Texas Rangers President/Co-Owner Nolan Ryan Q&A: We Should Win the West

I sat down with Texas Rangers president Nolan Ryan yesterday afternoon here at Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona. We talked about Vladimir Guerrero (“He’s making a statement.”), Josh Hamilton (“I expect more production out of Josh.”) and when the heck will he and Chuck Greenberg be formally approved as the…

Wrong About Roddy

Watching ESPN SportsCenter this morning here in Surprise, Arizona when the Top 10 plays came on. The Mavericks won again last night, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves for their 12th consecutive victory. Dirk Nowitzki wins his second straight NBA Western Conference Player of the Week Award, then goes out – despite two fouls…

Woe, Canada: How Gil LeBreton Pissed Off an Entire Country

Gil LeBreton’s Feb. 28 column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram was 1,235 words. Not a one of them was “Nazi” or “Hitler” or “effyouhosers.” Why then did seemingly the entire country of Canada show up with fire and pitchforks, demanding an apology if not a lynching of LeBreton for his clever…

Angels 13, Rangers 9: My Top 10 Spring Training Observations

10. So far, so good Josh Hamilton. Didn’t exactly crush the ball, but had two singles in yesterday’s debut. If he returns to 2008 form, the Rangers can will win the American League West. 9. Team president Nolan Ryan, by the way, predicts 92 wins for this team and says…

Mavs = Hot; Lakers = Cold. Could It Happen?

Okay, what’d I miss? While in Vegas the Cowboys did exactly nothing in free agency, the Rangers got rained out here in Surprise, Arizona, one of my favorite restaurants burned to the ground and the Mavericks injected some madness into March by running off 11 consecutive games and tricking us into thinking they…

Leonard Davis is the Biggest, Baddest Bassist You Ever Did Hear

Went to Leonard Davis’ house last week and – let me confirm – his dwelling suits him. As in, gigantic. Davis, a Pro Bowl lineman for your Dallas Cowboys, is getting serious about music and his skyrocketing group Free Reign. This off-season he’s taking bass guitar lessons from veteran Dallas musician…

Mavs 101, Lakers 96: Do You Believe?

Was that a statement game? Or merely one of 82? Playing without Caron Butler (who missed the game after an adverse reaction to medication, not because he ran out of Mountain Dew or straws), the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Lakers in a playoff-intense game at American Airlines Center…

Folk Lore: What Do the Cowboys Do for a Kicker?

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told me late in the season on 105.3 The Fan that he never thought kicker Nick Folk was fully healthy. The dude has off-season hip surgery. There was that thing with his holder, etc. Kickers are a quirky lot. I get that. I figured – being…

The Top 5 Athletes I’d Pay to Watch Play

Kobe Bryant is a drama queen. He’s a fake dirty player, what with the accidentally-on- purpose flailing arms and all. And, oh yeah, the rape thing. But you know what? If I didn’t have a pass to tonight’s Mavericks-Lakers game at American Airlines Center I’d open my wallet to be in…

Tiger’s Tale: Just Believe It?

Just Do It? Tiger Woods has done it all. From 14 Grand Slams to even more extra-marital affairs, he’s turned all the tricks. But last week’s State of the Brand address was an unprecedented doozy. Tiger actually proved it’s possible – if not preferred – to be defiant while simultaneously…

96 Wins? It’s Up to You, Josh Hamilton

Last year, in the midst of camouflaging a late-night plunge from the wagon, Texas Rangers’ outfielder Josh Hamilton arrived at spring training and predicted his team would win 90 games. Despite his shocking, anemic year of inproductivity, the Rangers managed 87 wins and held our interest in baseball into September…

Is Brendan Haywood Already the Best Mavericks’ Center Ever?

No, but he’s close. Not that the Washington Wizard-turned-Maverick hasn’t played impressively in his first four games in Dallas (10.8 points, 8.8 rebounds), but it says more about our sad history than his play, doesn’t it? Haywood, part of last week’s trade that sent Josh Howard packing and made Caron Butler…

Do You Believe in Miracles … Ye … Well, Do You?

I was playing catch on a lazy Friday afternoon, warming up for a chilly practice as a sophomore second baseman on Duncanville High School’s baseball team when our coach came running out of the field house: “We did it! We beat the Russians!!” Was an upset last night when the…

Football Schmootball: Welcome to the National Armball League!

I am of semi-sound mind and body. I am totally aware that the NFL – evidenced by Saints 31, Colts 17 being the most-watched program in the history of TV – isn’t exactly struggling for popularity. I am cognizant that I spend waste way too much time in my perverted think tank…

Tiger’s Tale Forthcoming: What Do You Want to Hear?

For the first time since his late-night Thanksgiving car wreck, we’ll hear from Tiger Woods. Friday at 10 a.m. (live everywhere, including on our show at 105.3 The Fan) the world’s most recognizable athlete will apparently address his past failures and future plans. Of course I’m intrigued. I want to see if…