Posts Tagged ‘Milton Bradley’
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All Star Break: Back and ForthJuly 20th, 2008
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While Back-and-Forth would certainly be an accurate description of the Rangers to this point, a team written off for dead before April was over (at least twice…check our columns…) that has clawed its way back to the fringe of the playoff picture without sweeping an opponent yet. But this column is Back and Forth as Cary and I take turns looking at Texas topics for the second half. Cary’s answers will be in bold. Mine will be intelligent.
KEN: So, I’ll start this by tossing you a softball. (Just don’t hit it back at me….we both know I can’t field it…) Who is the Rangers’ MVP so far? The two-time player of the month, or are you going to avoid the obvious answer? Read more
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Random RangernessJuly 5th, 2008
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A few random thoughts as we move out of June and into July…
The Rangers finally move 2 games over .500, winning Monday night at Yankee Stadium. It’s the first time they’ve reached that lofty height this season following the Great April Wipeout, the Incredible May Recovery, and the June of Treading Water. Since May 22, Texas has bounced between 2 games under and 1 over the break even mark. That is mediocrity not seen since “According to Jim” went off the air. (It did finally, mercifully go off the air, didn’t it?) You keep hoping for that one hot streak that will vault the team back into Division contention. But that’s not the way it ever happens in Texas.
As a child, I came to learn that you could count on the Rangers hanging in there for the first half of the season, and then falling like Skylab right after the All-Star break, scattering players at the trade deadline like debris over Australia. Is this the year that it doesn’t happen? Is this the year that we chase down 2 teams and win the division, using rookies at catcher, first base, third base, the outfield, and a rotation that began the year scattered out across our minor league system? Okay, probably not, but at least we recovered to the point that the dreamers can dream.
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Just Like They Drew It Up: J.D. Silencing CriticsJune 19th, 2008
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The cost of crude oil by the barrel isn’t the lone commodity on the rise. Right fielder J.D. Drew—often ridiculed and much besieged by fans and local sports media during most of last season—is scaling new heights for the Red Sox.
Only, of late, Drew is making his hefty price tag seem fairer by the plate appearance.
While year one of his $70 million, five-year contract in Boston left even the most ardent of Drew defenders unfulfilled, the former first round pick—two times over—did end his debut season in a Sox uniform on a high note, finishing with a strong September that carried into the playoffs, which included a momentous grand slam in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.
But a closer examination of his first go-around in the American League would reveal a season much in line with his career output. That is, if you disregard his near two-month adjustment period to a league switch, different pitching—both personnel- and approach-wise—a new hitting venue, and the highly chaotic and fishbowl environment that makes up the Boston sports scene.
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Rangers Statistical Month in Review - MayJune 4th, 2008
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My 3-year old can count to 28 in Spanish……I can only count to 10. Nevertheless, it’s time to crank out the Texas Instruments Calculator and break down a superb May for the Texas Rangers.
The Record: 19-10 in May, 2nd best in Major Leagues to Toronto. As of today, overall record is 30-30, sitting 6 games out of 1st, 3rd place in the AL West. And while some may think it silly to mention so early in the season, the Rangers sit 5 1/2 out of the Wildcard leading Boston Red Sox. (It is NEVER too early to “scoreboard watch”)
The Offense: I consider the composite value for offense to be OPS (On Base Pct + Slugging Pct). The Rangers were #1 in OPS in May among the 30 major league teams. NUMBER ONE. Did it translate into Runs Scored? YES. Texas was 2nd only to the Phillies in runs scored….and #1 in the American League. In one month, the Rangers hitting with Runners in Scoring Position has improved from 26th to 4th. This ranks as the biggest turnaround since Kobe Bryant went from “Trade Me” to “MVP” in less than a year. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Rangers offense in May was led by Josh Hamilton, with 29 RBI in 29 games. You know what they call that?…….American League Player of the Month. Honorable mention goes to Milton Bradley who actually led the team in OPS for the month. Also, keep in mind that this is a team game….and people have to be on base for Hamilton to get RBIs……Ian Kinsler fit the bill there, scoring 27 times in May, tops in the American League.
STAT OF THE MONTH: Ian Kinsler led the AL with 27 runs scored in May…..tied for 2nd in the AL in Runs Scored were Josh Hamilton and Michael Young with 22 each. That’s right, the Rangers had the Top 3 scorers in the American League for the month of May. I dare you to find that happen for another team anywhere, anytime.
The Defense: 26th of 30 teams in Defensive Efficiency this season. They were 30th through April, so small improvement. The Rangers still rank 3rd in errors, led by Kinsler with 9. Still an area that needs major improvement.
The Pitching Staff: The Rangers ranked 11th in ERA for all the Majors in May. In April, they were 30th…..so major improvement! Season to date, the Rangers Starting Rotation is 21st in ERA….problem is that the Bullpen is DEAD LAST. The Rangers pitching stars have been Padilla and Ponson….with 7 and 4 wins respectively and both with sub 4.00 ERAs on the season. Keep in mind they did NOT have Kevin Millwood, but they will for the month of June. Watch for Millwood to be your pitching MVP for next month.
Summary: Hard to complain about a 19-10 record for May and a top-ranked offense led by Triple Crown Candidate Josh Hamilton (no, not Big Brown)……but leave it to me to always find the Spam at Ruth’s Criss steakhouse. Fact is, the Offense is completely carrying the Defense and Pitching. It’s a delicate baseball balance when you do it that way…..and generally an unhealthy one. Can the Rangers stay at this blistering offensive pace? Will Millwood’s return allow Texas to rely less on the Gasoline Goofs in the bullpen? A combination of the two will have the Rangers closing in on a real pennant race…..hide and watch!
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Still A Bit Doughy, Still Proving Scouts WrongMay 20th, 2008
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He leads the Red Sox in batting average and on-base percentage. And no, his name isn’t Manny Ramirez.
He ranks first on the club in extra-base hits, total bases, and slugging. And if you guessed David Ortiz, you’d be wrong.
In fact, he not only tops the Sox in runs created but also the entire American League through Sunday’s games. And fittingly, in this modified version of Guess Who, our mystery man trails just the Texas Rangers’ Milton Bradley in RC/27 (that is, runs created expressed as a rate stat per 27 outs rather than a raw number; not a droid model from Star Wars).
But does he have any facial hair?
Ah yes, finally, a pertinent factoid. While failing to outdo Manny’s Rastafarian mop and gnarled whiskers, this chap’s bristling goatee still manages to hold its own.
Of course! Our mystery man is no man at all—but rather, a god in the eyes of some baseball brethren.
Dubbed years ago as “Euclis, The Greek God of Walks” by the Oakland Athletics’ front office due to his historical minor league on-base prowess, first baseman Kevin Youkilis is no longer a deity of a single force.
These days, he’s more like “The Greek God of A Little Bit of Everything.” No, certainly not as catchy. And no, he’s not actually Greek, either.
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Young Stars Carry Chubby OutfielderApril 10th, 2008
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Los Angeles is a city of stars. Only in a city like LA is it possible for a guy like me to buy a decent Dodgers ticket and end up sitting two rows behind Hayden Panettiere.
Apparently she is a baseball fan. I’ve even sat a few rows in front of Danny Glover in the past. Once I ran into Al Pacino at the Target down the street from my house, and few driving experiences were as bad as being stuck in traffic while Mariah Carey received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In short, LA is a town that loves its star power. To satisfy a clientele that includes Beverly Hills elite as well as the young and sexy, Ned Colletti has amassed some serious young star power in his time as GM. With the team at 4 – 4 in the second week of the season, there is every reason to think that the organization is on an upward trajectory. Some highlights of the Dodgers young stars include. Read more