How could you miss the signs?

My computer has been returned, apparently the victim of an alien abduction. How else do you explain the gibberish coming out of it last week? Granted the Rangers had just finished the worst hitting month in over 15 years, had just dropped 2 of 3 to the lowly Padres at home, and had lost the first game of a 3 game set with the Angels dropping them out of first for the first time in 2 months, but only some unintelligent life from another world would jump to the conclusion that the Rangers were done. Yes there were 2 games left with the Angels and the Rays were coming to town followed by 7 on the road with the Angels and Mariners, but who in their right mind would predict that the Rangers would finish 4-8 in those remaining games. I for one knew that couldn’t be the case as evidenced by the Rangers winning the 2 remaining games with the Angels, sweeping the Rays, and then winning the series in Anaheim.

I mean, come on, it was there for all to see. Hank Blalock was primed to hit game winning home runs, Tommy Hunter was obviously a solid starter on the rise, and I think it was clear that Andruw Jones was about to return to 2005 form. And of course I had no doubt that once the Rangers got to Anaheim they would take care of business and spank the Angels in the first 2 games of that series, but apparently alien civilizations don’t have access to the information or insight that I do.

Since that loss to Anaheim a week ago, the Rangers have won 7 of 9 (including 4 of 5 against LAA) , returned to 1st place, sent Chris Davis to AAA, and the duo of Blalock and Jones has carried the Rangers offensively. I’m not surprised, the evidence was there. Only someone that has not watched these Rangers all year would be expecting a fall. I apologize for the mess coming from this computer last week; it was evidently at the hands of someone who doesn’t understand this Ranger team. Hey move over!! Man this bandwagon is getting crowded.

Why Are We Voting for Ian Kinsler?

Last week, Major League Baseball announced the All Star selections for this year’s mid-season classic. Despite leading the fan vote throughout the entire first-half of the season, Ian Kinsler was edged out by Boston 2nd baseman, Dustin Pedroia. Kinsler has been named as one of five players added to the “Final Vote” group. The “Final Vote” selection provides fans with the ability to vote-in one additional player in each league that did not originally earn a roster spot.

If you are a Ranger fan or have watched any recent Ranger games, you have undoubtedly seen numerous marketing messages imploring you to vote for Ian Kinsler. I can understand why the Texas Ranger organization would want another representative at the All Star game. I can understand why Ranger fans would hope to see another Ranger make the trip to St. Louis.

I don’t understand why any non-Ranger fan/employee would vote for Ian Kinsler. Kinsler has some impressive numbers: 20 homeruns; more than 50 RBI; 16 stolen bases. That all looks impressive – but he hasn’t been nearly as good as his numbers would suggest.

In April, Kinsler produced a ridiculous .322/.384/.656 line. He was one of the best players in baseball and it appeared that he had carried momentum from his great 2008 season into 2009. Then the calendar turned to May.

Since May 3rd, Kinsler has seen his average drop from .337 to .253; he has seen his OPS drop from 1.092 to .831 and his offensive presence has all but disappeared. In fact, since his hot April start, Kinsler has produced the very ugly line of .231/.320/.462 with an OPS of .782.

If you dig deeper, you will find a more disturbing statistic: while producing a .955 OPS at offensive-inclined Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, he has wilted on the road, posting a measly .679 OPS.

Kinsler has played well during one month of 2009, he has been a non-factor on the road and he just ended an 0-23 slump. Sorry Ranger fans, I just don’t think that resume shouts “All Star selection.”