January 08, 2013
Testing 1-2-3
I've neglected my site for a long time. I can't pinpoint the last time I wrote anything substantial because an SQL upgrade damaged my archive, which displays nothing between April 2011 and October 2012. I haven't been that inattentive; see here and here. So, I'll try once again to post more regularly, if still not all that frequently. I like reviewing what I wrote in the past to see if I made any sense.
Posted by Lucas at 11:59 PM
October 06, 2012
I Can't Feel A Thing
Big Star, "Big Black Car," Third, 1974.
Posted by Lucas at 02:38 AM
May 31, 2010
Memorial Day
My grandfather R J Lucas, US Navy, motor machinist's mate, Pacific Theatre:
One of his ships, the USS LCI-397:
1st pic: Young American Patriots: The Youth of South Carolina In World War II. 2nd pic: NavSource Online
Posted by Lucas at 01:46 PM
April 06, 2010
The Question That Answers Itself
followed by
Posted by Lucas at 06:06 PM
March 25, 2010
Max Ramirez Is The Next Micah Owings
There's no other "M Ramirez" with the Rangers, and the link brings up Max's page. He stranded two of Ben Snyder's runners!
Posted by Lucas at 05:49 PM
March 17, 2010
O My Soul
Rest In Peace, Alex Chilton.
Posted by Lucas at 09:01 PM
January 03, 2010
Point - Counterpoint
The top two headlines at NFL.com:
Posted by Lucas at 12:56 PM
December 16, 2009
Finished...
...with player comments for 2010 Hardball Times annual, which have prevented me from offering pithy commentary on recent transactions. Soon, I hope.
Posted by Lucas at 12:34 AM
September 19, 2009
This
Posted by Lucas at 08:30 AM
September 01, 2009
Sports Journamalism
If you put your photos on the interwebs, you're going to see them appropriated for other sites. Usually not a problem unless commercial considerations are involved.
But this caught my eye:
Full article here
So, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution nabbed a photo off my site (scroll to bottom) and attributed it to the Texas Rangers? Really?
Oh, well. I do wish they'd hotlinked the photo instead of copying it directly to their site. A few years ago, an Italian metal band ("Lost Highway" or "Endless Highway" or some such) linked to this photo...
...on its MySpace page. So I replaced it with this:
The band (or its webmaster) didn't notice for three months.
Posted by Lucas at 03:08 PM
March 24, 2009
Rest In Peace, John Brattain
Posted by Lucas at 10:52 PM
March 10, 2009
Let My Voice Soothe Your Soul
Rangers Podcast In Arlington invited me to do another podcast thingee with Jamey Newberg of the Newberg Report and Adam Morris of Lone Star Ball.
Posted by Lucas at 03:10 PM
February 26, 2009
Rule 5 Eligibility List
Here. Also added to the list in yellow at right. It's a work in progress and reasonably accurate, but with 150+ names I'm sure there's some errors somewhere. Use with discretion.
Posted by Lucas at 07:30 PM
January 27, 2009
Rundown Updates
I've posted the 2009 prospect list compendium and created a new format for the 40-man roster. They're also linked in the yellow box to your right.
Posted by Lucas at 10:44 AM
December 16, 2008
2009 Hardball Times Season Preview
Done! 4,900 mesmerizing words (pending edits) about the Rangers, including:
Season recap
Thoughts on manager, management and ownership
Reasons for optimism and pessimism
Likely outcome for 2009
Commentaries of 50-100 words and statistical projections on 35-40 players.
Ordering info here.
Posted by Lucas at 02:37 PM
August 28, 2008
Better Than The Alternative, I Suppose
From here (potentially NSFW)
Posted by Lucas at 06:00 PM
April 11, 2008
Blog Down For A Bit
Work travel + home computer troubles = dull blog. Hope to have something during the weekend.
Posted by Lucas at 11:00 PM
February 15, 2008
New Feature
Prospect Rankings. Also linked on "The Rundown" at right.
Posted by Lucas at 05:47 PM
December 02, 2007
Adventures in Marketing
Barnes and Noble, Austin, 1 Dec 2007.
The 2008 Texas Rangers monthly calendar, featuring Mark Teixeira on the cover! January's photo: Kenny Lofton! December: Teixeira again! Plus Eric Gagne, Brad Wilkerson, and Swingin' Sammy Sosa. Five months of twelve populated by ex-Rangers.
Posted by Lucas at 12:29 AM
August 23, 2007
Not me, not me, not me
Posted by Lucas at 12:50 AM
August 01, 2007
Updated Newberg Report Graphic
Posted by Lucas at 07:07 PM
Still Alive
Work work work.
Trade thoughts coming soon.
Posted by Lucas at 09:08 AM
June 01, 2007
Programming Alert
With the Rangers playing so poorly, my blog has devolved into a litany of wheel-spinning transactions (Koronka! Wood!) and articles placing Texas's awfulness in its proper historical context (the worst team since Nineteen Dickety-Two! We had to say "dickety" because the Kaiser had stolen the word "twenty.").
Fear not, good reader. Here’s what to look forward to this summer from The Rundown:
Pretending the world stopped on September 23, 2004...
Reviews of the hot new video games...
The cultural impact of the Village People’s “New Romantic� look...
Smug, insipid posts about how whatever you’ve done, I did it first, and better..
And irony! Sweet, delicious irony!
 |
 |
|
Posted by Lucas at 01:40 PM
May 19, 2007
"Rundown" Charts Updated
It's becoming a full-time job.
Posted by Lucas at 12:05 PM
April 22, 2007
Adventures In Headline Writing
Look. They’re letting a girl throw out the first pitch! A girl!
Actually, the story’s about an eight-year-old who will be receiving an open-heart operation next week. She’s throwing out the first pitch at the Round Rock - Oklahoma game on Sunday.
Posted by Lucas at 12:07 PM
April 05, 2007
Don't Say I Never Did Anything For You, Part Two
At least Fraley's not around anymore.
Posted by Lucas at 02:02 AM
April 04, 2007
Don't Say I Never Did Anything For You
Here's an Aqua Velva commercial from 1976 featuring Pete Rose and Vic Tayback (click the pic):
You weren't expecting me to write about the Rangers right now, were you?
Posted by Lucas at 11:29 AM
March 12, 2007
Programming Announcement
For the six of you who know me but not Jamey Newberg:
I’ve joined the Newberg Report and will be providing daily recaps on the Ranger minor-league system as well as special reports. I’ll be cross-posting the specials here but not the recaps. If you’d like to read those, you can get them via email or just visit Jamey’s front page which now includes a fine picture of me taken in 1999.
The Rundown will continue unabated.
Posted by Lucas at 11:41 PM
February 01, 2007
New Email Address
At lower right, just below the cat.
More free ice cream coming soon.
Posted by Lucas at 03:23 PM
October 26, 2006
Dear ESPN
It's the "Nippon Ham" Fighters, not the Nippon "Ham Fighters." Anyway, Nippon Ham won its first league championship since 1962, so congrats to once and present potential Rangers manager Trey Hillman.
Posted by Lucas at 10:51 AM
October 16, 2006
Frivilous Announcement
I got married two years ago today. Yay, me.
Posted by Lucas at 06:55 PM
October 03, 2006
Draft History Updated
Statuses of drafted players updated through 2006 season. Feel free to email me if you see any errors. No doubt there's a few.
Posted by Lucas at 01:07 AM
September 18, 2006
Austin City Limits Festival, Day Three
Saw most or all of:
KT Tunstall
Patrice Pike
New Pornographers (1)
Son Volt
Flaming Lips
BoDeans
Saw or heard a little of:
Sam Roberts
Jose Gonzalez (2)
Jack Ingram
Tom Petty
Best of the day:
Flaming Lips
(1) Plagued by sound problems. Frustrating.
(2) Would've seen more had he not played only thirty-five minutes of his hour-long slot. Don't know why he stopped.
Posted by Lucas at 04:59 PM
September 17, 2006
Austin City Limits Festival, Day Two
Saw most or all of:
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Ben Kweller *
Nada Surf
TV On The Radio
Los Lobos
Calexico
What Made Milwaukee Famous
Brazilian Girls
Saw a little of:
Ghostland Observatory
Explosions In The Sky
Willie Nelson
Massive Attack
Best/worst of the day:
Can't decide. They're all winners!
* Set started late and cut short because Kweller had a horrific nosebleed. Literally bleeding on his guitar and piano. He played one song with a tampon stuck up his nose. I'm serious.
Posted by Lucas at 11:47 AM
September 16, 2006
Austin City Limits Festival, Day One
Saw most or all of:
Gnarls Barkley
Cat Power
Thievery Corporation
Van Morrison
Saw a little of:
Wolf Parade
Stars
Okkervil River
Tragically Hip
Best of the day:
Thievery Corporation, just like last year.
Worst of the day:
Van Morrison. Really? Van? Yep. His voice still shines, but the music was the kind of tepid, overly polite jazz-blues-rock amalgam that I despise. Also, too many solos. I'll take passion over instrumental prowess every day.
Posted by Lucas at 12:56 PM
September 10, 2006
How About That… Local Sports Team!
I drove to Round Rock and watched the Express lose to Nashville in Game 4 of the PCL divisional series...
Then I drove to a friend’s house and watched the Longhorns lose to Ohio State...
Then I drove home and watched the Rangers lose in extra innings to Seattle...
But… the friend had Live Oak Big Bark on tap...
And my wife had brought home breakfast tacos from El Chilito this morning...
So the day was okay.
Posted by Lucas at 01:02 AM
April 12, 2006
Baseball To Drink To
My father asked for my margarita recipe over the weekend, but after tonight’s debacle and 2-7 start I believe that every Ranger fan could use an alcoholic beverage. This recipe makes a healthy sized drink and provides an antidote to the too-sweet margaritas of most restaurants.
One part orange liqueur
I strongly discourage you from using Triple Sec, which just isn’t of sufficient quality. I often use Cointreau, though Grand Marnier works just as well. If in Texas and no farther west than Abilene, try Paula’s Texas Orange. While most orange liqueurs taste like candy, Paula’s has a pronounced citrus flavor that gives the drink some pop. It’s also cheaper than Cointreau.
Two parts tequila
The tequila in most restaurant “house” margaritas has a faintly oily tang similar to bad coffee. Buy better tequila, drink it in moderation, and live a richer life. El Jimador Silver works for me most of the time. When splurging, use El Jimador Anejo or something like Centennario Reposado. Incidentally, anejo tequila is aged longer, but the only difference between gold and silver tequila is food coloring. Silver tequila creates a prettier drink.
Four parts lime juice
I use Minute Maid frozen concentrate mixed double strength to impart a proper sweet-and-sour flavor. That is, instead of using 4 1/3 cans of water, use only 2 1/6. In my experience, grocery store brands are inferior, as are Bacardi-type mixers, which are too sweet. A fresh-squeezed lime wedge seals the deal.
A little olive juice
Make your margarita “dirty.” I usually pour the equivalent of a teaspoon or two straight out of the olive jar. I also put a few olives in the bottom of the glass before making the drink. They’re the prize in the Cracker jack box.
Consumed in advance of a Ranger ninth-inning collapse, this margarita will reduce your post-game rage by 50%. Enjoy.
Posted by Lucas at 01:49 AM
March 17, 2006
The Onion Is Funny
Todd Helton Disappointed To Be On Area Man's Fantasy-Baseball Team
DENVER—Shortly after being selected in the second round of a local online fantasy-baseball draft, Rockies All-Star first-baseman Todd Helton announced Monday that he would much rather play for "any of the other 11 teams in the league." "I've played for this guy in the past, and he has no idea how to manage his team, and often loses interest and stops competing after just a couple months," Helton said, referring to Mets 4 Life owner and Trenton-area pizza-delivery man Ryan Sheehy. "Last season, I got off to a bit of a slow start, and the guy benches me the rest of the year in favor of Doug Mientkiewicz. I lose enough as a member of the Rockies. I just wish I could play for a capable manager like [The Damon Connection's] Mike Broberg or [Smilin' Joe Randa's] Garrett Baldwin." Helton added that, if it were worth the effort to find a way to contact Sheehy, he would demand a trade.
Posted by Lucas at 12:33 AM
March 08, 2006
Learned at the World Baseball Classic
Stubby Clapp's wife is named Chastity.
Chastity Clapp.
Also, Gary Majewski's hair is a crime against humanity.
Posted by Lucas at 05:54 PM
January 03, 2006
Gone Fishin'
The Rundown will return soon. Ranger management is forbidden from doing anything interesting in my absence.
Posted by Lucas at 05:17 PM
October 16, 2005
Anniversary
I think the blog anniversary is in a few weeks. This one takes precedence.
Courtney Bissonnet and Scott Lucas, one year ago today.
Photo by the highly recommended Melanie West.
Posted by Lucas at 08:36 PM
October 05, 2005
Fun With Search Strings
At least one Googler has found my site via the following search strings:
building a sub box for an 83 ranger
chris rock routine not old just too old to be in the club
jamey wright bought a house in oklahoma
jason lee scott power rangers
how do you keep a drain water cooler cold
picture of alfonso soriano’s legs
pitchers of white tail spider bites
power ranger on play stash 2
reyes killed on bissonnet in houston
scott lucas day job
traci lords park ranger
walker texas ranger
Yeah, I have a day job. The next set of searches gets a little creepy:
david dellucci’s girlfriend
hank blalock girlfriend
laynce nix girlfriend
michael young texas rangers wife picture
alfonso soriano’s wife
texas rangers kenny rogers wife
kameron loe girlfriend
victor santos girlfriend
does kevin mench have a girlfriend
who is ian kinsler girlfriend
esteban german 2005 wife
scott podsednik girlfriend
rangers baseball groupies
Does Esteban German get a new wife every year? Anyway, in 365 blog entries, the word “girlfriend� appears exactly once, in the last sentence of this entry.
Posted by Lucas at 01:26 AM
July 12, 2005
Song Lyric Of The Day
Jet pilot for a day, washed his sins away
Loves to see the Rangers play
His daddy has a job in Washington
Wants to raise a Harvard son
from "Jet Pilot" on the new album by Son Volt (site has sound)
Posted by Lucas at 05:53 PM
April 18, 2005
Googlemapping Rangers' Spring Training Complex
Posted by Lucas at 02:22 PM
March 22, 2005
Draft Board Upgraded
I've expanded the Status of Draft Picks page significantly. The original page included only the status of the picks from the top ten rounds from 1999-2004. I've added every other draft pick still in the organization and every pick who reached the Majors (whether with Texas or elsewhere).
This is a perpetual work in progress. Email me if you have any corrections.
Posted by Lucas at 12:43 AM
December 03, 2004
No news here
The Rundown will be unavailable during the next week and won't have any information on arbitration-deadline transactions until the 12th or so. In any case, your first choice for commentary should be Jamey Newberg, linked at right.
Posted by Lucas at 11:05 PM
November 05, 2004
Ranger Rundown
Site under construction, loading old columns and transactions.
It looks terrible in IE (switch to Firefox!), but I'm working on it.
Posted by Lucas at 12:02 PM