Bleacher Report - Articles by Jordan Hofeditz

What Do Ya Say, Roy Williams?

Jordan Hofeditz — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:38:54 -0400

Now he has a full year, no Terrell Owens and a lot to prove. A sit down with Cowboys' receiver Roy Williams. So what do you ask the new No. 1 receiver of "America's Team?"

How much difference does it make going through training camp as opposed to joining a team mid-season?

You were the No. 1 receiver during your time in Detroit. When you came to Dallas in 2008, you became the No. 2 receiver behind Terrell Owens. Now with Owens in Buffalo what are the different responsibilities of being the top receiver?

A lot was made about Jason Witten and Tony Romo's relationship last season. Do you see it as a problem like Owens did? Obviously every receiver wants the ball, are you alright with Witten being a top target?

Is Tony Romo the quarterback that can return the Cowboys to glory?

Do the 2009 Cowboys have what it takes to play for and win the Super Bowl?

What is it like being from Texas, being a Longhorn from UT and now being a Dallas Cowboy?

How good are the young receivers on this team?

What is something that you do before every single game no matter what, are you a superstitious player?

What is more important: receptions, yards or touchdowns?

When people hear Roy Williams do they think of you, the safety or the North Carolina basketball coach?

Kinsler Is Getting the Job Done

Jordan Hofeditz — Sat, 16 May 2009 04:27:27 -0400

Ian Kinsler is giving Phillies' Chase Utley a run for his money in the "best second baseman in baseball" category in 2009.

After a ridiculous start to the season, Kinsler slowed down a little. But after a two home run effort in Friday night's 10-8 win against the Angels, Kinsler showed he is not done.

The three RBIs were crucial to the Rangers' win; however, the most gratifying part of Kinsler's game were the two stellar plays he made using his glove.

The first was in the eighth inning, starting the double-play with two men on and one out. The second was a force out in the ninth with two on and two out, with just a two run lead to end the game.

Kinsler not only had a good game, but is having a solid season so far and shows no signs of letting up.

Kinsler is tied for second in the American League in home runs with 11, and so far his .983 fielding percentage is the best in his young career. In his fourth season, all his talent is coming to fruition.

This couldn't be happening at a better time for the Rangers.

With the win, the Rangers took a 2.5 game lead over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and are proving with every game that they might be as good as advertised.

Now, even if Texas loses the final two games of the series, the Rangers will remain in first place.

Pitching is finally not a weakness, fielding is not a weakness, and offense is certainly not a weakness. It is still May, but Kinsler and the Rangers could be the real deal in '09.

2009 Leaves Rangers Fans Wary But Hopeful

Jordan Hofeditz — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:20:12 -0400

Rangers fans our skeptical of any success, it's in our nature.

There have been enough, "maybe next year" statements to last us a lifetime. Even now with the Rangers in first place there is still that pit in our stomach.

It is just sitting there waiting, asking, "when will they fall apart this year?"

It could be any number of things.

Young players who have started strong could fall off, hitting that is some of the best in the league could start to dwindle, and everyone knows how shaky every aspect of Rangers pitching can be.

With all of that said, this could be the year for the Rangers to make it back to the playoffs.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington last saw playoff baseball in 1999, now 10 seasons later it could house baseball past its usual 81 regular season games.

Because even though all of those things could fall apart, there is no early sign that it will.

Elvis Andrus has played with phenomenal stability. His hitting goes up and down, but that’s not what the Rangers need. The Rangers need a solid defender up the middle, and he has a solid glove.

The Rangers lead the majors in home runs and slugging percentage, and are second in total bases. And it is different people getting the job done.

It was Ian Kinsler who started the season on fire and once he cooled off Michael Young stepped up. Hank Blalock hit two home runs yesterday as he has settled into his DH role. Josh Hamilton has started slow and is injured, but he wont stay that way all season.

Kevin Millwood has gone at least seven innings in each of his seven starts. After a shaky start to the season Vicente Padilla has given up just one hit in each of his two starts in May and just two runs, one earned that has his ERA drop from 7.43 to 4.97. Matt Harrison, Scott Feldmen and Brandon McCarthy have also started the season strong.

The bullpen, while still questionable, has found a closer in Frank Francisco. He has converted all nine of his save opportunities, has not given up a run and has 13 strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched.

It is still too early to crown the Rangers AL West champions, but it appears they will contend for the title this season.

Healthy Offense Is Key to Cowboys' Success

Jordan Hofeditz — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:29:15 -0400

Cowboys' offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett, will be without some input on the sidelines this season. Terrell Owens is gone and Garrett might actually get to call the plays he wants to call without No. 81 yelling at him on the sidelines.

What will be on the sidelines for the Cowboys are three healthy running backs who showed last year that they can get the job done. When Marion Barber was injured, Felix Jones stepped up. When Jones was injured, Tashard Choice stepped up. If all three can be healthy and in shape, a lot of pressure could be off Tony Romo.

After one season as offensive coordinator Garrett was hailed as the successor to the head coaching job, then after a lackluster 2008, some people didn't want him to call the plays anymore, let alone follow Wade Phillips. But 2008 was filled with injuries.

Witten, Romo, Barber, and Jones are just some of the offensive players who missed time due to injuries.

The key to success for the Cowboys is a healthy and balanced offense.

Dallas can’t afford to have Romo drop back every play, and even Barber can’t force himself through players every time he touches the ball. The Cowboys were most effective when they were able to mix things up.

Most teams, even a bad defense, can play well against a good offense if they know what is coming every play. What the Cowboys have that other teams don’t are solid players at the positions needed to run an effective, balanced offense.

Play-action and misdirection should be a staple of the Cowboys offense in 2009.

If the defense jumps on the run Romo will have time to find Witten, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Martellus Bennett, Miles Austin, and well, you get the idea. Romo has an arsenal of receivers to turn to when he has the ball.

If the defense is staying back to play the run Barber can run through them, Jones can run by them and Choice can do a combination of the two.

The biggest key to the Cowboys' offense is having Williams for a full training camp and pre-season. Williams’ arrival in Dallas last season was less than perfect. He came when Owens was upset about not getting the ball, when Romo was injured, and the Cowboys were falling apart.

This time around Williams will have some experience with the Cowboys and Dallas’ system going into the season, and he will have a full season to show what he can do.

With a solid core of receivers, talent at running back and Romo still looking to prove that he can play well for an entire season and the playoffs, the Dallas offense can be a force to be reckoned with.

Road to becoming a Cowboys fan

Jordan Hofeditz — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:52:12 -0400

I have always disliked, "that team." The Yankess. The Lakers. The Red Wings. And yes, the Cowboys. They always won, always had the best players and always got on my nerves. The Cowboys, with Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin just dominated the NFL winning Super Bowl Champions in 1992, 1993 and 1995. Jerry Jones took over the team and seemed to make every right decision, every gamble paid off and the team won. Only twice during the 1990s did the Cowboys not make the playoffs, 1990 and 1997. Coaches Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer were pulled from the college rankings and managed to win both a national championship and a Super Bowl, the only two to complete the feat. In the first two Super Bowls the Cowboys defeated Buffalo each year, killing Jim Kelly’s chance to win one, he would finish his career without a ring. Aikman finished his career with three. But then in the late 90s two things happened that would start to change my views on the Cowboys. First, my family moved from Lincoln, Neb. to Dallas. Second, the Cowboys started losing. It is easy to hate a team when they are on top of the world knocking down every opponent in sight. But when the team starts to lose, the hatred starts to go away. It is hard to hate a team when they are losing, it’s like beating a dead horse, they already suck, why add insult to injury. So then it happed and here are the steps that took us there.

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Secondary Still Leaves Questions For Cowboys

Jordan Hofeditz — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:24:06 -0400

The Cowboys' trade for Roy Williams left Dallas without a first round pick in this year's NFL Draft. With the departure of Terrell Owens this off-season, the Cowboys essentially got a first round receiver in Williams.

With the departure of the other Roy Williams, Anthony Henry, and Adam "Pacman" Jones the Dallas secondary is left with holes and inexperience. The Cowboys still have Terence Newman, Ken Hamlin, and Pat Watkins with experience, but none are players that really scare a quarterback.

In the draft Dallas looked to the secondary as an area to fill. Mike Mickens, Michael Hamlin, and DeAngelo Smith were the players the Cowboys' ownership and decision makers chose to fill those holes. But the growing pains seen by Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, and Courtney Brown last season makes you think that Mickens, M. Hamlin, and Smith wont make much of an impact in 2009.

This means rather than seeing an old and injured Williams get burned, it will be a young player that doesn’t know any better. While this might lead to a better mindset for Cowboys' fans, it leads to the same end results—big games for opposing quarterbacks.

In the fetal win against Tampa Bay with Brad Johnson leading the Cowboys, Tampa Bay’s Jeff Garcia threw for 227 yards, Aaron Rodgers threw for 290 yards, and Carson Palmer threw for 217 yards against the Cowboys’ defense. The strange thing is, all of those led to Dallas' victories.

It wasn’t always the big game from a quarterback that led to Dallas’ demise, it was giving up the big play at the wrong time.

Against Baltimore the Cowboys gave up back-to-back 70-yard plus running plays. No it wasn’t being beat in coverage, but it was a lack of ability for the secondary to make an open field tackle that allowed the Ravens’ backs to reach the end zone.

The backup quarterback is Jon Kitna, the running backs are set, the wide receivers and tight ends are ready to catch the ball, and the defensive line and linebackers remained mostly intact (if Bobby Carpenter could be a factor they would be set), but it is the secondary that is what to watch this season.

It could still be the late season play of Tony Romo that keeps the Cowboys out of the playoffs or give them an early round exit, but the secondary will get the assist.

Life As a Rangers Fan Not Getting Easier

Jordan Hofeditz — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:24:24 -0500

Things haven't been easy on people who cheer for the home team at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington over the past 10 seasons.

The biggest complaint of most is the lack of pitching. The glory years, late 1990s, saw Rick Helling and Aaron Sele lead the Rangers' rotation and Jeff Zimmerman picking up saves left and right.

Now the rotation is ever changing. Usually combining pitchers on their way out and pitchers who are trying to break into the majors, and a lot of injuries.

Things seemed to be looking up as for the first time in years a predominant starting pitcher was seriously considering the Rangers. Ben Sheets has been a dominant pitcher over the past few seasons including starting an All Star game. With some improvements to the team and in management (most notably Nolan Ryan) the Rangers were in the mix.

But things weren't meant to be. A probable surgery has put that plan not only on hold, but ended it.

Once again the Rangers will have a starting rotation that will leave fans with a lot of questions and wanting more.

Cardinals Look To Rebound in 2009

Jordan Hofeditz — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:02:18 -0500

The Cardinals added a Cy Young Award winner to their rotation for 2009. Chris Carpenter.

No, he wasn't an offseason signing or a part of a blockbuster trade, he is just healthy again and one of the biggest bright spots of the new season in St. Louis.

But there is still a lot of things that have to go right for the Cardinals in 09.

1. Pujols can't be the only source of offense. Ludwick and Ankiel have to come out of what appears to be unavoidable arbitration with their bats swinging. The addition of Khalil Greene should provide another solid bat in the lineup.

2. Starting rotation has to stay healthy. Carpenter and Adam Wainwright are the top two in the rotation, but the rest have to be solid and everyone has to stay healthy.

3. Finishing games. The Cardinals will have a new look in their bullpen and it wont include long time closer Jason Isringhausen. It appears the youngster Chris Perez is going to step into the role. As a young, talented pitcher he will be looked upon to help secure wins.

4. Third Base Questions. Troy Glaus might not be healthy to start the season at third base. Brian Barden might be stepping into that position. Naturally a short stop the youngster will have a chance to prove himself. He played in just nine games during the 2008 season.

5. Win on the road. The Cardinals were 11 games over .500 at the new Busch Stadium, but were one game under .500 on the road. If the Cardinals can keep winning at home and add more wins on the road they can be a potent force in the NL Central.

The Cardinals finished fourth in the division last year. But the Cubs had a season of the century (almost) and the Brewers don't have the pitching they did last season. This is the year for the Cardinals to win the Central again, or at least place in the Wild Card as they did in 2006.

Why I Hate New York Yankee Fans

Jordan Hofeditz — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:41:47 -0400

**Warning: Overly sensitive Yankee fans should not read**

There are a few things I love more than watching a Major League Baseball game. When I'm watching the Rangers in August, the games actually mean something. It's just that much better.

Then you realize you're watching your team play the Yankees, and that means one thing: You have to deal with their fans.

Since the Yankees are solely responsible for Rangers' lack of playoff success in the late 1990s (in the fact that the Rangers made the playoffs three times and were defeated by the Yankees each of those three years), the friction here is understandable.

Then you add the fact that Yankee fans are just flat-out annoying because the ballpark security is holding its breath every 10 seconds.

First of all, we get it; you're a fan of a team that has more World Series rings than any other. And yes, you love A-Rod, Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, and Bobby Abreu. But wait, you haven't won a World Series since they've been on the roster. But, I digress.

And Derek Jeter is "your boy," but in the top of the first with no one on and one out, he doesn't warrant a "De-rick, De-rick" chant. While I'm sure Andy Pettitte appreciates your support, yelling at him to "get one over the plate" from the 20th row in the top deck isn't going to help him throw a strike.

One of my favorites, though, was when Josh Hamilton was batting. A fan a few rows back couldn't stop talking about how Hamilton was a bum and an easy out for a pitcher of Pettitte's caliber. Then, after depositing a two-run home run over the right-field wall, he turns to the nearest Rangers fan to inform them that Hamilton is a future Yankee.

And, I'm not one to condone violence, let alone against a child, but there is something about a kid chanting, "Let's go, Yankees" while they are down by six runs and it's between innings that's quite disturbing. If you're going to be an annoying fan, at least be an educated one and bug people with the random facts and stats you can come up with.

But, most of all, Yankee fans are annoying because they feel like they are entitled to something. Every close pitch is a ball with their guy at the plate and a strike with him on the mound.

Now, you're thinking, that's the way it is with every fan. Every person thinks their team or player can do no wrong; however, "That couldn't be a strike if Jeter didn't swing at it," is not a good argument.

So yes, go out and support your team at other ballparks because you could never manage to actually see a Yankees' game at Yankee Stadium. But unless you have something intelligent to say, keep your mouth shut. And seeing how we are talking about Yankee fans, there will be a lot of silence.

MLB: Is Baseball the Worst Officiated Sport?

Jordan Hofeditz — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:29:10 -0400

In every major sport there is that element of human error on the side of officiating, whether it be not calling a penalty in hockey, holding onto the flag in football, or failing to count how many steps Kobe Bryant took running through the lane in basketball.

But baseball is the only sport where everything can be controlled by an umpire.

He stands behind home plate and calls balls and strikes. He stands at first base and determines whether the ball beat the runner or vice versa. There is rarely a pitch that an umpire doesn't have some kind of impact on.

Every other sport has begun to utilize technology in their officiating. Football has instant replay, hockey can go to the replay booth to see if it was a goal or not, even basketball referees will go to the scorers table to check a last second shot. But not baseball, not yet at least.

Almost every network that televises a Major League Baseball game has some kind of graphic, what ESPN calls "K-Zone." It shows a box that is the strike zone and pinpoints the location of the ball as it crosses the plate. Every viewer at home knows whether the umpire just blew a call or not.

Instant replay may be coming to baseball, but probably only to determine whether a ball was a home run or not, or fair or foul. They can't stop the game after every pitch.

But isn't that something we love about baseball? That your pitcher might get the benefit of the doubt on a ball that might be out of the zone because he's been consistent all game, or when your slugger takes a pitch that might be close it's called a ball because he is known for having an amazing eye at the plate?

Of course.

Without that you wouldn't have Lou Piniella running out every other week for one of his famous outbursts at an umpire. You wouldn't see a hitter stand there in disbelief after strike three being called against him or see your pitcher walk halfway to the dugout before realizing that the umpire called the pitch (that was clearly a strike according to him) a ball.

The problem is that it is consistently bad umpiring. Take Monday night's game between the Rangers and the Yankees.

Any pitch could have been a ball just as easily as it was a strike. Some umpires have a skewed strike zone, but at least it is consistent. One might like balls in, some out, some up, some down and that is OK, as long as they stick with it.

Home plate umpire Andy Fletcher couldn't decide what zone he wanted, so it changed every inning if not every pitch. That's when umpires get annoying. It also gets annoying when an umpire changes the game on a borderline call.

Padilla's first balk was questionable at best. He stopped in his stretch as much as any other pitcher in the majors does, yet it was a balk. But with one out and only moving the runner to second no real harm was done.

It was the second balk call that seemed utterly unbelievable. Alex Rodriguez appeared to have called time out and Fletcher stood up behind home plate so Padilla stepped off the rubber.

First base umpire Alfonzo Marquez called a balk, this time sending the runner home. Of course as a pitcher you shouldn't step off the mound unless you do it with the correct foot or the umpire has his hands raised. But standing up from the crouch behind the catcher has the same effect.

And then in the bottom half of that inning Ian Kinsler hit a ball that barely made it past the plate, but home plate umpire Fletcher called it fair and Kinsler was out, at the time. Then the umpires got together and changed the call to a foul ball.

After seeing the replay a few times that appeared to be the correct call. But how did an another umpire at least 90 feet away notice that better than the guy less than five feet away?

Umpires don't need to be traded in for the best available computer technology, but there has to be a way to make them better.

Texas Rangers: Rangers Take Game One from Yankees in Grand Fashion

Jordan Hofeditz — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:58:31 -0400

The Rangers of the past used to start crumbling around this time, but this years' team just keeps finding new ways to win.

Last night the Yankees and the Rangers played a close back and forth game which was to be expected with New York's up-and-coming pitching prospect Joba Chamberlain pitching against the only veteran left on Texas' staff, Vincente Padilla.

Padilla looked the most composed he has on the mound all season and probably had the most reasons to come undone.

A questionable strike zone in the first inning led to extra pitches and the Yankees getting an early 1-0 lead. Padilla's frustration could be seen on his face, but not in his pitching. He kept it together and got out of the inning.

Yankees 1, Rangers 0

Then in the fourth Padilla gave up solo home runs to Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano, but still Padilla did not lose his cool on the mound.

Yankees 3, Rangers 0

It was the fifth inning where I would have lost it and it was where manager Ron Washington lost it, but not Padilla.

After giving up a lead-off single to Johnny Damon, Padilla struck out Derek Jeter. That's when it fell apart. With Bobby Abreu batting, Padilla "balked" Damon to second. From what I saw, the balk was called because Padilla did not come set (meaning coming to a complete stop in his motion before going to the plate). There aren't too many pitchers in the majors these days that come to a complete stop.

But after some confusion, Abreu's at bat continued and he would ground out to Rangers' first baseman Chris Davis. With two outs Damon was at third. Padilla worked out of his windup with no threat of a base runner trying to steal.

It appeared that Alex Rodriguez had called time out at the plate and Padilla stepped off the rubber. But according to the first base umpire, no time was called and Damon was sent home on Padilla's second balk of the inning.

Padilla and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia looked befuddled while Washington said enough to the umpire to get to the locker room early. Padilla then got Rodriguez to ground out and was out of the inning.

Yankees 4, Rangers 2

And just when you thought the fifth inning couldn't get any stranger, it did.

Ramon Vazquez led off the inning with a single. Then Ian Kinsler grounded into a double play, or did he?

The ball barely made it past home plate, but as originally called, made it far enough to be in play. Vazquez was thrown out at second by newly acquired Yank Ivan Rodriguez while the double play was made easy by Kinsler who just stood at home looking at the spot where the ball stopped.

Now it was Art Howe's turn to discuss a call (Howe became the Rangers' manager when Washington was thrown out), not argue, but discuss. Then the umpires did the smartest thing they had done all game, got together and talked about it.

The call was changed to a foul ball and Kinsler was still alive. He worked that into a walk and with two on and one out Michael Young drilled a line shot over the right field wall for a three-run home run and the Rangers had the lead.

Yankees 4, Rangers 5

But in the top of the eighth the Rangers' Frank Francisco couldn't hold the lead. Francisco gave up a solo home run, barely. The ball just found its way, not over just the wall, but also Marlon Byrd's stretched out glove and Xavier Nady had once again come through big for his new team, and the game was tied.

Yankees 5, Rangers 5

Bottom of the ninth, tie game, bases loaded and two out. Josh Hamilton had just walked to load the bases and that brought Byrd to the plate, the same Byrd that had just missed robbing Nady of the game tying home run.

Damaso Marte was on the mound for the Yankees in his second inning of work and ball four to Hamilton was his 41st pitch of the night. Known as a lefty specialist a pitch count that high is unusual for Marte, but he stayed in to face Byrd.

That's when the graphic came up. Byrd this season was 1-7 with the bases loaded, but that one hit was a grand slam. So with a tired pitcher on the mound who had just walked the bases loaded, would Byrd take a few pitches and possibly work a walk. In a word, no.

Byrd deposited Marte's first pitch fastball into the seats in right center field and the runs started pouring in. Travis Metcalf was the official winning run followed by Gerald Laird then Hamilton and finally followed by Byrd who was welcomed by a mosh pit of Rangers.

Yankees 5, Rangers 9

It marked the Rangers third walk-off win in eight games and while Padilla didn't get the win, he set the tone and was the veteran ace the Rangers needed to start off the series strong.

Texas Rangers: AL Wild Card Battle

Jordan Hofeditz — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:25:55 -0400

The Texas Rangers will once again try to reach five games over .500 tonight as the New York Yankees come to town for a four-game series.

Texas doesn't look like they will contend for the AL West title, 11.5 games behind the best team in baseball (LA Angels), but a record of 58-54 has the Rangers just six games out of the Wild Card race.

The team above the Rangers in that race is the New York Yankees. Texas is just 3.5 games behind the Yankees in the Wild Card standings and with a miracle four-game sweep could overtake the pinstriped players.

Don't count on the sweep, but the way the Rangers are playing right now, a 3-1 series win isn't out of the question. The only problem is that the way the Yankees are playing right now, a 3-1 series loss isn't out of the question either.

The Rangers can take a big step toward a playoff appearance with the four games against the Yankees followed by three games against Boston the following week. Texas will need help from others as they will not face the Chicago White Sox again this season.

But you have to take it one game at a time, and that starts tonight.

Joba Chamberlain (4-3) vs. Vicente Padilla (12-5)

Both teams send a great deal of talent to the mound without knowing what they are going to get out of their starter.

Padilla has been more consistent this year than his past two seasons with the Rangers, which just means that Texas fans are waiting for him to fall apart. So far it hasn't happened; Padilla hasn't lost since July 4. In his three starts since then, Padilla is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA and 13 strikeouts. For the Rangers to win this series they need a strong showing from Padilla in the opener.

Chamberlain has completed his transition from the bullpen to the starting role. It was a heavily debated and often questioned move. Chamberlain made a name for himself at the University of Nebraska as a guy who could pitch a complete game. That experience as a Husker made for a quick progression through the minor leagues to the show.

But he made it as a Yankee coming out of the bullpen, and now that he is a starter his numbers are more consistent. Going at least six innings in his last five starts he is 2-1.

Chamberlain started the July 1 game against the Rangers in the Bronx. He went four innings giving up two runs and got the no decision in an eventual 3-2 Rangers win.

Both will battle a severe Texas heat that will be well into triple digits at game time. If Padilla can keep his cool on the mound, that advantage goes to the Rangers.

St. Louis Cardinals: Is Chris Carpenter The Savior Of The Redbirds' Season?

Jordan Hofeditz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:00:36 -0400

ALLELUIA!

Alright, so it's not exactly the second coming of Jesus, but for the fans in St. Louis, it comes pretty close. Let's take a look.

First name, Chris. Add a "t" and well, you get Christ.

Last name, Carpenter. Jesus was a carpenter.

People have been awaiting his return. Sure, one wait has lasted over thousands of years while another has only lasted a season and a half. But for Cardinals fans, the wait has seemed like an eternity. Coming off a World Series season, St. Louis was primed for another run. But opening day 2007 was the only game Carpenter has pitched between that World Series and now.

Savior. Jesus came to earth to forgive mankind of all its sins. Carpenter comes back to the Cardinals as their hope to overtake the Cubs and Brewers in the NL Central.

King of Kings. Jesus was King of the Jews. Carpenter took home the Cy Young award in 2005 and will be inserted as the ace of the Cardinals' pitching staff.

Texas Rangers: The Ramon Vazquez Rollercoaster

Jordan Hofeditz — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:50:38 -0400

It certainly has been an interesting season for Ramon Vazquez. It began with a bad facial hair decision on media guide photo day, moved to his utility role, to an everyday role, back to utility, and now it looks like he may play everyday for a few weeks again.

The Rangers are the fifth stop for Vazquez since he came into the league with the Mariners in 2001 with his longest stint being in San Diego for three years from 2002-04.

For a guy who can play any position on the infield, he has never been a guy who has held a permanent spot there. Now in his second season with the Rangers he is moving a little less.

In 73 games played in 2008, Vazquez has spent 54 of them playing third base due to a long DL stint to regular Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock. And Vazquez proved that he has what it takes to be an everyday player.

He is hitting .320 with five home runs and 25 RBI, usually coming from the nine spot in the order. And going into last night, he had made just five errors in those 54 games at third.

Because of how well Vazquez was playing at third when Blalock was supposed to come off the DL the first time, he was going to move to first base where no consistency had been since Texas traded away Mark Tiexiera last year.

Then came 22-year-old Texas native Chris Davis. Davis stepped in and has been more productive than any other person at the position this season. That forced Rangers' management to make a decision when Blalock came back.

That decision turned out to be Blalock sticking with third, Davis continuing to play first and Vazquez finding his usual spot on the bench.

You can't fault Rangers manager Ron Washington in that decision. When your infield consists of Chris Davis, Ian Kinsler, Michael Young, and Blalock, you're doing something right, and you can't afford to sit any of those guys down on a regular basis.

Then you think it's happened again. Sliding into a base, Young jammed and fractured his finger. The team expected him to be out 5-7 days. There it was. Vazquez's shot at a regular spot in the lineup again.

So Vazquez, who was playing third for Blalock moves to short, Davis moves to third, and Frank Catalanotto plays first. In the eighth inning with the comeback in their sights, things start to go south for Vazquez.

He's on third with another runner on second, one out, and Josh Hamilton at the plate. The crowd is loud (especially for a Rangers game) then silent. Vazquez has been picked-off at third, rally over, Rangers lose.

But at least now he will have an everyday spot playing shortstop, right? Wrong. Young decides to play through the pain.

But then Blalock's "upset stomach" that kept him out of Monday's game turns out to be a shoulder problem, and he finds himself once again on the DL. Now Vazquez has his spot at third base and can camp there for a little while, and everything is right again...not quite.

Vazquez has a horrible day in the field, making three errors including the one in the ninth that allowed the go ahead run to score.

Rangers’ fans are booing and asking themselves why this guy was so upset about not being an everyday player, he got his chance and blew it.

Once again, wrong. With the Rangers down by one in the bottom of the ninth, runners on first and second Vazquez comes to the plate. He rips a shot to right center field scoring two runs. Rangers win and Vazquez is the hero.

All in a days work.

Texas Rangers: Bittersweet Symphony

Jordan Hofeditz — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:52:19 -0400

Many Texas Rangers' fans are used to looking at the standings and seeing their team more than 10 games out of first place, but this year there is a little twist.

Yes, the Rangers are 10.5 games back in the AL West, but they are in second place and just 6.5 games out of the Wild Card race.

Most of the bad luck that the Rangers have endured over the seasons involved bad trades, insane contracts, and crippling injuries. This year it is a matter of their division.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have the best record in the majors. Their 64 wins are three more than Tampa Bay, Boston, and the Cubs.

If the Rangers were in the NL West instead of the AL West they would be in first place with a half game lead over Arizona. Not to mention they would be playing teams like the 48-58 Rockies, the 43-61 Giants, and the 41-65 Padres instead of the 64-40 Angels and the 53-51 A's.

Unfortunately it looks like another season in which the Rangers will take their vacation earlier than four of their American League counterparts. But that doesn't need to get a Texas fan down as much this year as it has in the past.

There is a solid foundation for this team, and it is a young one. An infield of Blalock, Young, Kinsler, and Davis could be together for quite a while. The Rangers have young options with Laird, Saltalamacchia, and Ramirez behind the plate along with Murphy, Boggs, and Hamilton in the outfield. The core of this team is set.

But of course, the Rangers' pitching has been nothing to write home about, unless it's a complaint letter. Hopefully new Rangers President Nolan Ryan can find a way to bring in a true ace to lead the staff and help young pitchers develop.

So don't expect a miracle in 2008, but get excited about the possibility of 09.

Texas Rangers: Hank Blalock's Back

Jordan Hofeditz — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:40:01 -0400

Hank Blalock has played in 22 games in 2008. He is hitting .299 with three home runs and seven RBIs. But now he is healthy and the Rangers have been forced to make a decision.

When Blalock was expected to come off the DL about two months ago, there were reports that he would play first base. Texas had started the season with Ben Broussard at the position and got no production. Then Jason Botts and Frank Catalanotto couldn't get the job done at the position either.

So with Ramon Vasquez honorably holding down the fort at the hot corner, the Rangers hoped that Blalock could return, change positions, and bring new life into first base.

Then all that changed.

Blalock complained of a sore wrist that once again placed him on the DL with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. That forced the Rangers to bring up Chris Davis from Double-A Frisco to the show.

That has seemed to work out well for all involved. Davis has shown he can hold his own with the big boys. In just 17 games played he is pulling a .259 average with six home runs and 13 RBIs.

Those numbers have placed General Manager John Daniels and manager Ron Washington into a tough situation.

Three players, two positions.

Vasquez has played in 69 games this year, and over the past two seasons the Rangers have won more games with him in the lineup than with him out of the lineup, 62-45 compared to 48-62.

But the Rangers have made their decision and that will keep Davis at first, move Blalock back to third, and make Vasquez a utility man without a home once again.

This is probably the right move to make at this point. But look for Vasquez to reclaim his spot at third if Blalock can't shake off the rust of his time spent on the DL.

AAIPB: Is This Even Real Baseball?

Jordan Hofeditz — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:53:46 -0400

Now don't get me wrong. I have respect for these players. They may not be good enough to be signed by a major league team and a member of one of the official Minor League Baseball teams, but they are still getting paid to play and following their dream. So for that, I commend them.

Even with that being said, do you remember when you were in elementary school playing for the local YMCA or other rec league?

You would show up to the game and wait for your teammates and coaches to arrive. Some games, due to family vacations or just unreliable friends, you would stand there worried that you wouldn't have enough players to play and might have to forfeit.

Nothing was worse than getting dressed, getting to the game and warming up, only to have nine guys ready to play. You then had to sheepishly pack your bag and head to the car 10 minutes after the game was supposed to start without a touch of dirt or a grass stain on your jersey.

But then you play for your high school, maybe even in college, and then you get your break. You are now a professional baseball player. You're getting paid to show up to play a game you've loved for as long as you can remember. That and you no longer have to worry about any silly forfeits right?

Wrong.

Welcome to the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Home of the Witchita Wingnuts, El Paso Diablos, Lincoln Salt Dogs and the newly established Grand Prairie Air Hogs.

The Grand Prairie Air Hogs defeated the Shreveport Sports 9-4 in five innings. And yes, the game was delayed over two hours because of rain. But the rain wasn't the reason the game was cut short.

That was because Terry Bevington, the Sports' manager, pulled his team off the field. The Air Hogs had taken a 9-4 lead thanks to a home run by Mike Conroy. The next batter was hit by a pitch and the Sports' pitcher was ejected.

Then Bevington was ejected when he came out to argue the call with the umpire. He then motioned to his team to get off the field, which they did, and ten minutes later the game was over.

Yes, the AAIPS has a bit of history. The St. Paul Saints and the Ft. Worth Cats are each franchises with a lot of history.

But can you imagine what would happen if in the fifth inning of a game Derek Jeter hits a home run, then Alex Rodriguez gets hit. Josh Beckett is ejected from the game, and out of the dugout pops Terry Francona. After a few choice words are exchanged Francona is also ejected and then motions to his team to leave the field?

There would be riots on the streets of New York and Boston, and the Red Sox would become the laughing stock of MLB, and everyone with a cell phone would be calling in to ask for, no, demand Francona's resignation.

If you're a small market baseball league wouldn't you want all the positive publicity you can get? This can't be a good start.

What's The Point Of Being an All-Star Game Starter?

Jordan Hofeditz — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:49:01 -0400

As you sat and watched the over four hour marathon that was the 2008 All-Star Game, were you even aware of the 18 people that started the game? Of course not. You were trying to figure out who was left in the bullpen, on the bench and who came up next in the batting order.

Alex Rodriguez was the No. 1 overall vote getter; he went 0-2 with a strikeout. Yankee teammate Derek Jeter was second in votes, batting 1-3. In addition, where were both of them when the game surged into extra innings? Sitting on the bench.

Players like Dan Uggla were on the field, which made three errors in two innings for the NL. Christian Guzman, the shortstop for the Nationals was holding down the fort at...third base? Sure, they are all All-Stars. Nevertheless, fans watched as Evan Longoria stepped to the plate four times while starter Kevin Youkilis got just one at-bat.

Not to mention Joe Buck and Tim McCarver were pondering pitcher problems every two minutes wondering what each manager would do if the game kept on going. Both Scott Kazmir of the Rays and Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks were instructed to stay on the bench. Both of them ended up being forced to work an inning on the mound.

So what can be done that heightens the importance of a starter and can keep worry away from All-Star managers? Re-entry. Once all players from the bench have been used a manager should be able to insert starters back into the lineup as he sees fit. It may not help the pitching problem as much.

However, with bats like Josh Hamilton, Rodriguez and Youkilis in the lineup at the end the game might not have lasted 15 innings. Therefore, Bud Selig can chew that one over while you try to figure out who is shooting steroids and how to use replay...

Rangers Thrive in All-Star Games

Jordan Hofeditz — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:44:50 -0400

Just one day after Josh Hamilton puts out the best first-round performance with 28 home runs in the Home Run Derby, Michael Young was once again clutch.

And it wasn't just Young. Milton Bradley, Josh Hamilton, and Ian Kinsler each had a stolen base for the AL. Kinsler would have had a second if the umpire hadn't blown the call.

And while Young did end it in the 15th, he should have ended it sooner. It just isn't too often that Young has a catcher hitting before him and Rays catcher Dioner Navarro was thrown out at the plate.

But that is just the 2008 All-Star game. Don't forget about the 2003 All-Star Game. You know, the first one that "counted" to give home field advantage to the winning league in the World Series.

Then it was Hank Blalock who ripped a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to give the AL an eventual 7-6 win. Or even the 2006 All-Star Game when Young once again came through. This time it was a two-RBI triple in the top of the ninth to give the AL a 3-2 win.

And where did the Rangers finish those seasons after helping the AL get a boost in the classic? Certainly not in first, or leading the wild card. Texas was a solid 25 games out of first when the 2003 season came to a close and 13 games out of first in 2006.

And now, once again, it was Rangers who have boosted the AL to home field advantage. But this year could be different. This year the Rangers could actually benefit from their All-Star performances. It will take some work, but the possibility is out there.

So, for any future AL All-Star manager: If a Ranger isn't voted into the starting lineup, and the players don't vote one in don't just throw a pitcher out in the bullpen. Make sure you have a guy up there at the plate to get the job done when you need it.

MLB: Texas Rangers at the Break

Jordan Hofeditz — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:10:01 -0400

It’s the All-Star Break and the Rangers aren’t sitting in last place in the AL East. That is good news; they are 7.5 games back of division leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim though. The Rangers are showing signs of fight and excitement that hasn’t been seen in The Dallas- Ft. Worth area since the playoff teams of the late 1990s.

The Rangers are sending four players to the All-Star Game, Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, Ian Kinsler, and Michael Young. Hamilton was the leading vote getter in the outfield, starting and put on a show in the Home Run Derby. Bradley gets the start due to David Ortiz’s injury and Kinsler and Young will come off the bench.

Along with them, the Rangers have gotten significant production from a young core of players. David Murphy, Brandon Boggs, Chris Davis and Max Ramirez have all stepped up in either everyday roles or when needed.

Murphy would be headed for a Rookie of the Year campaign if it weren’t for a third baseman in Tampa with an eerily similar name as a famous desperate housewife. Boggs has seen significant playing time as a member of an ever-changing, ever-productive outfield.

Davis is fitting the big, powerful, home run hitting first baseman Texas fans are used to seeing and Ramirez is quickly developing hero-like status at the Ballpark due to receiving some brutal blows at home plate and not only living to tell about it, but holding on to the ball and getting the out.

With the offense coming from every spot in the batting lineup it is no surprise that the Rangers lead the league in runs scored, including 12 in their final game before the break against the White Sox.

However, since those playoff years of the late 90s, and names on the mound like Aaron Sele who had 19 wins in 1998 and 18 in 1999 and Rick Helling who had a 20 win campaign in 1998. Not since then have, the Rangers had an ace in his prime. Which is why it is also not a surprise that the Rangers lead the league in runs allowed, including 11 in the game against Chicago.

Kevin Millwood is trying to fill that role this season and for the past few years, but has not been very successful. Vicente Padilla is also a veteran of the pitching staff who shows signs of consistency, but then comes an injury or a meltdown on the mound. The Rangers need young names like Edinson Volquez or John Danks.

Oh wait, the Rangers used to have them. No one can blame General Manager John Daniels too much for the Volquez trade because it brought Hamilton to the Rangers. However, it just shows that the Rangers have been too willing to give up good, young pitching in the past.

Now that has come back to bite Texas as they are barely able to piece together a rotation. So the Rangers now have a decision to make half way through the season, are they buyers or sellers?

They should be buyers. This is the closest the Rangers have looked to a playoff caliber team in years. They have shown that they can win the close games, as well as blow teams away. The problem is that, of course, it will come at a cost. They might have to give up a Davis or a Ramirez to bring in a number one starter.

However, that just might be worth it. With Laird coming back from the Disabled List and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the Rangers are pretty deep at catcher. Davis has shown his ability to play in the majors. However, the Rangers could be getting Hank Blalock back sometime soon, who would make the move to first base. They also have Frank Catalanotto.

In addition, this team can afford to lose some of the firepower from the lineup if they can get a pitcher in the starting rotation that can shut the other team down. Now's the time to make a move, and the Rangers need to pull the trigger and bring playoff baseball back to DFW.

Rip 'em Tech

Jordan Hofeditz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:29:23 -0400

OK, so I go to school in Texas, which means that we have our set of jokes to show how one school is better than another. I attend SMU, which for the most part stays out of the way athletically, but can hold its own academic wise.

So that being said, TCU and Texas Tech end up on the losing end of a lot of jokes around here. So I give you some of my favorites...

1) Q: Do you know why they can't have a nativity scene on campus at Texas Tech?

A: Because they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin anywhere.

2) So there are three guys deserted on an island: one from SMU, one from TCU, and one from Tech.

The guy from TCU says he wishes he was back in Ft. Worth because there is a bar near campus and the guy is a huge Frogs fan and for every four drinks the fifth one is free.

The guy from SMU smiles and says he has him beat. There is a bar near campus that is owned by an alumni, and if you are a student every third beer is free.

The guy from Tech starts to laugh and says Lubbock leaves them in the dust. He tells them that there is a place on campus that will serve you all the free alcohol you want all night, then take you upstairs and get you laid.

The guys from TCU and SMU don't know what to say. Half because they are in shock that a place like that could exist, and half because they don't believe a word of it.

They guy from TCU tells the guy from Tech that he is full of crap, while the guy from SMU asks the guy from Tech if he has actually ever been there.

The guy from Tech replies with joy, "No, but my sister goes there all the time."

3) A local business places an ad in the paper for a job opening. They ask for applicants with a TCU degree or equivalent.

They get one inquiry that asks for a clarification: "So are you looking for two Baylor grads or one SMU grad working part time?"

Thanks, I'll be here all week.

Does a New Uniform Make The Team

Jordan Hofeditz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:28:46 -0400

Some teams have been consistent with team uniforms year in and year out. It's all about tradition. Just ask the Yankees, Red Sox, Cowboys, N.Y. Rangers, Packers and the list goes on.

Other teams seem to change their logo every couple of years. So, what is the best strategy and what works?

The Yankees' home pinstripes and no last name on the back of the jersey has taken them to more World Series and given them more titles than I care to count and the Red Sox have finally seen their historic uniform in the Fall Classic. The Cowboys won Super Bowls in the 1970s and the 90s wearing very similar uniforms and are looking to return again in the same threads.

But then you have the Cubs, the poor-poor Cubs. Their uniforms are as old as Wrigley Field and it's been 100 years since they could say they were the best at their sport.

In a word, it's all about timing.

The Denver Broncos: Their classic uniforms had the bronco flying through the "D" on the helmet. They change to a more aggressive looking horse a deeper navy and darker orange - vuala, back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

The St. Louis Rams: Their uniforms are a little trickier. The classic blue and yellow get them to a Super Bowl title; then they change to a navy blue and gold and return to the Super Bowl where they lost to the Patriots.

The Mighty Ducks: Any team owned by Disney and has their mascot based off a popular movie doesn't stand much of a chance in the beginning. But drop the "Mighty Ducks of Anaheim" lingo, become the Anaheim Ducks, and change the ridiculous logo, it will lead to hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup.

And of course there is the "retro" look that seems to be in. The New York Football Giants are just a mix-and-match of old and new winning uniforms. The classic curved NY on the uniforms is what got Eli and gang to upset the Patriots last year. But it was the "Giants" that took Bill Parcells and Phil Simms to the Championship.

But the biggest uniform turnaround of 2008 has been the Tampa Bay Rays.

They drop the "Devil" and the purple from the uniform and they have the best record in baseball and are the first team other than Boston or New York to lead the AL East in July since 2000.

But, the real reason I wrote this is a little more selfish and a little more personal. I am a SMU student and there have recently been some changes to SMU football.

Everyone knows the story of the Pony Express led by Eric Dickerson and Craig James. They led the Mustangs to their glory years. But there is also a chance that they got paid well to do so, and that is what has the Ponies in the trouble they are in now.

After being the first and only team in NCAA history to receive the "death penalty", SMU never got back on its feet. Coming close in 2006 with a 6-6 record, but still couldn't make it to a bowl game.

Now the 'Stangs are back with a new head coach, June Jones, who turned the program at Hawaii around. And the uniforms are back to the white helmet that they were in the 1980s.

Maybe the uniform change will work its magic once again.

***What are your favorite uniform stories? Let me know!***

Josh Hamilton: From Question Mark to The Answer

Jordan Hofeditz — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:57:36 -0400

There are few stories in professional sports that jump out at you more than the amazing comeback of Josh Hamilton. The former No. 1 draft pick of the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays took a route to the majors that would have killed most people.

The story has been told time and time again, but if you have somehow missed it here are the main points:

-No. 1 draft pick out of high school

-Car accident forced parents to stay home rather than travel to see Josh's minor league games

-Mid season injury left Hamilton with a lot of down time and total freedom

-Started hanging out with the wrong crowd at a tattoo parlor

*-Got addicted to crack cocaine and was suspended from baseball from 2002 until last season

*Played in 90+ games with the Reds last season, and was traded to the Rangers for the 2008 campaign.

Now that you know that, here is what is impressive. Hamilton leads the majors in RBIs - and the race isn't even close. Hamilton's 89 RBIs are nine more than Ryan Howard for the MLB lead and 22 more than Justin Morneau for the AL lead. He is third in the AL in home runs and 12th in batting average, putting him in contention for the triple crown

In a recent article in Sports Illustrated Hamilton said that the only remnants of his past life of drug addiction are the 26 tattoos that he still has. They are a constant reminder to him of what he has been through and what he still has left to accomplish.

Hamilton will start in the All-Star game in less than a week and will participate in the Home Run Derby. His 3.5 million votes were the most of any AL outfielder and only Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez had more votes than Hamilton.

And while he has accomplished so much out of such a devastating situation, he does not shy away from he past. He will still get an occasional drug-addict heckle at visiting ballparks, but he doesn't let that get to him. Instead, he uses his bat, glove and arm do the talking.

Hamilton added to his legend Wednesday night against the Angels. With "untouchable" closer Francisco Rodriguez on the mound and the Rangers down by one run Hamilton came up with Michael Young on first. During the at-bat, Young stole second and put the tying run in scoring position.

Rodriguez, "K-Rod," came into the game converting on 35 of 37 save opportunities and had only given up one home run all season. But on the 3-1 pitch to Hamilton, that all changed.

Now K-Rod had three blown saves, given up two home runs and the Rangers had once again found a way to win.

Yes, it is July 10, five days from the All-Star break, and the Rangers are still 5.5 games back and in third in the AL West, but with Hamilton on the roster the Rangers have an aura of excitement around them that has not been experienced by fans since the late 1990s.

They are fun to watch, they are winning more games and there is a story to be found everywhere.