A couple times this year I’ve questioned manager Ron Washington’s use — overuse? — of Rangers’ releiver Neftali Feliz. Like in the season opener, when Wash inserted Feliz to get the final three outs of a 9-5 win. And two days later when Feliz again pitched in a four-run win…
8. We can talk about Brandon Roy’s constant ravaging of Dallas on isolation plays, but to me the biggest possession of the game came with the Mavs up 67-44 late in the third quarter. Instead of a simple bounce pass to a wide-open and cutting Peja Stojakovic that would’ve pushed the lead…
10. As we suspected, Portland’s team is pretty salty. But their fans suck. Booing Mark Cuban is cool. Throwing shit at him is lame. 9. The Mavs are the NBA’s best road team the last two regular seasons, but they’re now 2-14 in their last 16 playoffs games away from…
“Earring-wearing Gay wad.” “Goddamned Moron.” “Ignoramus.” “Troll.” “Idiot.” “Devil’s spawn.” “A product of cousins breeding with cousins.” And my personal favorite: “Jackass.” In the past 24 hours, this bouquet of compliments has been hurled at me — all because I want what’s best for my favorite baseball team, the Texas Rangers…
Not that my mood was helped any by yesterday’s news that NFL lockout mediation would adjourn until perhaps May 16, but yes, thanks for asking, I am already ready for some football. Caught some Jason Garrett on NFL Network this morning (a replay from earlier in the week). The Cowboys’ coach…
An MVP. Almost 23,000 points. Ten All-Star selections. Three-Point shooting contest title. Eleven consecutive seasons of playoff berths with 50-plus wins. One of only four players to average 25 points, 10 rebounds in the postseason. Certain first-ballot Hall of Famer. And a unique skill set that makes him the most…
Let’s face it: If Dirk Nowitzki were black, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. You know the one, where each spring I throw out his accolades as the Mavericks’ elite player and a first-ballot Hall of Famer, only to have some of you swat my argument into the fifth row…
Either reporter Jim Knox deserves a couple Emmys or else his office — otherwise known as the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington — has become baseball’s most fertile field for intriguing off-the-field story lines. Colby Lewis’ post-paternity-leave return to the mound stunk like a bin full of dirty diapers, the Rangers made…
It’s like knowing what you’re getting for Christmas. Being able to shake the gift-wrapped present for confirmation. But then having to wait for what feels like forever to actually open it. It’s the NFL schedule, this year the ultimate tease. With the lockout mired in mediation and the NFL Draft…
10. When the Mavs play with emotion and efficiency, they are tough to beat. Last night the intensity was there courtesy of Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler and the spunky J.J. Barea. And so was the execution, to the tune of a franchise-record low six turnovers — including an almost unfathomable…
Was watching Rangers-Yankees Sunday night on ESPN and was struck by something. As our TV pictures have been more clear via HD, our screens have gotten more cluttered with an avalanche of information. On the screen at one time were graphics for the network, balls, strikes, outs, runners on base,…
Weird game at American Airlines Center last Saturday night. In Game 1 of the Mavs-Blazers first-round series, Jason Kidd made six 3-pointers, Marcus Camby had more assists than Dallas’ point guard and the Mavs shot 19 fourth-quarter free throws to Portland’s two. The Mavs survived an ugly game, but things…
Once upon a time Michael Irvin taught me a journalism lesson. Using a trash can for emphasis. It was back in 1997. The media had descended on Valley Ranch after Irvin’s name surfaced in yet a another police report. This time, he and offensive lineman Erik Williams were accused of…
Couple things here: *Never give the losing score first, even if it’s your team’s score. *With “like three minutes to go” the Mavs led 77-74, courtesy of two Dirk Nowitzki free throws. *Mark Cuban, at least when I saw him, wasn’t wearing a muscle shirt. But, yeah, he kinda was…
Admit it, right now Texas’ 10-5 feels more like 5-10. After Ogando gave up three homers last night, Arthur Rhodes surrendered the game-losing 8th-inning hit to Eric Chavez and Ian Kinsler-Elvis Andrus plunged to a combined 18 for 104 for the season, the Rangers’ 9-1 start feels like months ago. Don’t look…
[jump] 5. Not to be unpatriotic, but the U.S. Navy band playing such current faves as “Mustang Sally” on Victory Plaza seemed a strange pre-game musical choice. Maybe Le Freak, Emerald City, Petty Theft and even Independent George were already booked? Speaking of Victory Plaza, the only joint that can survive…
I know, technically, he’s all the Texas Rangers have to show for the Cliff Lee trade — assuming the $2 million in cash has long since been spent — but what the what am I supposed to be seeing in reliever Mark Lowe? Because I think know I see a guy…
As l’ve learned throughout seasons of covering him at Valley Ranch and last year hosting his weekly radio show on 105.3 The Fan, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware is a good great player but an even better dude. That fact was reiterated this week when Ware confirmed that he will decline $60,000 in…
Game 1 at Dallas Sat. 8:30 (ESPN) Game 2 at Dallas Tue. 8:30 (TNT) Game 3 at Portland Thurs., April 21 9:30 (TNT) Game 4 at Portland Sat., April 23 4:00 (TNT) Game 5 at Dallas Mon., April 25 TBD Game 6 at Portland Thurs., April 28 TBD Game 7 at Dallas …
At 9:30 this morning, a hearing is scheduled in Tarrant County District Court in the matter of Rangers Baseball Express, LLC v. Ballpark Realty Estate L.P. — otherwise known as the battle over close to 12,000 parking spots around the Ballpark in Arlington. To recap, quickly: The Rangers’ current ownership…
Before I serve as an honorary pit crew member on his NASCAR team Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart gives me a word of advice. “Most importantly,” he jokes, “don’t get killed.” My retort? “And you don’t run out of gas.” Somehow I live up to my end…
Dear San Antonio Spurs,Eff you.Sincerely,Dallas Mavericks With a chance to beat the reeling Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night and go a long way toward securing the No. 2 seed in the NBA’s Western Conference Playoffs for the Mavericks, the Spurs decided to rest stars Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and Tim Duncan…
