March 2, 2007
Looks like some how, some way the Rangers are going to be dragged into this latest performance-enhancing drug scandal.
Spoke to Jerry Hairston Jr. about 30 minutes before the game today. His response: ``You bet I've got a comment. I have never, ever in my life used steroids or amphetamines or any kind of drug. I have never tested positive. I know what goes into my body and everything I put in there is approved by Major league baseball.''
When I asked him if he'd received the substance in question, Gentropin, he said he had not received any such package.
More later. But this is not going away soon, it appears.
Posted by Evan Grant 
at 3:38 PM (E-mail this entry)
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He's not getting into more of a tussle with Ozzie Guillen, who suggested on a Chicago radio station today that McCarthy spent too much town enjoying Rush Street last season. Guillen said he had a meeting with McCarthy about it. McCarthy didn't deny that a meeting took place, but denied being a party boy.
``I'm 23 and single and living in Chicago,'' McCarthy said. ``I don't believe that anything I did ever affected my performance. I was very responsible in how I handled everything. I was just trying to be young and meet people. ... I'm not going to get into a war of words with Ozzie. Games are getting ready to start and we've got things we've got to do.''
Posted by Evan Grant at 3:22 PM (E-mail this entry)
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OK, didn't forget y'all, but it's become an incredibly hectic day, so here's the quick wrap:
Kevin Millwood: 14 pitches, 12 strikes in a scoreless inning. He struck out Billy Butler on a changeup to end his inning. You read that right, a change. ``Last time, I struck a guy out on a changeup was, I think, about five or six years ago in spring,'' said Millwood who is trying once again to find some kind of offspeed pitch.
Sammy Sosa: 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in the ``B'' game. Luke Hochevar, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, had the first K with a slider. ``I gotta tip my cap on that,'' Sosa said. ``It was nasty. But I felt great.'' Sosa will play in Saturday's ``A'' game.
Michael Young=Derek Jeter. More on that in the print edition of Seamheads.
The 5th starter: Kam Loe took an early lead with two scoreless. Most important stat was that he recored five outs on ground balls, a sign the sinker was doing what it is supposed to. ... John Koronka, well, not so much good to report. He gave up five runs in his second inning of work and left with one out and one on. ... Edinson Volquez is now in the game and KC is leading 5-2.
Gotta run in case something else happens.
Posted by Evan Grant at 3:15 PM (E-mail this entry)
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It's certainly good news for the Rangers that Michael Young is here until 2013. He's the heart and soul of the club, respected by teammates and a true leader. Nevermind that he's as consistent as they come on the field.
Maybe Young's commitment to the Rangers will make Mark Teixeira think about things. He'll want to have a better season in 2007 to give him more leverage to get a good, long-term deal done. But having one of his closest friends on the Rangers for the next seven seasons can't hurt the club when it comes to Teixeira possibly staying in Arlington.
GM Jon Daniels, speaking on The Ticket today, said: "We'd love to have Tex here. It's something we've talked about internally. I'm not sure that there's a window right now to do it...but I'm sure we'll talk about it at some point."
Posted by Richard Durrett at 2:11 PM (E-mail this entry)
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In his second at-bat, Sosa fell behind 0-and-2 and then showed plate discipline watching four consecutive balls to take a bases-loading walk.
On another front, apparently the White Sox are not willing to simply forget about Brandon McCarthy. After McCarthy told a Chicago paper this week that as a single guy he felt a bit uncomfortable in the White Sox largely-married clubhouse community last year. Ozzie Guillen's response on a Chicago radio station this a.m.: ``People forget that Brandon McCarthy got caught a couple of times out at night and got called into my office. I said you've been seen out in the city a lot. I don't have a spy, but I know a lot of people in the bars of Chicago.''
We'll try to get a response from McCarthy if he has any.
Posted by Evan Grant at 11:49 AM (E-mail this entry)
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First at-bat, first pitch, pop fly to right field. Victor Diaz, by the way doubled to right, to score Hairston. The KC pitcher is Billy Buckner. ....
Posted by Evan Grant at 11:04 AM (E-mail this entry)
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Live from the back fields, we bring you an historic moment in baseball: Live blogging off ``B'' game. Sammy Sosa is on deck and Victor Diaz is working the count with Jerry Hairston Jr. on first and one out.
Just remember: ``B'' game spring stats do not count.
Posted by Evan Grant at 11:02 AM (E-mail this entry)
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March 1, 2007
The Rangers have locked up All-Star shortstop Michael Young with a five-year contract extension.
Posted by Pete Aldrich at 11:06 AM (E-mail this entry)
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Kevin Millwood will begin ramping up for Opening Day on Friday. He'll throw just one inning, but said the plan is that he will steadily build innings as the month goes.
Millwood won't have starting catcher Gerald Laird behind the plate for the "B" game, which starts at 11 a.m. central time. Miguel Ojeda, the leading in-camp candidate for the backup catcher job (there's always the possibility the Rangers could still get someone from outside of camp before spring training ends) will catch Millwood's inning.
Millwood said he'll just long toss some today in preparation and that he's feeling fine.
Posted by Richard Durrett at 10:13 AM (E-mail this entry)
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February 28, 2007
A Game vs. Kansas City (main stadium at 2:05 CT)
CF Kenny Lofton
DH Frank Catalanotto
SS Michael Young
1B Mark Teixeira
3B Hank Blalock
LF Brad Wilkerson
RF Nelson Cruz
C Gerald Laird
2B Ian Kinsler
Starting pitcher: Kameron Loe
B Game vs. Kansas City (Royals complex, 11:05 CT)
CF Freddy Guzman
2B Jerry Hairston Jr.
RF Victor Diaz
DH Sammy Sosa
LF Jason Botts
3B Desi Relaford
1B Nate Gold
SS Matt Kata
C Guillermo Quiroz
Starting pitcher: Kevin Millwood
Posted by Evan Grant at 2:36 PM (E-mail this entry)
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Closer Eric Gagne arrived early today and had a long toss session. He then went home and did not participate in workouts. It's not known if he'll attend the entire session tomorrow.
Posted by Richard Durrett at 12:27 PM (E-mail this entry)
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It's chilly and windy out here.
Players are blowing on their hands and jumping around to keep warm when they aren't participating in drills. Manager Ron Washington is bundled up as he roams around the fields checking out the progress of various players.
On the main field, the infielders and pitchers are working on defenses for various situations. Third base coach Don Wakamatsu tells the catcher how many men are on base and where they are and then the defense has to react based on the various situations. Right now Washington is the runner at third. He's got pretty good speed for a manager.
Posted by Richard Durrett at 12:02 PM (E-mail this entry)
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Every year, every club runs through a variety of meetings/briefings sponsored by MLB, the Players Association, MLB Security, etc.
Today, the Rangers are getting a double dose. They met with MLB security before the workout. The biggest news: There is no plan to provide the club extra MLB security agents if Sammy Sosa makes the team. Obviously, if crowds around Sosa become an issue, that could change.
This afternoon, the players will meet with union officials to get a briefing on the collective bargaining agreement, licensing, etc. Based on the ease with which the CBA was negotiated last fall and a 42 percent increase in the money spent on free agents, the meeting should essentially be a tea party. Only with the best teas in the world and Beluga caviar.
One guy won't have to attend the union meeting: Ron Mahay. Since he was a replacement player in 1995, he is barred permanently from joining the Players Association.
Posted by Evan Grant at 10:48 AM (E-mail this entry)
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The Rangers are not yet being dragged into whatever the Gary Matthews Jr. steroid story might end up being.
General manager Jon Daniels said investigators have not contacted the Rangers for an interview or to ask for any cooperation.
``The only thing I know is what I've seen written,'' Daniels said. ``Nobody has contacted us.''
Posted by Evan Grant at 10:08 AM (E-mail this entry)
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