What do you guys think about this.

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The Texas Rangers will honor firefighter Shannon Stone, who was killed at the park earlier this year, with a bronze statue that should be in place for the 2012 season.

The statue, which will also feature Stone’s six-year old son Cooper, is tentatively titled Rangers Fans and will likely be on display by the home-plate entrance at Rangers Ballpark.

“We feel that this statue will be a most fitting tribute,” Rangers president Nolan Ryan said. “It will not only serve to honor Mr. Stone’s memory but also recognize Rangers fans and baseball fans everywhere. I have discussed the project with Jenny Stone, and she and the Stone family will be involved in the design and creation of the statue.”

Jenny Stone, Shannon Stone’s widow, said in the statement that the family was appreciative of Ryan and the Rangers. The statement also said that the family hoped the statue would be “a reminder of the importance of a family’s love — love of each other, love of spending time together, and love of the game.”

Stone was killed in a fall from the stands in left field while trying to catch a ball thrown by Rangers outfielder July 7 during a game. He was a 39-year-old firefighter from Brownwood who was at the game with his son.

Since Stone’s death, the Rangers have made plans to raise all the railings on the front rows of seats at the ballpark to 42 inches. There are also new signs warning against leaning on the rails and a public-service message is played before every game.

The statue will be the third at the ballpark. Statues of Ryan and Tom Vandergriff were dedicated in 1997 and are in Vandergriff Plaza just inside the centerfield entrance.

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That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Gotta run!.

May 25, 2011 (ARLINGTON, Texas) —
The Texas Rangers wouldn’t have minded sitting through a lengthy rain delay. Not if they’d won.

Carlos Quentin spoiled things for the Rangers with his first three-homer game as Texas fell to the Chicago White Sox 8-6 on Tuesday night in a game that was halted for 2 hours and 58 minutes by heavy rain and hail that sent fans scurrying for cover throughout the ballpark.

“It’s tough because we lost, but if we would have won the game we would have been happy that we played,” Rangers outfielder David Murphy said. “It’s just because of the result. It’s tough but we’re not going to make that an excuse…. It’s not like we were flat. It’s just every time we did something they counterpunched. That was a difficult thing.”

Quentin became the fifth major league player in 13 days to homer three times in a game, joining Carlos Beltran, Jose Bautista, Jason Giambi and Corey Hart, who did it Monday night.

Quentin hit two off starter Derek Holland, and the third in the ninth off Dave Bush.

Umpires suspended play at 8:23 p.m. before the storm actually hit to allow the infield to be covered by the tarp. Rain began falling about 10 minutes later, and hail followed accompanied by winds gusting to more than 60 mph.

Fans were at first evacuated from the upper deck to the lower seating bowl. Later, they were moved from the stadium concourse as a precaution against the hail and potential tornadoes, retreating to the tunnels beneath the ballpark.

No tornadoes were reported near Rangers Ballpark, and stadium operations director Rob Matwick said fans were “as safe as they can be” under the conditions.

The game resumed in the bottom of the fourth with the White Sox ahead 4-2.

Texas tied it at 4 with a two-run fifth on Elvis Andrus’ RBI double and Michael Young’s sacrifice fly.

But Adam Dunn, in a 3-for-33 slide, hit a leadoff homer in the sixth off Brett Tomko (0-1) to put Chicago back in front. Brent Morel’s RBI single later in the inning made it 6-4.

Mitch Moreland’s run-scoring single in the sixth off Chris Sale got the Rangers within 6-5, but Dunn’s RBI double in the seventh restored Chicago’s two-run pad.

Moreland scored from third on Andrus’ double-play grounder in the eighth to close the gap to 7-6, but Quentin’s third homer of the night with nobody on in the ninth made it 8-6.

“It was long, obviously,” Young said. “It would have been fine if we’d gotten a ‘W.’ But their bullpen did a good job and Quentin had a big night.”

The teams had a short turnaround before Wednesday’s series finale scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

“Go back to the house, get some sleep and come back ready to play,” Young said.

Tony Pena (1-1) allowed two runs and three hits in one inning but earned the win.

When play got back under way, both starters were done for the night.

Chicago’s Jake Peavy, who allowed two runs and five hits in three innings, was replaced by Will Ohman.

Tomko came in for Holland, who gave up four runs and four hits in four innings.

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, in his second game since missing 36 with a broken bone in his right shoulder sustained on a headfirst slide, slid headfirst into first on an infield single in the eighth. Hamilton then dove headfirst into second on a stolen base, and into third on a wild pitch before he was stranded there.

“Josh is fine,” said a supportive Rangers manager Ron Washington. “He’s just playing baseball. It’s his insticts. I don’t expect him to change.”

NOTES: Rangers RHP Brandon Webb allowed four runs — one earned — and six hits during a 79-pitch outing in extended spring training in Arizona. Webb struck out five, hit two batters with pitches, and didn’t issue a walk. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from right rotator cuff surgery, with no timetable for his debut with the Rangers. … The wind was blowing so hard in the bottom of the third that White Sox CF Alex Rios raced in to catch Nelson Cruz’s flyball after Rios initially took a few steps back on the drive. … Rangers 35-year-old RHP Yoshinori Tateyama made his major league debut, becoming the fourth Japanese native to pitch for Texas. Tateyama got two outs in the seventh, allowing one hit and one run.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – The Texas Rangers wouldn’t have minded sitting through a lengthy rain delay. Not if they’d won.

Carlos Quentin spoiled things for the Rangers with his first three-homer game as Texas fell to the Chicago White Sox 8-6 on Tuesday night in a game that was halted for 2 hours and 58 minutes by heavy rain and hail that sent fans scurrying for cover throughout the ballpark.

“It’s tough because we lost, but if we would have won the game we would have been happy that we played,” Rangers outfielder David Murphy said. “It’s just because of the result. It’s tough but we’re not going to make that an excuse…. It’s not like we were flat. It’s just every time we did something they counterpunched. That was a difficult thing.”

Quentin became the fifth major league player in 13 days to homer three times in a game, joining Carlos Beltran, Jose Bautista, Jason Giambi and Corey Hart, who did it Monday night.

Quentin hit two off starter Derek Holland, and the third in the ninth off Dave Bush.

Umpires suspended play at 8:23 p.m. before the storm actually hit to allow the infield to be covered by the tarp. Rain began falling about 10 minutes later, and hail followed accompanied by winds gusting to more than 60 mph.

Fans were at first evacuated from the upper deck to the lower seating bowl. Later, they were moved from the stadium concourse as a precaution against the hail and potential tornadoes, retreating to the tunnels beneath the ballpark.

No tornadoes were reported near Rangers Ballpark, and stadium operations director Rob Matwick said fans were “as safe as they can be” under the conditions.

The game resumed in the bottom of the fourth with the White Sox ahead 4-2.

Texas tied it at 4 with a two-run fifth on Elvis Andrus’ RBI double and Michael Young’s sacrifice fly.

But Adam Dunn, in a 3-for-33 slide, hit a leadoff homer in the sixth off Brett Tomko (0-1) to put Chicago back in front. Brent Morel’s RBI single later in the inning made it 6-4.

Mitch Moreland’s run-scoring single in the sixth off Chris Sale got the Rangers within 6-5, but Dunn’s RBI double in the seventh restored Chicago’s two-run pad.

Moreland scored from third on Andrus’ double-play grounder in the eighth to close the gap to 7-6, but Quentin’s third homer of the night with nobody on in the ninth made it 8-6.

“It was long, obviously,” Young said. “It would have been fine if we’d gotten a ‘W.’ But their bullpen did a good job and Quentin had a big night.”

The teams had a short turnaround before Wednesday’s series finale scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.

“Go back to the house, get some sleep and come back ready to play,” Young said.

Tony Pena (1-1) allowed two runs and three hits in one inning but earned the win.

When play got back under way, both starters were done for the night.

Chicago’s Jake Peavy, who allowed two runs and five hits in three innings, was replaced by Will Ohman.

Tomko came in for Holland, who gave up four runs and four hits in four innings.

Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton, in his second game since missing 36 with a broken bone in his right shoulder sustained on a headfirst slide, slid headfirst into first on an infield single in the eighth. Hamilton then dove headfirst into second on a stolen base, and into third on a wild pitch before he was stranded there.

“Josh is fine,” said a supportive Rangers manager Ron Washington. “He’s just playing baseball. It’s his insticts. I don’t expect him to change.”

NOTES: Rangers RHP Brandon Webb allowed four runs – one earned – and six hits during a 79-pitch outing in extended spring training in Arizona. Webb struck out five, hit two batters with pitches, and didn’t issue a walk. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from right rotator cuff surgery, with no timetable for his debut with the Rangers. … The wind was blowing so hard in the bottom of the third that White Sox CF Alex Rios raced in to catch Nelson Cruz’s flyball after Rios initially took a few steps back on the drive. … Rangers 35-year-old RHP Yoshinori Tateyama made his major league debut, becoming the fourth Japanese native to pitch for Texas. Tateyama got two outs in the seventh, allowing one hit and one run.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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CBSSports.com wire reports
May 25, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Carlos Quentin hit three home runs and the Chicago White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 8-6 on Tuesday night in a game delayed nearly three hours by heavy rain and hail that sent fans scurrying for cover throughout the ballpark.

Fans were moved from the upper deck to the lower seating bowl and then told to take cover in tunnels beneath the ballpark as a storm approached that halted play in the fourth inning.

The game finally resumed after a delay of 2 hours, 58 minutes, and few fans were left when the final out was recorded at 1:27 a.m. CDT.

Quentin had his first career three-homer game and slumping Adam Dunn hit a tiebreaking shot for the White Sox.

Quentin became the fifth major league player in 13 days to homer three times in a game, joining Carlos Beltran, Jose Bautista, Jason Giambi and Corey Hart, who did it Monday night.

Umpires suspended play at 8:23 p.m. before the storm actually hit to allow the infield to be covered by the tarp. Rain began falling about 10 minutes later, and hail followed accompanied by winds gusting to more than 60 mph.

Fans were at first evacuated from the upper deck to the lower seating bowl. Later, they were moved from the stadium concourse as a precaution against the hail and potential tornadoes, retreating to the tunnels beneath the ballpark.

No tornadoes were reported near Rangers Ballpark, and stadium operations director Rob Matwick said fans were “as safe as they can be” under the conditions.

The game resumed in the bottom of the fourth with the White Sox ahead 4-2.

Texas tied it at 4 with a two-run fifth on Elvis Andrus’ RBI double and Michael Young’s sacrifice fly.

Dunn was in a 3-for-33 slide when his leadoff home run in the sixth off Brett Tomko (0-1) put Chicago back in front. Brent Morel’s RBI single later in the inning made it 6-4.

Mitch Moreland’s run-scoring single in the sixth off Chris Sale got the Rangers within 6-5, but Dunn’s RBI double in the seventh restored Chicago’s two-run pad.

Moreland scored from third on Andrus’ double-play grounder in the eighth to close the gap to 7-6, but Quentin’s third homer of the night with nobody on in the ninth off Dave Bush made it 8-6.

Tony Pena (1-1) allowed two runs and three hits in one inning but earned the win as the White Sox won for the sixth time in eight games.

Sergio Santos got four outs for his seventh save in eight chances.

Quentin pulled a two-out solo shot into the left-field seats in the first to give the White Sox the lead.

Chicago starter Jake Peavy issued his first walk of the season in his third outing when Ian Kinsler drew a base on balls leading off the game. Kinsler advanced to second on a groundout and scored on Josh Hamilton’s single.

In the third, Quentin hit a high drive into the right-field stands off Derek Holland for a 4-1 advantage, marking Quentin’s 12th career multihomer game.

Young’s sacrifice fly in the third pulled Texas within 4-2.

When play got back under way, both starters were done for the night.

Peavy, who allowed two runs and five hits in three innings, was replaced by Will Ohman.

Tomko came in for Holland, who gave up four runs and four hits in four innings.

Notes

Rangers RHP Brandon Webb allowed four runs — one earned — and six hits during a 79-pitch outing in extended spring training in Arizona. Webb struck out five, hit two batters with pitches, and didn’t issue a walk. The 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner is on the 60-day disabled list recovering from right rotator cuff surgery, with no timetable for his debut with the Rangers. … The wind was blowing so hard in the bottom of the third that White Sox CF Alex Rios raced in to catch Nelson Cruz’s flyball after Rios initially took a few steps back on the drive. … Rangers 35-year-old RHP Yoshinori Tateyama made his major league debut, becoming the fourth Japanese native to pitch for Texas. Tateyama got two outs in the seventh, allowing one hit and one run. … Hamilton, in his second game since missing 36 with a broken bone in his right shoulder sustained on a headfirst slide, slid headfirst into first on an infield single in the eighth. Hamilton then dove headfirst into second on a stolen base, and into third on a wild pitch before he was stranded there.

Thanks for reading! .

A violent thunderstorm and the threat of tornadoes stopped the Texas Rangers-Chicago White Sox game in the fourth inning on Tuesday night and authorities went even farther with their precautions, evacuating fans from the stands at Rangers Ballpark.

With civil defense sirens blaring because the Arlington area was under a tornado warning, fans were directed away from seating areas — many through the ballpark’s dugouts — and were reportedly funneled to underground tunnels inside the park.

Officials probably did not want to take any chances, considering the recent destruction in Joplin, Mo. and elsewhere because of tornadoes.

Hail the size of golf balls came down after the grounds crew put the tarp on the field.

Watch the hail come down

Reporters on the scene (and folks watching on TV) tweeted ominous photos of clouds, precipitation coming down and fans filing through any open exit.

Thankfully, the line of storms yielded no tornadoes. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News wondered where all of the fans were going to go, because they all didn’t seem to fit underneath the ballpark where they were being directed. 

About 15 minutes after the hail storm, fans began returning to their seats and the grounds crew removed the tarp — though another line of storms had been predicted to come through, so they immediately put it back on.

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Related: Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

(Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - The Texas Rangers filed a lawsuit Wednesday against former owner Tom Hicks, claiming a breach of contract involving the use agreement of the ballpark parking lots.

Hicks controls all 11,679 parking spaces surrounding the ballpark, by direct ownership or through a leasehold with the city of Arlington.

The 13-lots surrounding the Ballpark in Arlington weren’t included in the sale of the stadium last summer. Although the Rangers are responsible for the maintenance, operation and upkeep of the nearly 12,000 spots, no lease agreement exists between the parties. The Rangers do, however, divide some of the profits generated from the lots to Hicks’  group, BRE.

Hicks is now looking to renegotiate the exisiting deal. Discussions between both groups are still ongoing, but a $3.5 million dollar a year lease was proposed.

In the recent bankruptcy deal with new team owners Rangers Ballpark Express, the ownership group headed by Nolan Ryan, Hicks maintained control of the ballpark’s parking lots through his company Ballpark Real Estate, L.P. The Texas Rangers are now suing Hicks, calling his plan to raise parking rates “price gouging” and his actions “despicable.”

According to BRE, the Rangers do not currently lease the lots at the Ballpark. But Hicks says it’s now time to strike a deal. The Rangers, worried that Hicks will charge too high a price, sued BRE and asked for a temporary restraining order, allowing them to keep existing parking prices.

“Ticket prices are high enough; it’s high everywhere you go – even at Cowboys Stadium, just to park your car,” fan Paul Middleton said.

“The Rangers have known since July 2010 that in order to control all parking issues, the club would have to purchase the land or come to a new agreement with Ballpark Real Estate,” a statement from the ownership group read. “We are confident this will be resolved soon.”

Right now, it costs $10 to park at the ballpark, $5 for a Friday game.

Under the TRO, the Rangers requested the following from BRE: “Prohibiting BRE from interfering with fans arriving at a Texas Rangers baseball game by way of charging them more than $10 for parking on BRE property or more than $5 for parking on all Friday home games.”

“Mr. Hicks and Ballpark Real Estate guarantee to provide parking for Texas Rangers fans with absolutely no disruptions while BRE and Rangers Express finalize a new deal on the use of property owned by BRE,” read a BRE statement.

For fans, it’s the uncertainty that has them wondering if this could possibly affect their bottom line and their ability to afford to see a game in person.

“Well, you plan ahead you think you need this much money to take the family and have a good time then if they do that – to go from $10 to $25, yeah – it’s a big difference,” said Rangers fan Frank Munoz.

CBSDFW.com reported on this  impending situation on March 29th. Read the article here.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said prices would double. BRE says that is not the case. That information has been removed.

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Texas Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba, left, congratulates closing pitcher Neftali Feliz after the Rangers defeated the Seattle Mariners, 3-2, in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. (Ron T. Ennis/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

Matt and Taylor. Such a great pair of names for an adorable couple. That is…until you watch the video clip below.

The couple took in a Texas Rangers-Seattle Mariners game one night before their pending wedding at the ballpark. A Fox Sports Southwest reporter, Jim Knox, attempted to get a fun interview with the cutesy couple, but got more than he bargained for when Matt made a startling comment.

Knox – “You guys are getting married at the ballpark tomorrow morning. Matt, how does it feel?

Matt – “ Uh, it’s gonna be the worst day of my life.”

Knox – “Really? Wow, uh, you’re gonna get some good remarks [sic?] for that one. Why the ballpark, Taylor?

Wow, awkward. I wonder how that wedding went the next day.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

By now, it’s no secret that I’m a Texas Rangers fan.

Growing up in Fort Worth, I’ve watched their games as long as I can remember, and trips to old Arlington Stadium and the Ballpark in Arlington helped shape my unhealthy love for baseball.

And as a lifelong Rangers fan, I’ve always had an appreciation for Michael Young and his approach to the game.

So as you can imagine, the fractured relationship between Young and Rangers general manager Jon Daniels that may end the 34-year-old’s tenure in Arlington has been something of a sore spot for me in recent days. In fact, I’ve lost sleep the past couple of nights scouring internet message boards and on-line news sites for the latest on Young’s discontent, the Rangers’ response, possible trade destinations, etc.

Put plainly, I’ve been both saddened and sickened with the way this whole situation has played out so far.

Saddened by the reality that Young’s 11-year tenure in Texas could end bitterly, which hardly feels right given the way he’s handled himself all these years and all he’s done for his organization.

And sickened by the fact that a situation so avoidable has made the aforementioned prospect feel inevitable.

Young’s rather pointed comments Monday evening about his treatment this offseason by Daniels certainly make it feel that way.

“I want to be traded because I have been manipulated and misled in this process and I’m not going to take it anymore.” he said.

And the backlash by a surprising number of Rangers fans who have painted Young as an entitled whiner have only added to that feeling.

But while others have spent the past two days blaming Young and claiming Daniels the winner in a feud that has already become too personal and public, all I can see is the loser in all this: the Rangers, who will certainly miss Young’s contributions both on and off the field when he’s gone.

And with that in mind, I can’t help wish more would have been done by the Rangers’ brass to keep this situation from growing into what it has. And I can’t help but hope this schism isn’t irreparable.

Now before I go any further, it’s important to mention I don’t think Young is free of blame here. His public airing of grievances has helped turn what should have been private matter resolved behind closed doors into the full-fledged mess it’s become.

And it also took all leverage away from the Rangers in trade talks, who already faced challenges due to the $48 million owed to Young over the next three years.

But I also can’t join those who believe the blame stops at Young, who has seen his defense decline dramatically in recent seasons and is compensated more than fairly at $16 million a year.

Some say for what he’s making, he should do what he’s told and play where he’s told to and shut his mouth. I can’t.

Because I don’t believe that Young’s beef is with the position change from third base to designated hitter — his third such move since 2004 — but instead with a perceived lack of appreciation and respect from Daniels. And frankly, I think he’s right.

Jon Daniels’ words and actions haven’t matched this offseason.

After signing third baseman Adrian Beltre and having Young agree to a move to DH, Daniels said publicly the Rangers weren’t seeking to trade their former third baseman, yet Young’s name has showed up routinely in trade rumors since. He also said then that Young’s at-bats weren’t at jeopardy only to court fellow DHs Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez and trade for Mike Napoli, who would get at least some of his playing time at Young’s expense.

If I was Young, and felt as though I was being pushed off the team I helped bring to prominence, I would be upset too.

I would feel just like he does, that I had shown enough loyalty to this organization to have earned the same level of professionalism and honesty that I had always brought to the table.

But at least from Young’s perspective, that hasn’t happened.

And that, to me, is what makes this whole ordeal so frustrating. Had the Rangers’ front office and Young been on the same page about their 2011 plans, he would be preparing for his new and more suitable role at DH and providing the Rangers’ lineup with a level of versatility rarely seen on major league rosters.

But because of a perceived slight and lack of communication, that will no longer be the case.

And to me, the problem is solely communication because both Daniels and Young have done great things in their respective fields. Young’s offensive accomplishments speak for themselves and Daniels’ many moves, including those involving Young, have helped turn the Rangers into a contender.

His decision to move Young to third in 2009 to open up shortstop for Elvis Andrus was absolutely the right one. And moving him to DH in favor of the slick-fielding Beltre this year was as well.

But with moves like that, it’s all about the implementation, and that requires a delicate touch and a level of tact Daniels may lack.

That’s Young’s perception any way.

And when talking about the so-called “face of the franchise,” perception is reality. And sadly, it’s looking more and more like the Rangers’ reality no longer includes Young.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.