Countdown to Rangers Spring Opening Day

You know, the spring training games don't count, but at least baseball is being played. I've had a number of friends tell me over the last several months that I am the biggest fan of baseball they have ever met. I think that is a compliment. I think.

You know, when you look at it like that... 38 days! it seems so long. In case you are reading this later on, after the number has moved down, I actually posted this on 2/22/08. New posts will appear below this one, at least up until opening day of the Regular season. And then, I don't know what I will do with this post. I guess I will evaluate that when the time comes. Anyway, GO RANGERS!

Rotation Going into 2008

The Rangers appear to have their five man rotation all but set. Here's what it appears to be:

• Kevin Millwood
• Vicente Padilla
• Jason Jennings
• Kason Gabbard (L)
• Luis Mendoza (more than likely)

Now, with the game that Ponson threw yesterday, I would prefer to see him in the rotation, if not immediately, then maybe before his contract expires on May 1st. He looks good, good enough to pitch for other teams and grab "W"s. I'd rather him do that for us instead. Another problem that lingers is the dreaded "options" and simply put: MONEY. I am realizing that money is just as important in the game as wins. I am not sure if the Rangers can afford to have Luis Mendoza in the minors to start the season... I haven't learned the politics of it just yet, but from what I gather, Mendoza might be subjected to waivers and I do not think the Rangers want to expose him to waivers, meaning he would be on the opening day roster, even though he just might not be ready. POLITICS. What are you going to do, right? I think Hurley should start the season at Double or Triple A this year, just to work out some bugs before being called up to start somewhere in mid-season, when the Rangers have to fill a spot due to injury. I'm just being realistic... the Rangers are going to have injuries, to who, we can never know until it happens, but the fact that injuries happen is just stating a fact. And hopefully, by that time, Hurley will be ready to make the transition. I still would like to see Ponson start a couple of awesome games and finish the season a Ranger with a winning record. Anyway, Johnny Out.

Oh... I will be posting my prediction of how the season will go in a few more days or so... and here is my rendition of the Rangers schedule. Johnny Out.

Laughing Matters

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The real measure of team chemistry isn't necessarily how much guys pat each other on the back. It's how devious they can be to one another.

The Rangers are setting franchise records in the latter.

A prank war, unlike anything seen at Rangers camp since the team moved to Arizona, has broken out in full force. Ever since Hank Blalock woke up a week ago to find his rental home covered in toilet paper and his car encased in saran wrap, it's become an all-out slapstick assault.

Beneath all the underlying comedy, though, there seems to be a message. A team that can laugh at itself and laugh together can overcome a lot of adversity.

"I think it's a good thing," said catcher Gerald Laird, the victim of three pranks in a week. "We've got some new guys in here and we've got a loose attitude. It makes the team looser, and it makes guys laugh. But make no mistake: I will be the one who has the last laugh."

First, a disclaimer: No Ranger interviewed would admit to being behind any pranks. But, when asked if they would cop to any pranks they may have already pulled, the answer was "no," also. So everybody is a suspect. And everybody is a potential victim.

"I am concerned," Frank Catalanotto said Wednesday afternoon. "I've heard a rumor that I will be next. I've been taking precautions. I've been waking up periodically at night and checking outside the windows. I've been parking my car in the garage. I've set a couple of traps."

Paranoid much, Frank?

"Absolutely not," he said. "I just want to be prepared. With all that's gone on and the info I've received, I just don't want to get caught with my pants down."

Or with his feet in jelly. Or his head in a liniment-lined helmet. Both have happened to Laird.

He went to put on his catching helmet earlier this week and felt something slimy. Closer examination revealed it had been generously lathered with warming liniment. He managed to dodge that prank, but he wasn't so lucky Tuesday morning when he undressed and slipped his feet into his shower shoes. The insoles had been coated with jelly.

This spring's activities have been quite sophomoric. Perhaps the first shot, the one pulled on Blalock, had the most intricate planning. Not only were the house and car covered, but there was a box with a birthday cake left outside the front door.

The inscription on the icing read: "Happy Birthday, Tiffany." The message: Was it teammates or just neighborhood kids with the wrong address?

What's happened in the last week has left no doubt about the perps. They are teammates.

Michael Young had his house egged, yes, egged by teammates. Blalock once went to sprinkle on some talcum powder and instead covered himself in protein powder. Brandon McCarthy also got the saran wrap treatment while the team was working out.

The difference is how widespread the jokes have become. It may be a sign of a team whose core players are relaxed and able to laugh at themselves. Something of this magnitude never broke out during the Alex Rodriguez or Mark Teixeira years.

"I think everyone in here has had a good time with it," said Catalanotto, who with 10 years of service time is one of the most experienced players on the roster. "Anything that gets guys laughing and talking in the clubhouse is a positive thing."

Said McCarthy: "It seems like you can pull something on just about anyone here, and they will take it the right way."

Young, like everybody else who has been pranked, would not confirm if he had retaliated.

"Trying to pin something on me is like trying to pin a silk hat on a pig," he said. "It just doesn't work."

He laughed maniacally. Ian Kinsler, yet to be victimized, started laughing, too.

It's a different sound than has been heard in the Rangers' clubhouse in recent springs. Oh, the Rangers are still pulling for one another. It's just that these days when they slap each other on the back, it's to affix a "Kick Me" sign.

Hopefully, the fun will turn to having fun on the field, which normally means wins... we can hope. Johnny Out.

NBA Playoffs: 2008

What a mess the Western Conference has become. A very competitive bunch. I do have some concerns about the Dallas Mavericks. How many games have the Mavericks won with Jason Kidd at the helm (games against teams with a winning record)? None. They are 0-6. On the flip side, they haven't lost against a team with a losing record. But who cares about that. Seriously, will the Mavs make it past the first round this time in the playoffs? That simply depends if they are learning from the loses. On a good note, they only lost to the Lakers by two points. It is sad that a loss by two points is A GOOD NOTE. How weird.

So some think the Mavs will place high when it is all said and done. I just am not that optimistic. But here is how I think it will look, seeded one through nine in the Western Conference, currently which is separated by a total of six games from first to ninth.

1. LA Lakers (will finish first overall, a very complete roster)
2. San Antonio (it's hard to pick against the SPURS)
3. Houston
4. Utah (Not the only one from division to make playoffs)
5. Phoenix (A better record than Utah)
6. Dallas (would've have benefited better at #7 position)
7. New Orleans (I just don't see them holding up a #3 spot)
8. Denver (CINDERELLA)
9. Golden State (they fall apart and lose a playoff spot)

Now, the Lakers vs. Denver... not much of a surprise, the Lakers take the series, in a good battle split 4-1... yeah, a "good battle". Scores will be close for a few of the games.

San Antonio vs. New Orleans: Both teams battle rather hard, San Antonio wins 4 of 7 to advance. Seventh game to go OT? It could happen.

Utah vs. Phoenix: a nice yawn. Phoenix dominates the series.

Dallas vs. Houston: The QUESTION... Does Dallas Depart Drearily? Maybe Mavs Make Miracle? It is hard to say... Dallas is having trouble with Kidd against good teams. Could it all gel in the playoffs? I am not optimistic. I've already said that. I'm going AGAINST my gut and will say the Mavs take out Houston in 6 games. A few are tight, and the Mavs fall behind in the series early, down 2-1 before taking the next three to advance.

SECOND ROUND:

Lakers vs. Phoenix: Whoops. I call this one another tough series. In fact, really the match-ups one through eight are all quality teams. Pretty weird. Anyway, Lakers and Phoenix fight through seven games with Phoenix pulling off an upset to go to the conference finals. Two games of this series go into OT.

Dallas vs. Spurs: Spurs dominate the series and face Phoenix in the finals. Kidd might need diapers. OK, OK, OK. That was just for a pun. Anyway, Spurs have home court.

Western Conference Finals:

Spurs vs. Suns: Suns pull off a surprise and knock off the aging Spurs in a five game series. Nash is all but gassed out, but in better shape than in years past, or so it would seem.

NBA Finals:

Suns vs. Detroit: In a series that might be talked about for a while, injuries plague the Finals. Nash plays through pain but almost is ineffective. He has enough gas to make a difference, but not too much. Suns still persevere and win the thing in six games, with two victories coming in OT.