the right thing to do...and I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable around me.
Even after I get the second COVID shot.
Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo has made a substantial donation to the Rangers Youth Academy to install lights in the batting cages...He is a free agent....still waiting to see if he is going to play next season or retire
Rangers sign lefty after 99-mph video 'blew up' via
@MLB
... This is the amazing story of pitcher Chris Nunn,,,who will be in Spring Training with the Rangers after a long and winding road...and a workout video that caught everybody's attention
Congrats to the
@Rangers
!
I’m a life-long Astros fans—tough night—but Dallas won it with a fantastic performance in game 7. They earned it.
And we have a Texas team in the
#WorldSeries
So, go Rangers!!!!
The 2023 baseball season will be remembered for one thing.
The year baseball was saved from a dreadful disease that was killing the sport. Games that dragged on forever.
The pitch clock was the greatest innovation in the history of the game.
End of discussion
Seriously!
Rangers welcome Hailey Dawson to Globe Life to throw out a first pitch. She was born with Poland Syndrome, causing her to be missing 3 fingers on her throwing hand. Dawson wears a 3D printed hand and is on a mission to throw out a first pitch at all 30 MLB ballparks.
Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker are the best pair of Rangers pitching prospects since Bobby Witt and Kevin Brown 36-37 years ago. This will be something to watch...there are no excuses....but I think I have said that before.
Mike Minor on wanting a contract extension with the Rangers: “For sure. I feel like I’ve endured the worst part of it. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want to be a part of it. I don’t want to jump ship now when it’s going to be good.”
Yes...Cubs 3B Kris Bryant lost his grievance. Two years to go before he can be a free agent....yes, the Rangers are still looking for another big bat....yes, Todd Frazier said he us willing to play first base if needed....yes, Jon Daniels is pursuing all trade options...
The Rangers have informed pitching coach Doug Brocail that he will not return next season. He was pitching coach for three seasons but the Rangers going in a new direction
Jon Daniels has been dismissed as Rangers president of baseball operations.
Daniels did an outstanding job building two World Series teams and four division title winners. That can never be forgotten.
His integrity and character are above reproach as well.
You gotta love "Zonk"
John Lanzillo passed away today. He was 88.
We have had some amazing fans in Arlington over the years...men and women, boys and girls, who added to the fun, excitement and baseball culture in Arlington.
God bless then all
Photo: Dallas Morning News
Here is the Rangers lineup in front 51,227 fans at the Ballpark in Arlington.
2b Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
CF Josh Hamilton
DH Michael Young
3B Adrian Beltre
C Mike Napoli
RF Nelson Cruz
LF David Murphy
1B Mitch Moreland
P Derek Holland
Ronald Guzman has been working out with Nelson Cruz. They also have been passing out new shoes to boys and girls in Guzman's hometown of LaVega in the Dominican Republic collected at the Rangers Youth Academy
Elvis Andrus on low expectations for Rangers: "That's good. I love that. When you play with a chip on your shoulder, that's the best. I know they're counting us out and we're going to be in last place. That's good. That fuels me as a player. I love when people doubt you already."
Before there was Joey Gallo, Nelson Cruz and Juan Gonzalez..... there was Pete Incaviglia. He could hit 'em as far as anyone back in the late '80's .... Today he turns 55 ... funny, his 124 home runs with Rangers doesn't seem like much but he was a big deal around here for awhile
Longtime Rangers writer Fraley passes away via
@MLB
... The passing of Gerry Fraley ... It is impossible for anyone to understand my feelings on this so here is my story
Hunter Pence was the Rangers Player of the Month but it should be noted that Jesse Chavez pitched 17 1/3 scoreless over 13 games, including three starts. That is the most scoreless innings in a single month in Rangers history
Today is the anniversary of the 2000 trade that brought Michael Young to the Rangers from the Blue Jays, GM Doug Melvin said scout Rudy Terrassas picked Young over two more highly regarded Blue Jays IF prospects. Felipe Lopez and Brent Abernathy. That's why you have pro scouts
Exactly 25 years ago....the Rangers swept a 3-game series from the Angels in Anaheim to win the 1998 AL West title.
Most significant 3-game sweep in Rangers history. Momentous week for the Rangers.,.
And now....
Rangers don't see Beltre going anywhere....Atlanta appears to be dead.... Beltre might be interested in going to Boston but the Red Sox don't appear motivated to explore that...
Charley Pride has passed away at the age of 86.
If you have ever been around the Rangers for any length of time...you will understand this is a profound loss.
Part owner, Spring Training regular, awesome guy, a great friend, a joy to be around....This one is hard
34 years ago today....I walked down the aisle with this lady....Helen has been with me and stood by me ever since through good and tough times and a terrific son....Happy anniversary to my wonderful wife Helen
Joey Gallo told the media today he was glad he was not traded. Wants to be a Ranger for "a long time." He is a free agent after 2022 but would love to talk about an extension. Said Rangers have a "bright future."