What drives me nuts about The Ticket: Over-'Idiocracy'

Please, no more

Around 2005, I first heard about the film "Idiocracy."

It was still in production at the time and I was tickled. Mike Judge was writing and directing teamed up with Luke Wilson, my hero from "Bottle Rocket" and "Royal Tennenbaums," as the star.

At this time, the cult appeal of "Office Space" had peaked and the thought of another laugh-riot from Judge was highly anticipated in my own brain.

Then, 2006 rolls around and ... nothing. I never see it in theatres. No. It never made it to the theatres. It made about half a million in the theatres and the first time I notice it it's in Blockbuster. I rent it and fall asleep about 35 minutes in the film. And I never fall asleep during films. Even if it's $1.99, I'm watching that movie.

It was one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

So, about a year or more ago, the guys on The Ticket started rumbling about "Idiocracy" on air and it peaked (I believe) at last year's Ticket Compound, when those who hadn't, watched the film for the first time.

The mania behind "Idiocracy" is mainly perpetrated by the Musers morning show.

So, what has happened since? Any time something crazy or out of the ordinary happens, it's just another step towards a real-life "Idiocracy." If there's some or any kind of improvement on a certain product or service, then it's "Idiocracy."

You see, we're all apparently getting dumber. And the only reason we (or, more so, the guys on The Ticket) notice this, it's because there's some basis in the film, "Idiocracy."

It's obnoxious because it happens all the time. For one, it was a dumb movie. But if those dudes want to like that film and see some relevance in it, fine, I can live with that. But if someone sees a bottled water with 20 percent more water, then it's "Idiocracy." If some jackass kid skateboards and racks himself on a handrail, it's "Idiocracy."

In essence, everything since the very origin of man is "Idiocracy."

Including sports talk radio.

What the Cowboys need

Drafty

The NFL Draft is coming along and the Dallas Cowboys have like 21 picks in like the last two rounds (an exaggeration, kinda).

They do have 11 picks (I think) but no first rounders.

It's tiresome to roll through early mock drafts, mainly because not a lot get into the second round and, frankly, I'm not going to know a second-round inside linebacker from Adam.

But what I do know is what the Cowboys need: A lot.

Say it once, and I'll say it again: Draft picks are important and not only because of the salary cap in the NFL, but also in today's NFL you can no longer live with a good starting cast and spare back-ups.

On the defensive line, you've got to be five or six deep with quality guys. You need at least two good running backs. You need three good receivers. At least four deep at cornerback. And from all indications, a back-up quarterback that can win you a game.

You don't need draft picks to survive in the salary-cap NFL as much as you would 25 years ago when there was no salary cap.

Points of Cowboy attention this draft day:

Quarterback
In three years, are we still in love with Tony Romo if there's still not a playoff win? (Hell, some Cowboys fans can't stand him now!) I can not be convinced that he will be the field general in two, three, four or five years. Many think the Cowboys need a back-up quarterback for those times when Romo breaks a finger or something. I think they need to start looking ahead. The problem with the era between Troy Aikman and Romo wasn't that they made too many poor decisions, personnel-wise, but because they waited too long. The Cowboys -- by the time those 1990s teams had run out of magic -- were a dinosaur in a new era. They should've drafted (or started looking for) Aikman's successor in the mid-1990s. Like it or not, they should be looking for Romo's now, playoff wins or no.

Wide Receiver
I think drafting receivers is a bigger crapshoot than quarterbacks or any other position on the field. No reason, however. How many sure-fire receivers have we seen go by the wayside? How many half-decent receivers have we seen wilt? A ton. It seems that for every Ryan Leaf and Akili Smith, there's still a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco. Don't get me wrong, most are still unproven commodities, but so is Mario Manningham and Limas Sweed, receivers available in the second round last draft. The Cowboys lost Terrell Owens and are stuck with Roy Williams, Pat Crayton, Miles Austin and Sam Hurd. As much as they'd like to paint it as such, this ain't a good thing. Then again, depth isn't a real issue here; it's quality.

Inside Linebacker
Since the Cowboys went to the 3-4 defense, they've had one good inside linebacker: Bradie James. The rest are retread spares, Bill Parcells guys and rookies. Sad thing, I really like Kevin Burnett and it sucks to watch him walk for so very little (relatively ... two years, $5.5 million). Anyway, it's James, two Wade Phillips guys (Matt Stewart, Keith Brooking) and Bobby Carpenter. Shit. Sounds like the last four years.

Cornerback
Gulp. Anthony Henry and Adam Jones are gone. That leaves ... Slim and his brother, None. Maybe the Cowboys got something figured out here, otherwise I have no idea why you make the Anthony Henry trade. Even if Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick are big time, chances are you'll need more bodies in case of injury and whatnot. Can you see the Cowboys going corner again in the late rounds?

Offensive Line
The O-line will be on this list until there are no more NFL Drafts. Did you know there isn't a single starting Cowboys offensive lineman under 30? Not that 30 and 31 are ancient event for linemen, but it ain't young either. And they're only getting older. It's not like the Cowboys haven't tried to get younger (James Marten, Doug Free, Pat McQuistan), but they can't draft right at that position. In fact, Adams was the last good offensive lineman the Cowboys took (I excluded Gurode because he was moved to center and his effectiveness at any position has been tenuous, at best).

The Dallas Stars season simply can not end soon enough

Down and out

Because it sucks. There's little they can do about it.

A Giant win

Benson

The Rangers took down the San Francisco Giants yesterday in spring play for their 18th win in March. Still don't mind winning. Just hope it lasts.

Yesterday, Kris Benson pitched and went six innings allowing three runs, six hits and no walks. A nice outing, but not particularly sharp. There is talk (as evidenced by him being in camp) that Benson could be the fifth starter instead of Scott Feldman.

I'm not married to Feldman or anything. I don't think he'll ever turn into a 200-inning pitcher and he might not even turn into a quality fifth starter. However, the guy pitched his heart out last season. He lead the team in quality starts and if you thought those arms (due to injury, ineffectiveness) were tired last season, imagine it without Feldman. I hate it, but he was the most consistent guy in the rotation last year. I think that deserves another chance in the rotation this year.

Anyway, Feldman's 26 and Benson's 34. The Rangers ain't winning the pennant this year and they probably aren't winning it with either Feldman or Benson as the fifth starter. Maybe I shouldn't bitch if the Rangers want to keep another effective arm around.

Good Stuff
1. Taylor Teagarden hit a 3-run homer. He's been on a mini-tear going into the season.

2. I need more Beau Vaughan, I've decided.

3. Justin Smoak and David Murphy both hit homers.

4. Between five Rangers relievers, 16 total balls were thrown (as in non-strikes).

Bad Stuff
1. It looks like Eddie Guardado's making the team despite not deserving it.

2. Tigers don't change their stripes: Rangers struck out 11 times, walked twice.

Bush

"Love the Rangers"

I hate talking politics because when others talk politics they get emotional and then they get dumb.

Or. They are generally dumb about politics. Either way, it gets ugly.

If I had to guess, nationwide, former United States President George W. Bush is not very popular.

In terms of the Dallas-Fort Worth, that attitude might be different. Texans give other Texans the benefit of whatever doubt. It's a very prideful state, for better or for worse.

As everyone in Dallas knows, the former Commander and Chief is living right in our midst and the Texas Rangers -- the team W used to own -- have invited him to throw out the first pitch of the season during the team's home opener next Monday.

I guess.

Who would the Rangers not invite to throw out the first pitch? I realize that Bush is from Texas. I realize that a lot of people that roll into the Ballpark next Monday probably voted straight-ticket Republican. I realize he lives in the area.

But Bush?

As well- or ill-intentioned his actions as president, Bush ain't a popular dude and as much as I don't care who throws out the first pitch, why not make a less controversial move here.

Ah, what the hell. The Rangers will probably get enough play from SportsCenter as Bush strolls out to the foot of the mound, which is exactly what they want -- headlines and press.

I guess Don Henley was busy.

Hitting and throwing

"Whose is bigger?"

The Rangers carved out a sweet 2-1 Spring Training weekend. It puts them at 17 wins, which matches last year's spring total. Of course, none of this means anything. But winning is winning and I'd frankly like winning over losing.

Winning in a month would be super, however.

Good Stuff
1. Chris Davis woke up. Six hits, four RBI and two homers over the weekend.

2. C.J. Wilson's been great. ERA still at 0.00 with two perfect frames Friday and Sunday.

3. Taylor Teagarden is another that's shaken the rust off: four weekend hits, average up to .286.

Not Bad, But Not Good Stuff
1. Elvis Andrus committed his fourth error of the spring. I'll take it.

2. With all that's happened the last year, Jason Jennings is going to dick around and make this team in the bullpen, I think. Almost four innings relief Saturday looked good.

3. Warner Madrigal and Frank Francisco not having the greatest of springs.

Bad Stuff
1. The Rangers starters didn't seem as crisp over the weekend -- 15 IP - 16 hits - 12 runs - 4 walks - 14 strikeouts.

2. Whatever future Andruw Jones might have had with this team went down in a gust of wind: Three Ks Saturday.

3. Derrick Turnbow's wheels flew off this weekend.

Mavs lose two

Bron Bron

What a shitty weekend for myself. An unholy sickness ravished my body. My NCAA bracket completely disintegrated. I was unable to participate in my fantasy baseball draft. And the Mavs lost two.

Actually, the final little tidbit did not really worry me. On Friday, once I saw that the Mavs would play the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers (on ABC, no less) both on the road, I knew they would lose both.

This has been a very unsatisfactory Mavs season for me. I watch for Dirk Nowitzki. And that's about it. The fact that I can go into a game with a pretty good feeling of whether or not this team has the balls to beat another team on any given night has taken the fun out of the entire season. It's been inconsistent, mainly bad basketball that included one uptick, which, thankfully, has put them in a semi-comfortable lead for the eighth spot in the Western Conference (however, this, too, is no given).

The Mavs weren't beating the Nuggets and Cavs this weekend. If you even entertained these thoughts for sec, then you clearly do not know these Mavs or have some dillusional perception of this team.

All we could do, friends, is enjoy Lebron. Soak him up. Relish in his glory and never let it go.

The AL Central

When describing the National League Central division, I basically said it was a crapshoot.

I honestly think any one of three teams (Cards, Cubs, Astros) could compete for the division and two others (Reds, Brewers) could cause trouble.

I think about the same thing about the American League Central. It seems like two teams seem to compete every year (Twins, White Sox) and two others have enough talent to compete (Indians, Tigers).

Then -- like the Pirates in the National League -- there's the Royals. Who just suck.

Minnesota Twins -- 90-72

If Francisco Liriano is healthy for 162 games last season, I think the Twins take the AL Central. They've got excellent pitching, two perennial MVPs in the line-up, they've upraded with Joe Crede at third base and have two excellent young guys in the outfield.

Chicago White Sox -- 88-74

A really nice team, especially if you look at those pitchers. Gavin Floyd and John Danks should still be solid and they could have a couple of other pitching prospects helping out. I wonder if there's enough consistent pop in that line-up. If Josh Fields and Alexei Ramirez show up, then all bets are off.

Cleveland Indians -- 81-81
The starting rotation scares me. As good as Cliff Lee was last year, he was sent to the minors the year before. Assuming he tosses another Cy Young-caliber year is a mistake. Fausto Carmona wasn't good last year and the bottom of the rotation is questionable ... at best. They do get Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez for a full year, but that might not be enough. Good pick up of Mark DeRosa.

Detroit Tigers -- 77-85

Don't ask me how, but this team is going to fail again. I think it's part chemistry and part pitching. I refuse to believe Justin Verlander will struggle like he did last year. Whether Jeremy Bonderman can get 30 starts is a big question, too. I also doubt the ability of Edwin Jackson and Dontrelle Willis.

Kansas City Royals -- 70-92

An annual disaster.

Past Predictions
NL West
NL Central
NL East

AL East

Dallas police and empathy

That sound that you've heard around Dallas-Fort Worth the last 24+ hours has been the Dallas Police Department (and cops everywhere, really) taking multiple kicks to the testicles.

Everyone knows the story: Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats and family were speeding posthaste to a Plano hospital. He ran a red light, was pulled over in the hospital parking lot and detained while his mother-in-law died of cancer.

It's a shitty deal.

Some cops are dicks. This dude clearly is a gigantic prick, who thinks a gun and a badge puts him above human decency and compassion.

Other cops aren't dicks, but can be sometimes. Other cops are just good dudes doing a job that no one wants.

Dallas police are relatively notorious. Since chief David Kunkle was hired, he's cracked down on cops not doing their job right. Which is good and his reponse yesterday was as perfect as it could be.

From the outside looking in, it seemed that the problem with Dallas police is the inherent solidarity they perpetually show one another regardless of right and wrong. Kunkle has broken this tendency. He throws his guys and gals under the bus all the time and has no problem suspending or firing cops not doing their job properly.

And from all indications, many cops are incensed by this cop's decision to disregard the pleas of a man wanting to see a family member before they expire. Partly because it was insensitive and wrong and partly because it makes every cop look bad.

But maybe this incident will prompt more police officers to pull their guns out of their ears and realize they're not infallible and common sense can go a long way.

Excruciating

Slipping by

A day after putting the downward spiral on his own back, goalie Marty Turco almost single-handedly won the Dallas Stars two points.

Unfortunately, the other 20-odd dudes on the ice wasn't that into it. Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Stars lost to the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 in a shootout. Turco made 30 saves in not allowing a regulation or overtime goal.

I mean, Turco standing on his head is what this team has needed all season. It's what great goalies do when the squad is battling debilitating injuries and distractions galore. However, Turco hasn't been great this season. Thus, the Stars are in 12th place and on the outside looking in.

Q&A: Scott Lucas

Jose Vallejo: Bulked up and ready to roll

The start of the Texas Rangers' 2009 campaign is nigh.

Uwe Blog would be remiss not to pick the brains of some of the foremost experts in terms of the Texas Rangers.

Scott Lucas graciously took time to answer some questions about the Rangers season, prospects and GM Jon Daniels. Lucas is a contributor with the Newberg Report and does some fantastic work at the Ranger Rundown.

Guys like Neftali Feliz, Chris Davis and Derek Holland made a big splash last season and burst onto the Rangers scene. Are there prospects this year you suspect will do the same?
Well, Derek Holland might be a once-a-decade event. Players just don’t leap from well-regarded late-round draft pick to Top 100 prospect every year. At least Feliz and Davis were highly regarded entering the season.

If Wilmer Font can consistently match his performance on the day I saw him in Surprise, he’ll be in Texas’s top 10 and deserving of baseball-wide top-100 consideration entering 2010. He still has a long way to go, but on that day he was a pitcher, not just some guy with a random-vector 96 MPH fastball.

Jose Vallejo has added a ton of muscle. He should surpass last year’s 11 homers (which bested his previous record of two), and with a little more patience, he’ll project as more than just a plus utility player.

Among guys outside the top 50, pitchers Geuris Grullon and Richard Alvarez (an ’08 signing) and outfielder Guillermo Pimentel should draw more attention this season, though I don’t expect any of them to crack the top 20 after 2009.

What prospects do you expect to make an appearance this season as a Ranger? Is there anyone that some might not expect?
Among guys with no MLB experience: Elvis Andrus, of course. I expect Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz to get (mostly) September innings in Texas. Julio Borbon and perhaps Greg Golson could also get a cup of coffee.

In the “not expected” group, the hottest among relievers Pedro Strop, John Bannister, Andrew Laughter, Beau Jones, Brennan Garr (if he can stay healthy) and Guillermo Moscoso could get some work in Texas. Jose Vallejo might get a late call as a backup MIF.

But Andrus is the only one of those mentioned I expect to receive significant action with the Rangers. The biggest impact will come from a couple of prospects who’ve already played in Texas: Taylor Teagarden and Warner Madrigal. Chris Davis and Matt Harrison, who both lost their prospect status last year, will play major roles, of course.

Where will Holland and Feliz be at the end of the season?
Arlington. I expect both to get September call-ups, though it’s possible one could hit the rotation earlier with a strong enough minor-league showing. More likely, they’ll pitch some long relief or get a couple of late starts after their minor-league seasons end.

Are there any minor leaguers coming off an injury that many may have forgotten about that are coming back this year?
Jake Brigham is returning from Tommy John surgery and was reportedly throwing well in Surprise (I did not see him while I was there.) Kennil Gomez missed a couple of months with shoulder problems but is poised to hop into Texas’s top 20 prospects. Outfielder Mike Bianucci missed the end of 2009 with a broken wrist and ought to be among the best hitters in Hickory (and Bakersfield before long). Robbie Ross isn’t hurt but has yet to make his professional debut.

Do you see the Rangers sticking to their plan or will they be willing to swap young guys for the right trade?
Actually, I’d say “sticking to their plan” explicitly includes trading some prospects. They can’t all play for Texas. One purpose of a deep farm system is to exchange those players for MLB-quality upgrades. If it’s July 2011, and the Rangers find themselves tied with Oakland, and some team is dangling a Sabathia-like pitcher, they should get him. They can’t say “We might have a shot at the World Series, but Martin Perez could be epic in 2014, so no thanks.” Some of the guys to whom we’re getting attached are going to have to go if Texas wants to reach the mountaintop. It’s bittersweet.

Are their any minor leaguers that need to do something this year in order to get back on some sort of MLB path?
Five Rangers dropped out of Baseball America’s Top 30 this year: SP/RP Fabio Castillo, OF Cristian Santana, 3B Johnny Whittleman, SP Zach Phillips and RP Brennan Garr. Coincidentally, all must be exposed to the Rule 5 draft if not protected this winter. I’d give Whittleman the best chance of earning a 40-man roster placement. OF Greg Golson needs to show some semblance of pitch recognition. Both German Duran and Joaquin Arias have the opportunity to claim the fifth infielder spot after Omar Vizquel leaves. Not that SP Kasey Kiker and SP Omar Poveda fell off the path, but both are facing important years in Frisco.

What is success for the 2009 Texas Rangers?
Avoiding a third consecutive bad start. 82 wins. Being competitive in a so-so AL West long enough to give players and management a sense that they’re moving in the right direction. Learning who belongs on a 2010 squad that should more seriously contend for the postseason.
Is a top-rated farm system today going to translate into wins for the Rangers this year, next year or 2011?
This year, not so much. Aside from Andrus, I don’t expect major contributions from players with no MLB experience to date. In 2010, Texas could have one or both among Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz in the rotation, a Cruz/Murphy/Borbon/Hamilton outfield, Elvis with several hundred at-bats behind him, and some help from one or more of the relief prospects. They won’t all make it – there will be setbacks and disappointments among them and others – but I think 2010 is when the fun begins. 2011 could be even better.

Do you have specific favorite players in the system that you root for?
Pitcher Ryan Tatusko, who writes a diary for the Newberg Report. Taylor Teagarden, who went to my alma mater (Texas) and was starting catcher for the 2005 National Champions. Derek Holland. Michael Main. Michael Schlact. Brian Gordon. Anyone drafted late or not at all. So, roughly half the system. I want the Rangers to win a World Series during my lifetime, so I root for all of them.

In your opinion, is GM Jon Daniels getting better at his job, or is the leash tightened to the point that he doesn't have a ton of leeway to make any decision, more or less bad ones?
I do think he’s getting better. Undoubtedly, there have been grievous mistakes. Believe it or not, the series of moves by his predecessor after Texas lost 90+ games following the A-Rod signing continues to affect the franchise, and Daniels is dealing with the aftershocks to this day. (For example, Michael Young probably never plays shortstop without the Rodriguez-for-Soriano trade; thus, moving off short would never have occurred.)

Before long, the Teixeira trade should become a draw between Texas and Atlanta in terms of wins at the MLB level, meaning the only question left in upcoming seasons is the extent of Daniels’s triumph on this deal. The Gagne trade would look good if the only return was David Murphy. I can’t say I’d put Daniels in the top ten among GMs, but neither is he in the bottom ten.

I don’t have a strong sense of a “leash,” but Ryan was more an observer last year, and economic conditions have made for a bizarre offseason. If there’s serious conflict among them when it comes to upcoming transactions, we’ll hear about it.

Is Rick Carlisle an insufferable, miserable asshole?

Prick Carlisle

We're 71 games in the Rick Carlisle-era in Dallas and I think I can safely summarize our experience:

Rick Carlisle is a gigantic dick.

I'm not intending to be unfair to the guy. Frankly, I thought he was an nondescript, no-personality NBA coach when he was first hired. Known for nothing but 50-win basketball teams.

But, like a Impressionist painting, once you get close enough, it looks like shit.

Anyone who has listened to Carlisle's dealings with The Ticket's Norm Hitzges, his pre-game radio show, his pre-game TV interview with Bob Ortegal and many of his press conferences knows that Carlisle is an insufferable douchebag.

He's condescending, arrogant, aloof, uninteresting, sarcastic and generally disinterested in being talked to. Honestly, I have no problem with someone not necessarily like talking to the media. However, it's part of the job. It's like a road worker not liking traffic shooting past him. Or it's like a chimney sweep hating soot. If you don't like it, there are plenty of jobs in the fast-food industry.

I think my favorite Carlisle moments come during his one minute pre-game interviews with Mavs' color commentator Ortegal. It's about three questions during pre-game shoot-around and Carlisle acts more like Joaquin Phoenix than a NBA coach. He's perpetually gazing off-camera, never looking eye-to-eye with Ortegal and just itching to get away. Possibly to polish his Coach of the Year plaque.

I googled "Rick Carlisle" and "asshole" (in addition to some other words) and I didn't find much. I did find this article saying that the coach was difficult to get to know. Generally, nobody has any good or bad things to say about the guy.

I refuse to believe that he's taken on this persona just in Dallas and his attitude might have had a lot to do with his firings in Detroit (two 50-win seasons) and Indiana (yes, they got worse, but he also won 61 games).

How will this play in the Dallas media? If the Mavs start underperforming, will this bite him in the ass? There are other anecdotes around town about Carlisle's propensity for reaming out Mavs' employees and whatnot. How long does this last? Does this attitude issue come up in the locker room or practice floor?

All of these are excellent questions that no one knows. One thing, however, is for certain: Carlisle is a gigantic dick.

Key to the Season: Brandon McCarthy

Big Mac

On of my other keys to the Texas Rangers' 2009-10 was really obvious.

Pitching.

But that's the key to every season of every team in baseball history. I've never known of a team to win anything worthwhile with no pitching, nevermind the fielding and hitting.

But I want to spread the spotlight a little. Or aim a microscope on one individual: Brandon McCarthy.

Here's why: I think it's relatively clear what we'll get out of Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla, the upper half of the rotation:

150+ IP - 4.50+ ERA - 10-15 wins

I also think it's relatively unclear as to what we'll get out of Matt Harrison or Scooter Feldman. Harrison's too young and unproven. Feldman, too, but he's entering only his second year as a starter in the Major Leagues. Would it shock anyone to see those two struggle.

But McCarthy is different from those two pairs. He's young enough to not necessarily have to play for a final big contract. He's old enough to realize that he needs to step up to the big-people's table and swallow hard.

Only 25, McCarthy has a lot to prove as this rotation's No. 3 guy. He's completely underwhelmed and taken fans for a ride in two seasons as a Ranger while John Danks -- 1/3 of the vaunted DVD triumvirate -- has excelled as a Chicago White Sox. McCarthy, too, was once a talented prospect, but not any more. He's a disappointing veteran.

Shut down by injuries most of last year, we not only don't know what McCarthy has in his tank, but we don't know McCarthy. We'd like to say that he's a Major League-ready, middle-of-the-rotation starter that can give you 200 innings and 15 quality starts and hold down a 3.80 ERA.

Unfortunately, he's had 100 innings once. He's started 39 games in four seasons. He's holding a 4.54 career ERA.

There's nothing to point to that can convince the most optimistic Rangers fan that McCarthy can break out this season and be everything the Rangers need.

But what if he does? What if it comes together? What if those old pitching coaches were tearing up his arm? What if it works out?

With a third starter last season, the Rangers finish with 85+ wins last season. With a third starter, it takes the pressure off Harrison, Feldman, Padilla and Millwood. With a third starter, you know you have someone for next season the season after that. You don't feel so scared about 2010 when the first wave of the kids are expected to arrive.

McCarthy changes everything. Maybe more so than any other singular player on the Rangers 40-man roster.

Keys to the Season History
Bats
Good Pitching
A Good Start

Exorcising some demons

High percentage

Considering the awful state of Dallas sports, there are no small wins anymore.

Hell, the Dallas Stars will give their left kidneys for about five small wins. Teeny-tiny wins, even.

The Dallas Mavericks rolled the Golden State Warriors 128-106. You know it was a pretty decisive win when J.J. Barea almost got 30 minutes, but I digress.

It was a good win because any game against the Warriors is never a given no matter what the records (nevermind that they didn't have Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford, Andris Biedrins, Marco Belinelli, Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, Tim Hardaway and Chris Webber). Not like the Mavs are automatic anymore. For whatever reason, the Warriors are a tough out for the Mavs. Maybe this projects kindly for the rest of the season.

As for the ever-important final 30 games, the Mavs are an impressive 12-7 and 9-4 in March (I predicted 9-7 -- maybe -- in March ... so screw me).

Notes:
1. I wonder how it'd look with Josh Howard coming off the bench. Jason Terry isn't bad. In fact, he's quite good not starting. But it's also nice seeing JET get all those shots and minutes.

2. I wish I were a basketball guru so I could realize why Ryan Hollins couldn't be useful against a team like the Warriors.

3. Maybe it was because Erick Dampier was so useful: 8 points, 10 rebounds.

4. Mavs were extremely aggressive and that's a good way to get a troublesome team out of the way. Keep them on their heels and in foul trouble. Mavs shot 32 free throws, making 28.

5. Dirk is great. Dirk is good.

Moody Madness

I've got to admit, I was wrong. 

I thought the Lake Highlands Thunder -- a basketball team of high school girls -- would drum a bunch of radio nerd hosts from The Ticket in their game tonight. 

Either the girls were nervous or generally not very good. They won 61-44 at Moody Coliseum in front of several thousand (reportedly), but I don't think that tells the entire tale of this game. 

It was tied 34-34 heading into the fourth quarter. The Lake Highlands girls couldn't hit the broad side of a barn for the first three quarters and then it all came together.

I was convinced The Ticket guys would lose not because they were shorter (they were taller), not because they weren't stronger (they were) or not because they don't have enough athletes (they probably have enough, but could use more). 

I simply refuse to believe there's no value in spending the entire year playing basketball with the same group of people running up and down the court week after week in practice and in games. I refuse to believe that after 30+ games playing pretty good basketball, the Lake Highlands girls (or any girls team worth a damn for that matter) wouldn't be able to beat a bunch of rag-tag dudes. 

Even the most athletic of The Ticket guys were drained. They had nothing left in that fourth quarter and they were subsequently run out of the building. Frankly, they should've lost by 40, but, again, Lake Highlands shot so extremely bad, the guys hung in there. 

Of course, there's also the issue of simply not being very good at basketball, which is something that must be accounted for. I didn't see the game, but I listened the entire time and it didn't appear that The Ticket guys were very good at the game. 

Anyway, this ends it. And I think it settles any preconceived notions about the ability of some spare guy going up against females who know how to play the game. 

And maybe it'll shut Corby "Snake" Davidson up from talking shit for a while ... of course, the Great Game is upcoming and he'll probably have to go all seven. But probably not on that ankle he rolled (which is really shame because it was his big mouth that started this whole rigmarole). 

Rangers, all the time

Under Ceej

Yesterday, FWST's Jim Reeves had an interesting column about Rangers owner Tom Hicks reportedly wanting to trim payroll by $20 million for 2010.

Of course, contracts of Frank Catalanotto, Hank Blalock and Vincente Padilla will be coming off the books. Possibly Kevin Millwood. Counter that with paying prospects hardly anything and a $20 million cut doesn't seem so out of the ordinary.

Interesting mood to the column, though. Reeves notes that the cut may "just incite a riot among an already restless and frustrated Rangers fandom."

Really? Rangers have fans. The Rangers only have fans if they're winning. This isn't the Boston Red Sox or St. Louis Cardinals.

Two, if these so-called fans can't handle an organization getting their shit together to actually, you know, compete from year to year, screw 'em. Who needs them?

Reeves writes that this rebuilding has been going on for three seasons. Not so much. You don't re-sign Padilla when you're rebuilding. You don't keep Gerald Laird or Mike Young around. You don't pick up Hank Blalock's option. This team hasn't been putting 20-year-old kids straight from the cornfield on the diamond. It's been a sprinkling of youth, so far, mixed with with a heaping, helping batch of "who-cares?" veterans in bad contracts.

If Rangers "fans" can't be patient then I certainly don't want to hear anything when Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, Justin Smoak, Mike Main, Blake Beavan and others are knocking on the door.

In other news, Luis Mendoza and Brian Gordon were sent to minor-league camp.

Good Stuff
1. Nellie Cruz hit his fifth homer, driving in his 13th and 14th RBI of the spring.

2. What I like most about C.J. Wilson's scorless two innings Tuesday were the four groundouts. He wasn't trying to blow every hitter away.

3. Quietly, Joaquin Arias is hitting .485 in back-up duty.

4. Derrick Turnbow is going to screw around and make this team.

5. Rangers had three stolen bases Saturday. Would love to see them run more this year.

Not Bad, But Not Good Stuff
1. If Brandon McCarthy gives the Rangers two fantastic outings compared to one lousy one, they'll take it.

2. Frankly, if they can get three total starts out of McCarthy, they'll be tickled.

3. I liked Kevin Millwood's weekend outing. Did allow two homers, but that's OK.

Bad Stuff
1. Not necessarily bad: It's going to be interesting to see if the Rangers trade some nice prospects that might be blocked or have an even hotter prospect underneath them. Chad Tracy (and his grand slam Saturday) come to mind.

2. Chris Davis still can't hit the ball.

3. Taylor Teagarden's had a miserable spring.

4. Nobody was good Sunday in a 11-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Sink, sank, sunk

No-names and spare parts

Once upon a time, I was pumped about the 2008-09 Dallas Stars.

Now, I couldn't be more down.

The Stars lost again, 5-2, at home to the Vancouver Canucks. It puts them four points out of the final playoff spot with four teams to jump in nine games.

Ain't looking good.

I hate to be a fair weather fan, however. I was truly optimistic and excited at the start of the season. Then the season started and we were quick to blame Sean Avery. And that seemed to work when the Stars rolled through January.

Since, the bottom's fallen out and, frankly, it looks hopeless for this season. It's not the Stars fault nor is it the fault of any coach or general manager (of course, you have to wonder if Dave Tippett is safe along with some other higher-ups).

This team got beaten by injuries early and it never stopped. And it's not glue guys or fourth-liners getting hurt. It's the big guns.

Not that I don't love Steve Ott going out and getting a goal and an assist seemingly every night, but I'd rather see Brenden Morrow or Brad Richards out there. Ott has a role on this team and it isn't to get 80 points a season.

I do not think the Stars will make the playoffs this season and that's a shame because I genuinely like this team and the guys on it.

Game on?

Didn't quite miss this, but other shit has been going on.

The game is on. The dudes from The Ticket are playing the Lake Highlands Thunder, I assume a club girls basketball team.

Of course, all of this stemmed from the 100-0 game against two TAPPS teams in Dallas and the very overconfident Corby "Snake" Davidson thinking that he, a 40-year-old bass player, a 4-4 board operator and a 60-year-old unathletic band guy can beat a group of 17-year-old, athletic, in-shape high school girls. All the elements for a tragedy.

I've always said the high school girls would beat The Ticket dudes and after looking at the players from the Lake Highlands team, I stand by that. They look tall, black and pissed off. They will roll The Ticket team.

However, I guess part of the deal is that the Thunder get to ask for money for a trip to Orlando for some basketball shindig. The game tonight is free, but why not give a little?

Because they might make the team: Omar Vizquel

As it stands now, I'm convinced that Omar Vizquel will be a Texas Ranger on opening day.

And I don't mind this. I would've minded had he gotten the starting shortstop job over Elvis Andrus, but from all indications, Andrus has the job.

I think Vizquel could be a force in the clubhouse much like we saw from Milton Bradley and Eddie Guardado last year -- veterans that have been around, know how to play the game and can bring some perspective that guys like Andrus, Joaquin Arias, Chris Davis and Ian Kinsler might not have.

In fact, Vizquel and even guys like Guaradado and Jack Benoit could provide most useful during the upcoming years.

How many foreign-born guys are the Rangers bringing up nowadays? There's Nellie Cruz, Andrus and Arias. Neftali Feliz and Max Ramirez are on the cusp. Jose Vallejo and Omar Poveda ain't far behind. Engel Beltre, Martin Perez, Wilfredo Boscan, Wilmer Font and others are a coule years out, at best.

Why not have these veteran Latin players on hand to help guys come up? How incredibly valuable could this be to the organization!

Anyway, this is about Vizquel. The guy's a Hall of Famer. First ballot? Maybe not. But you simply can't deny that he was the greatest defensive shortstop of his era and for that position, that means something. If you watched "This Week In Baseball" or SportsCenter throughout the 1990s and early-2000s, you knew Vizquel's greatness.

However, his defense is well known. The guy could hit. Or, he was never a hole in the line-up.

He averaged about 160 hits a season in his prime (never eclipsing 200), smacked 30-odd doubles a season. He also never clogged the basepaths: He's stolen 385 bases in his career and averages just 49 strikeouts a season. His career average is .273.

Remarkably, he's only made three all-star teams, thanks to playing in the same league as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Vizquel's been a fine player his entire career and if the waning days of his playing career is spent on the bench helping young infielders improve, then so be it. Especially if it's for the Rangers.

Because They Might Make The Team History

Derrick Turnbow
Kris Benson
Brendan Donnelly
Andruw Jones

Video Game Review: MLB 2K9

I have purchased one video game the last 15 years.

And this is it. 2K Sports' MLB 2K9.

I don't buy video games because I end up getting a game, playing it for a while and then never picking it up again. I like video games. But I don't love video games.

Especially odd because I am relatively unpopular 28-year-old dude, who cut his teeth on Atar 2600, was swept away by a plumber named Mario and lost myself amid the year of "Twisted Metal 2."

I've played a shitload of video games, I just don't like any of them.

The biggest reason I don't play video games is that I really don't play anything other than sports games. Purchasing MLB 2K9 was a gigantic departure for me and I blame it all on Tim Lincecum. I've noted on this blog and among friendly circles that I absolutely love Lincecum. I try to watch him as much as possible and I'm a borderline Giants fan because pitches for them.

He, of course, is the coverboy for this year's edition. I had forgotten, however, that I also received MLB 2K7 as a gift several years ago and I was pretty underwhelmed then. Again, I pretty much spent $50 because Lincecum's face was on a box.

MLB 2K9 is not bad. Hitting is a major challenge for me. Maybe I'm retarded, but I'm 20+ games in and I can't score more than a run a game (typically a fluke home run) and I eke out five hits a game. Clearly, my record is not very good. But if you like challenging sports game, you'll find it in the batter's box here. I've since move my difficulty down a notch and I'm getting better but still getting beat.

Per the standard in sports gaming, there is a neat franchise mode. All the usual perks.

Game play is relatively automated, to a point. Pitching is all you and if you've played previous 2K Sports baseball games then you already know how to do it. Fielding is relatively simple.

My biggest problem with the 2K Sports baseball games is the attention to detail.

Rather obvious features of ballparks are different or changed for no reason. In the Rangers farm system, there are five guys you know and another 25 guys that are computer-generated. Yeah, it's great to have control of Tommy Hunter, but I'd love to have Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, et al.

If you own and played the Rangers on 2K7, then you know the biggest mistake ever made: Nelson Cruz was white. Yes. White.

They fixed that mistake in this edition, but there are other problems. Taylor Teagarden has a goatee (I suspect they just copied fellow catcher Jason Varitek and rolled with his image). Guys without facial have it, others who do, don't. I don't see why the game programmers couldn't make this right. It's not like Teagarden's image isn't available everywhere. Why not address these detail-oriented items, especially in a sports universe where gamers demand realism?

Also, it drives me crazy that opposing outfielders make four or five insane defensive plays a game. Including two or three wall climbs to steal a home run. Insane.

Grade: C+

Andruw Jones' due date

Is this the position you want to see the fragile Hank Blalock in?

Several tidbits of Rangers fun:

Andruw Jones decides today whether or not he'll accept a minor-league invite or opt out of his contract with the Rangers. He started off incredibly slow in Spring Training, had a good week and has since tailed off as Marlon Byrd has heated up. I'd rather the guy move on.

In late Hot Stove news, the Red Sox are looking for a catcher, the Giants want a catcher and a reliever, the Astros need a third baseman and what the world needs now, is love, sweet love. Love to see the Rangers pry some good, young pitching from the Giants or BoSox.

Anyway, the Spring Training Rangers played a game yesterday. A game in which they defeated the Oakland Athletics 8-5. Good.

Good Stuff
1. Omar Vizquel had three hits. His average is up to .286. With German Duran going to the minors, I think the anaconda-hunting vet makes this team.

2. The other piece of the Brandon McCarthy-John Danks trade, David Paisano, made his spring debut. He had a hit in one at-bat. He should retire.

3. David Murphy and Marlon Byrd each had two RBI. They have 10 and 11 this spring, respectively.

4. Frank Francisco fanned two for the save.

Not Bad, But Not Good Stuff
1. Elvis Andrus had his second error of the spring (I think).

2. Rangers hit into three double plays, had three hit batsmen and committed two errors. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.

3. Dustin Nippert largely struggled through almost three innings allowing two hits, two walks and a run.

Bad Stuff
1. Kris Benson was rocked for four runs. He did induce seven groundball outs, however.

Staying cool in Hotlanta

Joe Johnson: Keepin' it real

Prediction: If you roll out a starting line-up of Jason Kidd, J.J. Barea, Antoine Wright, Dirk Nowitzki and Ryan Hollins, you will lose 90 out of a 100 games against the top 20 teams in the NBA.

That is a fact. And it is supported by 95-87 Dallas Mavericks loss to the upstart Atlanta Hawks. The Mavs were killed by a 33-16 slaughter in the second quarter.

What truly killed them (nevermind the second quarter, nevermind the starting line-up) was 6-31 from three-point range. No, it's not the 25 misses that killed as much as it was the 31 attempts. As bad as the Mavs were in that second quarter, they lost by eight points. Eight points. That's four two-point field goals. Four 13-foot jumpers from Nowitzki or Brandon Bass.

But, no. The Mavs had to hoast 31 three-pointers -- nine by Jason Terry ... he made one -- and they lost.

The Mavs had no business winning that game because they didn't really want it. Nothing against the Hawks, but the Mavs just rolled Detroit a couple of days ago so winning basketball games against tough opponents is nothing new. The Mavs went 9-13 from the free-throw line and the Hawks went 19-27. This tells me that the Hawks don't shoot free throws very well and that the Mavs had no real intention in winning that game.

As for our final 30 game theme, the Mavs are now 10-7 overall and 7-4 in March. And it's not getting easier.

Making heads nor tails of the AL East

No longer the fattest Yankee since C.C. Sabathia was signed

For my money, the AL East was the best division in Major League baseball in 2008.

Two very good teams (Tampa Bay, Boston) and two good teams (New York, Toronto) put fear into opponents. A East-Coast swing was undesirable. Not that ever going into Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park was desirable, but having to play Toronto and Tampa Bay sandwiched around ... it made it most hazardous last year.

Put it this way: Only two American League teams had winning records against the East (California, and, oddly, Cleveland). Furthermore, only two AL East teams had losing records against other divisions (Toronto, Baltimore, both against the East).

Nothing will change this year. In fact, it might get worse. The Yankees spent a lot of money to get better, the Blue Jays have young pitchers getting mature and the Orioles might be a tougher out than usual.

Boston Red Sox -- 97-65
I simply felt they spent their money more wisely this winter. There's really nothing to dislike and they should be better if Manny Ramirez was as big a cancer as Jon Papelbon says. Big Papi is healthy, John Smoltz and Brad Penny could solidify the bottom part of their rotation (following Dice-K, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett).

Tampa Bay Rays -- 93-69
The thing about the Rays is that we really don't know what Matt Garza, Andy Sonnanstine, James Shields, David Price have in their tanks. I think they'll be OK or great, but, largely, they're unknown. The bullpen could be suspect. Some of those young position players need to show up, too.

New York Yankees -- 87-75
There is a distinct possibility that the only consistent, hard-hitting guy in the line-up is Mark Teixeira. And do you really want Tex and A-Rod leading your team? I think the rotation will be as good if not better than advertised. However, every dude on this team could spend time on the DL. A-Rod still is.

Toronto Blue Jays -- 78-84
The Yanks, BoSox and Rays are, I think, that much better than the Blue Jays. Someone's got to start losing games in this division. The Jays could get hit hard especially with that line-up and rotation.

Baltimore Orioles -- 65-97
of question marks, naturally. They've got some nice young players, but I can't imagine them coming up and biting anyone in the ass this year.

Past Predictions
NL West
NL Central
NL East

Key to the Season: A Good Start

Good times ... clearly not in April

A good start to the 2009 campaign for the Texas Rangers means everything.

It might mean that they're not out of the division race by May. It might mean they could play for something other than getting over .500. It might mean fans are relieved of living through another awful spring of baseball. It might get folks interested in baseball while hockey and basketball are still being played.

I might get the Rangers over the hump.

The best start to a season for the Rangers was 2004, when they started April going 13-9.

For the month of April since 2002, the Rangers are a bad 81-97 including only two winning Aprils (2004, 2006).

Mr. Fundamental, manager Ron Washington have lead the Rangers to a notorious 20-34 record in his two years. Frankly, that record might not fully personify the agony and defeat the Rangers and their fans have gone through the last two springs.

Now, the summer months are fine. I mean, we'd love them to go on a 50-game winning streak, but that ain't happening for any team. For whatever reason, the Rangers need two months to get warmed up and then they look like a real team.

The bad starts are a culmination of many things. There's a lot of poor hitting. Last season, there was a lot of bad hitting, poor fundamentals and bad fielding (remember, Kevin Millwood and Kason Gabbard had extremely good starts to the season last year).

I'm not a ballplayer (obviously) and I have no clue as to how to get a ballclub ready to play games that mean something. Maybe it's extra time in the cage or time taking grounders. Maybe it's taking Spring Training so serious that it just melts over into the regular season.

Maybe it's getting the goddamn California Angels off the sked 'til May or so.

If the Rangers are going to break the April blues, they need to grab their nuts and do it this year:
The Rangers April 2009 opponents (Cleveland, Detroit, Baltimore, Kansas City, Oakland and Toronto) went a combined 459-511 in 2008 and they all finished .500 or below except for Toronto (86-76).

There is no real reason why the Rangers shouldn't go 14-8 to start the season. Or better. Frankly, if this ship is headed in the right direction, it should whoop up on its April foes.

Am I crazy or what?

Regardless, fans and players are not the only ones hoping for a good start. Should the Rangers come out 10-18 again, I doubt Washington will be around much longer. And it's not like GM Jon Daniels has a long leash himself. There is plenty of incentive for everyone.

Keys to the Season History
Bats
Good Pitching

Getting all Rangery

David Murphy: Patrolling left field

The Texas Rangers optioned nine guys to the minors, trimming down their Spring Training roster down some. UPDATE: The Rangers sent another seven down the minors including Justin Smoak, Joe Torres, The Lizard, Julio Borbon, Greg Golson and German Duran.

Included was Kason Gabbard, who is well on his way on becoming a reliever. The lefty had surgery last season and simply hasn't pitched much during the spring. I had him in the opening-day bullpen as a long reliever and that will probably be his role from now on as the Rangers youngsters are coming up quickly.

Also down are Thomas Diamond (no command), Willie Moscoso (could see him sooner than later), Jose Vallejo (doesn't fit right now in the crowded infield equation), Omar Poveda (needs more work), Casey Daigle (Mr. Jennie Finch), Manny Pina and Kevin Richardson.

Anyway, games went on during the week including a sweet 9-4 win over San Diego yesterday.

The good and bad:

Good Stuff
1. Brandon McCarthy looks extremely healthy going another four scoreless innings, allowing no hits.

2. Willie Eyre pitched another perfect inning Wednesday. Still has a 0.00 spring ERA.

3. Thankfully, Ian Kinsler has his spring average up to .417. Josh Hamilton's maintained his at .439.

4. Nelson Cruz hit his third spring homer. Despite a .263 average, he has nine RBI.

5. Rangers turned another four double plays Wednesday.

6. Andruw Jones probably ain't making the team. Marlon Byrd's hitting .364.

7. Derrick Turnbow struck out the side in his lone inning Wednesday.

Not Bad, But Not Good Stuff
1. Neftali Feliz is still in the big-league camp. Still, gave up two runs on three hits and a homer. Excited about the guy, but he still needs some polishing. A lot to like, however.

2. Julio Borbon's had a bad spring. But had a triple Wednesday.

3. Scooter Feldman got hit up Wednesday. Still, he threw strikes (1 walk, 4 Ks) and battled.

4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has cooled off: An ordinary .267 average.

Bad Stuff
1. Chris Davis: .233 average.

2. Three errors for the Rangers Tuesday: Travis Metcalf, Mike Young and Cruz.

3. Brendan Donnelly probably ain't making the team with a 9.00 ERA.

Dimming the lights

Flamers

Eh. Before we get to two straight Dallas Stars' losses, Mike Heika tackled the Sean Avery issue, which is important because I think it says a lot about an organization when a player can't behave or be corralled by one team and then go to another team in the same season and almost be a different person.

Fact is, the Dallas sports scene can only handle troublemakers, fuck-ups, retards and screw-ups on one team. And that team is the Dallas Cowboys. If Terrell Owens is catching 12 touchdown passes a year, folks around here can handle it.

But if Milton Bradley had gone bananas for the Texas Rangers or if J.J. Barea starts throwing up dunks off the backboard to himself for the Mavericks, it's a different story. New York fans love all their teams, so they'll take any dude with legs if it helps them win.

Plus, you have to consider that two inexperienced GMs (Brett Hull, Les Jackson) were handling it, Avery was signed for the sole reason that he was Hull's buddy and he was brought into a low-key hockey town. Hockey doesn't get headlines here and the fact is the Stars weren't very good to begin with.

Water under the bridge, but I hope it signals to the Stars that they can't just bring anyone into the locker room and it'd be all OK.

Anyway, from bad to worse news, the Stars lost another squeaker to the Calgary Flames last night, 2-1. It pushes them back to 10th in the Western Conference, but just one point from eigth and two from seventh.

The good news: The Stars simply can't get any worse on the power play, can they? I mean, eventually they're going to find a rythym and pucks will start going in. I think.

Two, the Stars probably had no business going into Vancouver or Calgary and winning. Two fine teams at home -- all you can hope is to stay close and get a break. They didn't. Life goes on.

The problem with this team is that they are so hamstrung with injuries that they have to play near perfect hockey every night to have a chance to win. Good teams can make mistakes and have enough skill to make it up. The Stars -- sans Mike Modano, Sergei Zubov, Brendan Morrow and Brad Richards -- can't do that right now.

They've got some favorable games coming up. Not that home wins are a lock anymore for the Stars, but they have the opportunity to start collecting points by the droves. We'll see.

A very Rangers weekend

About to head out of town so I thought I toss out some goodies before I step away for a couple of days. 

The Rangers played two Spring Training games Friday and then another Saturday. They lost all three. Yah. 

Good Stuff 

1. Elvis Andrus helped turn another three double plays. And no errors. I think he has one the entire spring. I think. 

2. Josh Hamilton, still bashing. 

3. Nellie Cruz is back. Hit a homer. 

4. Matt Harrison went four innings. Not necessarily "strong": Four hits, a homer, one run, four strikeouts. 

5. Despite an error Friday, Joaquin Arias went 6-8 with a stolen base for two days work. 

6. Oldie Brian Gordon pitched a pristine, three-strikeout inning. He's struggled this spring. 

7. Elizardo Ramirez pitched a scoreless frame. 

8. Dustin Nippert had three sweet hitless innings. 

Not Bad, But Not Good Stuff

1. Brendan Donnelly had a shaky, scoreless frame. 

2. Joseph Torres allowed three walks. 

3. After a little flurry, Andruw Jones went 0-3 against the Royals and struck out twice. 

4. Jason Jennings, Josh Rupe got hit up pretty well Saturday. Derrick Turnbow's inning was precarious. 

Bad Staff

1. Doug Mathis had little control in allowing three runs. Although, he did induce six groundball outs. 

2. Thomas Diamond got the loss and still couldn't find the strike zone. 

3. Rangers' hitters had seven hits ... and 10 strikeouts against Kansas City. 

The active NL West

Dodger Sandy Koufax

The National League West was probably the worst division in Major League Baseball.

In turn, they were probably the most active and exciting this off-season. The Dodgers and Giants were extremely active, the Diamondbacks were moderately active and the Padres just decided to start all the way over.

This is a good thing. Now that Barry Bonds is no longer a Giant, I can now root for them again and when the Dodgers and Giants are good, baseball is better.

Needless to say, it's going to be one of the most interesting divisions in the league because all those teams might be all mediocre together or two or three might be good enough to, you know, win 90 or so games.

Arizona Diamondbacks -- 91-71
Jon Garland is an excellent addition to the middle of that rotation. And I don't think it's too much to ask Justin Upton, Conor Jackson, Stephen Drew, Chad Tracy and Chris Young to all start hitting at the same time. I was duped into the Dbacks last season and predicted them first. I'm doing it again. Still confident.

San Francisco Giants -- 89-73
I'm going out on a limb here. There's technically no evidence that the Giants can win 17 more games this year than last. Several things: I think Tim Lincecum will vie for the Cy Young Award. I think Matt Cain will start winning games. Johnathan Sanchez and Randy Johnson will be solid at the bottom of the rotation. Finally, Barry Zito will have a nice retrenching year. He's going to be much better. Maybe not living up to his insane contract, but still. You take what you can get if you're the Giants.

Los Angeles Dodgers -- 85-77
Manny is back. Should be a pretty nice fixture in the middle of the line-up with all those kids mixed up in there. I think the pitching staff is iffy, at best. A lot of things need to go their way, but I think the competition in the division could be good enough to drop them some.

Colorado Rockies -- 70-92
You don't trade an MVP caliber player and expect to be as good the next year. Especially when Jeff Francis is out. It'll be interesting to see how those prospects they got from the A's will work.


San Diego Padres -- 60-102
I simply do not think their pitching is good enough to carry that woeful line-up for 162 games. Chris Young has not proven he can go a whole year without getting injured.

Past Predictions
NL Central
NL East

Evan Grant's new home

Not a new story or anything, but if you wondered where you can read the fine work of Dallas Morning News expatriates Evan Grant and Mike Hindman, look no further than D Magazine's sports blog, InsideCorner.

It's a really nice blog with a very clean look -- not unlike what D Magazine throws out with anything they do.

Of course, it has the greatness of both Grant and Hindman and former News editor Jeff Miller. I'm really glad those guys got a gig in the Dallas market because they're talented dudes ... who love talking Texas Rangers baseball.

Anyway, read on.

'Postive vibe'

Positive

I really liked Richard Durrett's blog post today on Brandon McCarthy's performance yesterday.

To call McCarthy a key to the 2009 success of the Texas Rangers is an understatement.

But Durrett called it a "positive vibe." I like that. It's generic enough to be too cocky or presumptuous but it evokes a certain amount of optimism. Honestly, I've got a lot of positive vibes. I had positive vibes for Josh Hamilton last year. I have positive vibes about McCarthy, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Chris Davis, Hank Blalock and Nelson Cruz. I have semi-positive vibes for Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood.

All of this is probably not indicative of what will actually happen, but it's just a feeling that this team has turned some kind of corner and a couple of things might go their way this year.

For the record, McCarthy went four innings yesterday, striking out three and allowing just one hit.

Good Stuff
1. McCarthy.

2. Two guys maybe getting out of a slump: Marlon Byrd and Chris Davis, combined, went 4-5 with three RBI and a run.

3. Another guy getting out of a funk, Taylor Teagarden bopped his second homer of the spring.

4. Hank Blalock continued his good, healthy spring with three hits.

5. Jason Jennings, Willie Eyre and Neftali Feliz combined for four innings, two hits, one walk and three strikeouts.

Bad Stuff
1. Eddie Guardado allowed another run. His ERA is up to 15.00.

2. Rangers left 22 runners stranded, including five by David Murphy, who struck out twice.

Two points

Matt Niskanen takes it from the back

Nowadays for the Dallas Stars, two points is two points is two points. Especially at home.

The Stars beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 at the American Airlines Center breaking a six-game home losing streak and vaulting them to eighth in the Western Conference. At least for today.

Didn't think this was necessarily the greatest win in Stars history, but it was one of the most needed. Stars not only go to start winning at home, but they need to beat comparable or worse teams.

Seemed to be a lot of turnovesr and mistakes. A lot of flurries for the Canes and Marty Turco was good enough to stop a lot of them. Did allow a short-handed tally and a power-play goal to get the Canes to within a goal. But the Stars buckled down a little the final 10 minutes.

And it appears maybe Dave Tippett's message to veteran centers Mike Modano and Brendan Morrison. They combined for a goal (Morrison's first as a Star) and an assist.

Notes:
1. If you expected the usual suspects to come up with the goals, think again. Along with Morrison's goal, the Steve Begin-Chris Conner super duo come up with the second goal. They combined for 17 minutes of total ice time.

2. Stars were 0-3 on the power play. The Stars have the sixth to the worst power play in the league at 15.9 percent.

3. Mike Ribeiro has points in six straight games. In that span, he's got eight points -- four goals, four assists.

4. The Stars got a lot of production and hard work from not-so-typical guys: Morrison, Begin, Conner, Krys Barch, Mark Fistrict, Nick Grossman had a combined +8 for the game.

Top 15 Dallas athletes under 25

James Neal: Thankfully, he can buy beer and score goals

I'd really love to go through and compile the young Dallas teams in history. It'd be hard because I'm only 28 and started paying attention to sports just 23 years ago.

Today, many folks are excited about some of the youth coming into the different Dallas franchises and OK with the old guard taking their place with other teams, retirement or in secondary roles (see: Mike Modano, Gregg Ellis, Sergei Zubov, Milton Bradley, Mike Young).

The team at the precipice of collecting young dudes to play a game is the Texas Rangers. Most notably, Elvis Andrus, 20, is at the forefront vying for the starting shortstop spot in Spring Training with the definite inside edge to get that role.

20. What were you doing at 20? Probably nothing good. Probably not turning double plays with Ian Kinsler and learning how to catch anacondas from Omar Vizquel.

Therefore, I bring you the top 15 under 25 players currently on Dallas-area franchises (I included guys that have some service time with their respective teams ... therefore, guys like Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, any gems the Mavs have ballin' in Europe or future Dallas draft picks are not included).

15. Antoine Wright -- 25
It really didn't take long for me to realize that the depth at under-25 athletes in Dallas was not great. Nothing wrong with Wright, but he doesn't have near the ceiling like the guys at the top of this list. He's fairly quick and an OK defender. He's basically Mike Finley at 35, offensively, at 25. Except he's not a very good shooter. So basically, we have a young shooting guard, who doesn't shoot well, rebound or do anything worthwhile. If he's the fifth option, he's OK.

14. Anthony Spencer -- 25
When he's gotten on the field, he's shown signs of being good. He's sharing snaps with Gregg Ellis and was injured constantly last season to really make an impact. Plus, an off-season arrest does not bode well.

13. Brandon Bass -- 23
If he's willing to accept his role on a bench, he can have a really nice career and probably win quite a bit. He's a weird animal -- really too small to go toe to toe with big power forwards and centers, but too slow to go up against faster power forwards and small forwards. Otherwise, you can create a some mismatches with him. He's got some moves with his back to the basket. He's money from 13 feet and has proven he can hit free throws (87 percent in 2008-09).

12. Matt Harrison -- 23
The southpaw was had in the Mark Teixeira-Elvis Andrus trade. It's insane how badly the Rangers beat the Braves in that trade. Nonetheless, Harrison set a Rangers record with nine wins in his rookie season as a lefty. He has a lot of room to prove, but impressed many last season.

11. Max Ramirez -- 24
Taking a backseat in the catcher's circus for the Rangers. Just clobbers minor league pitching, but he doesn't really have a place for the Rangers. Could very well be traded. Surprisingly, he showed some defensive aptitude last season with his brief tenure with the Rangers.

10. Matt Niskanen -- 22
For kid, he's thrown together two pretty good seasons on the blue line. He's only going to get better.

9. Mike Jenkins -- 23
Cowboys fans are hoping the guy steps up this season without Anthony Henry and Pacman Jones.

8. Orlando Scandrick -- 22
Projected to be a mainstay in the Cowboys secondary. Taken four rounds behind Jenkins.

7. Fabian Brunnstrom -- 24
Is making the Les Jackson-Brett Hull look better considering the Sean Avery debacle. Has come in and produced. Injuries slowed down his first NHL year.

6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia --23
We've been told over and over that Salty's due. It seems like we're all running out of patience with the guy, and he's only 23. On pace to capture the starting catcher's spot.

5. Martellus Bennett -- 22
We all were kinda underwhelmed on draft day. Further underwhelmed pre-season when he was shown uninterested. Then the games started and he proved (to the tune of 20 catches, 283 yards, 4 touchdowns) he can be a force on the field. Big things are expected of Marty B.

4. Loui Eriksson -- 23
Finally busted out: 32 goals, 19 assists, +12 (so far). A big reason the Stars are anywhere near the playoffs.

3. Chris Davis -- 22
Didn't take him long from being drafted in 2006 to making a full-time impact in 2008. Until Justin Smoak is ready in a couple of months, Davis solidifies the Rangers corner spots.

2. James Neal -- 21
Can barely drink, but he can knock in 22 goals as a rookie. The big reason I watch Stars hockey.

1. Felix Jones -- 21
He'll be 22 at the start of the Cowboys season and will be the reason I watch games this year. Injury cut his 2008 campaign entirely too short, but I believe we're all super excited about his 2009. He's a fantastic talent and the most athletic, game-breaking and scintillating player on this list and possibly on any team in the city.

Key to the Season: Bats

Salty's big year?

I do not think October is going to roll around and we're going to be pointing at hitting as the issue with the Texas Rangers.

However, that doesn't mean it's still not an issue. The fact is, only two guys have been playing together the last three years for any amount of time: Ian Kinsler and Mike Young.

Josh Hamilton and David Murphy just got to the team last season. Elvis Andrus, Taylor Teagarden and Chris Davis have been in the minors. Nelson Cruz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been up and down from the minors. Marlon Byrd and Hank Blalock have battled injuries.

It feels like all these guys have been around for a long time and guys like Andrus are the newbies. But they're all kinda newbies.

Chances are, there will still be games of 14-4 with the Rangers winning along with others of 5-0 where Roy Halladay or John Lackey make them look silly. It's Rudy Jaramillo's team still. Nothing will change that.

Some consistency would be good. But, furthermore, the Rangers will need to seek some bats for the middle of the line-up.

Young and Kinsler are No. 1 and 2. Hamilton is in the three-hole. Andrus/Omar Vizquel are destined for the nine-spot. That leaves No. 4-8 to be determined.

A healthy Hank Blalock clears up the No. 4 or 5 spot.

What the Rangers really need is for Nelson Cruz, Chris Davis and/or Jarrod Saltalamacchia to have break-out years.

This is highly unlikely to have three guys to do this. If it should happen, the Rangers just might make the playoffs. It might also snow in hell, too.

Cruz may be especially important. He needs to pan out. Salty they can hide on the bench for another season. Davis is basically going through his first full year. His pockmarks are expected.

The thing is, someone needs to protect Josh Hamilton in the line-up. Love him or hate him or whatever, but Milton Bradley was the perfect guy for Hamilton. He made sure pitchers gave Hamilton something to hit and I'm sure stats would back this up. It's been repeated ad nauseum.
Some combination of Cruz-Salty-Davis must strike this same fear in the opponents. This means being consistent, hitting for average and power, hitting the gaps, being able to hit with two outs and also handle both righties and lefties.

I'm going to be honest, but I've got a feeling about all three of these guys, especially Cruz and Salty. With Davis, I feel there could be a certain amount of let down because many are predicting him for a 30+ homer and 110+ RBI season. He still strikes out a lot and he didn't necessarily show last year that he can hit in pressure situations.

Cruz and Salty are different. I think something clicked last season for Cruz and it showed in his Oklahoma City production and the brief time he was in Arlington. For Salty, I think it was a matter of time. For all intents and purposes, everyone has had him slated to hit. Remember, he's only 23 years old. A pup, really. The way he's hitting Spring Training pitching with the catcher's spot essentially hit going into 2009, I feel pressure was off of him to perform.

Nonetheless, it doesn't matter where it comes from (Marlon Byrd? David Murphy? Taylor Teagarden?) the Rangers need some pop.



Keys to the Season History
Good Pitching