Poor Tobys Almanac….St. Patricks Eve

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David Murphy vs. Marlon Byrd
Byrd hardly deserves to lose a job based on Spring Training numbers but the simple fact is Murphy is having a terrific spring to this point. Murphy is a left-handed hitter and Byrd swings from the right side but they both hit well against lefties and righties last year. Byrd’s defense and leadership can not be discounted. The Cubs interest in him is also intriguing. What may be happening here is Murphy making a bid for a more prominent role on the team and it may be that Byrd is the one who moves around from position to position as the fourth outfielder. Of course if Milton Bradley isn’t ready,Boston Red Sox Hats, the Rangers will need both,Cheap Chicago Cubs Hats,
Toby’s Top Five
1. David Murphy – It takes someone like Hamilton to overshadow what he’s done this spring.
Birthdays: A.J. Murray turns 26 on St. Patrick’s Day. Murray was born in 1982 in Vernal Utah,Cincinnati Reds Hats, a town of 7,Cheap Cincinnati Reds Hats,714 people in the northeast corner of the state that is also the birthplace of actor James Woods. Vernal is also the largest city in the United States without a railroad running through it.
5. Oakland Athletics – They aren’t supposed to be any good but they’ve won 13 of their first 18 going into today’s game against the Rangers.
Bullpen
Best guess right now:
1. C.J. Wilson
2. Eddie Guardado
3. Joaquin Benoit
4. Kazuo Fukumori
5. Wes Littleton
6. Jamey Wright
7. Scott Feldman
Feldman is a guess but he can pitch multiple innings and that’s what the Rangers need. Franklyn German has been the most impressive,Wholesale Los Angeles Dodgers Hats, Jason Davis has the best stuff and Kameron Loe has not yet stepped up. Josh Rupe was getting mentioned early but not lately. Frank Francisco? Rangers still waiting on the breaking stuff to come around. It’s been a little better lately. The Rangers may carry eight relievers for the first two weeks of the season.
Ex-Ranger of the Week
The best catcher in baseball over the past 20 years is still going strong. Ivan Rodriguez has six home runs for the Tigers,Cheap Kansas City Royals Hats, the most in either Florida or Arizona.
4. Tampa Bay Rays – A new name,Wholesale DC Shoes Hats, a new look,Toronto Blue Jays Hats sale,Claudia Schiffer wears Oliver Peoples sunglasses, a new attitude and some great young talent. Plus they aren’t backing down to the Yankees.
Jason Botts vs. Kevin Mench
On Thursday in Tucson,Players Hats, Botts made an ill-advised attempt to take third on a wild pitch with Josh Hamilton at the plate. He was thrown out and then snapped at the umpire. The Rangers liked both. Word is Botts is showing some fire and aggressiveness this spring that the Rangers felt has been missing. He is also swinging the bat well. The Rangers like the idea of Mench as the right-handed designated hitter and he is a better athlete than Botts. But the Rangers also know Botts is out of options and they could lose him to waivers at the end of spring. Mench has a Minor League contract. The Rangers could start the season with Botts on the team and Mench in the Minors and see where that goes.
3. Chan Ho Park – He’s in China with the Dodgers and almost started an international incident when he tried to defy security forces to sign autographs for over-zealous Korean fans.
2. Josh Hamilton – Is .607 considered a good batting average? He has been on base in ten straight plate appearances.
A dog’s eye view of the most interesting matchups in Rangers camp.
Oracle of Elysian Fields:
"I’m scared to death running the bases when he’s up to bat."
David Murphy on Josh Hamilton
Last call:
May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
~Irish Blessing
Anniversary – It was on March 16,Wholesale Houston Astros Hats, 1907 that the Detroit Tigers wanted to trade Ty Cobb to Cleveland for Elmer Flick. Cleveland didn’t want to do it. Cobb was in just his third year with the Tigers but manager Hughie Jennings was already fed up with him.
Gerald Laird vs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Laird has this one under control. The big question is if Saltalamacchia starts the season in the Minors or stays around as a backup catcher and right-handed DH. Seems like Triple A is the likely scenario.
Sidney Ponson vs. Luis Mendoza
Ponson is only getting started and still has much more to show. But he looks like a good bet to start the season with the Rangers. They could take a hard look at him for six or seven starts and see if he’s back to what he once was. If not,cheap Los Angeles Dodgers Hats, they could call on Mendoza or even Eric Hurley. The Rangers seem reluctant to push Hurley,Music Hats, judging by their measured response to what was a strong outing on Saturday.