A Heck Of A Week

This will be an interesting week as I have started in a new position at work (same company, but different department), baseball kicks off with the season opener on Thursday, Joanna has some honey-do chores for me around the house and in the garden, and Godzilla and King Kong go toe to toe this Friday. Although I am overwhelmed with training for my new position, baseball will still take priority as I am scheduling my training around the Ranger game. I also have limited my movie-going experience, but Kong taking on Gojira will be a must-see event for me.

While all of this is quite exciting and interesting, I don't have much else to add. As my responsibilities increase at work, my free time to write certainly decreases, but I will make an attempt to be a little more consistent in posting.

It's Been Too Long, But I Cannot Stay

Although I haven't posted anything in several months (and some could argue I haven't posted anything of significance in several years) I really just stopped by to say goodbye to 2018. I don't have much to discuss. The holiday season has been fine. We're hosting some friends for New Year's Eve, which I normally look forward to, but this time it is coming on the heels of spending the afternoon at Six Flags yesterday and my body aches from miles of walking, carrying Sawyer from ride to ride, and getting knocked around on the roller coasters.

It was a Six Flags trip of note because I rode the Batman ride for the first time and Sawyer, my youngest child who turns 5 in two weeks, rode his first ever big roller coaster (illegally). Although he is still a few inches below the allowable line for the Judge Roy Scream, I was able to sneak him on without any questions from the staff and he loved almost every minute of it. That first downslope of the ride had him a little nervous, but once the coaster got in the groove of going up and down he had a blast. Another first was for Jack, who rode the Shockwave for the first time. In fact, he got to ride it two times in a row since I rode with him once and then Joanna swapped in while I stayed with Sawyer.

2018 was a pretty good year with some highs and lows. We saw two new baseball stadiums during our summer trip (Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles). Sawyer broke his leg and was in a cast for six weeks. I moved to a new department at work and am enjoying the stress of learning a different role.

Hopefully once work slows down a bit I will try to post some more. Here is to a happy New Year. Enjoy 2019!

Tidbits And Updates

Things have been quite busy lately with being short-staffed at work due to people being on vacation last week and my middle child, Jackson, starting tee-ball last weekend. His first game went much better than I was expecting. The horrific ideas I had going into it was that the team of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-olds would not know which way to run when, or even if, they hit the ball, no outs would ever come close to being made and it would be a cluster bomb of errors. It ended up being mostly that, but more manageable than I had foreseen happening.

Joanna got a new car a few weeks ago. She has needed a new car for awhile now, but we kept putting it off. I was hoping we would make it about another year before needing to make that purchase, however, the time was upon us and we found a good deal on what she had been eyeing. The impetus for buying the new car was that her registration/inspection was up and we were sure the Acura wouldn't pass. Not wanting to drop hundreds of dollars on the needed repairs to get her car to a passing grade, I elected to bite the bullet and get a new car instead. She now is driving around in a 2014 Honda Pilot, which the kids have christened Connie, that has all the amenities she was wanting, which included navigation system, heated seats, and DVD player (which I'm on record as still being against).

The 2018 baseball season begins in eight days. Joanna and I are doing our normal routine of taking the day off and watching the Texas Rangers season opener from home. We normally have an us day with breakfast at La Madeleine and sometimes catching a movie before first pitch. Occasionally, if the weather is permitting, I will play a round of disc golf as well. This year Jack says he wants to watch the game also, since he is getting into baseball a little bit more after playing his first tee-ball game. I'm normally not a fan of pulling a kid out of school for frivolous reasons, but I really love baseball and if it gets Jack motivated to play outside more then I am onboard with an early dismissal to watch the season opener.

Joanna and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary yesterday. I surprised her with flowers at her office. I don't get her flowers very often and it normally has to be some kind of special occasion when I do it. I have a big surprise in store for next year, but I haven't told many what it is and I still don't know all the details yet. It is driving Joanna crazy that I won't tell her what it is. I figure once I have ironed out all the details and we get closer to the actual event, then I will tell her.

I guess that is about it. Nothing too exciting really going on. Hopefully I have something of more relevance in the near future to write about. Until next time.

It's Been Too Long

I don't really have much to add today.  I've been really busy with work and stressed by some other things going on that I haven't had much time to do any writing.  There was an article on MSN.com today that ranked all the Alfred Hitchcock movies, which made me realize that I haven't ever done that.  I've seen all of his films, so I'm not quite sure why I've never tasked myself with ranking them all.  So I guess I could put that on my plate as well.

As far as personal stuff going on, I'm watching Game of Thrones and only have a few episodes left before being completely caught up.  Westworld is my new obsession.  I've been put in charge of the Halloween decorations at work (which is a big mistake), but they decided I was best qualified because it is a baseball theme and I am the most knowledgeable of the sport.

We've settled into our new house and are trying to wrap up all the projects, but as soon as we finish one, it seems a new problem arises.  Yet, that is pretty much what owning a home is.

Hopefully I have something of more substance next time and it doesn't take as long to post.  Until then.

Nolan Ryan : Derek Holland :: American Hero : ???

While at the Ranger game Sunday night with the family, my daughter, son and I took a walk around the ballpark (twice) during the disaster of a finale in a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Angels.  The purpose of our walk was to kill time, find the dollar ice cream kiosk, and see the sights of the Ballpark in Arlington (I refuse to call the stadium by its official name).  After taking a photo of the kids standing with the Nolan Ryan statue behind center field, my 7-year-old daughter, Emery, asked who Nolan Ryan was.  I explained that he was a great pitcher who ended his career and put up some amazing stats at the end of that career while playing for the Texas Rangers.  I also included the footnote that he returned later, but has since left, to work in the front office.

 

Soon after we came upon some memorabilia for sale and among the bats, balls, and framed photos for sale was the famous fight between Ryan and Robin Ventura, where Ryan has Ventura in a headlock and is pounding away.  The framed and autographed item for sale also included a picture of Ryan after the fight with blood smeared on his jersey and dripping from his nose.

 

Emery, seeing the picture, asked who it was that was bleeding and why.  So, being the baseball fan I am and wanting to pass along knowledge of the game and its colorful history, I told her and Jack about the tale of Nolan Ryan's victory over Ventura.  It was a fierce campaign that started because of an errant throw.  Ventura, offended due to being struck by the projectile, charged our hero on the mound of battle.  One would think that youth would prevail, but no, it was wisdom and grit that won the day.  Ryan, who had 20 years on Ventura, got him in a submissive hold and delivered a continuous, and seeming endless, number of blows to the head.  The hero and villain's allies cleared the benches and 32,000 onlookers delighted in the savagery.  It was a good day and to the victor went the spoils.

 

Once finished with my heroic ode to Nolan Ryan, Emery asked about the guy in the picture next to Nolan.  "Oh," I responded, "that's Derek Holland.  He's a goofball."  And off we walked.

 

 

Welcome Jeff Banister

 

Normally I stick to movie-related news and notes, especially James Bond stuff, but today is a big day for the Texas Rangers organization.  While an official announcement has not yet been made, it is understood and being reported that Jeff Banister, bench coach for the past four years in Pittsburgh, will be the new manager for the Rangers.  Banister will become the 25th manager since the ballclub's beginnings as the Washington Senators (21st since the move to Texas).

 

Banister was among the three finalists vying for the job, which included Cleveland Indian bullpen coach Kevin Cash and Rangers interim manager Tim Bogar, who went 14-8 to finish out the abysmal 2014 regular season and saw the departure of long-time manager Ron Washington.  Many fans expected Bogar to win the job based on that 22-game performance, mustering a pitiful hodgepodge of major and minor league talent who had nothing to fight for into a scrappy group of overperformers, nearly knocking the Oakland A's out of playoff contention.

 

Considering I attended the game following Ron Washington's resignation and was in the ballpark the night Bogar took control, I was hoping Bogar would be hired.  However, Banister has been hired.  I know, literally, nothing about the man. A New York Times article on the man was published a year ago.  You can read it here.

 

Banister has until April 6 to get his inaugural team into shape.  Good luck to him.  He will need it after what this fanbase went through in 2014.

The Boomstick's Return To Texas

A lot is being made of a local reporter's piece on whether Nelson Cruz should be booed upon his return to Texas tonight. Cruz was with the Texas Rangers for eight seasons and was a central part of the recent successful run the metroplex has been a part of in regard to postseason baseball. Yet, because of a 50-game suspension last season due to a link with PEDs that was a crucial part of why the local ball club missed the playoffs, fandom is divided on whether Cruz will be booed or cheered.

Many remember the past glories Cruz gave us with his "boomstick," even leading to a carnival-style hotdog of the same name that got the same amount of smiles as Cruz's homers.  But the other group of fans only want to remember the missed fly ball in game six of the 2011 World Series (which does still pain my sports heart to think about) and the suspension last year.  For me, the criteria of whether you are booed or not upon your return is how your exit is handled.

 

Mark Texeira had no desire to be here and didn't disguise the fact.  Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson both went to teams in our division and made comments that had Rangers fans shaking their heads in bewilderment and anger.  They all deserved to be booed.  Ian Kinsler also said some things that irked the fanbase here, but in reality the only comment that should have given us pause was the desire to see us go 0-162.  While all ballplayers should want other teams in the league to go winless for the season, you don't want to hear that from an ex-player who you rooted for day in and day out about your team.

 

That leads us to Nelson Cruz.  His exit was pretty clean and he kind of already received his punishment by receiving six million less than what he was offered for staying in Texas.  I personally would not boo Cruz if I were to attend tonight's game or any of the games for this series, but I guess I can see the argument for doing so.

Baseball Is Here

We are four games into the regular season for the American League defending champion Texas Rangers and it has been a very pleasant start.  The team is 3-1 with a late-inning loss from closer Joe Nathan.  Yu Darvish had a rocky debut, but after being knocked around for two innings he hunkered down and showed the greatness that Ranger fans were hoping for.  Josh Hamilton has had a ludicrous start to the season with a .500 batting average and incredible defense in center field.  A great performance during his contract year is going to benefit this team a lot and we will miss him when he is gone after his free agency offseason.
All of this is quite exciting and without a World Series win at the end of the season it will feel like a complete disappointment no matter what happens along the way.  This team is built to win now and if it doesn't do so after two trips to the World Series in 2010 and 2011 it can only be considered a failure.  It is a sad reality, but reality it is.

Too Busy For Much

It has been crazy busy at work the last few weeks and I just haven't had the time to post anything spectacular.  We have listed our house for sale and a few showings have already been scheduled.  That is encouraging.  Some really good news in classic cinema watching was realized today when I found a local theater that will be showing the James Bond adventure flick Goldfinger.  Other than the Brosnan and Craig films and Connery's first two outings as superspy 007, I have not seen any other Bond movie in theaters, so this will be a treat.
I can't think of anything else too great to talk about.  Baseball season is about underway and that is exciting.

Texas Rangers Close Deal On Yu Darvish

I will let the link below provide the grit of the story, but my only two opinions on this turn of events are this:
1. I haven't seen many of Darvish's games in Japan, so I don't really know if he can live up to the potential people are wanting.  However, I have to trust the Rangers front office and scouting department that they knew what they were getting themselves into.
2. It's only been a few weeks of this and I'm already tired of the bad Yu jokes.  I don't know if I can make it six years listening to cringe-worthy puns.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2012/01/yu-darvish-texas-rangers-contract/1

Now I've Had The Tour Of My Life

No, I never felt this way before.  Yes I swear it's the truth, and I owe it all to you.
That's goes out to my buddy Brad (in the most heterosexual way possible) for taking my wife and me on a tour of the Ballpark in Arlington where the Texas Rangers play home games.  We saw all sorts of things you just don't get to see during the season as a normal fan, such as the media room, press conference room, batting cages, basement tunnels where the players and umpires enter and exit the field, player's parking lot, weight room (although we couldn't go in for legal reasons), Rangers Hall of Fame, and plenty more.  We even got to go out on the field and sit in the Rangers dugout.  Doing the "Wash" exactly where the manager sits during games was a dream come true.
Our nine-month-old son Jackson joined us on the tour, and while he will never remember the event there were some great photos of him around the stadium that should make a bag this coming Christmas that he will get the chance to look over for all time.
I really appreciate the experience and a special shout out goes to Brad for taking time on his day off (which he gets few of) to lead us around the ballpark (and for carrying Jackson half the time while Brad's sister Brandy, Joanna, and I wandered the hallways staring at all the great things there were to see).

Come On America!

I heard today the World Series is not being watched with the same amount of interest as it has in the past when the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox are in the Fall Classic and that makes me weep a little on the inside.  I know I am biased because it is my hometown favorite Texas Rangers competing for a championship, but through four games we have had some very exciting, and differing, ball games.
Game Two of the series is one for the ages as defensively we saw Elvis Andrus make a dive, scoop for an out that could be highlighted in 50 years as one of the most impressive feats of baseball ever in a World Series (notice I said "one of the most" and not "the most" because it is still fresh in our minds; I will let time decide where it falls in the annals of World Series history).  This game was also decided in the final inning when the Rangers, down 1-0 going into the ninth, set up a extremely close steal by Ian Kinsler, clutch hit from Andrus that sent Kinsler to third and eventually got Andrus to second with some heads-up baserunning, and two sacrifice fly balls to take the lead from Josh Hamilton, who is already dealing with a possible sports hearnia, and Michael Young.
Game Three was a stereotypical Ballpark in Arlington affair with multiple home runs and high scores.  It became almost absurd as Albert Pujols hit three homers of his own.
Game Four was the polar opposite of its predeccesor as only one long ball was driven out of the park and instead the night was a time for young, tiny-mustachioed Rangers pitcher Derek Holland to become a man as his baseball father Ron Washington sent his little boy to the mound for 8 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.
Who knows what games five and six, and possibly a seventh, will bring, but what we do know is it will be highly improbable to match the drama thus far this World Series has already delivered.  Here is to hoping for the highly improbable.

Welcome Back

Last year's trip to the World Series for the Texas Rangers was a euphoric time for the DFW metroplex.  Local residents and fans were all just happy to experience the thrill of competing for a championship with this baseball team that in 40 years had only experienced one playoff win ever, win or lose.
Well, things have changed in a year.  Not only do we want to win it all this year, we expect a greater performance from our hometown team.  And they have not disappointed.  Nelson Cruz alone has put on quite the show with his big bat.  He set league championship series records with six home runs and 13 RBIs.  But the other members of this ball club have also shown the nation that they weren't a one-and-done team last year.  This Rangers team was improved in the offseason, improved at the trade deadline, and have become a force that hopefully will be a contender for years to come.
Go Rangers!

Rangers Continue Successful Run

Last night’s game was historic for a number of reasons.
First, it marked only the third time ever for a player to have homered in each of the first four games of the season.  Nelson Cruz is now in the same category as Willie Mays and Mark McGwire, who should be discounted as he has admitted to using steroids during his career.
Secondly, little Elvis Andrus hit his first major league home run after 705 plate appearances.  It was only Saturday I was telling my wife that Andrus would not hit for the cycle as he was short a home run and had never before hit one.  Also, I loved that the team momentarily ignored Andrus when he made it back to the dugout.  The players are having a lot of fun with each other and it shows.
Lastly, Michael Young moved into second place as the all-time games played as a Texas Ranger leader, only 60-ish games behind Rafael Palmeiro’s total of 1,573.
Include that the Rangers are now 4-0, which is something that hasn’t happened since the 1996 season, where they continued into the postseason for the first time ever in franchise history, and last night’s game against the Seattle Mariners was a great event.
I am loving the 2011 Texas Rangers.

Wow! Just, Wow!

I know it is only three games, but sweeping the American League darling Boston Red Sox (and handily I might add) is a great way to start this season.  It gives the team and its fans the confidence going forward needed for another great, competitive season.
Go Rangers!

High Hopes, High Marks For Rangers

Opening Day in Arlington was not exactly a perfect outing for the defending American League Champion Texas Rangers, but showing they are still the resilient, tough team who will continue to be a force in the West is what most fans were hoping for during the 2011 season.  Beating the Boston Red Sox 9 to 5 and David Murphy's pinch-hitting double to give the Rangers the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning was about as exciting of a moment the metroplex has had on Opening Day (even taking into consideration last year's ninth-inning walk-off hit from Jarrod Saltalamacchia).  What made yesterday so special was the residual expectations fans have after making it to the World Series last year.
The few downer moments from yesterday included an error on the first play of the game from centerfielder Julio Borbon, who is not endearing himself with the metroplex as manager Ron Washington's purported heir apparent to the position, and a pretty good outing from pitcher C.J. Wilson, but not quite the lights-out work everyone wanted.
Yesterday was only one of 162 games and overreactions, both good and bad, should be kept in check, but what yesterday did show was that it likely is going to be another long season with this team staying competitive long into the season.

Keep Your Heads Held High Metroplexians

As disappointing and gut-wrenching as it was to watch the Texas Rangers lose Game 5 of the World Series last night, it was still a fantastic season that had many firsts for the ball club.  Although the ultimate goal every season is to win a championship in whatever sport, I consider this year's Texas Ranger's season a success and can't wait for the developments with Cliff Lee's free agency and the other moves the Rangers will have to make in the offseason to keep this organization together.

Joe Buck's 'The Jerk' Reference

Watching the San Francisco Giants wallop on the Texas Rangers last night in Game 1 of the World Series, Joe Buck made me laugh hysterically as he referenced Steve Martin's 1979 film "The Jerk." It was during a long at-bat by one of the Giants players who kept fouling the ball back to the camera behind home plate.  After two or three of these balls came near the equipment set up to film the action, Buck uttered, "He hates these cameras." This could easily be taken as nothing more than a statement made off the cuff and Buck was not thinking of Martin's first starring film role as an idiotic white man raised by a black family, but it was just too similar to the famous line, "He hates these cans," to not be an out-and-out reference.  I already liked Buck before as an announcer, but now I love him.  Greatness!

I Love Midlothian

Just finished playing three-man baseball with two kids from the neighborhood in my back yard.  I saw them playing in the next door neighbor's front yard when I got home from work and got the baseball bug.  I asked if they would like to add a third and when they said they were cool with it I told them to ask their parents and make sure it was okay.  We got the good to go and were using ghost runners and patio furniture bases.
First of all, in a larger community you wouldn't see kids playing outside, let alone being welcome to an adult tagging along.  Secondly, it would be frowned upon by the jaded parents of big city families who would think my longing for a kid-like afternoon of America's pasttime was some sort of pedophile ploy.
Every day that passes I find some new reason to love Midlothian more and more.

All Is Right Again In The World

I woke up this morning to some spectacular news that included Chuck Greenberg and Nolan Ryan putting in the winning bid at the Texas Rangers auction sale. Everything that worried and depressed me yesterday about Mark Cuban possibly controlling my local baseball club was for naught.
This news was coupled with some other things that I will get into detail about later, but I was also pleasantly surprised to hear the Rangers had rallied in Seattle to win last night, which was news to me since I went to sleep with the Mariners leading 5-2. Everything is going swimmingly well right now.