*New Ranger pitcher Richard Hardin looks good so far after a rocky start as he struck out the heart of the lineup and has 8 Ks in 4 innings...not a bad start until the 4th inning, when a hit batter and a few walks ends his day. A bit disappointing after all the strikes, but it is early so I give him a pass...
*it is really strange to see Vlad Gurerrro in a Ranger uniform. I mean, I am so used to seeing him as a Ranger-killer that I feel like I am watching an alternate reality...welcome to the dark side, Mel.
*WOO HOO!!! - back to back solo home runs in the 4th by Vlad and Cruz to tie the game in the bottom of the 4th. Vlad powered the high pitch into left field while Cruz hit a bullet to center. Impressive! Okay, I think I can get over my Vlad reservations if he keeps this hitting up...
*Well, the tie didn't last long as Vernon Wells hit a 2 run homer in the next inning...a couple more runs trickled in for both teams as the Rangers lose to the Blue Jays 7-4. Tomorrow CJ Wilson is our starter so we will see how he handles that change. Man, I know there are like 160 more games, but I really hate losing!
April 7, 2010
April 6, 2010
WELCOME BACK!!!
Hello,
Well, April is upon us and that means that baseball season is FINALLY here...Unfortunately, I had to miss Opening Day because of work and since our IT department is crazy about internet retstrictions, I could not watch or listen to the game. I can tell you that it was an exciting game based on the final score, as the Rangers win 5-4 with a Salty walk-off single for the win...Yea, a win streak to start the year, right :)
Will start blogging the new season on Wednesday, so stay tuned....Thanks, and welcome back!!!
PS - Random shout-out to my co-worker Bill that was smart enough to take off work to attend Rangers Opening Day...Lucky Guy!
Well, April is upon us and that means that baseball season is FINALLY here...Unfortunately, I had to miss Opening Day because of work and since our IT department is crazy about internet retstrictions, I could not watch or listen to the game. I can tell you that it was an exciting game based on the final score, as the Rangers win 5-4 with a Salty walk-off single for the win...Yea, a win streak to start the year, right :)
Will start blogging the new season on Wednesday, so stay tuned....Thanks, and welcome back!!!
PS - Random shout-out to my co-worker Bill that was smart enough to take off work to attend Rangers Opening Day...Lucky Guy!
February 15, 2010
ON HIATUS FOR NOW....
Hello All, and welcome to my sports blog. Unfortunately with the Superbowl over and my lack of basketball interest, I am putting this blog on hold until baseball season starts in April.
Thanks for reading, and come back soon to help me cheer on the Rangers to victory!!!
Mel
Thanks for reading, and come back soon to help me cheer on the Rangers to victory!!!
Mel
January 13, 2010
TECH COACHES: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Five of Mike Leach’s nine on-field assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, were released on Wednesday as new Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville continued the work of putting a staff together.
Riley
Meanwhile, Tech appeared closer to hiring James Willis, an assistant from national champion Alabama as defensive coordinator. Citing unnamed sources, the Tuscaloosa News reported Wednesday that Willis, 37, had agreed in principle to take the job.
Only offensive line coach Matt Moore and defensive line coach Charlie Sadler are set to return in their current roles. Dennis Simmons, who has been wide receivers coach the last two years, will remain with the athletic department for the time being, but not in the same capacity, Tech officials said.
Let go in addition to McNeill were inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley, running backs coach Clay McGuire, cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and special teams coach Eric Russell. Also out are Dave Emerick, the chief of staff/assistant athletic director who coordinated recruiting, and director of player personnel Antonio Huffman.
Tommy McVay, the director of football operations, has been retained, the Avalanche-Journal learned. McVay also survived the transition from Spike Dykes’ staff to Leach’s 10 years ago.
The released coaches will be paid until June 1, unless they get another job before then, athletic director Gerald Myers said.
Safeties coach Carlos Mainord, 65, said he had made up his mind to retire beforehand.
“It was just time to do it,” Mainord said. “My wife and I had talked about it, whoever came in and whoever got the job, we were ready to retire. I respect Tommy, and know he’ll do a good job. It had nothing to do with the new coach or anybody. It was just time to retire.”
Mainord, who had four stints on the Tech staff starting in 1968, said he and his wife, Judy, have no immediate plans to leave Lubbock. Mainord spent one of his 44 years in coaching on the same University of Miami (Fla.) staff with Tuberville.
There’s a chance the next staff could still have a Mainord family member. Carlos Mainord confirmed that his son, Tommy, has had discussions about joining the Red Raiders’ staff. Tommy Mainord is offensive coordinator at Lamar. He was co-offensive coordinator at Sam Houston State in 2008, the last of his three years there.
Both the Red Raiders’ graduate assistant coaches, Sonny Cumbie on offense and Duane Price on defense, will be back.
Earlier this week, strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie was retained on a six-month trial basis.
Tuberville was hired as head coach on Saturday and made his first major addition on Tuesday, when he chose Neal Brown from Troy to be his offensive coordinator.
“Neal is an excellent young coach, and his offensive philosophy fits perfectly here at Texas Tech,” Tuberville said in a statement released through Tech media relations. “We are going to keep the Air Raid offense alive and well, and Neal’s credentials certainly back that up. He understands this system in and out and has had great success with it at Troy and is excited about coming to Texas Tech and the Big 12 Conference.”
Tech officials said the first media availability for Tuberville and Brown since Tuberville’s introductory news conference will be Thursday.
Brown will have one familiar face on his staff: Moore, the Red Raiders’ offensive line coach the last three years, worked with Brown for one season at Troy.
Meanwhile, on the defensive coordinator front, Willis completed a campus tour of a little less than 24 hours and left Wednesday with no announcement. Willis is associate head coach and linebackers coach at national champion Alabama, where he was in his first year this season. He spent six of the previous eight years on Tuberville’s staff at Auburn.
Story courtesy at www.redraiders.com
Riley
Meanwhile, Tech appeared closer to hiring James Willis, an assistant from national champion Alabama as defensive coordinator. Citing unnamed sources, the Tuscaloosa News reported Wednesday that Willis, 37, had agreed in principle to take the job.
Only offensive line coach Matt Moore and defensive line coach Charlie Sadler are set to return in their current roles. Dennis Simmons, who has been wide receivers coach the last two years, will remain with the athletic department for the time being, but not in the same capacity, Tech officials said.
Let go in addition to McNeill were inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley, running backs coach Clay McGuire, cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and special teams coach Eric Russell. Also out are Dave Emerick, the chief of staff/assistant athletic director who coordinated recruiting, and director of player personnel Antonio Huffman.
Tommy McVay, the director of football operations, has been retained, the Avalanche-Journal learned. McVay also survived the transition from Spike Dykes’ staff to Leach’s 10 years ago.
The released coaches will be paid until June 1, unless they get another job before then, athletic director Gerald Myers said.
Safeties coach Carlos Mainord, 65, said he had made up his mind to retire beforehand.
“It was just time to do it,” Mainord said. “My wife and I had talked about it, whoever came in and whoever got the job, we were ready to retire. I respect Tommy, and know he’ll do a good job. It had nothing to do with the new coach or anybody. It was just time to retire.”
Mainord, who had four stints on the Tech staff starting in 1968, said he and his wife, Judy, have no immediate plans to leave Lubbock. Mainord spent one of his 44 years in coaching on the same University of Miami (Fla.) staff with Tuberville.
There’s a chance the next staff could still have a Mainord family member. Carlos Mainord confirmed that his son, Tommy, has had discussions about joining the Red Raiders’ staff. Tommy Mainord is offensive coordinator at Lamar. He was co-offensive coordinator at Sam Houston State in 2008, the last of his three years there.
Both the Red Raiders’ graduate assistant coaches, Sonny Cumbie on offense and Duane Price on defense, will be back.
Earlier this week, strength and conditioning coach Bennie Wylie was retained on a six-month trial basis.
Tuberville was hired as head coach on Saturday and made his first major addition on Tuesday, when he chose Neal Brown from Troy to be his offensive coordinator.
“Neal is an excellent young coach, and his offensive philosophy fits perfectly here at Texas Tech,” Tuberville said in a statement released through Tech media relations. “We are going to keep the Air Raid offense alive and well, and Neal’s credentials certainly back that up. He understands this system in and out and has had great success with it at Troy and is excited about coming to Texas Tech and the Big 12 Conference.”
Tech officials said the first media availability for Tuberville and Brown since Tuberville’s introductory news conference will be Thursday.
Brown will have one familiar face on his staff: Moore, the Red Raiders’ offensive line coach the last three years, worked with Brown for one season at Troy.
Meanwhile, on the defensive coordinator front, Willis completed a campus tour of a little less than 24 hours and left Wednesday with no announcement. Willis is associate head coach and linebackers coach at national champion Alabama, where he was in his first year this season. He spent six of the previous eight years on Tuberville’s staff at Auburn.
Story courtesy at www.redraiders.com
JAMES WILLIS TO BE NEXT TECH DC
James Willis will be the next assistant coach hired by Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville.
A source said Willis and his family were in Lubbock on Tuesday and that he will become the Red Raiders' new defensive coordinator.
On Tuesday, Tuberville hired Neal Brown as the Red Raiders' offensive coordinator. Brown, 29, was Troy's offensive coordinator the past two seasons.
Willis, 37, comes to Tech after spending the past season as the associate head coach and linebacker coach for Alabama, which just defeated Texas last Thursday for the national championship.
When Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban hired Willis last January, he said:
"I'm extremely pleased and happy to have James join our staff. We tried to go out and hire the best possible coaches when this process started and I'm confident we've done that.
"James has everything you would want in terms of finding an outstanding coach and an outstanding recruiter with a lot of enthusiasm and intensity. He's played in the SEC and the NFL, and grew up and coached in the state of Alabama so he will be able to contribute in many areas and make a positive impact as we continue to build a championship program here at Alabama.''
Alabama finished this past season ranked among the nation's leaders in several defensive categories, including allowing just 244.1 total yards, 166 passing yards, 78.1 rushing yards and just 11.7 points per game.
Born in Huntsville, Ala., Willis was the linebacker coach at Auburn under Tuberville from 2006-'08. He also was the linebacker coach at Temple (2005) and Rhode Island (2004), was a defensive graduate assistant at Auburn under Tuberville (2003), and a student assistant at Auburn in 2001 and '02 under Tuberville.
Willis also played seven seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Philadelphia and Seattle, and was a three-year starter for the Eagles.
Story courtesy of www.star-telegram.com
A source said Willis and his family were in Lubbock on Tuesday and that he will become the Red Raiders' new defensive coordinator.
On Tuesday, Tuberville hired Neal Brown as the Red Raiders' offensive coordinator. Brown, 29, was Troy's offensive coordinator the past two seasons.
Willis, 37, comes to Tech after spending the past season as the associate head coach and linebacker coach for Alabama, which just defeated Texas last Thursday for the national championship.
When Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban hired Willis last January, he said:
"I'm extremely pleased and happy to have James join our staff. We tried to go out and hire the best possible coaches when this process started and I'm confident we've done that.
"James has everything you would want in terms of finding an outstanding coach and an outstanding recruiter with a lot of enthusiasm and intensity. He's played in the SEC and the NFL, and grew up and coached in the state of Alabama so he will be able to contribute in many areas and make a positive impact as we continue to build a championship program here at Alabama.''
Alabama finished this past season ranked among the nation's leaders in several defensive categories, including allowing just 244.1 total yards, 166 passing yards, 78.1 rushing yards and just 11.7 points per game.
Born in Huntsville, Ala., Willis was the linebacker coach at Auburn under Tuberville from 2006-'08. He also was the linebacker coach at Temple (2005) and Rhode Island (2004), was a defensive graduate assistant at Auburn under Tuberville (2003), and a student assistant at Auburn in 2001 and '02 under Tuberville.
Willis also played seven seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Philadelphia and Seattle, and was a three-year starter for the Eagles.
Story courtesy of www.star-telegram.com
TECH FINALIZING TUBERVILLE CONTRACT
Tommy Tuberville’s contract with Texas Tech is expected to be finalized tonight.
But Tuberville made his final decision about his coaching staff earlier in the day, and he didn’t keep many assistants from former coach Mike Leach’s staff.
Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said the assistants from Leach’s staff who Tuberville plans to keep are offensive line coach Matt Moore, defensive ends coach Charlie Sadler and graduate assistant Sonny Cumbie, and wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons will be retained in some capacity.
The assistant coaches who were released include Lincoln Riley (inside receivers), Clay McGuire (running backs), Brian Mitchell (cornerbacks), Carlos Mainord (safeties) and Eric Russell (special teams coordinator).
As for the status of defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, Myers said: “I don’t think Ruffin’s coming back. I haven’t talked to Ruffin, but I’m pretty sure he’s not going to be on the staff.”
McNeill was a finalist for the head-coaching job.
Myers also said the Red Raiders haven’t finalized anything yet on Alabama associate head coach/linebackers coach James Willis, who is expected to be Tech’s new defensive coordinator.
Myers said Tuberville’s five-year contract is worth $8.6 million, plus incentives. Tuberville will receive $1.5 million this year, $1.6 million in 2011, $1.7 million in 2012, $1.8 million in 2013 and $2 million in the final year of his contract in 2014.
“We’re working on finalizing his contract today,” Myers said. “We’re still talking about [Tuberville’s] buyout.”
Story courtesy of www.star-telgram.com
But Tuberville made his final decision about his coaching staff earlier in the day, and he didn’t keep many assistants from former coach Mike Leach’s staff.
Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said the assistants from Leach’s staff who Tuberville plans to keep are offensive line coach Matt Moore, defensive ends coach Charlie Sadler and graduate assistant Sonny Cumbie, and wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons will be retained in some capacity.
The assistant coaches who were released include Lincoln Riley (inside receivers), Clay McGuire (running backs), Brian Mitchell (cornerbacks), Carlos Mainord (safeties) and Eric Russell (special teams coordinator).
As for the status of defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, Myers said: “I don’t think Ruffin’s coming back. I haven’t talked to Ruffin, but I’m pretty sure he’s not going to be on the staff.”
McNeill was a finalist for the head-coaching job.
Myers also said the Red Raiders haven’t finalized anything yet on Alabama associate head coach/linebackers coach James Willis, who is expected to be Tech’s new defensive coordinator.
Myers said Tuberville’s five-year contract is worth $8.6 million, plus incentives. Tuberville will receive $1.5 million this year, $1.6 million in 2011, $1.7 million in 2012, $1.8 million in 2013 and $2 million in the final year of his contract in 2014.
“We’re working on finalizing his contract today,” Myers said. “We’re still talking about [Tuberville’s] buyout.”
Story courtesy of www.star-telgram.com
January 12, 2010
TUBERVILLES FIRST HIRE - NEW OC
New Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville has made his first major hire, the Avalanche-Journal confirmed early Tuesday.
Troy University Offensive Coordinator Neal Brown has been hired to run the offense for the Red Raiders. Brown, 29, has been the youngest coordinator in the Football Bowl Subdivision the last two years with the Trojans.
Brown has been a Kentucky native who played wide receiver in college, for three years at Kentucky and for two years at Massachusetts.
Troy ranked third in the nation in total offense, averaging 485.7 yards per game. The Trojans also were fourth in passing offense (336.5), 16th in scoring average (33.7 points per game) and 60th in rushing offense (149.2 ypg). Troy finished 9-4, losing a 44-41 overtime game to Central Michigan in the GMAC Bowl.
In 2008, the Trojans averaged 32.8 points and 414.2 yards per game, ranking 26th in total offense and 27th in scoring offense.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
Troy University Offensive Coordinator Neal Brown has been hired to run the offense for the Red Raiders. Brown, 29, has been the youngest coordinator in the Football Bowl Subdivision the last two years with the Trojans.
Brown has been a Kentucky native who played wide receiver in college, for three years at Kentucky and for two years at Massachusetts.
Troy ranked third in the nation in total offense, averaging 485.7 yards per game. The Trojans also were fourth in passing offense (336.5), 16th in scoring average (33.7 points per game) and 60th in rushing offense (149.2 ypg). Troy finished 9-4, losing a 44-41 overtime game to Central Michigan in the GMAC Bowl.
In 2008, the Trojans averaged 32.8 points and 414.2 yards per game, ranking 26th in total offense and 27th in scoring offense.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
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