A tale of two tickets September 30, 2009
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This picture makes me sad. These are my playoff tickets for the Texas Rangers. I purchased them back at the beginning of September when we were in the middle of the playoff hunt. But after a lackluster month we were officially eliminated from contention last night.
The biggest hurt in September was that our top two hitters, Michael Young and Josh Hamilton, went on the DL for 3 weeks. It’s hard to win games consistently without those guys in the lineup.
Still there was much to be excited about this year and even more to be excited about next year. Can’t wait to see Feldman, Hunter, Andrus, Holland, Bourbon, and Feliz in action next year.
Here’s hoping that I get to use the playoff tickets I purchase next year 
Opening Day with Payton April 9, 2009
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Took Payton to his first Opening Day on Monday. We drove down to the Rangers Ballpark with our friends Ben and Caleb. We got there early to watch batting practice and take in all the festivities. Watching Josh Hamilton take BP was incredible – it doesn’t even look like he’s trying and the ball flies off his bat. One of the security guards threw Payton a ball. As soon as he got it he tried to throw it back. I stopped him in time – but he kept insisting that he needed to throw the ball back to the man.
We chowed down on hotdogs, cookies, root beer, and cotton candy. The Rangers won decisively 9-1. Payton really got into cheering for the players when they were batting and loved watching the fireworks after each homerun. He would yell “Come on Salty we need a hit”.
The ride home was very quiet, as you can see. I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of Payton’s indoctrination as a Ranger fan.
A great way to start to spring March 20, 2009
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This as you know is the first day of spring. It all started with a trip to the mailbox for me. Inside I found my tickets for Opening Day at the Rangers Ballpark staring back at me. Payton will be skipping school that day as we welcome in the “official” start to spring with his first Opening Day Game.
After getting the tickets we cleaned 6 rooms at the B&B – very appropriate – spring cleaning.
Then I went to work out. I normally go down to the gym after I work out to shoot some baskets. Today I got invited to a pick-up game. It was the first I’ve played since knee surgery last year. I really enjoyed myself. The competition was relaxed which allowed me to ease into the game. I didn’t experience any pain and my knee felt solid and stable. I didn’t push it hard, but I did cut a little here and there.
This was the perfect start to spring. I’m icing my knee right now – makes me feel like an old man – but I’m a happy old man.
Dreaming of Spring January 6, 2009
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Opening Day is a mere 4 months a way – Spring Training even closer. Just saw a blog post on the top 25 Ranger pitchers of all time. Check it out here.
There is no way any other organization in baseball has had less quality pitching in their history than my Texas Rangers. I challenge you to show me an overall sorrier group. It can’t be done.
This would also be the reason that we’ve never won a playoff series in team history. Yet in spite of that, and in spite of the outlook for this season - I can’t wait for baseball to start.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame September 8, 2008
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Carey and I took Payton to see the Royals take on the Indians yesterday afternoon (shout out to the Greens for the tickets and parking pass and to the Ahrings for keeping the other half of our family entertained). It was a beautiful day for baseball and a great day to hang out with my honey and my best bud.
Normal Royals fare – they lost 3-1. But you don’t go to games at the K to see them win – you go for the baseball experience. This might have been the first time that we’ve taken Payton somewhere special all by himself. He loved watching Slugger (the mascot) and getting to give him a hug. He really loved the Lemon Chill we bought plus the hotdogs, chips, and cookies we carried in.
But the best part of the day was running the bases after the game.
Loyal Fan and Darth Pudge August 14, 2008
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Just read an article on the most loyal fans in baseball. Guess who topped the list? Me and all of my fellow Rangers fans. JD I know you’ll appreciate that Boston fans were #2. You can read the article here.
I know we’re a couple of weeks past the trade deadline, but two former big name Ranger players moved teams. Mark Texieria traded from the Braves to the Angels. My best wishes to Mark. He played some great ball for us while he was here and I hope he gets a ring with the Angels this postseason. The other was Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, one of the greatest catchers to ever put on the gear. He was a Ranger for the first decade of his career and won a boatload of Gold Gloves, Silver Sluggers, All-Star honors and an MVP. I always liked Pudge until he went to the dark side. He approved a trade from the Tigers to the Yankees. This bothers me so much because he was part of the 3 Ranger teams in ‘96, ‘98, and ‘99 that won the division only to face the Evil Empire in the first round of the playoffs and get ousted. That was when my Yankee hating began. A good friend put it best when he reminded me of the words of Obi Wan Kenobi in his penultimate dialogue with Anakin Skywalker. “You were the chosen one. It was said that you would destory the Sith, not join them”.
You were our brother Pudge. We loved you.
My Texas Rangers July 7, 2008
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We are having a good time this year in Rangerland. Scoff away all you want to, naysayers, but we’re playing above .500 ball for the first time in several years. One thing that’s been so fun is that this new crop of players really seems to be enjoying the game and each other’s company.
Look at how we spent our time during the last rain delay.
This is a team winning with band-aids and duck tape in the starting rotation and 5 starting position players called up from Triple A and Double A in the last 2 months. We have 4 players going to the All-Star game – 2 starting (should be 3 – Kinsler was robbed by the Boston fans). We’re having a good time and look forward to the product on the field each and every day.
A Better Day April 11, 2008
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I’m not sure that I can imagine a better day than yesterday. Let me give you a run down of what happened.
Thursday is my day off, so no work for starters.
Took Madi, Emma, and Pepe to McD’s for our weekly breakfast date.
Spent time with Carey throughout the day.
Folded 17 loads of laundry.
Took a nap with Pepe and Alli.
Cleaned the family room and vacuumed.
Hail, high winds, and lots of rain.
Neighbor calls says the car door is open. Run out into the hail to shut car door.
Cook delicious chicken on the grill.
Put car in garage to dry out with fan.
Rangers win first game of a double header 3-1.
Stand in line at the Redbox for an hour to get Alvin and the Chipmunks.
Watch The Office and cry the whole time because I’m so happy that it’s back on TV.
Read bedtime story to Pepe and Alli.
Rangers win second game 5-4.
Dirk nails a 3 at the buzzer to beat the Jazz and clinch a playoff spot.
What a beautiful day.
It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s not baseball April 9, 2008
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Shout out to Bruce for the hookup with opening day Royals tickets. And who should be in town but The Evil Empire. It was looking to be a great day of baseball.
Unfortunately the weather didn’t get the memo. I know that people from New England will disagree with me, but baseball is not supposed to be played in the cold. And it was cooooooold. If I’d dressed a little warmer I might have enjoyed the game more.
The good news is that KC played solid baseball and stuck it to the Yankees. I think the crowd roared louder for A-Rod’s 3 strikeouts than they did for the runs scored by the hometeam. Here’s hoping next year’s opener is sunny skies and 65 degrees.
No crying in baseball March 31, 2008
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My Texas Rangers open the season this afternoon versus the Mariners in Seattle. Yes, they are on their way to a heated battle for 3rd place with the Athletics this year. But it’s still baseball and I’m glad that it’s back. Can’t wait til tomorrow morning to check the boxscores and add that to my daily routine.
