Like James Van DerBeek and Ashton Kutcher, the Texas Rangers were pretty faces full of potential. However, in both cases, potential has been replaced by low expectations. For Van Der Beek and Kutcher, that still means that they can make a film with Kevin Costner for $10 million. However, for the baseball Rangers, they have been relegated to second-tier status in the American League. 7 losing years in 8 seasons will do that.Give the Rangers credit for trying a new approach, though. Gone is Buck Showalter, a control freak who micromanaged every aspect of the Rangers, including dress codes, pregame spreads, and one can only assume, the proper way to wipe one's bottom in the bathroom. In his place is loosey-goosey Ron Washington, who is to Showalter what a hippie would be to a Marine. The Rangers will undoubtedly be a more relaxed team in 2007, but will that make them better? Perhaps, but it seems that the personnel may not be enough to compete with the big boys - yet. At least the Rangers' future looks brighter than that of Ashton Kutcher (who is one step from making a movie with Carrot Top, but I digress...). here's what to expect from the Rangers in 2007:
Biggest reason for hope: The best infield in baseball resides in Arlington. Michael Young in a guarantee for 200 hits and 100 runs,a nd just got an $80 million extension. Hank Blalock is a steady third baseman and a consistent run producer. Ian Kinsler had a good rookie season and is poised to become a 25 homer, 85 RBI guy. Mark Texiera is simply one of the great mashers in baseball, averaging 38 homers and 122 RBIs the past three seasons. Their defense is solid, too, and Ron Washington's expertise is in teaching infield defense, so the rich are getting richer. If there were no outfielders, pitchers, and catchers, the Rangers would win the World Series. Alas, they decided to put an outfield fence and pitchers mound at Ameriquest Field.
Biggest potential nightmare: It's a story as old as the Bible itself - a shortage of pitching. OK, I'm referring to Nolan Ryan's Pitchers Bible and not the King James version, but you get the idea. It always seems that the Rangers are at least two starters short, and this year is no different. Kevin Millwood and Brandon McCarthy (who was acquired from the White Sox in a potential steal of a deal) anchor the rotation, but after that it's iffy. Vicente Padilla is known for being lazy, surly, and having a problem with alcohol, and yet the Rangers gave him $11 million per year. In response to the deal, the Cristal Corporation has agreed to start bottling their beverage in Gatorade containers so that Padilla can get replenished between innings. After that, it's Robinson Tejeda, and then ... well, your guess is as good as mine. If the Rangers can get to the bullpen unscathed, they'll be OK, but that's a huge if.
Player to watch: Some guy named Sosa. After taking 2006 off to clear his head (and his bloodstream?), slammin' Sammy is back. Can he come close to his late 90's post-jeri curl peak, or will he be closer to the washed-up Oriole who was behind every fastball in 2005? And perhaps most importantly, did he take his year off to re-learn English after mysteriously losing his fluency in March of 2005? Who knows, with a few successful seasons, Sosa can join Juan Gonzalez, Jose Canseco, Pudge Rodriguez and Rafael Palmeiro on the list of great Rangers sluggers. Those greats even left a few syringes for you in the bathroom stall, Sammy. Use with cuidado.
Why do we still have to watch this player?: Frank Francisco. A once-promising reliever, Francisco was suspended for 15 games in 2004 for his role in a fight in Oakalnd. And just for the record, it wasn't any normal fight - it involved going into the stands, and Francisco ignited the fracas by throwing a chair WWF-style into the stands at Oakland Coliseum (and breaking a woman's nose). Since this disreputable incident, Francisco has only pitched 7 innings in 2 seasons due to injury. Now, he's trying to come back. Frankie, do you believe in karma or divine justice? If so, you may want to retire before an asteroid strikes you while you're on the mound.
Telling Statistic: The Rangers have never won a playoff series. They've made the playoffs on three occasions (1996, 1998, 1999), but lost to the Yankees each time. Upset by these losses, former owner George W. Bush decided to take another job where he could wreak vengeance on Yankees while favoring Texans.
Interesting fact signifying nothing: After his dismissal from Texas, Buck Showalter has now been fired as a manager three times. The first two times he was fired, the teams that fired him won the World Series the next season (Yankees in 1996 and Diamondbacks in 2001). So if the Rangers win it all in 2006, they may want to consider sending him a fruit basket or something.
Projected record & finish: 79-83, 3rd Place, AL West
Prediction that won’t come true but should: Fed up with the sweltering summers in Arlington, the Rangers decide to install air conditioning at Ameriquest Field. However, showing the energy conservation that Texans are known for, they do not install a roof on the park. Al Gore immediately goes on a hunger strike.
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