You know, I was extremely excited when I woke up yesterday because it was the first day in many months I was able to watch Major League Baseball. Luckily, it fell on my day off so that meant I could lounge around and watch the whole game. Did I? Fucking no. Those Dodgers pissed me the hell off so I left after 6 innings. They played the Braves of all teams which sounded like a sweet as hell exhibition game considering longtime Braves' centerfielder Andruw Jones had just signed with the Dodgers over the offseason. To make matters sweeter, the game was at the Braves spring training complex. But where in the hell was Andruw? Not there. According to the announcers he didn't show up because he didn't want to get booed by the Atlanta fans.........seriously? This guy is supposed to be a Major League baseball player. Hell, he's in history as the youngest player to hit a homerun in the World Series, yet he can't show up to a game that doesn't count because he'll be booed. What a joke. Nevertheless the Dodgers played the Braves sans Andruw Jones. It was definitely sweet to see James Loney and Andre Ethier in action. I don't know why but I like Loney maybe it's because he's on my fantasy baseball team. The Ethier one is simple: I got to watch him a handful of times playing for the Midland Rockhounds before he was traded to Los Dodgers. Anyway those damn Dodgers blew the game in the 5th inning by letting 7, yes 7, runs cross the plate. Granted it was some crappy bullpen pitchers coming in to get their throws and the game doesn't really count, but the Braves had their act together, why couldn't the Dodgers? You might say because the Braves have veteran Bobby Cox as their manager. Nope because sitting on the other side was Joe Torre. Maybe the team just hasn't gelled yet. If that's the case Dodger fans should hope they gel sooner rather than later because the AL West is going to be a damn tough division to win (my pick to win the division: D'backs). So the Dodgers lost 10-3. Fucking Dodgers...

One good thing that I found out yesterday is I'm going to be addicted to Call of Duty 4. The single player mode is eh so far, but playing people online has to be the coolest thing even though I get my ass handed to me almost every single match. I was promoted to like a level 13 by the end of the day and I'm starting to kick some ass but I still have lots of learning to do. My next goal: kill more people than the number of times I die.


Speaking of cool ass games on the PS3, MLB 08: The Show looks simply phenomenal. I downloaded the demo for it and I really can't say I'm too impressed with anything other than the look of the game. The gameplay sucks. The announcers suck. But it looks like you're actually watching a baseball game on TV. This is the first baseball video game I've ever played where a crowd of fans jump up to catch a foul ball. I almost wanted to cry at the game's beauty, but then I played it. So now the question is: MLB 08 or MLB 2K8?

One thing that really caught my eye yesterday was, cue the Star Wars theme song (Ranger joke) the return of Igor! It made me so happy to see him jack a three-run homerun off of Johan Santana in Santana's Mets debut. Maybe Juan Gone is back on the juice :) Let's all hope so because he needs another productive season. Such a good player. Such a good player.

It makes me yearn for the days of yore on pictures like that. Nowadays all four of those names are linked to steroids. Palmeiro, Gonzalez, Conseco, Rodriguez :(

Another good thing: the Rangers are 2-0-1 in spring training play! It's a good sign our bats are kicking in and the young pitchers are doing well. What isn't a good sign is that Kevin Millwood, our ace, has hamstring problems and Brandon McCarthy, 3rd or 4th pitcher, has a tender right elbow. Both have missed spring training starts. These are two guys that had problems all of last year and it's not looking good at all for this year if this is already happening. Millwood was supposed to be in shape this spring. Last year he showed up fat and not ready to play and as a result had a shitty year. This year he worked out all offseason and showed up slimmed down and ready to go, yet he hurt his hamstring. What pisses me off most is Millwood talks about having to miss playing golf because his hamstring is hurt. THINK ABOUT FUCKING BASEBALL MILLWOOD! Who gives a shit about golf when you're being paid a boatload of money to be the ace of our pitching staff. Damn I'm starting to pound the keyboard now...think happy thoughts...think happy thoughts...Mench is back :) ... The Rangers are undefeated thus far in spring training :) ... Opening day tickets go on sale Monday :) Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels are both with the Rangers at least until 2011 :) ... I have my health :) ... BUT FUCKING HALF OUR PITCHING STAFF DOESN'T HAVE THEIRS!!!!!! DAMN IT! :(

I almost made it.