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Matt Harrison: In the cool night airCenterfield
I entered the centerfield area into the Ballpark eagerly awaiting to see the new spacious area where the kid's park used to be. New, yes. Spacious, no. The eateries -- a "taqueria" and a Nolan Ryan weiner establishment -- actually caused much more of a logjam than the kid's park. Between this and the long line for the pro shop, it was borderline miserable trying to get through. I felt like the eateries should have been set closer to the field, up against the hitter's backdrop.
Still, as I walked around, elbowing children, I looked around and the bustle of the area made me realize that a visitor to the area would probably find this really neat. Like it was a real ballpark with atmosphere. So, with that, I give it the thumbs up. I'll just enter on the first base side.
Throwbacks
It's the 40th anniversary of the franchise and we're not selling throwback jerseys yet?
The Crowd
It was 45,000 strong and there was a phenomenal amount of cheers with two strikes than in years past and The Wave never caught on. It's taken all of two years for this bunch to become a smart baseball town, even by the small of increments.
Seating
How is it that they can cut all that bleacher seating in left-center in order to rearrange the opponents' bullpen and still maintain the seating capacity?
Highlights
It was all goosebumpy watching the montage of highlights from year's past in addition to October of 2011. I think I almost love it more than 2010. By the way, I appreciate that we're not slighting the 1990s teams as much as in the past. I almost get a feeling that the whole steroid stigma's prevented the franchise from embracing those teams and players. Saw some shots of Juan Gonzalez, Pudge Rodriguez and Will Clark.
Scoring Sheet
Massive kudos to the Rangers for reworking the scoring sheet in the program. Putting both teams on the same side simplifies things greatly in addition to binding it to the program so it doesn't blow away or get lost.
The Same Ol' Song And Dance
With another season, I feared change at the Ballpark. I like the "Texas" theme that they roll out from the Texas heroes mascot characters to the music. It's still "I Like Texas" from Pat Green after a win, still "Deep In The Heart Of Texas" and still a lot of lone stars all around.
****
The good news is that the Texas Rangers already have a game lead on the California Angels, three games into the season.
For perspective, consider that the Seattle Mariners lead the division at 3-1. Of course, if I got to beat up on the Oakland Athletics, I'd be in first too.
The Rangers did their damage against the Chicago White Sox winning the opener, losing 4-3 Saturday and beating the Pale Hose 5-0 last night behind a salty outing from Matt Harrison.
He went six scoreless allowing just four hits. He was undone, however, by the foul ball. He left the game at 103 pitches and I would venture a guess that at least 20-25 were fouled off. The White Sox battled the entire night against Harrison until the game was out of reach late. If Harrison's able to put guys away, he goes eight, at least.
Harrison was helped by the home run. David Murphy, Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton all hit pretty nice blasts to right field on a night when the wind was not a factor. It got chilly and still. Probably at least one Mike Young flyball was caught whereas on a typically gusty night it would have hit or gone over the wall.
Hamilton's blast came in the sixth inning and put the Rangers up 4-0 and totaled 441 feet as it went halfway up the second deck in right. Hamilton's biggest contributions came in the field, however. Two grabs, one in the second inning on an A.J. Pierzynski liner and another in the seventh with a White Sock on second, saved the Rangers at least one run and countless pitches.
He might not be the best centerfielder on the team. It might not matter.
Notes:
1. Think Robbie Ross is on cloud No. 9? His nerves showed in walking Gordon Beckham to start the eighth inning, but the five-run lead allowed him to remain aggressive. Pounded the strike zone, but left little on the plate. Threw a lot of fastballs. Got Adam Dunn to pop out, struck Paul Konerko up high and got Alex Rios softly ground out.
2. Mark Lowe and Koji Uehara with good innings. Thought Uehara was better than average.
3. Three games and three defensive lapses from David Murphy. At this point, opponents will be told to watch his break and look for second on a routine single. Can't happen.
4. I know it's cool to love Mike Napoli at catcher, but Yorvit Torrealba caught two pretty good games this weekend: 12 IP - 11 hits - 2 runs - 3 BBs - 12 Ks - 1 home run.
5. Mike Young had a nice play on a sharply hit grounder playing second base.
6. Two walks apiece from No. 9 hitter Mitch "Bunk" Moreland and lead-off hitter Ian Kinsler. If Bunk is going to work pitchers all season, good things will happen.
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