Texas Rangers 2010 Playoffs - Page 29 - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

sike · 11-01-2010, 09:59 PM

Last week we had all 4 of our major teams playing...which was amazing...now we're down to two.

LonghornDub · 11-01-2010, 10:45 PM

Rangers in 8. Book it.

sike · 11-01-2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Rangers in 8. Book it.

you're a bum!

LonghornDub · 11-01-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

you're a bum!

I'm just trying to stay optimistic aight.

jthig32 · 11-01-2010, 11:44 PM

Well...that was awesome. It was an awesome atmosphere; an awesome event. I loved almost every minute of being there.

Cliff was pretty damn good, but Lincecum was like nothing I've ever seen before in person. He was incredible. Every two strike count felt like a foregone conclusion.

That was place eerily silent after the home run. Just stunning. It looked and sounded like a casual flyball to left field. Elvis even pointed to the sky like you do on a routine popup. And it just kept going and going and going. Unbelievable.

Definitely a frustrating series offensively. Their pitchers are great and our hitters came back down to earth, for sure.

But all in all it was an incredible, magical run. Almost no one picked them to make the playoffs coming out of spring training. Think of all the things this team overcame:

We had the cocaine scandal. Josh and Vlad were coming off terrible seasons. Our opening day catcher played one game plus one at bat the next game and never suited up for us again. Our top two pitchers were out of the rotation by August and didn't pitch one game in the post season. Our opening day CF (and opening day lead off hitter) was a massive disappointment. We had darn near league-worst production at catcher and first base all year. Our closer blew up in front of our faces in the first two weeks and got replaced by a rookie. We had a bottom five payroll in the league and no money in the budget to make an acquisitions. We had the contentious, litigious ownership situation.

And through it all this team persevered and gave us a truly magical run. Be disappointed at the way it ended, for sure. My heart literally hurt seeing Rentaria round those bases. But let yourself, at some point, step back and remember where this team was and where it got to.

This was awesome.

Oh, and one last thing. To the stunningly large number of Ranger fans that left the stadium tonight in the top of the ninth with the Rangers down two freaking runs. To those people I say this: Die.In.A.Fire.

Go Rangers.

ribosoma · 11-02-2010, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

Well...that was awesome. It was an awesome atmosphere; an awesome event. I loved almost every minute of being there.

Cliff was pretty damn good, but Lincecum was like nothing I've ever seen before in person. He was incredible. Every two strike count felt like a foregone conclusion.

That was place eerily silent after the home run. Just stunning. It looked and sounded like a casual flyball to left field. Elvis even pointed to the sky like you do on a routine popup. And it just kept going and going and going. Unbelievable.

Definitely a frustrating series offensively. Their pitchers are great and our hitters came back down to earth, for sure.

But all in all it was an incredible, magical run. Almost no one picked them to make the playoffs coming out of spring training. Think of all the things this team overcame:

We had the cocaine scandal. Josh and Vlad were coming off terrible seasons. Our opening day catcher played one game plus one at bat the next game and never suited up for us again. Our top two pitchers were out of the rotation by August and didn't pitch one game in the post season. Our opening day CF (and opening day lead off hitter) was a massive disappointment. We had darn near league-worst production at catcher and first base all year. Our closer blew up in front of our faces in the first two weeks and got replaced by a rookie. We had a bottom five payroll in the league and no money in the budget to make an acquisitions. We had the contentious, litigious ownership situation.

And through it all this team persevered and gave us a truly magical run. Be disappointed at the way it ended, for sure. My heart literally hurt seeing Rentaria round those bases. But let yourself, at some point, step back and remember where this team was and where it got to.

This was awesome.

Oh, and one last thing. To the stunningly large number of Ranger fans that left the stadium tonight in the top of the ninth with the Rangers down two freaking runs. To those people I say this: Die.In.A.Fire.

Go Rangers.

Great post, thiggy. I'm sad to hear about people leaving a freaking World Series game in the 9th inning.... wow. As much as it hurt, I watched the Giants celebrate because they are an easy team to like.

I am looking forward to see how the influx of cash is going to transform this team. They already have a great foundation, and this year they put the idea that pitchers can't perform in Arlington to bed. I am hoping this playoff run can attract some key free agents. But that is for later.

For now, I am proud of our team and what they accomplished. They all showed tremendous character and grit through sometimes unbelievably ridiculous circumstances.

mavspwnage · 11-02-2010, 02:12 AM

I absolutely loved the "Let's go Rangers" chants just moments after the game had ended. Rangers fans > Cowboys fans and it's not even close. I am thrilled to have been able to attend a World Series game. Who knows when I may get the chance again. Despite the loss, the $ I spent to attend the final home game of the season was more than worth it. I went to about 20 games this year. And what sucks is that my regular season record was really good. Something like 12-4. But we lost all three playoff games I attended.

Thank you Rangers for making the last seven months a hell of a lot of fun. I'll see you in April. I will no doubt be renewing my season mini plan that I had this year.

Murphy3 · 11-02-2010, 06:24 AM

....I'm so emotionally empty right now. I know that I won't be able to listen to sportstalk for a couple of weeks.. but hey, that's just the way baseball go.

jthig32 · 11-02-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

I absolutely loved the "Let's go Rangers" chants just moments after the game had ended. Rangers fans > Cowboys fans and it's not even close. I am thrilled to have been able to attend a World Series game. Who knows when I may get the chance again. Despite the loss, the $ I spent to attend the final home game of the season was more than worth it. I went to about 20 games this year. And what sucks is that my regular season record was really good. Something like 12-4. But we lost all three playoff games I attended.

Thank you Rangers for making the last seven months a hell of a lot of fun. I'll see you in April. I will no doubt be renewing my season mini plan that I had this year.

I was 0-3 for the playoffs as well.

The Let's Go Rangers chant after the final out was really cool. A few minutes later Chuck thanked the fans for their support a huge cheer went up.

My dad and I hung around for quite a while, and about 30 minutes after it was all over Wash came back onto the field to do an interview and those of us that were there (a few thousand I would guess) had gathered towards their dugout and gave him several ovations. There was also a Wash chant. It was really cool. He had to tip his cap about five times in five minutes before heading back into the clubhouse.

Also, four different Giants took time to leave their celebration to come over and shake his hand and give him a hug before he headed off. That dude is really, really respected amongst the players.

Male30Dan · 11-02-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

....I'm so emotionally empty right now. I know that I won't be able to listen to sportstalk for a couple of weeks.. but hey, that's just the way baseball go.

Yeah, you and me too.

I went into this thinking that it would be very easy to lose if we did but that definitely wasn't the case. It still hurt like hell watching SF run onto our field and celebrate.

Like Thiggy said, you really have to step back and look at what this team accomplished just to be in the damn final series, but still, it hurts all the more that they couldn't finish the story.

It's easy to sit here and say that we are well positioned to make a run at this for the next several years but the truth about baseball (and all sports for that matter) is that nothing is guaranteed.

I am still so proud of them, but it would've been nice to be both proud and happy at the end of this series.

Oh well, now our attention needs to turn to signing Cliff Lee to a long term contract. One bad game 1 and one bad pitch in game 5 does not make him any less of a stud. We wouldn't be in the World Series without him and he needs to be brought back.

If he comes back and Feliz possibly converts to a starter you would be talking about the following next year:

Lee
Wilson
Lewis
Holland
Feliz

Then you have SO many guys in the wings in the event that someone gets injured or struggles (Scheppers, Hunter, Feldman, Hurley, McCarthy, Harrison, etc...).

Sure, leaving Feliz as the closer of this team is likely the safe choice, but I think he can be so much more than that so here is hoping he gets a chance to show his stuff much like CJ did this year. Hell, Ogando or even Scheppers should be able to do a great job in this role.

Regarding the lineup, I think Vlad is gone and I HOPE MADLY that Young becomes the DH with someone like Adrian Beltre brought in to play 3B (though keeping Lee AND signing Beltre may be too much money for even our new ownership). Mitch played out of his mind this post season at 1B, but he made a few careless mistakes defensively and I still don't know that he will ever produce like you want to see a 1B produce. Then again, for the price/production, he will likely be the opening day starter.

The future is bright, but back to my original point, damn it would have been nice to have that bright future plus a World Series trophy to show for a lot of hard work this year. As LSB and Murphy pointed out though, that's just the way baseball go.

Murphy3 · 11-02-2010, 08:40 AM

I don't think Feliz converts to a starter this year. I expect it to be:
Lee
Wilson
Lewis
Holland
Hunter

I would love to see Hurley make his way back. But, I'm afraid that he still might be the better part of a season away from making it back to the Rangers if in fact he ever does. Harrison is an interesting guy. He actually has quite a bit to work with as far as stuff goes. It's just a matter of putting it all together. And with lefties, there seems to be a tendancy to take a little longer than it does with righties. I think he has good enough stuff to be a starter for many years at the big league level. It's just a matter of getting it done.

muzak · 11-02-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

Every two strike count felt like a foregone conclusion.

And it was so predictable too, which made it frustrating to watch on TV. Every time there were two strikes, you could put money on it that he was going to throw a change-up in the dirt. EVERY TIME. And every time we fell for it.

Mav Addict · 11-02-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

Well...that was awesome. It was an awesome atmosphere; an awesome event. I loved almost every minute of being there.

Cliff was pretty damn good, but Lincecum was like nothing I've ever seen before in person. He was incredible. Every two strike count felt like a foregone conclusion.

That was place eerily silent after the home run. Just stunning. It looked and sounded like a casual flyball to left field. Elvis even pointed to the sky like you do on a routine popup. And it just kept going and going and going. Unbelievable.

Definitely a frustrating series offensively. Their pitchers are great and our hitters came back down to earth, for sure.

But all in all it was an incredible, magical run. Almost no one picked them to make the playoffs coming out of spring training. Think of all the things this team overcame:

We had the cocaine scandal. Josh and Vlad were coming off terrible seasons. Our opening day catcher played one game plus one at bat the next game and never suited up for us again. Our top two pitchers were out of the rotation by August and didn't pitch one game in the post season. Our opening day CF (and opening day lead off hitter) was a massive disappointment. We had darn near league-worst production at catcher and first base all year. Our closer blew up in front of our faces in the first two weeks and got replaced by a rookie. We had a bottom five payroll in the league and no money in the budget to make an acquisitions. We had the contentious, litigious ownership situation.

And through it all this team persevered and gave us a truly magical run. Be disappointed at the way it ended, for sure. My heart literally hurt seeing Rentaria round those bases. But let yourself, at some point, step back and remember where this team was and where it got to.

This was awesome.

Oh, and one last thing. To the stunningly large number of Ranger fans that left the stadium tonight in the top of the ninth with the Rangers down two freaking runs. To those people I say this: Die.In.A.Fire.

Go Rangers.

This. +1

Awesome season...cant wait for next season!

alexamenos · 11-02-2010, 09:07 AM

I was 0-3 too...rays game 3, yanks game 1, giants game 4.

DevinHarriswillstart · 11-02-2010, 09:09 AM

Congrats to the Rangers on a great season!

...and now it's time for the Mavs!

jthig32 · 11-02-2010, 09:13 AM

Daniels was already asked about Feliz last night. He stated pretty flatly that he'd be the closer next season.

Murphy3 · 11-02-2010, 09:26 AM

I'm ready for baseball season. I'm going to have to make a point of seeing Ross, Erlin, Scheppers, and Perez pitch in person this year.

Mav Addict · 11-02-2010, 09:27 AM

Each year for the past 10 years I would watch 30-40 games a year and maybe attend 5-10 games, but normally I would wait for the sports ticker on the bottom of the screen to see the Rangers team stats.

I was very familiar with our lineup due to their potential and simply being a resident of DFW....I knew they had talented hitters but I knew pitching wins games, but these players showed more heart than I have ever witnessed in any other team...Despite the distractions mentioned above, they pulled through and I liked that most of all.

This season started unlike any other with the media buzz and Nolan predicting 92 wins...I believed Nolan and knew this season would be more special than any other rangers season...so I watched alot, more baseball than I have in my entire life and became not just a casual fan anymore, but a real baseball fan for the first time in my life...this team will always hold a special place in my heart regardless of this seasons outcome. I have enjoyed every single last minute of this ride and and cannot wait for future Ranger seasons.

Go Rangers!!!
Mav/Ranger Addict

Murphy3 · 11-02-2010, 09:30 AM

I caught part or all of 161 regular season games this year... and of course, all of the playoff/world series games. Yes, I love baseball.

Mav Addict · 11-02-2010, 09:33 AM

Very long season...took alot of my time to watch all these baseball games

Got a backlog of TV shows and video games to catch up on now Rangers and Cowboys are over...kinda relieved... alot of sports anxiety buildup from October...can finally exhale now, and maybe get more productive at work instead of worrying about the Rangers and Cowboys

only basketball now for me...

Male30Dan · 11-02-2010, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

Daniels was already asked about Feliz last night. He stated pretty flatly that he'd be the closer next season.

Didn't catch that. I turned the channel just after watching the Giants run out to celebrate. I just couldn't bear watching that unfold at the time. I have it DVR'd and I will eventually get around to watching it but I couldn't last night.

Yeah, I mean obviously it is the safe choice. I guess to me I just look at CJ as a perfect example of how much more valuable you can be as a starter than as a reliever, especially when you have someone that could adequately fill your role (Frankie took his 8th inning role very well). I think Scheppers or Ogando personally could do a very good job at either the 8th inning role with Frankie back at closer or as the closer himself. To me, it is worth it, but I guess I am in the minority here.

Mav Addict · 11-02-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphy3

I caught part or all of 161 regular season games this year... and of course, all of the playoff/world series games. Yes, I love baseball.

Ditto bro...may not have been live but they were all watched...mostly DVR'd

jthig32 · 11-02-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Male29Dan

Didn't catch that. I turned the channel just after watching the Giants run out to celebrate. I just couldn't bear watching that unfold at the time. I have it DVR'd and I will eventually get around to watching it but I couldn't last night.

Yeah, I mean obviously it is the safe choice. I guess to me I just look at CJ as a perfect example of how much more valuable you can be as a starter than as a reliever, especially when you have someone that could adequately fill your role (Frankie took his 8th inning role very well). I think Scheppers or Ogando personally could do a very good job at either the 8th inning role with Frankie back at closer or as the closer himself. To me, it is worth it, but I guess I am in the minority here.

Frankie's far from a guarantee to be back. His injury might have lowered his value to the point that he accepts arbitration, but if not I think he's gone.

I think the bullpen is a larger question than the starting rotation going forward, regardless of the Lee outcome. There's no question that a #1-#3 starter is more valuable than a good closer, but for this team I think his spot is secure as the closer.

sike · 11-02-2010, 10:04 AM

If the Rangers can't land Lee (Heaven forbid), are there any other stud Aces potentially available?

sike · 11-02-2010, 10:04 AM

CJ is doing an hr on Ben and Skin right now

alexamenos · 11-02-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

If the Rangers can't land Lee (Heaven forbid), are there any other stud Aces potentially available?

Nope. Kevin Millwood is about as good as any as far as plan b goes....

Male30Dan · 11-02-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

Frankie's far from a guarantee to be back. His injury might have lowered his value to the point that he accepts arbitration, but if not I think he's gone.

I think the bullpen is a larger question than the starting rotation going forward, regardless of the Lee outcome. There's no question that a #1-#3 starter is more valuable than a good closer, but for this team I think his spot is secure as the closer.

If Frankie isn't back, I can agree that his best spot would be as a closer just so we don't have an extra hole to fill with people that haven't had to fill them before. I think he accepts arbitration though so I am expecting him back. With Frankie in tow, I just see Feliz starting as a luxury I would LOVE to have. Imagine that guy for 7 or 8 innings coming at you.

As far as this bullpen with big questions, I don't know that I agree. Guys just ran out of gas. We had great success but we just went to the well a little too much. We need better success from our starting pitchers to prevent the 3 inning Harden/Feldman-type starts that kill a bullpen.

It is kind of like needing a better rush up front in football. If you have a terrific line you can make a fairly mediocre secondary look good, if not spectacular at times. Likewise if you have well rested arms you will get the best of the bullpen's abilities all year long and, most important, in the playoffs.

I just want him to start just like I want Chris Davis to turn the damn corner. I guess neither one is going to happen so I will just have to accept that.

sike · 11-02-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexamenos

Nope. Kevin Millwood is about as good as any as far as plan b goes....

been there, screw that.

Male30Dan · 11-02-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

CJ is doing an hr on Ben and Skin right now

Recap... Recap... Recap...

Male30Dan · 11-02-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

If the Rangers can't land Lee (Heaven forbid), are there any other stud Aces potentially available?

Trades... That's it.

alexamenos · 11-02-2010, 10:27 AM

in my view, the biggest *if* next season is whether Lee return, the second biggest *if* is whether Hamilton will be Hamilton of '10 or '09....It's frighteningly conceivable that with a few injuries and whatnot we can't be assured of another mvp caliber season.

sike · 11-02-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexamenos

in my view, the biggest *if* next season is whether Lee return, the second biggest *if* is whether Hamilton will be Hamilton of '10 or '09....It's frighteningly conceivable that with a few injuries and whatnot we can't be assured of another mvp caliber season.

I don't see how we could expect similar numbers from Hamilton...this past season was just so insane. His productivity was just spectacular.

GermanDunk · 11-02-2010, 11:17 AM

Anyway. Being Runner-up is quite good. Congrats Las Gigantes and Rangers !

alexamenos · 11-02-2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sike

I don't see how we could expect similar numbers from Hamilton...this past season was just so insane. His productivity was just spectacular.

Maybe I should ask whether he'll hamilton of '08 or '09...I think that's a legit, number two concern for this team next year.

Kirobaito · 11-02-2010, 12:27 PM

Greinke is apparently quite available in a trade, but it would take an absurd killing. Holland + Perez + Beltre just to get the conversation rolling. They would also probably want Profar.

I've tried just ignoring everything for the last 12 hours. It's probably a little unhealthy to do so, but I really don't feel nearly as bad as I expected to. Probably because I'm comparing it to '06, and you really can't feel worse than we did in 2006. We had invested ourselves into 5 previous playoff runs to no avail, so it felt like the right time. This was just the Rangers' first.

sike · 11-02-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexamenos

Maybe I should ask whether he'll hamilton of '08 or '09...I think that's a legit, number two concern for this team next year.

Don't get me wrong...you could talk me into taking the Hamilton of 2010 again.

mavspwnage · 11-02-2010, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthig32

I was 0-3 for the playoffs as well.

The Let's Go Rangers chant after the final out was really cool. A few minutes later Chuck thanked the fans for their support a huge cheer went up.

My dad and I hung around for quite a while, and about 30 minutes after it was all over Wash came back onto the field to do an interview and those of us that were there (a few thousand I would guess) had gathered towards their dugout and gave him several ovations. There was also a Wash chant. It was really cool. He had to tip his cap about five times in five minutes before heading back into the clubhouse.

Also, four different Giants took time to leave their celebration to come over and shake his hand and give him a hug before he headed off. That dude is really, really respected amongst the players.

I wish I could have stayed for that. I was with my dad and we stayed for about 10 minutes after the game had ended before we had to leave. He had a class to teach this morning and had to get to bed. Otherwise I would have stayed there until they kicked me out.

mavspwnage · 11-03-2010, 01:56 AM

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...s.237dff5.html

Anybody going to this?

Murphy3 · 11-03-2010, 09:44 AM

I'm not all that worried about the pen.
Feliz
O'Day
Ogando
Kirkman or Holland.. one may be in the rotation

That's a damn good start to a bullpen in my opinion.

I like Nippert as the long man just fine.
Scheppers is a strong possibility as well.

I'm not all that concerned about the pen. Ogando will be a fabulous 8th inning guy in my opinion. O'Day is solid, just had a rough couple outings in the post season, but the guy has been money since coming over to the Rangers.

With the Rangers collection of arms, the pen will be just fine.

jthig32 · 11-03-2010, 11:07 AM

I'm not sure if this is in response to me, but if so, I want to clarify and say I'm not concerned about the pen, I just think it's a bigger question mark than the rotation, which is why I don't want to mess with Feliz there right now.