Monthly Archives: February 2021


And we’re off.

Baseball begins today. Guys in Rangers uniforms play guys in Royals uniforms. Game 1 of the exhibition season is here. The dark cloud of winter is starting to dissipate. The even darker cloud of COVID is slowly breaking up.  Today’s exhibition game opening day may feature players you’ve never heard […]


Why not Ibañez?

When asked about possibilities of a third baseman for Texas in 2021, Rangers manager Chris Woodward mentioned somebody so far off the radar, so unlikely, so way out in left field (so to speak), that it was a total shock. Andy Ibañez. How unlikely? Ibañez, the twenty-seven-year-old right-hand hitting infielder […]


Rotation taking shape.

According to new Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry, Rangers manager Chris Woodward said three starting rotation slots are confirmed: Kyle Gibson, Mike Foltynewicz, and Kohei Arihara. Curious why he didn’t mention Dane Dunning because it would be the biggest shocker in the world if Dunning wasn’t, a, in the rotation […]


A few minor injuries.

Now that the full squad has reported, things are starting to get real. It’s not just pitchers and catchers, it’s hitters and fielders. The full team. Along with the clubhouse suddenly getting fuller comes the trainer’s room getting fully. Injuries are inevitable, as players ramp it back up. Sam Huff […]


What it’s all about.

Please, Jon Daniels, please read what Royals General Manager Dayton Moore said yesterday when asked about putting together a competitive team in his current baseball climate when his team comes from a small-market and he’s in a division with such competitive teams. He replied: “We don’t know any other way. […]


Another Ian.

The Rangers signed pitcher Ian Kennedy. Ten years ago that would have been huge news. Now it’s late-February, small type, “Elsewhere in baseball…” kind of news. Ten years ago, Ian Kennedy had an incredible season as a starter for for the Arizona Diamondbacks. His 2011 season included a 21-4 record […]


Opening day tickets.

Want to see the Rangers play in person in their home opener at The Baseball Shed? It will cost you. You can’t get tickets anymore from the Rangers on their website. But sites like Stub Hub have plenty of seats available. The cheapest ticket is $135. That is upper upper […]


The most amazing beginning ever.

Pitchers and catchers have reported. Soon, the full squad will show up. But there are very few stories in spring training. Usually, ninety-nine percent of the jobs are already sewn up. No matter how much baseball managers say they will make decisions based on how certain players perform in spring, […]


Training wheels.

The Rangers start camp with a rotation significantly weaker than last season. Kluber, Minor, and Lynn were cause for real hope. You can’t call the 2021 projected rotations one of the worst rotations in Rangers history because, well, it’s the Rangers. Bad pitching is this franchise’s brand. But the challenge […]


Year three for Woodward.

By all accounts, Chris Woodward seems like a good man. Whether he’s a good manager is difficult to determine. Woodward signed a three-year contract to manage the Rangers starting in 2019. This is year three. He started strong, though. In a reversal of the Jeff Banister years, the Woodward-led Rangers […]