2008 Texas Rangers

[Scott]

Prediction: 3rd In the AL West

Key Additions:
OF Josh Hamilton
OF Milton Bradley
RP Kazuo Fukumori
1B Ben Broussard
SP Jason Jennings
RP Eddie Guardado

Key Losses:
RP Akinori Otsuka
SP Edinson Volquez
DH Sammy Sosa

[NCAAFootballFreak]

Sadly, I'm right there with you. I'm just tired of Hicks' lame "well, if more fans would show up to the games, I'll spend more money on talent" excuse. Bottom line is -- get a quality product on the field and start winning some friggin' games and the fans will show up and you'll make a lot of money. Not to mention, playoffs=more games=more expensive games=more fans=more money=players will want to come cheaper in the future.

He's paying top-dollar for even the average player because nobody wants to come here and play any more. If they finish better than third, I'll be shocked. But hey, maybe they'll pull a surprise season out of nowhere on us like the '04 team did and finish just two games out.

. . . not holding my breath . . .

[Scott]

I agree 100%...What I don't get is we say we're in a rebuilding stage...like we have been for the past 9 years. Yet we keep bringing in these Vets and getting rid of key players..aka Danks, Volquez..

[NCAAFootballFreak]

Exactly. The whole situation sucks. If we're going to rebuild, please do it the right way and just ship everyone out for draft picks and scout and train the way Oakland does and let's make this thing a contender within the next 2-3 years from now. But doing it this way ensures that we'll just bottom-feed for the next well . . . until they stop doing this. It's sickening. I love baseball, and I love the Rangers team themselves, but it's getting to the point where I'm no longer motivated to watch/attend the games because of the man upstairs. At least back in the 80's we all knew they sucked but the owners still cared and the tickets were cheap.

Maybe this would be a different argument if the dude wasn't still pocketing millions off the team with like the 28th payroll in the league. I mean for crying out loud, we're the #5 market for radio and #7 for TV!!!!!! This isn't the dang Royals.

[gibbzilla558]

I can't believe we would touch Milton Bradley with a ten foot pole. He's the biggest nutcase in baseball. Hell, he tore his ACL at the end of last season trying to fight with a friggin' first base umpire.

Anyways, if he can keep his temper under control(which I'm seriously doubting), he brings a solid bat into the lineup. I'm liking the Josh Hamilton addition to the outfield seeing as he's a possible 20-home run guy.

I'm still predicting a 4th in the AL West finish, from awful pitching and inconsistency. Michael Young deserves a playoff run, but I don't see it happening as long as he's in Arlington.

Hicks needs to spend some of those many dollars he has, because this is the worst franchise in sports.

[asrabbit91]

How is the Rangers stadium, later this year I think i'm heading out and see a game verse the Indians, and then head to Houston and watch them play my cards. My 2 favorite teams, how hard is it to get tickets? Where is the best spot to buy Rangers tickets?

[gibbzilla558]

Quote: Originally Posted by asrabbit91

How is the Rangers stadium, later this year I think i'm heading out and see a game verse the Indians, and then head to Houston and watch them play my cards. My 2 favorite teams, how hard is it to get tickets? Where is the best spot to buy Rangers tickets?

It's easy to get tickets and Ameriquest Field is a fantastic ballpark. As long as they're not playing the Yankees, just show up at the park and you can get tickets anywhere.

[asrabbit91]

Thanks, can't wait, I think i'm heading down there around my birthday, around June 5th. The Indians are hosted by the Rangers for a 4 game set, and I'm going to watch the last game,and then head down to Houston the next day and watch the Cards play them.

[gibbzilla558]

Quote: Originally Posted by asrabbit91

Thanks, can't wait, I think i'm heading down there around my birthday, around June 5th. The Indians are hosted by the Rangers for a 4 game set, and I'm going to watch the last game,and then head down to Houston the next day and watch the Cards play them.

You'll have a blast. Send me a pm some time if you ever have any questions about the stadium or area.

[asrabbit91]

How many games do you normally go to, I think Josh Hamilton is going to be a beast for Texas though, I get the Extra Innings Package, and have an XM Radio, and the sports pack through directv, so I keep up with all the teams, they are regretting the Young deal now thats for sure lol.