Beltre hit for the cycle for the 3rd time in his career, Rangers won 12-9 over division leading 'Stros

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Of course the pitching gave up 9 runs in the win.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: But Colby Lewis did record his 12 win of the season.

Oh yeah, and Beltre is only the 4th player in the history of MLB to hit for the cycle 3 times in his career. And by the way, no one has hit for the cycle for the third time in a career since Babe Herman recorded his 3rd cycle in 1933. That's right, no one has done what Beltre did tonight for over 80 years. Impressive. Most impressive.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: With the win tonight the Rangers are 2 GB in the wild card standings. So you're saying they have a chance...

Read more...

Yours truly was invited to a preview of "Baseball: America’s Presidents, America’s Pastime" hosted by the George W. Bush Presidential Center

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: Nothing to write here really. Since it officially opens to the public on Saturday there were a few empty display cases and some exhibits without written explanations of what they were and the 2 video displays weren't up and running yet. But those were minor things. The exhibit is well put together with memorabilia and information spanning the history of baseball and our Executive Branch.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: The exhibit demonstrates that sports and specifically baseball transcend many things including party and politics. Democrat or Republican, it doesn't matter, the president in office may change but baseball has been and continues to be our pastime. And the exhibit reflects that with quotes referencing baseball from Republican and Democratic presidents side by side in testament to the fact that baseball has no party.

And if it's not clear, yeah, you should check it out!

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: Info regarding the exhibit can be found here.

I consider myself a student of history, especially American history during the Revolutionary War. But I did not know that George Washington's Patriot soldiers played an early version of what would evolve into baseball at Valley Forge.

Here are some photos I took at the preview (and I somehow didn't take pictures of the baseballs signed by Sandy Kofaux, who rarely signed autographs, or a baseball signed by Bob Feller), and please excuse the quality of the photos, they were taken with an iPhone 3GS:

Joe DiMaggio signed baseball:

Stan Musial signed glove:

Tommy Lasorda signed hat:

Read more...

I Hate The Texas Rangers (Not Really, Just Joking, Kinda)

Glass Half Empty / Afternoon Cloud: I really got nothin'. Although, I think Kins may have been run down or picked off between each base this year, way to go.

Glass Half Full / Silver Lining: Oh yeah, they won tonight and Beltre and Murph continue to be the All-Stars of this team.

Thoughts / Observations / Sidenotes: I hate the Rangers (not really, just joking, kinda).  Let me explain, here's why I wrote that.  We have been spoiled by these last 2 full seasons, hopefully going on 3 where they make the playoffs, again (knock on wood).  In other words, these Rangers teams the last 3-5 years under Wash have spoiled us.  And for that I kinda hate 'em.  Now we as fans, it seems like, almost expect to make the playoffs each year.  And those are mighty high expectations.  Just remember that no matter what may come this year, or the next, or the many more years after, that we had at least these years.  I'm just saying don't take them for granted and I'll kinda hate the Rangers for spoiling us.

Read more...