Everything’s bigger in Texas
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 02, 2007 
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Over 162 games, there are times when the schedule makers seem to conspire against a team. Then there are times like this, when certain series are a gift.
The Yankees are 16-5 against the Rangers over the last three seasons, 9-1 in Texas. In fact, they have won 11 of their last 12 games played at Rangers Ballpark (which is what they’re calling it these days) and have scored 72 runs in those games.
Then there’s Alex Rodriguez. They boo him here like he is Santa Anna. Then he makes them pay for it. In 16 games at Rangers Ballpark since being traded to the Yankees, A-Rod is at .349/.446/.556 with three homers and 10 RBI.
Meanwhile Tom Hicks is paying $10 million of his salary. That can’t make watching the games any fun.
Does the “big” theory go for the lovely Texan ladies as well???
With the Arod situation, thats why I think Brian Cashmanwill do the smart thing and offer Arod a 3 or 4 year extension at the end of the season. He does not want Texas to stop having to pay the 10 million per year they pay on Arod’s existing contract, so the last thing he wants is for Arod to opt out. I really think Yanks will get him to sign an extension after 2007.
As good as A Rod is, he has never played with a collection of talent this good. He is getting proper respect now and his family is happy in NY. I think he may ignore the option after this year but all bets are off after 08.
I dont think Mr Rodriguez has to worry about “money” or an extension.
Why would he want to leave NY? Hes finally comfy in a city and with a team that always has a chance to win.
WHy would he want to start over someplace else?
The guy has an ego like all star athletes. He wants to be known as the greatest player ever. And leaving the worlds biggest stage wouldnt accomplish that.
Whats he gonna do? Go to the Cubs? And be in a situation like he was in in Texas??
my granny could hit in texas
I’d say Tom Hicks is third in line behind Scott Boras and Arte Moreno in salivating at the thought of A-Rod opting out.
Tom Hicks: “Remind me again why I’m paying this guy 10 Million dollars a year to come here and kick the heck out of us?”
(note: The word “heck” used to keep language clean as well as to reflect that Texas twaaaaaaang, with no offense intended. the views of this poster do not reflect the views or attitudes of MLB, The Journal News, or their affiliates.)
What is the deal with the option? If he chooses not to opt out next season is that it? Or can he choose to opt out any point after that.
Chris, he can opt out again after next year (after the 2008 season) only if he is not the highest paid position player that year, which he most likely will be. So, it’s basically this year or never unless another position player gets a higher salary next year.
crg, no comment. But, there are also a lot of beautiful Texan women down there…
Pete, Check this place out if you really want to see what is bigger in Texas.
http://www.billybobstexas.com/
Billy Bob’s Texas
The world’s largest honky tonk
The south has some great looking women. Especially Texas.
“They boo him here like he was Santa Anna.”
Peter, you certainly know how to turn a phrase. And, Thank Goodness for the Texas Rangers.
Hmm Tyler Clippard turned in a pretty good start today, 7IP, 5H, 1BB, 11k’s… candidate to replace Hughes?
Jk, I heard about that place when I was working in Dallas, never made it there though. Isn’t that where you can actually ride a live bull right there in the bar (not just a mechanical one…)?
chris, can your granny play first base or back-up catcher?
Chrises (or is that Chrisi?),
Even if he’s the highest paid position player, Alex can still opt out after next season if he’s not given a $5 million raise. But the way things look at this point, you would have to assume that he would be able to get his best deal after this season.
Chris NY, They have live bull riding at Billy Bobs. You can watch, you can NOT ride the live bull!. There is a small bull ring behind the bar where it all takes place. Its a fun place, worth checking out if you are in the DFW area.
dadofjft, that’s the first I’d heard of that part. Where are you getting that from?
If that’s the case, Texas basically signed a contract that not only lets Alex walk away and leave them with nothing after 7 years and Mack truck full of money, but also forcing themselves to give him a 20% raise. Can an owner fire himself?
jk, that makes much more sense, but I definitely heard it the other way. Bad information… Sounds like a true Texas experience though. I was there for 8 months (only during the week), should’ve gone, but didn’t.
I will second the thought that this opt-out stuff (the terms of it) will all be moot, because the Yankees will give him an extension at year’s end.
I’m so bummed this is their only trip to Texas this year.
Chris NY,
Here’s a link to USA Today’s details on the contract.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....lbfs41.htm
Jesus Christ. Can anyone go just ONE DAY without mentioning A-Rod’s damn contract and opt-out clause?????
Sox fans and anti Yank people have to mention it. Its their only way to try and rip A Rod now.
How can the contract not be brought up right now, they are playing Texas who created the contract in the first place and like Pete said are the ones who are paying Alex/Yankees almost 10 mil for Alex to beat them. This would be the most appropriate time to mention the contract.
Don’t worry about Tom Hicks. He was in Liverpool, UK, celebrating the fantastic Liverpool victory in the Champions League semi final. For those who don’t follow soccer that is the biggest club competition in Europe and Hicks and George Gillette just bought Liverpool FC who are in the final for the 2nd time in 3 years.
To put this achievement into perspective – only the top 4 teams from England qualify (from 20 team league), about as big an achievement as winning an MLB division. The reward for that is to qualify to play against about 30 other teams who were the top teams in their country. No weak links.
If Liverpool win again (as they did in 2005) their run in the tournament will have made them between $80- 100 million. So as the players were drenching him in champagne last night, I doubt ARod was on his mind.