MikeDoocy's Blog

   Good evening from the Ballpark..where the Rangers tonight open the biggest series of the season so far.  I would have bet big money against ANY series in July actually meaning something for this team.   But credit manager Ron Washington for cleaning up his club-house and credit his players for figuring out a way to keep this thing interesting.

    Texas starts the series 7.5 games behind the Angels in the AL West.  Anaheim's pitching  has  come together, and this team is the best road club in baseball.  It's gonna be nearly impossible for anybody catch this team, let alone the Rangers.

   But usually by this time of the year, with Cowboys camp looming,  local baseball has already become an afterthought.  It's refreshing that these games still hold genunine interest.  If you can call any 93 degree night refreshing.

   A visit to the Ranger clubhouse finds a loose bunch right now,  and for good reason.  With four all-stars,  and a few other guys having all-star calibre seasons,  there's plenty of reason for back-slapping and joke-telling.    But this Ranger team is no joke,  and as the All-Star game approaches credit the folks here on Ballpark Way with taking a huge step in the right direction during the season's first half.