Aside from the allergies that arise this time of year, and of course spring fever with young love, and lets not forget the longer days since we moved to daylight savings... its also BASEBALL TIME IN NORTH TEXAS!
I was out earlier today at Rangers Ball Park in Arlington, picking up credentials for the upcoming season and getting a chance to chat with some of the players before their debut for the 2011 season.
They all seem in good spirits, they all seem to want to get this thing started, and they all know that that they have a big 'ol target on their back, since they are the defending American League Champions!
Michael Young, who has been with this team longer than anyone else, and has had more "jobs" than anyone else on the team, let's see, Michael started out at short stop, then moved to second then back to short, then to third and recently was asked to be a DH, a utility infielder, and platoon at first base when needed and fill in once in a while back at third. WHEW!
During the first few days of spring training there was talk about Michael being traded, and having all sorts of rumors floating around about how the team needed to move Young once they were able to acquire Adrian Beltre, the All Star third baseman-- they also were able to get Mike Napoli from the Angels, so he will most likely be the back-up catcher and platoon at first a little as well, its putting his bat into the lineup that has most people concerned, but speaking to him earlier today, he is thrilled to be in Texas, and is ready to contribute anyway the Manager sees fit!
Mitch Moreland was another youngster that contributed last year, but during the off season he had to do some work on his own to get a bit better coming into spring training, he spoke about working on his hitting, being a bit more patient at the plate, especially on breaking balls and sliders, then he went to say about how he worked extra hard on playing his position at first base, and working on agility, along with his footwork!
The atmosphere in the club house is like a finely trained horse ready to break for the gate, restless, eager, and ready to take on the competition. Alright maybe that's a bit romantic when it comes to this team, comparing them to a race horse, but truthfully, this team has some unfinished business to attend to. They all agree beating the Yankees was a great step in the right direction for the post season, but they all had a taste of what its like getting to the big stage, the big Show as players like to call it, the World Series, and they are sure ready to get 162 games out of the way so they can get busy on the second season!
As for the grand lady herself, the stadium has new amenities... a new video board that sits high atop the Right Field Porch, brighter and better, and players need to be careful of their language if you can lip read.. it won't take much to see it on that screen, then they did an overhaul on the centerfield board, which was mono-chromed, they now have a full color moving board in that Coca-Cola scoreboard, the concessions are better, and more of them, the fan's experience will be better than in recent years. Prices have come down on hot dogs and beer, thats always a good thing, and of course the merchandise-- well lets just say , if you don't have enough WORLD SERIES things, you can still buy it at the Majestic Gift Shop in Centerfield!
Opening day-- less than 24 hours away-- the Boston Red Sox are in town, three days of exciting baseball, and its just April!
Its just a thought
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