Rangers angst. No really, I mean it this time
Jeff Edwards

It is very hard to be taken seriously as a Rangers fan when saying that you are upset with the team. Still, believe me when I say – as a lifelong fan – that my angst has never run deeper or truer than over the last few weeks. Losing seasons I can handle. And handle. And handle. And handle more. The cloud of wretched stink around this team over the last few weeks would repel Booger from “Revenge of the Nerds”.
 
The anger and frustration is twofold. There are two distinct entities at fault for these feelings, both culpable and deserving of wrath and scorn. The first is the two-headed monster of the HartHicks. One head alternately spits forth money and then sucks it back in without hesitation, crushing the souls of fans in the process. The other cranium wears sunglasses a lot, avoids the media and gives empty platitudes about “building for the future”. I think there may be some mention of all this in Revelation, or maybe I just need a better translation. Maybe I dreamed it. Best to stop eating mushrooms before bed.
 
The second party, perhaps less responsible than the former for my current mindset, is Alex Rodriguez himself, and I shall dispense with him first. Although painted by many as just a regular guy and innocent, I’m not buying it. He is truly the best player in the world when all one considers is on-the-field work. No one plays better, harder and with more desire to get the job done than Alex. The statistics bear this out, and to all who question his true passion for the game, I question your logic.
 
However, let us consider the off-field ARod. True, he was a hired gun, he initially promised to make his home here. If by ‘home’ he meant ‘house’, perhaps he can be given a pass, but even then he returned to his ‘other home’ in Miami at every chance. Live where you want, Arod, but at least don’t insult our intelligence. You made your home in Texas in the same manner that Hillary and Bill are lifelong New-Yorkers that just have improbable Arkansas accents.
 
And outside of the ‘home’, where was he? I am something of a sports-talk radio junkie at times, and I can honestly say that I never once – not once – during his tenure here heard an interview with a local radio show, heard of any public appearance on behalf of himself or the team, or basically heard his name connected with anything in the community. And no, none of this was contractual, but I expect more from someone making a quarter of a billion from the local economy. Members of the Dallas Cowboys look like civic leaders compared to ARod. My local car-wash gives more back to the community.
 
All that can perhaps be forgiven to a point. However, within the same work week that ARod was named a Yankee, his pre-recorded message already graced the phone lines for Yankee season tickets. He did more PR work for the Yankees in one week than for the Rangers in three years.
 
Beyond this, he continued to pay lip service to the idea that he loved the Rangers and loved playing in Texas .Here is a portion of a quote from January 25 in a release relating to his naming as team captain:
 
“…I definitely hope to be here at least seven years and then ask Mr. Hicks if we can negotiate into my 40s.”
 
Yes, Arod was so enamored with this idea that he was willing to write a check to the Rangers for millions each year in order to escape to Boston. Once the Players’ Union said no to this, he was willing to change his position on the field as a sweetener. So locked in was he to Texas that – according to the press conference held to announce his trade – it was he and his agent that approached the Rangers about New York as a possibility. One side note: Rodriguez’s agent is Scott Boras, and I could easily fill many more pages ranting about his sins. I am not giving him a pass here, just ignoring him in hopes that he and his kind will go away.
 
Let us deal now with the hated monstrosity that dwells in Arlington, the HartHicks. It thrashes about angrily, defending its territory and decision-making ability while ignoring the cries of the peasant fans at the gates. Unfortunately for the hungry fellow, the fans are losing interest and wandering away in the direction of the American Airlines Center, any nearby television or their local Hooters locations instead.
 
The reason I combine the names Hart and Hicks is that there really is no difference when discussing them in terms of public image. Whatever half-truth or scheme is in the works that particular week is uttered by one and parroted by the other. The best espoused the glowing potential of Chan Ho Park and then never admitted the lack of such later. It threw giant sacks of cash at dubious has-beens and never-weres (John Rocker? Todd Van Poppel? Dan Miceli?) and then quietly traded or released them. It signed the largest contract in the history of money and then traded the related MVP later. These are lockstep decisions without a hint of dissention, remorse or doubt. Continuing to tout things like the promise of Chan Ho Park at this point is akin to Dr. Phil writing a diet book with a straight face. Oh, wait…..
 
But the baseball moves are not the most fearsome and loathsome characteristic of the Siamese abomination. No, it is the arrogance and lack of any concern for fans that truly completes the picture.
 
Consider first one move that is emblematic of this attitude: the Winter Carnival. For over fifteen years, the Rangers have annually held this festival at the adjacent Arlington Convention Center – and within the Ballpark itself - for fans and onlookers. Lest anyone think this an act of charity, admission was charged and space rented to vendors. Regardless, year after year, I witnessed the growing crowds of the ardent fan and the simply curious. Parking spaces have been at a premium lately.
 
Thus, new for 2004 we have the cancellation of said carnival. According to various sources, John Hart announced that it was essentially little more than a glorified baseball card show. Thank you, Hart head of the duo. I’ll explain this to my daughter as the reason she doesn’t get to go and kick the soccer ball, hit the whiffle ball, run the bases and maybe go fishing in the pond next to the stadium. I myself will also closely consider your touching words while wondering why I was denied the chance to see interviews with current and former players throughout the day. The fans loved this event, but then, we were never really asked for an opinion. Oh – and please no glorification of the April event at the Ballpark intended to substitute. It is being positioned as a meet-and-greet, and all it takes is a ticket stub from a regular season game to get in. Anyone but me see the motivation there?
 
Ah, but the pair’s deception reaches deeper. ARod was named team captain – and mysteriously, obviously a vast, vast, vast, vast coincidence – just days before the other winter event – the Winter Banquet. What a fortuitous happening, since this also happens to be the biggest season-ticket propaganda event of the year. Obviously many fans felt as I did about the situation to this point, as the turnout was reportedly the lowest in at least a decade. To add a further slap to those in attendance at the event, the Hart head of the serpent did not even bother to show up. He was having his cyborg chip replaced by the newer version and getting his shades de-fused from his temples.
 
Let us also not forget the February 7 “Select-a-Seat” party at the Ballpark for mini-plan purchasers. Add to this the cherry-on-top of the letter from Tom Hicks to season ticket holders declaring that everything is fine now in Rangerland, ARodland, the Middle East, Haiti and all other war-torn lands.

Bang. February 16, 2004. Alex Rodriguez, reigning MVP, traded to the New York Yankees for an error-machine at second base, two boxes of “slightly irregular” baseballs and two calzones from Steinbrenner’s favorite deli. I think George Costanza was mentioned too, but talks about this apparently broke down.
 
Hicks, of course, maintains his claims of innocence in all this, but please consider the following quotes:
 
“Obviously, absolutely there are no trade talks and this trade has been put to bed,” Hicks said. “We are in a go-forward position with Alex. He is here for seven years and we will go forward.”  -January 25 th press release from the Rangers.
 
“I’m disappointed that some people in the media have piled on to the concept that I’ve lied to the fans.” –February 26 th interview with Evan Grant in the Dallas Morning News.
 
Yes, you are a blameless saint, Tom. And thank you for clarifying further at the press conference announcing the ARod trade. I especially enjoyed the moment when a reporter asked if you would be offering refunds or concessions to season ticket buyers. It was for me a poignant time when I heard you chuckle slightly and announce that no, there would be nothing of the sort. I was almost moved to tears by your love and compassion for the fans.
 
There are other points of contention to be chronicled. The direction of the team in general changes more often than John Kerry’s political stances. At any given time, there may be an open bank account, a reduction in payroll, a rebuilding year or a long-term plan for the future. It seemingly depends on the state of Tom Hicks’ personal finances and whim as malevolent dictator that week.
 
Consider that Rafael Palmeiro’s status with the team was so mismanaged that he – one of the most beloved in Ranger history – now wants no part of the team and will likely request that his Hall-of-Fame plaque be inscribed with an Oriole logo. It’s fine to say goodbye when a player’s time has gone, but is there a need to cast him off like some bizarre baseball reality show contestant. Hart is no Trump. Hearing him say, “You’re fired,” might qualify as humor.
 
Likewise, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was allowed to leave with no struggle. While perhaps a wise baseball move in itself, the talk floated by the team was that Pudge did not call a good game for the pitchers. Obviously, the Marlins’ pitchers were comfortable enough to go ahead and win a World Series last year with him behind the plate.
 
And finally, the team failed to reach an agreement with Nolan Ryan for renewal of his personal services contract. I can just picture Nolan looking out to right field during the discussions, seeing his retired number – the only retired number the Rangers boast – hanging in right field, and shaking his head. True, the contract was little more than a figurehead payment to have Ryan’s name associated with the team. Now the Astros hold this distinction, and the Ranger fan is reminded once more that loyalty, dedication and honesty mean little in this directionless abyss of an organization.
 
ARod’s trade may make sense from a baseball standpoint. This seems unlikely, given the amount that the Rangers are still paying for a player that no longer graces our own field. Plus, fans have lost all faith that the savings on his contract will be used for anything other than another Hicks business venture apart from baseball. Time will tell. Regardless of that, the means to the allegedly intended end are so twisted, perverse and shady that I for one will give not one thin dime of my income to those who no longer care if I am a fan. If the management wakes up to the vast blind spot where the fans used to reside, perhaps I will reconsider in a year or two.

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Jeff is from Texas and not afraid to admit it. Visit him on the web at www.cultofjeff.com

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