Texas Rangers

Lost in the Blake Beavan and Michael Main hype from the 2007 draft, Tommy Hunter has quietly moved through the minor leagues faster than anyone else from that stellar draft.

As the Texas Rangers head into July and the All-Star break, they stand in second place in the American League West.

Only a game and a half separates them and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. As the Rangers and Angels get set to take part in a crucial three game set at Rangers' Ballpark in Arlington, Texas GM Jon Daniels is looking at his options internally and externally.

The New York Times reported last week that former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa was on a list of 103 players who tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003.

Oh boy, the always panicked fan base of the Texas Rangers are all out of whack again...shocking I know.

One of the best quotes in the history of cinema was delivered by Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own, and I think it fits perfectly with the life of a Rangers fan.

"Of course it's hard, if it wasn't everyone would do it...the hard is what makes it great."

Is it hard to be a Rangers fan?

Anyone that isn't has no idea how hard it is. Even Cubs fans have experienced some success in the playoffs.

After their difficult two week stretch in which the Rangers played four potential playoff teams, it looked as though the team would get a little bit of a break against two middle of the road teams in Houston and San Francisco.

However, with a 2-4 week that included being swept out of San Francisco and with the Angels continuing on their hot streak, the Rangers' lead in the AL West is only a half game.

I'm very disappointed in the Houston Astros. Instead of going for perfection against the Texas Rangers, they ruined it.

They won a game, for a change. Must be the lucky shooting star Astros hat I'm wearing.

The Astros finish the season 1-5 against the Texas Rangers, courtesy of their 5-3 win Thursday night.

Not bad, considering Houston trailed 3-0 after four innings.

Hunter Pence, an Arlington native (where the Rangers' ballpark is located), hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run in the eighth inning, a solo shot that put Houston up 4-3.

I was forced to go to the game by myself last night because I just couldn't find anyone to go with me and I had to go.  I've decided it is actually good to go to a game by yourself every once in awhile.

I was able to really enjoy the game and just observe everything that was going on.  There were a few things that really stood out to me and reminded me why I love this game so much.

It started with Omar Vizquel before the game even started.

There may be no crying in baseball, but there's definitely some heavy-duty lying going on. And it isn't just the players saying they've never done drugs.

It's the owners, the managers, the commissioner, the entire baseball establishment. Everyone's lying about drug use. The establishment still wants the public to believe that steroid abuse is the exception rather than the rule.

After reading one too many articles about trade ideas for the "desperate" Atlanta Braves, I figured it's time we took a journey back into franchise history and remembered the types of moves we've made in similar situations.

For every McGriff deal, there's been a Teixeira.

The deal may sound good at the time (finally!

Typing "former Texas Ranger" in an article about Pudge Rodriguez continues to be painful for this fan.

I remember well the first time he threw a runner out trying to steal second. It was one of those moments when everyone watching knew a special player had just announced his presence with authority.

In one fluid motion, his quick feet making an instantaneous transition from crouch to throwing motion while he transferred the ball from his mitt to his hand without taking his eye off the target, Pudge threw a laser- beam strike to second well ahead of a shocked runner.