May 17 - The Thursday Lineup Card: Diversionary Tactics

(posted a little earlier due to some time constraints on Thursday)

“I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.”

--Scarlett O’Hara

That’s the way I feel today.

This is the week that was:  Taylor Teagarden - Bakersfield (next to Kameron Loe in the picture) – the month of May – 12 for 24 that’s a .500 BA to you - 2 doubles, 4 HR, 8 BB – so when are we going to see him in Frisco?  Taylor lives in North Dallas and told me he’ll probably have biggest pass list in the history of the Rough Riders when gets to AA – the ticket office better get ready. 

Already in Frisco – Doug Mathis.  Last week in 13 IP – 0 ER – lost a game 1-0 on an unearned run.  However, he does give up hits (10 in those 2 games) and his walk to strikeouts needs a little work 18 BB/ 27 K in 32 IP –still a very nice 1.14 ERA since joining the Rough Riders.

This is the week that will be: Two of the Minor League teams face prospect-laden opponents. (All prospect rankings are from 2007 Baseball America Prospect Handbook)

The RedHawks are home for a series with the Iowa Cubs – who feature the highly regarded outfielder Felix Pie  (#1 prospect in 2006) hitting .446 since his demotion from the big league team. Also in the lineup are second baseman Eric Patterson (#6) third baseman Scott Moore (#7) and catcher Geovany Soto (#17).  The Redhawks roster has changed as the I-35 shuttle to Arlington is in operation with pitchers Michael Wagner and Danny Touchet escaping Extended Spring to join the OKC pitching corps. 

On the road the Rough Riders travel to San Antonio, another one of my favorite destinations – and the ballpark is nice too!  The Missions are now affiliated with the Padres, and their AA squad has 6 of their BA ranked prospects including catcher Nick Hundley (#8) OF Will Venable (#5) and third baseman Chase Headley(#9) .  Familiar names now with the Missions are RHP Paul Abraham – who if I remember correctly played a little OF as well as pitching, as well as Fort Worth’s Justin Hatcher.

In California the Bakersfield Blaze travel to Stockton (Oakland)  while the Lumberkings play the Dayton Dragon (Reds) in Dayton, Ohio the setting of one of the funniest episodes of “WKRP in Cincinnati” (if you know the show: the plot involved the Dayton poisoner).

Vista Cruisers run out of gas:  I knew it wouldn’t last – the Point Place Vista Cruisers slid back to 17-17 after losing 3 games to the Jaywin Jumpers.  Several years ago their owner, Jack Miller, tried to pass me off as his daughter and then sell me for a parking place in Detroit.  My “Canadian” dad and his team  showed no mercy, although I did eek out one win against him (beating Curt Schilling in the process).

This week’s non-sequitor: NBC renewed “Friday Night Lights” – great news – they’ll show it, appropriately, on Friday nights at 9 p.m. – for seven years that was the time slot of the best television show ever “Homicide: Life On The Street” (in my not so humble opinion).   NBC did not renew “Studio 60” – I’m not surprised but still disappointed.  I liked Mark McKinney as new head writer Andy Mackinaw.  Although McKinney’s best role on TV was as Richard Smith-Jones in the Canadian series “Slings and Arrows” – another “dramedy” revolving around a Shakespearean theatre company (it’s on the Sundance channel or rent it on DVD all 3 seasons, really excellent).  I’ve also found myself watching “The Riches” on FX – mainly for Minnie Driver – (I’ll admit it – I want to come back as Minnie Driver in the next life) and surprisingly Eddie Izzard – whose comedy I don’t like – but he’s a terrific actor in this series. Still waiting to hear if one my guilty pleasures “Veronica Mars” has been renewed – I know it’s show aimed at much younger crowd –  hey, I was a teenage girl too – a long, long, long time ago.

Finally, Hugh Jackman is going to have his own series on CBS in the fall – something called “Viva Laughlin” – don’t know what it’s about, don’t care – don’t call me on Sunday night’s when Hugh is on – I won’t pick up the phone –  I was looking for an excuse to put a picture of Hugh on the blog – thank you CBS.

It’s depressing and infuriating that on May 17th I’m looking for something else to write and talk about other than Ranger baseball.

Unfortunately for Ranger fans like me: the more things change….the more they stay the same in the Rangers organization. –- Marla Hooch