Is the Sky Falling?

When you have two teams in town fighting for a first place berth you would think that the attendance would reflect that interest and passion for a rivalry. Tonight was NOT the case, sadly...

June has not been a kind month to the Texas Rangers. Prior to tonight a 10-14 record for the month. The bats have been dead for almost three weeks. Collectively, the Ranger team has been flat despite great pitching and better than average defense. This is something I view as a positive. One can only wonder how much of an impact the return of Josh Hamilton will have in the lineup. Still one week away.

I really expected a crowd of 25,000 for a Monday night among rivals. Less than 17,000 made the trek. That was disappointing to me. With Vicente Padilla on the mound, fans should have been excited about a streak about to end. Only a game and a half separate the Rangers and Angels.

Never mind the fact that Texas lost on home runs to Juan Rivera and Kendry Morales 5-2, I was more disgusted by the remarks I was hearing by fans and by friends on my way back home. Quotes like,'I hate Wash!' 'The season is over!' 'We have no heart' 'Bring back Buck!' 

Newsflash-every team in baseball. EVERY team has slumps! The best teams in the league, high payroll or not, are lucky to win 60% of their games in a season. To hear longtime Ranger fans rant, you'd think they had an angle on Cub fans. Sorry, you need 71 more years to match that heartache. The Texas Rangers from from June 25th 2008 to June 25th 2009 have played to a 95-67 record. No one seems to notice this, or want to.

With the trading deadline 31 days away, I fully expect Texas to get involved in the process of buying some pitching help at the expense of a prospect like Max Ramirez or a Hank Blalock. Whomever Jon Daniels goes after I hope the good fortune shall follow.

Yes, the Angels are a perennial contender with a great offense. Their relief is suspect with K-Rod and Scott Shields out. The Rangers may fall behind in the standings for now, yet I refuse to write this team off. Too much chemistry and too much potential collectively.

If I were to offer one bit of advice, I would tell Ranger batters to go deeper in pitch counts and not be so quick to first pitch swing. Especially when there are two runners on base and less than 2 outs.

Game 2 tomorrow night at 7. Scott Feldman will oppose Joe Saunders. Should be a good duel. I will be there with camera in tow.

Time for a walk!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will