Major League Texas Rangers

As Rangers' fans, we had the opportunity to enjoy a really short off-season for once. How great was that? Now as the Rangers get ready to open up Spring Training you need to be warned...do not expect anything!

Last year the Rangers made the World Series for the first time in franchise history. It only took them 38 years to do it. Being a realist, there is no way I expect the same thing this year. There are way too many questions and way too much turmoil going on for the Rangers to be expected to give us a World Series run again.

We all know the Rangers lost out on Cliff Lee. Who is going to fill his shoes as the team’s ace? Colby Lewis? CJ Wilson? Gentleman, I know Cliff Lee and you guys are no Cliff Lee. I didn’t even mention CJ had a career high in innings pitched last year. The last time CJ pitched 200+ innings, he had Tommy John surgery the next year. How much does he have left in his arm going into this season? Can he give the team another 200+ season?

What does former Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb have left?

Michael Young is all pissed off again because the Rangers asked him to do “What’s best for the team.” That has to be bad for both locker room moral and team chemistry.

Speaking of chemistry, how is Adrian Beltre going to fit in? He has been known to be a disruptive force in places.

Last year going into the 2010 baseball season, expectations were very low. As a matter of fact, most people picked the Rangers to finish last in the AL West. Quoting the great Lou Brown from Major League "They gave the national media a great big S#!T Burger to eat."

This year the feeling is different and expectations are much higher. This off-season has been all about business. Last year, it seemed like the guys were having fun. I mean who didn’t love the claw and antlers? They didn’t know they shouldn’t be playing that well so as a result they had fun, they won, and it was that simple.

Going into the 2011 season, the Texas Rangers remind me of the awful Lou Brown sequel, Major League II. Do you remember Wild Thing forgetting how to pitch? Do you remember the big name free agent coming in and ruining the chemistry? Do you remember the attitude of the little team who could changing? The similarities are quite spooky. I think the Texas Rangers had a little bit of success last year, and it went to all of their heads in this off-season. Now it’s time for a reality check. I just pray that they don’t get off to bad start come April. If they do stumble out of the gates, it could be Major League 3: Back to the Minors!

Poor Michael Young

Did you know that poor little Mike Young has gotten his feelings hurt and he doesn't want to play for your Texas Rangers anymore? This guy may be the biggest hypocrite in sports! I know that is a bold statement.

For years now we have looked past Michael Young's bitch fits when the Rangers have asked him to change positions for the better of the team. Young, much like a three year-old throwing a temper tantrum, scream and cry all you want but we knew it would all be over soon. Spring Training would come and all is forgiven. Let's play ball.

For his years of dedicated service, Michael Young has become the face of the franchise and has been rewarded with a very generous contract. A contract so generous in fact; the Rangers are having a hard time shopping MY. Oh yes it has come to the "I want to be traded" sports cliche.

Why has the situation deteriorated so much? Because Michael Young is a spoiled brat, that is why! For years now we have had to listen to Mike talk about "Whatever is best for the team". Hell, most of us bought it hook line and sinker and would look past his annual spring training diva bitch fit.

This latest incident is the last straw for this Ranger fan! Michael Young's superstar baseball player ego will not let him accept the role of DH on the Texas Rangers, even though it is best for the team. He seems to think playing DH and being a Utility guy is beneath him.

Hey Mike let me mess you up with some truth..."You are an aging baseball player whose skills are diminishing!" You should feel lucky to even have an organization care enough to keep you around for so long. If all the "What's best for the team" stuff was not crap, then be the Texas Rangers DH and super Utility guy.

Look, if you are the "DH" you will still get your at bats and plenty of field playing time. Kinsler will miss a month and who will get that time at second base? Michael Young, that is who. Elvis and Beltre will need days off and who will get that playing time? You got it...Michael Young.

Michael Young you are the face of The Texas Rangers and a lot of Rangers fans favorite all-time Ranger. It takes years to get that kind of status. Here's a little friendly advice for you: get your ego in check and help your team play into October again. Cowboy, or in this case, Ranger up! Your other option is you could keep acting like a little bitch and demand a trade to another team where you are just another guy. This Ranger fan thinks Michael Young should be to good for that.

larry@bigbadsportsdaddy.com