Ty Cobb

The 11th inning really showed what this TEXAS RANGERS team is all about.  They never quit fighting and anyone in their line-up, which I consider the best in mlb, can hurt you at anytime.  The 11th started with Michael Young getting behind in the count and finding a way to get a base hit.  That was followed up with a hit from Beltre, and then the tiger outfield made an error on a ball hit by Napoli.  The official ruling was a base hit but that's an error in my book.  Then comes the 7 hole hitter, Nelson Cruz and the rest if history.  Is there a more dangerous 7 hole hitter in baseball?  I would love to see the RANGERS go to detroit and win 2. 

This may be the best game in SETX this week.  Wish I could see this one.  Whoever wins will win by a TD or less. 

Coldspring by 20 or more.

[b]Silsbee[/b]/Bridge City [b]Anahuac[/b]/East Chambers Galena Park North Shore/[b]Beaumont West Brook[/b] [b]Port Arthur Memorial[/b]/Channelview [b]Barbers Hill[/b]/Houston C.E. King Crosby/[b]Galena Park[/b] [b]Dayton[/b]/Goose Creek Memorial Beaumont Central/[b]Nederland[/b] Beaumont Ozen/[b]Port Neches-Groves[/b] Little Cypress-Mauriceville/[b]Vidor[/b] Lumberton/[b]Livingston[/b] [b]Jasper[/b]/Huntington Hamshire-Fannett/[b]Hardin-Jefferson[/b] [b]West Orange-Stark[/b]/Orangefield Cleveland/[b]Coldspring[/b] Shepherd/[b]Liberty[/b] Hardin/[b]Woodville[/b] Kountze/[b]Buna[/b] Warren/[b]Newton[/b] [b]Corrigan-Camden[/b]/San Augustine West Sabine/[b]West Hardin[/b] High Island/[b]Burkeville[/b] [b]Chester[/b]/Oakwood Houston St. Thomas/[b]Beaumont Kelly[/b] Schertz John Paul II/[b]Beaumont Legacy[/b]

I fell asleep before the game resumed the second time.  Sounds like the bullpen came in and shut down the tigers. 

[b]CATCHER[/b] Tigers Alex Avila: .295, 19 HR, 82 RBIs Omir Santos: .227, 0 HR, 0 RBIs Avila had a breakout All-Star season after batting just .228 as a rookie last year, earning his spot in the middle portion of a potent lineup. Santos figures to be used on defense if Avila has to leave for a late-game pinch-runner. Victor Martinez is still listed as a catcher, but hasn't been behind the plate since Aug. 4. Rangers Mike Napoli: .320, 30 HR, 75 RBIs Yorvit Torrealba: .273, 7 HR, 37 RBIs Napoli has made balls disappear over walls all season and has become such a vital weapon he finally made even Torrealba disappear in the Division Series, becoming a mainstay behind the plate against any-side pitching. Including the ALDS, the Rangers are 36-10 when Napoli drives in a run. EDGE: Rangers [b]FIRST BASE[/b] Tigers Miguel Cabrera: .344, 30 HR, 105 RBIs Don Kelly: .245, 7 HR, 28 RBIs Cabrera overcame well-publicized preseason personal distractions to slug his way to an AL batting title while putting up typical power numbers (fifth straight 30-100 season). He recognized that having Martinez behind him would lead pitchers to try working around him and has been patient enough to draw 108 walks, for a .448 on-base percentage, also tops in the Majors. Rangers Mitch Moreland: .259, 16 HR, 51 RBIs Moreland is off to a quiet postseason start (1-for-10, the hit being a home run) after starring last October with a .348 average. Will be a big weapon for Texas against Detroit's all-righty rotation. Fifteen of Moreland's homers came off right-handers. EDGE: Tigers [b]SECOND BASE[/b] Tigers Ramon Santiago: .260, 5 HR, 30 RBIs Ryan Raburn: .256, 14 HR, 49 RBIs It's been a revolving door for the Tigers at second base this season. Santiago was the fifth player given a regular shot at the position, and his solid glove and strong arm have been a big asset. It's not his specialty, but he even came up with a couple of clutch hits in the ALDS. Rangers Ian Kinsler: .255, 32 HR, 77 RBIs With his second 30-30 season in the books, Kinsler's game includes the element of speed. The 29-year-old is again hitting for power -- after hitting nine homers in an injury-riddled 2010 season. Kinsler is always a threat to grab early momentum for Texas with a leadoff homer. EDGE: Rangers [b]THIRD BASE[/b] Tigers Wilson Betemit: .292, 5 HR, 19 RBIs Brandon Inge: .197, 3 HR, 23 RBIs Don Kelly: .245, 7 HR, 28 RBIs Third base has been another inconsistent position for the Tigers this season. In July, the club even sent Detroit favorite Inge to Triple-A and traded for Betemit to replace him. Betemit may have lost manager Jim Leyland's confidence with some terrible at-bats in Game 4 of the ALDS; Kelly got the start in the decisive Game 5. Rangers Adrian Beltre: .296, 32 HR, 105 RBIs Beltre came into the postseason on fire -- 12 homers in his last 16 games -- and turned up the heat on the Rays, finishing them off with his three homers in Game 4 of the ALDS. And he fields his position like a .180 hitter who has to earn his keep with the glove. EDGE: Rangers [b]SHORTSTOP[/b] Tigers Jhonny Peralta: .299, 21 HR, 86 RBIs Ramon Santiago: .260, 5 HR, 30 RBIs In the ALDS, Peralta gave no hint of what had been a career year for him. He led all AL shortstops in OPS, hit a career-high .299 and popped 21 homers. He had a quiet (4-for-18, one RBI) series against the Yankees. His ALCS experience is good: He homered twice and drive in eight runs for the Indians in 2007 against Boston. Rangers Elvis Andrus: .279, 5 HR, 60 RBIs Andrus really shined in the playoffs last season, particularly in the first two rounds, so there is no need to conclude from his ALDS (2-for-14) that the youngster can't handle postseason heat. Even if he continues to slump, his glove will keep him as a difference-maker. The Rangers will need his disruptive speed on the bases. EDGE: Rangers [b]OUTFIELD[/b] Tigers Delmon Young: .274, 8 HR, 32 RBIs Austin Jackson: .249, 10 HR, 45 RBIs Magglio Ordonez: .255, 5 HR, 32 RBIs Ryan Raburn: .256, 14 HR, 49 RBIs Andy Dirks: .251, 7 HR, 28 RBIs The Tigers made a savvy waiver-wire pickup in adding Young in August. He continued to be a big contributor in the ALDS, but the Tigers will have to hold their breaths over whether an oblique strain will prevent him from playing. Jackson endured the dreaded sophomore slump but has the potential to influence any game with his speed in the field and on the bases. Ordonez is trying to turn back the clock and got off to a good start (5-for-11) in the ALDS. Rangers Josh Hamilton: .298, 25 HR, 94 RBIs Endy Chavez: .301, 5 HR, 27 RBIs Nelson Cruz: .263, 29 HR, 87 RBIs David Murphy: .275, 11 HR, 46 RBIs Texas survived the ALDS with no long balls and only two RBIs -- both by Hamilton -- from this outfield, but they won't be as dispensable this time around. Cruz is still searching for his swing since missing the first half of September with a strained left hamstring; upon returning, he hit one homer his last 49 at-bats, then went 1-for-15 in the ALDS. EDGE: Rangers [b]DESIGNATED HITTER[/b] Tigers Victor Martinez: .330, 12 HR, 103 RBIs Martinez used to platoon between first and catcher and now platoons between only the left- and right-side batter's boxes, but he is the rarity who had no trouble transitioning to full-time DH duty. The lineup protection he's afforded Cabrera has been a tremendous asset, making the middle of the Tigers' lineup as fearsome as any. Rangers Michael Young: .338, 11 HR, 106 RBIs Young's role changed dramatically with Beltre's arrival, but not so his production. Unlike Martinez, he remains likely to pop up anywhere on the field -- first, third, second. But hitting has always been his best position. EDGE: Tigers [b]STARTING PITCHERS[/b] Tigers Justin Verlander: 24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250 Ks Doug Fister: 11-13, 2.83 ERA, 146 Ks (8-1, 1.79 ERA, 57 Ks with Detroit) Max Scherzer: 15-9, 4.43 ERA, 174 Ks Rick Porcello: 14-9, 4.75 ERA, 104 Ks As Fister again showed in the decisive Game 5 of the ALDS, this is no longer a one-man show starring Verlander. Verlander still has the lead, but Fister and Scherzer make up quite a supporting cast. Prior to Fister's July 31 acquisition from Seattle, the Tigers' No. 5 starters had a cumulative record of 4-17. Scherzer may be more volatile but is awfully tough with his best stuff. Rangers C.J. Wilson: 16-7, 2.94 ERA, 206 Ks Derek Holland: 16-5, 3.95 ERA, 162 Ks Colby Lewis: 14-10, 4.40 ERA, 169 Ks Matt Harrison: 14-9, 3.39 ERA, 126 C.L. is still around to pitch the Rangers deep into the postseason. Not Cliff Lee, but Colby Lewis has been just as good in October (4-0, 1.67). Better rotation depth, but all but Wilson got beat up pretty well by the Tigers in regular-season play, the three others combining for an ERA of 10.38. EDGE: Tigers [b]MIDDLE RELIEVERS[/b] Tigers Joaquin Benoit: 4-3, 2.95 ERA, 66 G Phil Coke: 3-9, 4.47 ERA, 48 G Al Alburquerque: 6-1, 1.87 ERA, 41 G Daniel Schlereth: 2-2, 3.49 ERA, 49 G Ryan Perry: 2-0, 5.35 ERA, 36 G Brad Penny: 11-11, 5.30, 31 starts The Tigers' controversial addition of Benoit, signing the free agent to a rich three-year deal, paid big-time dividends in the ALDS. It took Benoit a while, but he settled in to become an eighth-inning force. Alburquerque became a question mark when he suffered a concussion in August and the erstwhile seventh-inning weapon is an even bigger unknown off his ALDS woes (three runs, while getting only one out in two appearances). Rangers Alexi Ogando: 13-8, 3.51 ERA, 31 G (29 starts) Darren Oliver: 5-5, 2.29 ERA, 61 G Mike Adams: 5-4, 1.47 ERA, 75 G (2-3, 2.10 ERA, 27 G with Texas) Koji Uehara: 2-3, 2.35 ERA, 65 G (1-2, 4.00 ERA, 22 G with Texas) Mike Gonzalez: 2-2, 4.39 ERA, 56 (0-0, 5.14 ERA, 7 G with Texas) This area was general manager Jon Daniels' biggest in-season project, and he aced it by adding Adams, Uehara and Gonzalez. Both teams have displaced starters in the bullpen, but while the Tigers have Penny, Texas had Ogando, who in the ALDS got back in relief mode as if getting back on a bicycle. EDGE: Rangers [b]CLOSER[/b] Tigers Jose Valverde: 2-4, 2.24 ERA, 49 saves Broadway Jose Valverde backed up his post-Game 2 boast that the ALDS was over, and has extended his regular-season perfection in 49 save opportunities through two more. His exaggerated celebratory displays are either a source of entertainment or a cause of scorn, depending on perspective. Rangers Neftali Feliz: 2-3, 2.74, 32 saves In midseason, team president and CEO Nolan Ryan bemoaned the fact Feliz did not appear to be pitching with any sense of urgency, occasionally letting trouble get out of hand. You want urgency, you want the postseason: He saved each of Texas' ALDS wins, building on a strong regular-season finish. EDGE: Tigers [b]BENCH[/b] Tigers Brandon Inge: .197, 3 HR, 23 RBIs Don Kelly: .245, 7 HR, 28 RBIs Ryan Raburn: .256, 14 HR, 49 RBIs Andy Dirks: .251, 7 HR, 28 RBIs On some days, this isn't even a bench but part of the Tigers'; starting lineup. Leyland used five different combinations in the five ALDS games, a testament to the versatility available when these guys don't start. Losing Brennan Boesch for the season and having Carlos Guillen unavailable with a calf injury undoubtedly does hurt the Tigers' depth. Rangers Esteban German: .455, 1 HR, 4 RBIs Matt Treanor: .214, 3 HR, 22 RBIs Craig Gentry: .271, 1 HR, 13 RBIs Endy Chavez: .301, 5 HR, 27 RBIs Yorvit Torrealba: .273, 7 HR, 37 RBIs The Rangers have rocks at most of their positions but make full use of the flexible ones: Moreland, Napoli and even Young can pop up at first base, and when they want an extra bat against lefty pitchers, Torrealba squats behind the plate. When he's not starting, Gentry is a safe bet to enter late if Texas has a lead. EDGE: Rangers [b]COACHES[/b] Tigers Manager: Jim Leyland Hitting coach: Lloyd McClendon Pitching coach: Jeff Jones Third-base coach: Gene Lamont First-base coach: Tom Brookens Leyland's successful lineup juggling against the Yankees once again validated his reputation as one of the game's most savvy skippers. The Tigers' eventual AL Central runaway earned him an extension through 2012. He has three Manager of the Year Awards, is in the postseason for the seventh time, but still has only one ring -- earned with the 1997 Marlins. Rangers Manager: Ron Washington Bench coach: Jackie Moore Hitting coach: Scott Coolbaugh Pitching coach: Mike Maddux Third-base coach: Dave Anderson First-base coach: Gary Pettis Washington is the kind of manager players like having with them in the trenches. He is a master motivator, expressing his beliefs with a confidence that becomes contagious. Knowledge of his players' tools and ticks enables him to consistently place them in situations that give them a good chance to succeed. EDGE: Tigers [b]FANS[/b] Tigers: Loyal and hungry fan base that's been waiting 27 years for a title. Rangers: Enthusiastic, have reacted passionately to team's success. Don't count out what the Tigers bring to the table, though. Even in hard economic times, Tigers fans have been fiercely loyal, and the quest to end the long title drought brings an energy all its own. That other outfit may still bill itself as "America's Team," but when October rolls around the Rangers now are "Dallas-Fort Worth's Team." No area loves a winner like this one, reflected in its rank in some surveys as the nation's best sports town. However, Rangers crowds can't intimidate like those in Motown. EDGE: Tigers

This is not what I wanted to happen.  I was really hoping for the yankees.  The yankees are not near as good as the tigers.  I will be pulling for the RANGERS and I see this series going 6 or 7 games.

Big win for the RANGERS!!!  I hope they can finish the series in tampa.  No need to bring this one back to TEXAS.

Josh Hamilton: Beyond Belief

[b]Vidor[/b]/Ozen Buna/[b]Anahuac[/b] [b]Beaumont West Brook[/b]/Baytown Sterling [b]Port Arthur Memorial[/b]/Galena Park North Shore Baytown Lee/[b]Dayton[/b] Houston C.E. King/[b]Crosby[/b] Houston North Forest/[b]Barbers Hill[/b] Little Cypress-Mauriceville/[b]Beaumont Central[/b] [b]Livingston[/b]/Nederland [b]Port Neches-Groves[/b]/Lumberton Center/[b]Jasper[/b] Hamshire-Fannett/[b]West Orange-Stark[/b] Hardin-Jefferson/[b]Bridge City[/b] Orangefield/[b]Silsbee[/b] [b]Coldspring[/b]/Splendora [b]Huffman[/b]/Shepherd [b]East Chambers[/b]/Hardin [b]Kountze[/b]/Warren Woodville/[b]Newton[/b] San Augustine/[b]Deweyville[/b] West Hardin/[b]Lovelady[/b] Burkeville/[b]Evadale[/b] [b]Coolidge[/b]/Chester Houston St. Pius X/[b]Beaumont Kelly[/b] [b]Beaumont Legacy[/b]/Galveston O'Connell

It will be huge if they can take the 1st game in tampa.  Go RANGERS!!!

[quote name="beechnut" post="1071621" timestamp="1317526620"] You cant help but shed a tear when you see that on tv. Is there a better man in MLB than Josh Hamilton? What a great story he is and role model. [/quote] If you are a Josh Hamilton fan or if you are just moved by his story, be sure and get a copy of his book.  He tells everything in the book.  From his childhood days, his journey through professional baseball, his drug addiction days, and then his return to MLB.  I couldn't put the book down.  Great read.

[quote name="adminbaberuth" post="1069918" timestamp="1317421200"] [img][Hidden Content]] Cooper Stone, 6, tosses the ceremonial first pitch to Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) before Game 1 of baseball's American League division series playoffs on Friday, Sept. 30, in Arlington, Texas. It was Hamilton who threw the ball Shannon Stone was reaching for when he fell to his death behind the outfield wall in July. [/quote] I realize that it took a tradgey for this young man to throw out the 1st pitch, but the picture puts a smile in my heart.  Some things in this world are still good and this picture is one of them!!!

I believe the RANGERS win this series in 4 games.

Poor guy.  He does what 100% of fans, sitting in his position, would have done and his life changes forever. 

I'm getting pretty nervous about the RANGERS chances of resigning C J Wilson after the season ends.  I really wish he would sign an entension!!!

I'll take the lions by 2 TD's.

I'm taking the falcons.

I would love to see the TEXAS RANGERS get back to the World Series and win it this year!!!  Last year was nice, but I want it all!!!

[b]Barbers Hill [/b] vs. Baytown Lee Crosby vs. [b]Houston North Forest[/b] Galena Park vs. [b]Dayton[/b] [b]Goose Creek Memorial [/b] vs. Houston C.E. King [b]Beaumont Ozen [/b] vs. Little Cypress-Mauriceville [b]Livingston[/b] vs. Beaumont Central Lumberton vs. [b]Vidor[/b] Nederland vs. [b]Port Neches-Groves[/b] Shepherd vs. [b]Coldspring[/b] Splendora vs.[b] Cleveland[/b] Tarkington vs. [b]Huffman[/b] [b]Anahuac[/b] vs. Kountze Hardin vs. [b]Buna[/b] [b]Newton[/b] vs. East Chambers [b]Woodville[/b] vs. Warren [b]Beaumont Kelly [/b] vs. Houston Christian [b]Jasper[/b] vs. Orangefield [b]West Orange-Stark [/b] vs. Kirbyville Colmesneil vs. [b]Sabine Pass[/b] [b]Chester[/b] vs. Orange Community Christian Houston St. Pius X vs. [b]Houston St. Thomas[/b] Rusk vs. [b]Diboll[/b] Center vs. [b]Tyler Chapel Hill[/b] Corrigan-Camden vs. [b]Crockett[/b] [b]West Hardin[/b]/High Island

I have no problem with seniors playing on JV.  In most cases the head coach will reward his players, as long as they have been a part of the program, by putting them on varsity for their senior year.  But there are times that the senior may choose to be on the JV team in order to get more playing time.  There is nothing wrong with this.  Some kids would rather play the game instead of standing on the sidelines every Friday night. 

Going to go with Kountze.

I'll be pulling for Livingston.

I'll take the Panthers!!!

Vidor @ [b]Nederland[/b] Buna @ [b]Newton[/b] Baytown Lee @ [b]Crosby[/b] Dayton @ [b]Barbers Hill[/b] [b]Central[/b] @ Ozen LCM @ [b]Lumberton[/b] PNG @[b] Livingston[/b] [b]Huffman[/b] @ Liberty [b]East Chambers [/b] @ Woodville [b]Kountze[/b] @ Hardin [b]West Brook [/b] @ Tyler Lee South Houston @[b] PA Memorial[/b] [b]Kelly[/b] @ Hamshire-Fannett [b]Bridge City [/b] @ Stafford [b]Silsbee[/b] @ Jasper Deweyville @ [b]Hull-Daisetta[/b] San Augustine @[b] Garrison[/b] Evadale @ [b]West Hardin[/b] [b]WOS [/b] @ Giddings [b]Galveston O'Connel [/b] @ High Island [b]Cayuga[/b] @ Colmesneil West Sabine @ [b]Groveton[/b] Timpson @ [b]Hemphill[/b] [b]Diboll[/b] @ Hardin-Jefferson [b]Wills Point [/b] @ Kirbyville