Tuesday Afternoon Quick Hits: You're A Flawed Guy

Rich Harden pitched 6 2/3 no-hit innings last night. I repeat: Rich Harden did not allow a Minnesota Twin to have a base hit last night while he pitched two thirds of the way into the sixth inning. But, since it's Rich Harden, he walked five and had 111 pitches when Ron Washington took him out of the game. Feliz pitched the ninth, gave up a single, and that was that. Poop. I guess that's just the way potential combined no-hitters go. This of course grants Harden one or two more starts, which sucks. Harden was "effectively wild" which means he was bad, but pitched a good game anyway. Imagine if one of the Twins' hitters got a hold of one after one of Harden's many walks. Different game. Just don't come crying to me when Harden gives up four runs in three innings with five walks in his next start. I warned you. Onto the hits:

We Can Agree On This: Josh Hamilton Is Good

Before the 2008 season, The Rangers went for a dramatic shift in their outfield. They traded prized prospect Edinson Volquez for Josh Hamilton and picked up Milton Bradley for the cheap. Hamilton was the intriguing one: the top pick from 1999, straight out of high school, had projections to be the next Ken Griffey Jr. A center fielder  who could run, hit, hit for power, throw out runners at home plate, rob home runs. He had it all. Of course we know the story after that: drugs and alcohol ruined his career and after playing his first year with the Reds in 2007 and putting up decent numbers (.292/.368/.554 with 19 home runs), the Rangers took a chance, given that they had a deep farm system of pitching talent that would replace Volquez.

Tuesday Late Afternoon Quick Hits: Joaquin Arias Makes Me Write Bad

When the Rangers traded Alex Rodriguez, the no-question-about-it best overall player in baseball, the Rangers received Alfonso Soriano and had a choice between Joaquin Arias and Robinson Cano. Robinson Cano is now the best second baseman in baseball, with a career line of .309/.345/.489 and has slugged over .500 for the last two seasons. He is also either the second or third MVP candidate in the American League besides Josh Hamilton. Joaquin Arias has played in 88 games for the Rangers. Robinson Cano has 20 more home runs than Joaquin Arias has played games for the Texas Rangers. I hate my life. Onto the hits:

Monday Morning Quick Hits: Playoff Preview!

The Rangers and Rays lock horns tonight in Tampa Bay. This is of course a fascinating series on multiple accounts such as: The most likely playoff opponent for the Rangers. If the Rangers can keep ahead of the AL Central Division leader, and the Yankees hold serve, the Rays will head to Arlington. This also gives us a chance to see how game one would look, with Cliff Lee on the bump. Exciting stuff. We also get baseball games starting at six, Texas Time, which is great for every one. Now onto the hits:

This is my BOOMSTICK!

Pictures say it better than I do.

I love this team. I love this season. I love baseball.

Friday Afternoon Quick Hits: Who is Salt?

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

The Rangers had an off-day yesterday, the Cowboys pretty much had an off-day yesterday and the Mavs are in the middle of summer obscurity. Yesterday was fantastic. Oh, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia returns to Arlington tonight. In Googling Salty's name, the fourth suggested search after "jarrod saltalamacchia", "jarrod saltalamacchia bio", "jarrod saltalamacchia espn" and "jarrod saltalamacchia wife"  was "jarrod saltalamacchia yips." LOL. Onto the hits!

Thursday Afternoon Quick Hits: The 'Well ... Me!' Edition

See, the Yankees really are Nazis. HEIL!

Well that was tons of fun last night, wasn't it? Good thing I went Tuesday night instead of last night. I might of taken a poop on the pitching mound. But enough about bodily fluids on pitching mounds, let's get into the hits: 

Wednesday Afternoon Quick Hits: Murph Dog Takes a Bite Out of Crime!

I think the best way to keep this blog updated with fresh content is to change formats. So instead of me racking my brain to write one big story (and in the process, editing and cutting and all that goes with my larger posts), I'll instead post at least once every weekday with thoughts and links on previous day (or the current morning) sports stories. This way I don't go three weeks in between posting. So let's try it out: