Michael Young

The last decade was not kind to the Rangers. They had just two winning seasons and no playoff appearances. There were still some excellent individual moments.  

Tommy Hunter, after one spot start against Oakland on May 29, was back at Triple-A Oklahoma City and playing catch with pitching coach Terry Clark. He was fooling around with the grip on a baseball and decided to try it during a side throwing session in the bullpen. The first time he threw the pitch, Clark was amazed.

The next day I started using it in the game and I have been using it ever since   -Tommy Hunter

 

SURPRISE, Ariz. Ian Kinsler has a prime spot in the Texas Rangers lineup, even though he is no longer the leadoff hitter. For the first time in three years, the former Missouri Tiger isn't going into the season at the top of the Rangers order. Instead, he's right in the middle at the No. 5 slot right between sluggers Vladimir Guerrero and Nelson Cruz. "It takes a little bit of pressure off me, it allows me to be a little bit more of a free swinger," Kinsler said.

It takes a little bit of pressure off me, it allows me to be a little bit more of a free swinger   -Ian Kinsler

 

Many such as Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Fernandez, Nomar Garciaparra and current White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen are retired. Others such as Alex Rodriguez, Michael Young and Miguel Tejada are playing out their careers at third base. And the best fielder of the bunch - 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel - is now a 42-year-old utility man with the White Sox. The great Derek Jeter is still going strong, but his peers now include marginal talents like Yuniesky Betancourt, Adam Everett, Cesar Izturis and  

Joe Blanton used a mix of fastballs and changeups to shut down the Detroit Tigers, leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-0 victory Thursday. Blanton has focused solely on the fastball-changeup combination in his first two spring starts before he incorporates breaking pitches into his repertoire. So far the results have been promising: Blanton held the Tigers to three singles in four innings of work.  

At the plate, he looks to me to be a little behind. He has an opportunity Monday against the Angels to drive home a run from third base with one out, but got behind in the count with a couple of bad swings and ended up grounding to short. He HAS to get that ball in the air and to the outfield.  

TUCSON, Ariz. Aaron Cook was hit hard in his second spring start, allowing nine hits and nine runs, five earned, in 2 2-3 innings, and the Colorado Rockies were pounded by the Texas Rangers 16-3 on Thursday.  

TUCSON, Ariz. Aaron Cook was hit hard in his second spring start, allowing nine hits and nine runs, five earned, in 2 2-3 innings, and the Colorado Rockies were pounded by the Texas Rangers 16-3 on Thursday.  

One day, Elvis Andrus short-hopped a routine throw. The next, the Texas Rangers shortstop made an incredible play deep in the hole, getting a runner at first despite throwing with his feet off the ground while falling away from the base. Which one did manager Ron Washington appreciate the most?

He wasn't in a very good state when he came in. I can recognize when you're (mad) at yourself at something you did. ... He was truly upset   -Ron Washington