Cayuga/Water Valley state semifinal live chat

Friday Night Previews: Week 9

It's a big, if not huge, night locally for high school football. That being said, before we head into our previews, allow me a chance to vent about my beloved Texas Rangers.

Never in my life have I felt more emotionally drained following a sporting event. Silly? Probably, but real none the less. As I sat on my couch helpless and watched David Freese rounding the bases, I figured that I'd just lived through the worst sporting event experience in my life, and perhaps in the life I haven't even lived yet.

Now, this all sounds rather extreme, I know, but that's what fandom is about, right? It's about investing yourself emotionally in a group of people you've never met and probably never will meet. That's at least part, if not all, of the fun.

Now the team gets a chance on the biggest of stages, Game 7. They don't come any bigger. As a fan who can look at things as subjectively as I want, I want to say I think they can pull it out, think they can rebound. As a sportswriter whose job it is to be object, I'm not that sure.

I don't know if teams get many more opportunities than the Rangers got last night, but as a fan, I hope they have one more in them. If they can't pull it out...well I just don't know.

On to the football.

Friday Night Previews: Week 8

After a week away — car trouble — from the previews, here we are again. Week 8 is setting up to be arguably the biggest week of the season for a variety of reasons, namely that a lot of teams have everything on the line this week.

But, the marquee game isn't one with everything on the line. Fairfield comes into Palestine tonight in a battle of two teams who have yet to lose a district game. Fairfield comes in at 7-0 on the season, Palestine is 5-2, having won four-straight games.

Outside of the Dogwood Circle and the Fairfield area, this game isn't really getting much attention. It's understandable. In East Texas Class 3A alone, Van will take on Lindale and Carthage and Henderson will face off. Those are, arguably, four of the state's top-15 3A football teams, including a battle between last year's D-I and D-II state champions.

But, just because the attention won't be here doesn't mean this game isn't huge.

Friday Night Previews: Week 6

After the majority of the local squads got the weekend off last weekend, everyone returns to the field tonight. Everyone also begins their quest for a district title.

All seven local squads begin district play tonight, headlined by the resurgent Palestine Wildcats taking on visiting Groesbeck.

But, there are plenty of intriguing matchups already in the first week of district, plenty of which could alter the playoff landscape.

That's right, games played tonight could easily be looked upon in four weeks as deciding factors in the playoff races.

Excited yet?

Friday Night Previews: Week 4

It's the final week of non-district play for the six Dogwood Circle schools that play 11-man football, and no one wants to ponder a loss for a single week, let alone two.

That being said, plenty of local squads take on some tremendous opponents this week and, if nothing else, we'll get to see what these teams are truly made of.

On the season, I'm 13-12 picking high school, which shows how much I know I guess.

Without further adieu, let's go:

My plan for the Big 12

It appears that the Big 12 lives, despite varying reports over the past two weeks to the contrary.

From Manhattan and Lawrence, Kansas to Waco earlier this week, college administrators breathed sighs of relief, knowing no one would be left behind...yet.

But, with Texas A&M still poised to hit the door after 2011, the Big 12 is really the medium-sized 9. With Missouri half-way to the SEC already, we're looking at 8.

Don't worry, I've got a way to change that.

The Dogwood Circle Power Rankings (Week 4)

After a week's hiatus, we're back with the latest edition of the Dogwood Circle Power Rankings, where we ranked each football team in the area based not on how they'd match up against one another, but how they match up against their schedule.

For example, Oakwood may be the area's No. 1 team in this week's rankings, but obviously the Panthers wouldn't be Palestine or Westwood. That being said, against the schedule they've played and still have to play, the Panthers could be considered the area's best team.

Now that we've gotten the explanation out of the way, let's get into the rankings.

Friday Night Previews (Week 2)

We're entering the third week of the season, dubiously titled Week 2, and things are beginning to shake themselves out across the local landscape.

There are plenty of teams in need of wins this Friday, all of them really with the possible exceptions of Elkhart and Oakwood, who are both already 2-0.

With that in mind, onward, forward and upward we go.

The Dogwood Circle Power Rankings (Week 2)

Two games are in the books for each of the local teams, and after last week's games there's been a bit of a shakeup in the Power Rankings.

But before we get into this week's rankings, a few thoughts from the first two weeks of the season.

If someone would've told me before the season that there would be two teams that hadn't won a game yet in 2011 after two weeks, I would've said something along the lines of, "sounds about right."

I would not, however, have thought that those two teams would be Frankston and Cayuga. In fact, I'd have been confident that those two teams didn't have losses yet by this point.

In 3A, both Westwood and Palestine are 1-1 — and before I forget, a hardy congrats to the Panthers and Roger Mays, who deserved a W. The Panthers should move to 2-1 on Friday, but more on that in tomorrow's previews.

As for Palestine, the Wildcats should probably be 2-0 and I think everyone around the program knows that. They showed in the second half an ability to both move the football on Pittsburg and stop the Pirate defense, but you can't go back now.

Anyway, on to the rankings.

Friday Night Previews: Week 1

It was an interesting and entertaining first week of games for the Dogwood's Circle seven teams. Some surprised in a good way (Palestine) and a not so good way (Frankston, Cayuga), while others lived up to their expectations.

After last week's picks, I'm 4-3, hoping to do a little bit better this week. The matchups for Week 1 are very interesting across the board, and could provide some really big wins or losses for the home teams.

The Dogwood Circle Power Rankings (Week 1)

Welcome everyone to our new venture, the Dogwood Circle Power Rankings. Every week we'll dive in to how we rank the Dogwood Circle's seven football teams based up their performances so far this season.

But first, some explanation. This is not a poll based on how we think teams would do matched up against one another. Obviously, with Palestine's sheer numbers they could best a lot of the teams in the area. On the other end of the spectrum, Oakwood doesn't even play 11-man football.

What this is is a poll to show how we think each team matches up against their own level of competition and their own schedule. Nothing more.

So with all that said, let's go.

Friday Night Preview: Zero Week

Well, it's finally here. As I said in my column in Thursday's Herald-Press, Friday nights are once again Friday nights.

With the return of football also brings the return of our Friday Night Preview blog post, where I'll break down each local game and give what I think will be the final score. I haven't taken the time to tally last year's totals, so I don't know how I did, but feel free to leave your thoughts down in the comment section.

So, without further adieu, here we go:

We're Back!

After a summer hiatus that — admittedly — started a little bit before summer, The Baseline is back in service. We'll bring you everything you need about game predictions on Friday nights, where your favorite teams rank in the numerous polls released each week and other little nuggets that we find interesting.

I'm happy to be back and happy that it's football season once again here in the Dogwood Circle, so check back here often, and follow the Herald-Press sports department on Twitter (@phpsports) for other updates, including in-game commentary from Palestine's game every week.

Dogwood Circle SuperFan Contest

We've found them, the three biggest football fans in the Dogwood Circle. now, it's up to you to tell us which one you think is the area's SuperFan. Check out their submissions below and then vote at the poll the right. Voting will end Friday at 5 p.m., and the winner will be featured in the upcoming Dogwood Circle football special section. Also, they'll earn the right to pick against the pros in the Herald-Press' weekly Fearless Forecasters football pick'em poll.

Softball state championship live blog

Moving Inside the Polls

Instead of it usual publication day of Tuesday's, the baseball/softball Inside the Polls blog post will now be posted on Thurs. to coincide with the Texas High School Baseball Coaches' Association (THSBCA) release of its weekly poll.

We're doing this not to favor baseball, but because the THSBCA poll release has been very regular, while the Texas Girls' Coaches Association (TGCA) softball poll is sometimes sporadic.

Inside the Polls (3-29)

Well we're only diving into one poll this week, because the Texas Girls' Coaches Association hasn't updated its softball poll yet.

What does that mean? It means there's only one local team to talk about, and it's the No. 2 Cayuga Wildcat baseball team. The Wildcats remain No. 2 in the latest Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) poll, behind Windthorst.

Now, at least on paper, Cayuga's resume is far stronger especially given the Wildcats' 11-0 record versus the 12-7 mark that Windthorst currently has. That being said, I don't know who Windthorst has played, where they played them, etc., etc.

So, only one team to talk about today. No other local or district rivals make any kind of appearance in the new poll. (For the full poll, click HERE)

Hopefully we'll have a new softball poll to include next week. Stay tuned.

Inside the Polls (3/21)

Well, it's back. Everyone's favorite breakdown of where the local teams stand in all the state polls.

Just as a refresher, we'll be using the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) for the softball polls and the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) for the baseball, obviously.

One final note, the THSBCA poll only displays the top-10, while the TGCA poll goes either top-20 or top-25, depending on the week.

So, without further adieu, let's do it.

Inside the polls will return soon

Now that basketball is over, we will no longer be diving headlong into the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) state polls each week here at The Baseline.

But, that doesn't mean we don't have state polls to digest all the same.

The Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) handles things on the baseball side of things, while we'll rely on the Texas Girls' Coaches Association (TGCA) takes care of things on the softball side.

We'll start that adventure next week, so look for a new edition of Inside the Polls every Tuesday from now until playoff time.

Final thoughts from Austin and moving forward

Well, the whirlwind past few weeks that have been the boys' and girls' state basketball playoffs are over, capping with another title for the Neches girls' basketball team and a stunning loss by Cayuga in the regional semifinals to upstart Tenaha.

My weekend in Austin was an eventful one, and one that will certainly live in my memory for a while. From talking Roddricka Patton with a handful of nationwide high school scouts to listening in on the press conference of Canyon head coach Joe Lombard after winning another state title, finishing a perfect season and winning his1,100 career game...all on his birthday, it was a great experience.

As I said in a column in the PHP today, I expect to go back next season as well, what with Neches returning all its players from this year's team.

Neches/Whitharral State Final

Neches/Lipan State Semifinal

Another playoff scenario, another possible UIL flub

In the past week, I found myself doing something that I rarely ever do. I defended the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body of Texas High School sports.

The UIL was under fire from Yahoo! Sports High School blog Prep Rally for having Class 3A's No. 1 girls basketball team, Kennedale, travel to Lubbock for a regional tournament where it played a team from Lubbock and a team from Abilene.

The boys basketball regional tournament's begin this weekend, and Region I, the region in which Kennedale plays, is again on the hot seat. This time, however, the UIL has time to make the right call, as first suggested by CBS 11's Bill Jones (@cbsdollarbill) on Twitter.

The Region I tournament is scheduled for Snyder on Friday and Saturday. Snyder is in West Texas. The problem? All four teams who've qualified for the tournament are teams from the Dallas/Fort Worth area (Denton Ryan, FW Arlington Heights, Trimble Tech and The Colony).

LIVE CHAT: Cayuga v. LaPoynor Reg. Quarterfinals

UIL again under fire from Yahoo

The Yahoo! high school sports blog Prep Rally, which I routinely link here at The Baseline, isn't very fond of some decisions the University Interscholastic League (UIL) has made in recent months.

The blog criticized the UIL for allowing Longview and Mesquite to play a football playoff game in Louisiana, just to name one.

Now, the blog is after the UIL because Kennedale—who entered the girls' basketball playoffs as the state's No. 1 team in Class 3A—lost in the regional finals to Abiliene Wylie, 59-53.

The blog's editor Cameron Smith's problem is that Kennedale is seven hours away from Texas Tech's United Spirit Arena, where the Region I tournament was held. Conversely, it was a much shorter trip for both Wylie and for Kennedale's semifinal opponent, Lubbock Cooper, which actually plays there from time to time.

Neches/Saltillo Live Chat

LIVE CHAT: Neches/Savoy Regional Semifinal

It may be time to shrink the playoffs in Texas

Over at Yahoo's Prep Rally blog, Cameron Smith examines an 81-5 victory by Dallas Lincoln over Seagoville...in the PLAYOFFS.

Now, in Class 4A and Class 5A, just like in football in those bigger classifications, four teams from each district make the playoffs. When that happens, things like an 81-5 beat down have a chance to happen. Seagoville entered the playoffs eight games under .500, while Lincoln entered as the No. 12 team in the state.

I've never personally understood the need for four playoff teams from a district, because of this very reason. It's bad enough that in smaller district's there are times when more than half of the teams in the district make the playoffs, as is the case in Slocum/Grapeland's five-team district.

I realize that there are times when district's are loaded and the three (or maybe four) teams that make the playoffs can all compete. But, more often than not that isn't really the case.

I think it's probably time for the UIL to shrink the size of the playoff fields, especially at the 4A and 5A level. I'm okay with three teams from each district making the playoffs, but four seems a bit excessive.

Former Cayuga coach named lone Waco Robinson finalist

After spending a year a Jacksboro, former Cayuga head football coach Tommy Allison could be on the move again.

Multiple outlets are reporting that Allison, who spent three years at Cayuga and led the Wildcats to two state title games, is the lone finalist for the head coaching/athletic director position at Waco Robinson.

Via Smoaky.com:

Former Cayuga AD/Football Coach Tommy Allison, who led the Wildcats to the Class 1-A State Championship in 2009, is the lone finalist for the AD/Head Coaching job at Waco Robinson.
Allison went 4-6 this past season at Jacksboro High School, after going 35-8 in three years at Cayuga.
Waco Reicher's Mark Waggoner and Robinson defensive coordinator Brad Talbert were among the three finalists.
If he is offered the job and approved, he'll replace Brian Lewis who resigned following the 2010 season.

One legitimate question is this: Will Allison bring defensive coordinator Craig Earp along with him? If so, one would think along also comes Earp's son Carson, who threw for more than 3,000 yards for Jacksboro in only his sophomore season.

Earp is no stranger to the Waco area, coaching at Waco Connally and Hubbard, just to name two.

4 locals named to All-Smoaky teams

Smoaky.com released its All-Smoaky teams for the 2010 football season today, and four Dogwood Circle players made the cut.

Frankston linebacker and SFA-signee Jabralon Allen and Cayuga defensive back Chris Turner both earned second team defensive honors. Allen was named the Dogwood Circle defensive player of the year after tallying 152 tackles in 2010, 23 for losses, while Turner earned first team honors on the offensive side of the ball as a wide receiver. Both were recently named to the Texas Sports Writers Association's all-state teams.

Dogwood Circle first team wide receiver C.J. Wagner from Cayuga earned second team special team honors from the Web site as a kick returner after returning two kicks and a punt for touchdowns.

Earning a third team nod from Smoaky.com was Grapeland's Reshawd Shepherd. His district's co-offensive player of the year, Shepherd caught 46 passes for 811 yards and 10 TDs, while rushing for 355 yards and three more scores. Shepherd earned first team honors at WR on our Dogwood Circle squad.

What should the Rangers do about Michael Young

There are now only five days remaining until pitchers and catchers are due to report to Surprise, Ariz., for the Texas Rangers Spring Training.

Fans of the defending American League champions should be getting pumped up for another season of Rangers baseball, and players, coaches and management should be prepping for a repeat run toward a title.

Instead, what is everyone doing? Worrying about this troublesome Michael Young situation.

I wrote a column when the Rangers acquired Mike Napoli from Toronto saying that if/when Michael Young wanted out because his at-bats wouldn't be there, the Rangers owed it to him to trade him.

This past week, Michael Young did just that, demanding that Texas try and deal the six-time All Star.

Inside the TABC polls (Week of 2/7/11)

It's getting down to the nitty-gritty time for high school basketball teams around the state this week. Girls regular-season play wraps up tonight, while the boys will finish things up with games tonight, Friday and next Tuesday.

For local squads, there wasn't loads of movement in the polls this week, as has been the norm for most of the season. That being said, many local teams still find themselves considered some of the top 20 or so squads in their respective classes in the state.

Let's dive in.

Blog inactivity

Sorry the blog's been so dormant lately, but between vacation days and illness, I've been out the loop for the better part of the week.

I'd love to say that I'm back in, but that just wouldn't be true. I will be at Westwood tonight though to watch this rivalry games, as the Palestine girls chase a district title.

If your out and about, see you there. If not, I promise to try and be back soon.

A soccer-style 'what if?' for American sports

As I sat on my couch Sunday watching East Texan Clint Dempsey and Fulham roll past Tottenham in English soccer's FA Cup play, I got to thinking about the way soccer leagues in Europe do things.

For example, almost every European nation has multiple soccer leagues, which work on a tier system, a lot like baseball in America.

The difference is, every year those leagues change makeup, adding and losing teams to different leagues based on final season record.

Inside the TABC polls (Week of 1/31/10)

We're entering the final month of regular season basketball, and a lot of the local squads are beginning to heat up as the playoffs approach.

Granted, these rankings have no bearing on making the playoffs (like Arizona's rankings system does), but it is a somewhat accurate gauge of where team's stand against the rest of the state.

So, without further adieu, let's dive in to this week's polls.

Another arguement for a H.S. shot clock

I wrote a column back in December about why I felt like H.S. basketball needed a shot clock after Robert E. Lee stalled for much of the fourth quarter to beat the Palestine girls' basketball team. (READ HERE)

In the D/FW area last night, another reason has emerged. Nationally ranked Flower Mound Marcus (No. 12 in Yahoo's Rivals 100) topped Plano West 38-31, IN TRIPLE OVERTIME.

Why the low score? Well, since Marcus had blown out West earlier in the season, West decided the best strategy was to be very, very deliberate with its offensive possessions. What that resulted in was the low-scoring, three OT affair.

According to Yahoo's Prep Rally blog (Read the full story HERE), West averaged more than one minute per possession on offense.

No offense to West, because it was a strategy that worked brilliantly, but is this really what we want basketball to be about at the high school level?

Rangers send Francisco to Toronto for Napoli

According to multiple reports first started by FOXsport.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Rangers have traded long-time reliever Frank Francisco to Toronto for utility-man Mike Napoli, who was a Blue Jay for all of a week, acquired by the Canadian club in the Vernon Wells deal.

Rosenthal also tweeted that this deal probably shows that Vlad Guerrero won't be back in Texas either, as Napoli is expected to split time between C, 1B and DH.

Inside the TABC polls (Week of 1/24/10)

GIRLS (Full Rankings)
Class 3A
Only a slight change in the area 3A implications this week. After an undefeated week, Fairfield moved up two spots to No. 23.

Class 2A
Still no local squads or district rivals in the top-25 for Class 2A

Class 1A, Div. I
We saw some local movement in this poll after last week. Slocum jumped a spot from No. 13 to No. 12 after topping Grapeland on Tuesday then having Friday off. Slocum's district rival, Lovelady, made a big jump from No. 17 to No. 13, still one spot behind a Slocum squad they beat in district play. As far as District 20 goes, Martin's Mill held strong at No. 3, while LaPoynor moved up to No. 16 from No. 18 after beating Cayuga and Cross Roads during the week.

Class 1A, Div. II
Once again, Neches comes in at No. 2, a spot it should occupy until A) the Lady Tigers lose or 2) Saltillo suffers its first loss of the year.

This week's 'Monday Lookback'

For those that don't follow us on Twitter but do check the blog—there's bound to be one of y'all, right?—here's the link to yesterday's 'Monday Lookback' podcast on 'View From the Cheap Seats.'

I talk Westwood/Palestine rivalry games, as well as a little Palestine boys' soccer.

We'll have a chat with good friend Kyle Fuller (@pimpinkal) posted on Thursday, where we look back at the season that was in the NFL, and specifically in Cowboy land. We'll give you our MVPs, Rookies of the Year and biggest surprises/disappointments. Bet you can't guess who one—or both—of us chooses for that last one, huh?

Anyway, check it out HERE

Ramirez-to-Texas deal heating up

We've asked the question all week right over there -------> in the poll question, and for the one person who voted (and voted for Manny Ramirez) it seems your wish may come true.

According to the Jamey Newberg of the Newberg Report, in an e-mail sent to his mailing list (I got it from friend of the blog and podcast Kyle Fuller (follow him on Twitter @pimpinkal), the Ramirez deal is gaining some steam in the metroplex:

According to a local report posted in the last hour: “The Rangers are pursuing free agent outfielder/designated hitter Manny Ramirez.  He would be the big right-handed bat at DH and off the bench.  It would likely mean far more playing time for Michael Young at first base and would cut into Mitch Moreland's playing time.  But the Rangers are definitely interested in Ramirez.”

For anyone that thinks postgame (or match) press conferences are dumb and boring

If the title describes you, Caroline Wozniacki is on your side. However, unlike most people, the world's No. 1 female tennis player has the ways and means to change these types of things.

Change she did. Instead of allowing reporters to ask her the same, bland questions that open every press conference in every sport—it's true, sadly. We always ask the "So, how did it feel out there?" or "What does this win (or loss) mean moving forward?" questions first. Why? I don't know, I guess it's like wading into the pool instead of diving in head first. Plus, it helps build the back-and-forth needed in settings like that. One of the first things your taught in Journalism school is to ask the tough questions last, that way if they make someone mad, you've still got material.

But, I digress, follow the link to the full story HERE to check out how she handled things. (Via Deadspin.com)

Soccer match predicting octopus immortalized

Everyone remember Paul, the Octopus who so famously—and correctly—predicted the outcomes of all of Germany's matches past year's World Cup?

Well, unfortunately, Paul is no longer with this world, but the public's ability to remember him will soon increase exponentially, because Paul got a statue.

From the AP:

BERLIN (AP) — Paul the celebrated octopus has finally got his tentacles wrapped around a soccer ball.
The Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen on Thursday unveiled an outsized memorial to the World Cup's most unlikely star: A 6 1/2-foot (2-meter) tall plastic replica of Paul clutching a ball in his eight arms.
Aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig says Paul's cremated ashes were placed in a gold-leaf-covered urn inside the ball. Paul died three months ago and Munzig says fans around the world had asked for a memorial.
Paul correctly tipped the outcome of all seven of Germany's games at last year's World Cup plus the Spain-Netherlands final. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag.

Most people don't even get statues when they die, but then again, most people are not that accurate with predictions. It got so bad that the poor guy got death threats against him when he picked against Germany in the semifinals.

RIP Paul.

Hakeem, Bill Simmons and nationalities...and how it never mattered (UPDATED)

So, on Twitter today I got into a discussion with ESPN's fantastic columnist Bill Simmons (@sportsguy33) about a comment he made in his new column (Read that here). Here's the part we talked about:

Dirk Nowitzki: Was moving into the Barkley/Malone big-picture historical discussion before an injury derailed his MVP campaign.
Manu Ginobili: Reclaimed "Only a few guys get better when it matters and he's one" and "Night in, night out, it's just hard to imagine anyone being more entertaining" status after bad ankles nearly derailed his career. Hey, here's another fun 2011 subplot: the three best foreign players ever who didn't play college ball in the U.S. (Dirk, Manu and Pau, in that order) playing on the same team.

The point I made was this: Isn't Hakeem Olajuwon foreign? I mean he was born in Nigeria, and didn't immigrate to the States until college. On the flip side, Patrick Ewing was born in Jamaica, but moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 11.

Record number of non-seniors to hit this year's NFL draft

According to a story released by the Associated Press, there are 56 non-seniors that are leaving their college squads to enter the 2011 NFL draft, a record number.

Now, the reasons could be many. For one, there is rampant speculation that in the upcoming labor dispute, the owners and league are going to almost mandate a rookie wage scale, much like the NBA has.

Great, great story out of Houston

Sports are fun. Fun to play, fun to watch and fun to cover.

This story out of Houston is one of the exact reasons why:

One-handed girls hoops star inspires outside of Houston

(Via Yahoo's Prep Rally/Houston Chronicle)

Rangers to announce Rhadigan as new play-by-play voice

The chair occupied by Josh Lewin for the better part of the last decade in the Texas Rangers' TV booth now has a new occupant.

According to ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett, the Rangers are all set to announce John Rhadigan as the new play-by-play man for the defending AL champion Rangers. Rhadigan will join long-time Rangers' analyst and former player/general manager Tom Grieve for Texas Ranger broadcasts.

Bourn, Barmes and Keppinger avoid arbitration with Astros

HOUSTON (AP) — Center fielder Michael Bourn has agreed to a $4.4 million, one-year contract with the Houston Astros, who also reached deals with infielders Clint Barmes at $3,925,000 and Jeff Keppinger at $2.3 million.

Tuesday's agreements avoided salary arbitration.

Bourn hit .265 with 25 doubles, a career-high 38 RBIs and a league-leading 52 steals last season for Houston. Bourn earned his second Gold Glove in 2010 and leads the majors with 154 stolen bases since 2008.

Barmes came to Houston in a November trade from Colorado and is expected to play shortstop for the Astros. He has hit .254 with 61 homers and 285 RBIs since 2003 with the Rockies.

Keppinger hit .288 with six home runs and 59 RBIs in 137 games for Houston last season.

New View From the Cheap Seats Podcast

Posted a new podcast to the Web site yesterday, a new feature we'll be calling the Monday Lookback. This week, we take a look back at the Palestine girls' basketball team's loss to Fairfield and the evolution of the Ladycat soccer team over the weekend.

Check it out

Inside the TABC polls (Week of 1/17/10)

I've learned something about basketball here in the Dogwood Circle as we near the halfway mark for district play in the area: We've got some teams that can ball.

As it currently stands, there are seven local squads (four boys/three girls) that sit inside the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Top-25. Oddly enough, all of them are in the state's smallest two classifications, Class 1A, Div. I and Class 1A,  Div. II.

So, with that being said—and with squads from area districts also being ranked—from here on out during the basketball season we'll dive into the polls weekly to see where the movement, if any, has been for the local squads.

New View From the Cheap Seats Podcast

Meant to post this yesterday, but a new episode of the podcast is up over at palestineherald.com. In the episode, my buddy Kyle (@pimpinkal) joins me to talk a little Rangers' offseason and the NFL playoffs. Sorry about the dated Jim Thome talk, who knew?

Anyway go check it out, let us know what you think.

McDonald's employee fired for letting Adrian Peterson use bathroom? (UPDATED)

According to Yahoo's Shutdown Corner NFL blog, a McDonald's employee was recently let go because she allowed someone to come into the restaurant to use the restroom after closing time.

Turns out, that someone was Palestine-native and Minnesota Vikings' star Adrian Peterson. From Shutdown Corner:

An assistant manager at McDonald's was fired after allowing Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson to use the bathroom while the restaurant was closed. 

While working the late-night drive-thru shift at 3 a.m., a female employee encountered a man standing outside the window who asked to come inside and use the restroom. After a little while, she realized it was the popular Minnesota Vikings star and opened the door for him to come inside and use the facilities. (The seating area at the restaurant is normally closed during the late-night hours.)

One week later, the mother of three was fired for the offense. 

"He's a public figure... I know him better than some of the maintenance people that come in and out," she told Consumerist. "I never thought in a million years that that decision was going to cost me my career."

Thome stays in Minny...Now what?

Earlier in the week, we talked here on the blog about the possibility of Jim Thome bringing his talents to North Texas. My buddy Kyle and I even talked about the move on the newest installment of the View From the Cheap Seats podcast.

But according to ESPN, Thome's talents are staying far, far north. The question is now, what are the Rangers' plans? One apparent possibility is that Manny Ramirez could bring his show to Arlington. The Rangers are apparently interested in the slugger along with a slew of other squads.

New Braunfels' school installs red turf field

Yes, the headline is correct. At  New Braunfels Canyon High School, the school's new red turf field debuted this past week during some soccer matches (via Yahoo's Prep Rally). The turf will be home to the football team in 2011 as well.

Much like Boise State's blue turf, the red turf leaves quite an impression, but whether or not that is a good or bad thing is up to personal taste I guess. Me personally, I'm a fan of the basic green turf. But that's just me, maybe I'm old school.

But, according to the above-linked article, Canyon may not even have the brightest turf within a 50 mile radius if UT-San Antonio gets its way. Apparently, the Roadrunners are hoping to have an orange field inside the Alamodome when the program begins play in 2011 under Larry Coker. I guess with Boise State moving to the Mountain West Conference and UTSA heading into the WAC soon, someone had to take the weird turf torch.

What do you think of the field? OK with random weird colors or just keep it green?

Some MLB updates, links

Josh Hamilton is still recovering from his bout withe pneaumonia, but is expected to be out of the hospital by the weekend: via dallasnews.com's Ranger's Blog

Astro fans, welcome to Texas Ranger fan's world. Apparently, Drake McClane has "20-25" potential buyers for the 'Stros lined up: via the Houston Chronicle

But, that sale isn't stopping Astros general manager Ed Wade from taking on some New Year's resolutions. Wade is going to run the Houston Marathon, three years after completeing the Marine Corp. Marathon in an impressive 4:45. (Via Yahoo's Big League Stew)

"Golden-voiced" man headed to rehab

I guess the story of Ted Williams, who went from homeless to Youtube sensation to celebrity in about 36 hours last week, couldn't turn out quite that Hollywood.

According to CNN, Williams is headed to rehab at the urgence of Dr. Phil. If you'll remember, Williams was offered voice-over work by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the NFL and more entities once the Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Web site discovered him in a video piece done by one of their reporters.

Here's CNN's full story

New Podcast available

After a day of some technical difficulties that I could not fix nor even understand, we've gotten the very first "View From the Cheapseats" sports podcast up and running over at the paper's Website.

Head over, check it out and let me know what you guys think. We'll be doing more very soon, and hope to be adding guests including local coaches and players, as well as other media types from around the area and more.

Check it out here

RANGERS: Why is Texas chasing Jim Thome?

According to multiple ESPN baseball sources, the Rangers are apparently in the hunt for the services of designated hitter and future Cooperstown resident Jim Thome.


I first heard this last night, and the first thing I said was "Huh?"

I mean, the club just signed Adrian Beltre to an almost $100 million dollar contract, and in the process said that Michael Young was going to be a "super-utility" player for the team, with most of his at-bats coming at DH, but also spelling others in the infield when they needed the rest.

New Year's Resolutions and such

Everyone has their basic New Year's Resolutions. Get in shape, eat better, be better with money, etc. In fact, all three of those are my personal resolutions for 2011. Will I be able to do it? Who knows, but I'm going to try.

But, in addition to personal resolutions this year, I made a couple of professional ones as well. Namely, I'm going to be more out there. I'm going to get away from merely being on the sports page. So, my plan is to blog more as well as probably set up a dedicated Twitter account for the sports department here at the paper. We've also got a possible podcast in the works, where myself and others will get on and talk a little sports for people's listening pleasure. With the absence of any sports radio in the area outside of game broadcasts, I think that it'll be a good venture. At least I hope it will be.