Nolan Writin' » All-Star Game

Thoughts On Martin Perez And AL All-Star Rosters Announced

Jared Book — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:13:34 +0000

I didn’t get a chance to watch last night’s game live. The mix of real life and moving doesn’t lend itself to Saturday evening games, unfortunately.

Josh Hamilton and Elvis Andrus are two of the seven Rangers to be named to the American League All-Star team. (Photo: Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE)

However, better late than never, I was able to watch the MLB.tv Condensed Game and thought Martin Perez’s first career start went a lot like A.J. Griffin’s start the other day for Oakland.

Perez pitched into the sixth inning, striking out five, giving up six hits (including one homerun), two runs and one walk.

He was able to use the off-speed stuff to get strikeouts, and while there might have been a wide strike zone yesterday, he had swing-and-miss stuff and that was impressive. You couldn’t help but notice some similarities between his start and Justin Grimm’s first start. The strikeouts, the help from the offense and the win. Not to mention both were on Saturday evenings on Fox. And both were against 2013 AL West teams.

The offense once again was a little sputtered at times but the good news was, they were given extra opportunities by the Oakland defense and took advantage of them. Josh Hamilton with a big three-run homerun to pull away really helped Ron Washington manage the bullpen as well getting work to Michael Kirkman and the recently recalled Yoshinori Tateyama who seems to have gotten some confidence back starting his outing with back-to-back strikeouts.

All-Star Rosters Announced: Hamilton, Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre will be starters for the American League in the 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City. Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler Matt Harrison and Joe Nathan also made the team as reserves. Yu Darvish is on the ballot for the final roster spot. The seven all-stars is a Rangers record. Darvish on the team would obviously extend that record.

Rangers All-Star Profile: Josh Hamilton

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 17:00:17 +0000

There isn’t much I can write here that Rangers fans don’t already know. Josh Hamilton will be attending the All-Star Game for the fourth year in a row, this after winning the 2010 American League MVP award – and leading the team to the World Series last season. Hamilton came to Texas on a trade with Cincinnati. We all know of his amazing battle back from the grips of drugs and alcohol. The first overall pick of the 1999 MLB Draft, has certainly lived up to his billing – even if it’s a few years later than expected.

Josh Hamilton (Photo J. Collander)

Prior to the season Hamilton was eligible for arbitration, and wasn’t happy to be in the spotlight regarding his contract. He inked a two-year deal with the Rangers to prevent that talk from clouding the next two years. Then almost immediately as the season began, Josh Hamilton was injured in a headfirst dive on April 12^th. He healed quickly and was back out on the field on May 23^rd. (more…)

Rangers All Star Profile: Michael Young

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:00:55 +0000

“At one point I would have rather been a Rockie than a Ranger…I thought I was going to be in Colorado. But I drove to spring training and focused on my job. I owed that to my teammates…it has worked out.” Words Michael Young spoke to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. This basically sums up the off-season drama that Young endured throughout the off-season. After acquiring the 3^rd baseman Adrian Beltre, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels approached Michael Young about a move to Designated Hitter. Young went to spring training, and like the true professional he is, never looked back.

Michael Young (Photo J. Collander)

Luckily for Texas – he stayed, and is now in the middle of another fantastic season. Young is currently batting .323/.358/.482 and already has 116 hits this season. His power is slightly down as he only has eight home runs on the season. This is the type of player that Mike has been his entire career, consistent. He goes to the ballpark everyday with the same mentality as a business professional. Young takes care of his responsibilities and is an example in the clubhouse. (more…)