Sizing up the swoon.

Not much to report today so I'm going to go with this 2001 Leaf Rookies & Stars Statistical Standouts game-used card of Ivan Rodriguez. Been awhile since I posted a game-used card. This has to be one of the odder game-used cards in my collection, a piece of an on-deck circle. Not exactly sure how that relates to a single player but there it is.

The Rangers June swoon continued with another loss last night to the Indians at home. The A's are now a full game ahead and showing no sign of slowing down. Is it time to hit the panic button? Time or not there are some who are hitting it. I'm not inclined to just yet.

Several reasons why I am not in despair mode. First is that it is still early in the season. We aren't even to the All-Star break. It is conceivable the Rangers will be back in first and might even have a game or two lead by the break. They will need to take advantage of the A's being here for four games and the last series before the break against the Astros.

Second reason is the return of some injured players. The last time Texas had their full roster available was in Spring Training. Ian Kinsler should be back by the end of this week and Mitch Moreland is healing up nicely. Matt Harrison started a throwing program. He is still looking at September but at least he's making progress. Now to get Colby Lewis back on track. If some of these guys can come off the disabled list and make an impact the team could start streaking.

Third is that you can't figure the offense will be down forever. Lance Berkman could be done (it's doubtful, but it could be). A.J. Pierzynski, Adrian Beltre, David Muprhy, and Nelson Cruz aren't and should be able to locate their bats again soon.

Fourth reason is that while the offense has been struggling of late, the pitching seems to still be on track. Subtract Michael Kirkman's performances and a couple of recent rough starts and the staff is still dominant. That will keep the team in games late and give the scuffling offense chances to break out.

So it's not time to panic. Yet. That time is on the horizon though and could be closer than it appears if some things don't change soon.

2001 Leaf Rookies and Stars Statistical Standouts #SS-3 - See more at: http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Spiff45/media/Rangers%20GU%20and%20Autos/2001LeafRookiesandStars.jpg.html?sort=6&o=18#sthash.GoAHOFik.dpuf

Took me out to the ballpark...

Sorry about no posts the past couple of days. I really don't have an excuse for Monday. Yesterday however, I was pretty busy. Mrs. Spiff and the kiddos will be gone this coming weekend visiting family. Due to that she suggested an early Father's Day observance.

That suggestion led to a game at the Ballpark in Arlington yesterday. That's the reason for my running out of time to post yesterday and for you getting a scan of the program from the game today.

Had a pretty good time. Got in early because we expected a large crowd, we were right. Official attendance was 45,200. Because we were early we got a pretty got parking spot. Unloaded kids and supplies and made the short trek to the park. Still love walking up on it.

Long lines but orderly and once the gates opened we moved right along. Got through the First Base Gate and counted noses. All present. Everybody had their Yu Darvish bobble head giveaway (thus the crowd). Seats were on the third base side. Nice walk around the concourse and then up two escalators. Up a large collection of steps to the seats. One row from the top of the stadium. I don't think I've ever sat that high but it was pretty nice. Shade from the roof and a nice breeze. We hardly broke a sweat in spite of the temps being in the upper 90's. The family even got an appearance on the video board just before the game started. All were impressed except Bug who wasn't real sure what to think.

Got everyone settled in and ready for baseball. Unfortunately Derk Holland couldn't solve the Indians and the offense couldn't solve Tribe starter Cory Kluber. A.J. Pierzynski did hit a solo shot in the 9th inning and David Murphy drove in Jurickson Profar with a double in the 8th but it was too little too late. Final: Cleveland - 5, Texas - 2.

Oakland won later to catch up again.

In spite of the loss it was an enjoyable day. As they say, a bad day at the ball park is better than a good day a lot of other places. Hadn't been to a game in too long so it was very nice to get out and hear the crowd and the crack of the bat.

Only one small question about the whole experience. No God Bless America in the seventh inning, or any other time for that matter. I could swear I heard it earlier this season during a radio broadcast. Anybody know what's up? Are the Rangers the only team that doesn't do this at every game any more?

Senators Saturday - Dave Stenhouse, 1963.

Ok, so I really have nothing positive to say about the Rangers loss of the game and first place yesterday. My mother always said if you can't say something positive don't say anything. I won't then. On to 1963.

Dave Stenhouse shows up on card 263 of the 1963 Topps set. Not sure what is wrong with his uniform in this picture. Maybe he's melting or maybe this is a poor airbrush job. Not sure why any airbrushing would be needed though since Stenhouse was with Washington in 1962.

Dave Stenhouse was coming off a solid 1962 season at the beginning of 1963. He was a mainstay in the Senators' rotation and hoped to remain there. Unfortunately injuries hampered his plan.

Dave appeared in just 16 games for Washington in 1963, all as a starter. After leading the team in complete games the previous season, he finished just two of his starts and tossed only 87 innings all season. That was over a hundred innings less than in 1962. His ERA jumped almost a whole point to 4.55 and his WHIP rose to 1.552. Stenhouse struck out just 47 batters while walking 45. That was an unfavorable move in his strikeout to walk ratio and less than half the K's he notched in 1962.

Clearly Dave Stenhouse was struggling. After a promising year in 1962 he watched 1963 be ruined by injuries. He needed to spend the winter healing up and come back strong in 1964 to stay in the starting rotation for Washington.

Gloomy week.

Not a good news week for the Rangers or their fans.

Started off with Nelson Cruz being on a list of 20 players looking at PED suspensions. That will hurt the Texas offense but it's needed. If MLB is serious about getting steroids out of the sport it is going to have to toe the hard line.

Next up was news that Colby Lewis suffered a set back in his rehab. Now he's been taken off his rehab assignment all together. No firm timetable as to his return now.

Two losses to the Reb Sox. One a shelling and the other a Michael Kirkman melt down. Should stop commenting on Kirkman melt downs and only mention the effective outings - they're rare.

While the team was losing to Boston, the A's kept winning. Texas now has a half a game lead in the standings only by a mathematical fluke. The Rangers have one less win than the A's but two less losses so they stay on top. That's not very encouraging.

Mitch Moreland is on the Disabled List. He was having a great year defensively and seemed to be moving right along at the plate. The injury stint will slow the team down. hopefully it won't slow him down.

Two small bright spots amid the gloom. First is Alexi Ogando. He returned strong from the DL and helped pitch the Rangers to their lone win against the Red Sox this past week. Good to finally see some re-enforcements arrive.

The second bit of good news was the election of former Ranger Ivan Rodriguez, shown here on card BBC37 of the 1992 Baseball Cards Magazine set, to the Rangers Hall of Fame. I personally doubt Pudge stayed away from PEDs his whole career but he was a long-time and much loved player who was something special before anyone ever thought of steroids. Congratulations Pudge.

Odd Moments: Fingers.

Ugly game last night. At least for the Rangers. The Red Sox seemed to enjoy scoring 17 runs. The A's probably also enjoyed moving to within a half a game of Texas. About the only bright spot for the Rangers was David Murphy's eighth inning of scoreless relief.

Probably a good day to take a break from the current team. Got a three part installment in the 50 Top Odd Moments in Rangers history. On to T.R. Sullivan's selections.

Number 32. Injured fingers - Charlie Hough started the 1986 season on the disabled list due to a broken pinkie finger. Charlie was saying goodbye to a friend at a bar near the end of Spring Training. The finger fractured during the final handshake. Oddibe McDowell, shown here on card number 23 of the 1986 Fleer League Leaders set, missed several games after he sliced open a finger at the 1987 Welcome Home Luncheon. Kevin Brown did the same reaching into his shaving kit for a razor.

Number 33. Sticky fingers - The Rangers hosted the All-Star game in 1995. The Arlington Police Department was on top of the scalping issues. Unfortunately one of the suspected scalpers cuffed by the PD was Rangers pitcher Ed Vosberg who was trying to resell tickets for a relative.

Number 34. Getting the thumb - for two long years Chuck Greenburg did the heavy lifting to put together a group to buy the Rangers from Tom Hicks. He finally got it done and saved the team from bankruptcy in mid-season 2010. Seven months later during Spring Training 2011 he resigned and sold out his share of the ownership group. The departure was unforeseen and unexplained.

1977 Topps - Bert Blyleven.

A game and a half. That's the Rangers lead as the A's keep charging. Got hairy in a hurry didn't it? Hope the guys can get it going against the Sox in Boston tonight.

No game yesterday though so it's time to take a look back at 1977. Bert Blyleven's up today on card number 630 of the 1977 Topps set.

Blyleven had an outstanding season in 1977. His 14-12 record was more indicative of the run support he received than the way he pitched.

Bert made 30 starts and pitched 234.2 innings while completing 15 games. Five of those complete games were shutouts - a team best. He struck out 182 opposing batters (most on the team) while walking just 69. His ERA tallied to 2.72 (best in the starting rotation and second best on the team) and his WHIP to a team and league-leading 1.065.

At 26 years of age Bert Blyleven still had plenty of potential. He might not have been the pitcher with the most wins for Texas in 1977 but he was the most effective in the starting rotation. When Bert took the hill the team had a chance to win.

Catching up.

So I saw where Nolan Ryan, pictured here on card number 250 of the 1990 Score set, and George Brett exchanged lineup cards during this weekend's series against Kansas City. The idea was to re-create the original exchange of lineup cards they both took part in at the beginning of their final game. 20 years ago. Hard to believe it's been that long.

It hasn't been twenty years since I last posted but it feels like it might be close. Sorry for the abrupt interruption. Switching shifts at work and trying to keep up on things around the house meant the blog got away from me.

While I was gone things just kept rolling. The Rangers kept winning but so did the A's. Oakland has won 14 of their last 16 and whittled Texas' lead to two games. Not much hope Milwaukee will knock off Oakland today so I am thinking the lead will go to a game and a half. Anaheim is 10.5 games back and still under .500. I said Oakland was the team to watch out for.

Ian Kinsler's stint on the Disabled List got extended due to a stress reaction. Not sure exactly what that is but it is serious enough to keep him from playing for a while longer.

Not that Jurickson Profar minds. He's building his credibility and living up to the hype so far. Smashed a seventh inning home run in yesterday's game to put Texas on top.

Yu Darvish continues the strikeout parade and continues to get no decisions or losses. Right now he's on track for over 300 whiffs on the season.

Adrian Beltre is day to day with hamstring issues. Not good since his hamstrings seem to be his weakest link.

Alexi Ogando is slated to start tomorrow. Hopefully he can come off the DL hot and contribute right away. The pitching staff is needing re-enforcements.

I think that's about all the big news. Hopefully now that I'm caught up I can stay on top of things and keep the posts coming.