Texas Rangers unveil new multi-million toy in opener
by Chris Taylor, editor-in-chief

    The Texas Rangers have wrapped another spring training and will finally get to unveil their new $252 million toy.

    Shortstop Alex Rodriguez made his first regular season appearance for the Rangers in Puerto Rico.

    Because of Rodriguez’s signing, the Rangers hopes are flying high for this season.

    Most of the national publications are not picking the Rangers to do very well this season.

    Some writers are even predicting another last place finish.

    Part of this has to do with the fact that the Rangers are being blamed for destroying baseball with the large contract Rodriguez received.

    Owner Tom Hicks may have spent money like a drunken sailor during the off-season, but he did achieve the goal of bringing the Rangers into the national spotlight.

    60 Minutes, the television news magazine, even made an appearance at the Rangers’ spring training.

    You cannot buy that type of publicity. Well, you can for about a quarter of a billion dollars.

    The Rodriguez signing makes this season’s line-up very formidable.

    In addition to Rusty Greer, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez, Alex Rodriguez is just more power hitting in an already devastating attack.

    As has been the case since the team’s first year, pitching is the weak link. The starting pitchers are virtually unchanged from last season.

    The pitching last season was ranked last in the American league in several categories.

    This ranking does not inspire very much confidence in the pitching staff; however, during spring training, the Rangers’ staff had the lowest earned run average and the most wins in their league.

    Another potential problem for the team is the closer.

    Gone from last season is John Wetteland, former team closer. Tim Crabtree is being given the chance for that position, but he lacks experience.

    Also injuries are a major factor at the beginning of the season.

    Ruben Mateo’s status is still uncertain, and Gabe Kapler will begin the season on the disabled list.

    For a team with as many question marks as the Rangers, injuries are not going to help this early in the season.

    The Rangers can be successful this season if their pitching staff pitches way above their normal level and if they stay injury free.

    The offense should definitely post big numbers with the big bats in the line-up.

    If everything goes their way, the Rangers could make the playoffs and maybe even past the first round.

    That is the team’s hope for the season, but Sunday’s 8-1 drubbing by the Toronto Blue Jays has dampened many fans’ spirits.

    Alex Rodriguez had the team’s first hit of the new season, but also had a costly error.

    Based on one game out of 162, many would consider the Rodriguez signing a bust. However, before fans start to panic, they should realize that there are plenty of games left in the season.

    Considering that the Rangers’ pitching was a strong point during the spring, it was not a good sign for the Rangers to give up eight earned runs.

    Toronto, not well known for having power hitters, took advantage of the small park in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    Toronto finished the game with two home runs.

    Palmeiro doubled in the first to drive in Alex Rodriguez to score the Rangers’ first and only run.

    Currently, that one run has cost about $252 million, but Rodriguez is a proven player and his stats will improve over the season.

    The most disturbing factor about the loss the unexpected performances. The pitching was bad, as many had predicted, but the offense, which many thought to be a strength, was non-existent.
The Rangers’ ability to score only one run off former teammate and cast off, Estaeban Loaiza, does not leave one very much hope for success in the playoffs.

    Pitcher Rick Helling is the closest thing that the Rangers have to a true number one pitcher. It is not a good sign when he gets shelled for four runs.

    He should return to form when he is pitching in a larger ballpark.
Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico is an exceptionally small ballpark. For a pitcher who relies on fly balls like Helling does, 338 feet to left center is not a very large distance to most major league hitters.

    Of course, the Rangers’ offense was not able to capitalize on the small dimensions of the field. With the firepower that the Rangers have, that is probably the most frightening aspect.

    Their pitching is definitely suspect, but what happens when their offense becomes suspect too?

    If that happens, it could be another long season. With the veteran leadership and proven competitors on the team, the Rangers will break out of this slump.