Jon Daniels actually made a bad trade once

This seems impossible to comprehend now, but there was a time when Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels made a dumb trade. It was the time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, when gas was afforable and when we could turn on the TV without watching a singing talent show. 

No, I'm not talking about the Adam Eaton deal.

On Dec. 23, 2006 Daniels thought he pulled one on Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams when he sent left-handed prospect John Danks for righty Brandon McCarthy. There were some others involved in the deal, but those two pitchers were the primary components. 

McCarthy could never stay healthy when he arrived with the Rangers, while Danks developed into a decent starter.

McCarthy (2-3, 4.36) is scheduled to face the Rangers at Rangers Ballpark tonight as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In three seasons with the Rangers, McCarthy was 13-15 with a 4.68 ERA in 221 innings. He was not re-signed after 2009 season.

The thought was that at 6-foot-7, 200 pounds he could not stand up to the pounding of a 35-game start type of season. That he was pretty good, but not durable.

But then he "found it" with the Oakland Athletics where in two seasons he was 17-15 with a 3.29 ERA. He signed with Arizona in the offseason.

Danks, meanwhile, was a pretty consistent innings eater from 2007 to 2011. He made at least 26 starts in all five of those seasons; he was at his best from '08 to '10 when he was 40-31 with an ERA in the 3s every season.

Last season was the first time he was a total dud; Danks suffered a season ending shoulder injury in May of last season, and is only now about ready to return.

Danks has been the better pro while McCarthy just has not been able to string it together for long enough to say that Daniels didn't whiff on this one.

 

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel

Kerry Wood '98 > Yu Darvish '13 v. Astros

Total buzz kill not moving for more than 30 minutes all in the hope that Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish would finish off his perfect game against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.

Alas, Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez killed Darvish's perfect game bid by hitting a sharp line drive back up the middle with two outs in the ninth inning. It was a legit hit. BTW - As a rookie last season, Gonzalez batted .234.

Darvish: 8.2 ip., 1 hit, 0 r, 0 bb, 14 K, 111 pitches, 78 strikes

Bummer to see Darvish came so far to finish one batter away from perfection.

As dominant as Darvish was, he was not as impressive as Kerry Wood in 1998 when he toyed with the Astros. 

That Astros team had real professional hitters and not their current collection of inexpensive kids that partly comprise a team payroll of 33 dollars and 45 cents.

On May 6, 1998 Wood was making his fifth career start for the Chicago Cubs. Some have argued that it's the best game ever pitched.

He was facing an Astros lineup that featured Craig Biggio, Derek Bell, Jeff Bagwell, Jack Howell, Moises Alou and Brad Ausmus. All of those guys ranged from good to Hall of Fame.

Wood: 9 ip., 1 hit, 0 run, 0 bb, 20 K, 122 pitches, 84 strikes.

The only hit in the game came by Ricky Gutierrez leading off the top of the third inning - a shot in the hole between third and short.

Darvish's game was brilliant, and it was a reminder of just how good the kid from Grand Prairie was one overcast afternoon in Chicago.

Twitter @MacEngelProf

tengel@star-telegram.com

Facebook Mac Engel

Mark Cuban's toy are winners on a spreadsheet, just not on the court

The Dallas Mavericks NBA professional basketball team may be six games under .500 and four wins outside of the eighth seed for a spot in the playoffs, but that does not mean they aren't winners.

According to Forbes' annual study/report of the value of each NBA franchise, Mark Cuban's toy is the fifth-most valuable team in the league, worth an estimated $685 million. The Mavs' profit, according to Forbes, was $13 million. I would imagine that makes it a lot easier to say goodbye to Tyson Chandler. 

On Jan. 4, 2000 Mark Cuban paid Ross Perot jr. $285 million to become an NBA owner. In that time he has helped make the Mavericks one of the most valued franchises in the NBA, complete with one NBA title and one player with an MVP regular season trophy. 

And this is the same guy who once gave Raef LaFrentz a long-term contract extension. You see, people can really change.

The Mavs may suck this season, but they are profitable. Of course, so are the Knicks and that's worked out well for them, too.

Here are the top five NBA franchises by value, according to Forbes.

1. New York Knicks, $1.1 billion; profit $83 million
2. L.A. Lakers, $1 billion; profit $48 million
3. Chicago Bulls, $800 million; profit $34 million
4. Boston Celtics, $730 million; profit $19 million
5. Dallas Mavericks, $685 million; profit $13 million

 

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel

Is the newest Texas Ranger a real jerk?

The day after Christmas the Texas Rangers formally announced they signed veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski to a one-year deal. Not exactly Zack Greinke, Justin Upton, or keeping Josh Hamilton.

Pierzynski has a good bat, and a perfectly awful reputation in baseball as a guy who simply can't control his mouth. Click on this link to read about A.J. trying to clear the air earlier this summer that he's the devil.

"Of course I'm tired of it. We're supposed to be talking about the Texas Rangers and we're' talking about (his reputation)," he said today on a conference call when I asked him if he was tired of it and how he acquired the rap. "You do get tired of answering questions about something you have no control over. I know I gave everyhting I have. Sometimes it doesn't work and people may get upset."

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has a little bit of a history with A.J. after he didn't select him to the All-Star game last season despite his good numbers. Pierzynski wasn't happy about it, but he insists it was no big deal.

"When Wash' and I had lunch a few days ago with (GM Jon Daniels) he came up and I made a joke of it. As far I was concerned it was over with when it happened," Pierzynski said. "People try to make a big deal of it. I know he was in a tough spot and it didn't work out for me. I know what he is all about. It's over and done with."

Pierzynski may have a big mouth, but there are two things that suggest he is not a total clubhouse cancer.
No. 1 - He was with the Twins from 1998 to 2003.
No. 2 - He was with the White Sox from 2005 to 2012.

Total and complete clubhouse cancer jerks do not stick with the same team for that long. Now, his one year with the Giants - 2004 when he drove in 77 runs, also suggests there is probabaly a little something to this. 

I was never for the Rangers keeping catcher Mike Napoli simply because he was never again going to approach the type of production he generated in 2011.

Pierzynski? It's a one-year deal so the risk is relatively low. He is coming off a season where he played 135 games and hit .278 with 27 home runs, 18 doubles and drove in 77 runs. That's one of the best years of his career. If he does that with the Rangers, or comes close, this is a great signing. 

"The only thing you need to know about me as a person is I want to win," Pierzynski said. "I'll do everything in my power to win. Whatever was said or written you can't change that. I wish it would go away. I've done everything I can to get it to go away but it doesn't seem like it's going away anytime soon."

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel

Former voice of the Dallas Mavericks, Jim Durham, has died

Very sad hear to the news that former Dallas Mavericks radio play by play voice Jim Durham has died. According to reports, Durham died on Sunday at his home in Tomball, Texas. He was 65.

People around the greater FW/d know Durham as the voice of the Dallas Mavericks from 1993 to 2001 - their dog days.

There was a time when Durham was the voice of a much greater team - the Chicago Bulls. For a host of people who lived in the Midwest during the '90s, Durham was the voice of Michael's Bulls. Durham did Bulls' games from 1973 to 1991.

"He was a great, great radio guy," said the current radio voice of the Mavericks, Chuck Cooperstein, when I got him on the phone today. "I grew up in New York, and Marv Albert is the voice of the Knicks. So Jim is the radio voice of that Bulls team to a lot of people."

In recent years he was the lead radio NBA voice for ESPN radio.

Durham was the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media award winner in 2011. He is survived by his wife, Helen, and their three children.

 

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel

Cowboys vs. Ravens - Noooooooo reason to worry

IRVING, Texas - Your Dallas Cowboys professional football club had a final practice today before a badly needed rest. What this team clearly needs is a break.

The Cowboys do not play again until they travel to play the Baltimore Ravens (3-1) on Oct. 14. BTW - the Ravens will be coming off a game in Kansas City, which some may argue is easier than a bye.

What does the NFL's second-lowest scoring team really not need to do in its next game? Play the Ravens.

Actually, this are not your Ravens Super Bowl-defense. A lot of the "Ravens defense" is reputation based on that crew. In terms of total defense today, the Ravens rank 23rd, but in points allowed they are tied for 10th. These aren't bums, but they are not the ideal opponent for an offense that has lost the directions to the endzone.

"I don't want to look at it as a problem," Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree said today in the locker room as the players prepared to flee for several days off before they returned to work. "It's all still in front of us."

He means there are 12 games remaining, and plenty of time to win.

But how does a team with Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Tony Romo, Jason Witten, DeMarco Murray and to a lesser extent even Felix Jones be this bad on offense? (Offensive line - cough, cough - offensive line).

"The majority of this is mistakes - untimely," Ogletree said. "They really, really magnify this. Like my biggest mistake is (the dropped pass that led to an int in the Bears game) was in the redzone. You can't have those."

Tight end Jason Witten sees the offenses' struggles in the last three games narrowed down to a "couple of plays" he said. "We did a lot of good things in that game (against the Bears)."

Define "good". The Cowboys' offense the previous three games has not been good.

The Cowboys offense has scored four touchdowns in the past three games. Their opponents have scored two touchdowns on defense, and one on special teams in that time.

"I have to play better," Witten said. "Everybody has to play better if we are going to beat those types of defenses (such as the Ravens)."

It would help.

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel

Dallas Cowboys "Get Real" Chat No. 3: The Giants game really happened

Thanks for checking in for this Dallas Cowboys Get Real chat to cover the wreck that was their 34-18 loss at home against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Don't worry, it was actually much worse than the final score indicated.
 
Post your comment underneath and we can begin a discourse.

THE COWBOYS BEAT NEW YORK? NOT THE JETS, THE GIANTS? IN NEW JERSEY: After watching the last three games it does seem a bit amazing these same Dallas Cowboys traveled up East and defeated the Giants, 24-17.

The number decrease since then is amazing:

at NYG: 433 yards offense; Romo 22 of 29, 307 yards, 3 TD, 1 int; DeMarco Murray 20 carries, 131 yards
at Sea: 296 yards; Romo 23 of 40, 251 yards, 1 TD, 1 int; DeMarco Murray 13 carries, 44 yards
v. TB: 297 yards; Romo 25 of 39, 283 yards, 0 TD, 1 int; DeMarco Murray 18 carries, 38 yards
v. Chi.: 430 yards; Romo 31 of 43, 307 yards, 1 TD, 5 int; DeMarco Murray 11 carries, 24 yards

WHICH TEAM ARE THEY? The Cowboys have more matchup problems than you might think. The Giants were victims of their own unforced errors - dropped passes, etc. - the Seahawks out-physicaled the Cowboys, the Bucs were equally as ugly, and the Bears are much better defensively.

Despite an upgrade in talent here and there, the Cowboys simply don't look that much different than a year ago, and are playing like they are going to finish between 7-9 and 9-7.

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel 

Cowboys Irrational Reaction - Who are we kidding?

So many things to choose from this latest disappointment made possible by the Dallas Cowboys professional football team.

Chicago Bears 34
Dallas Cowboys 18

The Clownboys are 2-2 entering the bye. After that, it's a trip to Baltimore where lots of teams with wretched offenses win football games. 

Where to begin with this steamling pile of Jerry's Secret?

1. Start with the owner.
2. Go to the team president.
3. Move down to the general manager.

4. The quarterback has eight turnovers in the last two games. Generally, that's not good.

5. The third year WR out of Oklahoma State looks like a rookie. Up, down, right and left. Dez Bryant, your career is calling. You may want to pick up.

6. The offensive line remains a total mess. Since running for 143 yards in the Week 1 win against the Giants, the Cowboys' running game has averaged 3.1, 1.7 and 2.9 yards per carry, respectively, in the following three games.

7. Defending Bears WR Brandon Marshall was deemed completely unnecessary, so much so he had a free route in the fourth quarter. Brandon had 7 receptions for 138 yards and a TD.

8. Cowboys WR Miles Austin had four catches. The Bears defense had five catches. A few of those picks were not on Romo, but enough of them were.

9. The original reason Jerry Jones hired Jason Garrett away from Miami to join Wade Phillips' staff in 2007 was because of his offensive mind, and he wanted him to call the plays.

10. The Packers, Cowboys, Patriots and Broncos are all 2-2. Plan the parade!

 @MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com
Facebook Mac Engel

NFL players reaction to "real" refs returning does not match the outrage at their absence

IRVING, Texas - As much outrage as had been expressed by fans and the players over the NFL lockout of the referees you would think upon learning the news that "real" crews are returning would be cause for Mardi Gras II.

Nope. The general response from some of the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys is the return of the real crews is no big deal.

"I didn't let it dictate anything I do. They are out there doing the best job they can, whether they get it right or wrong is inconsequential to me," Dallas Cowboys center Ryan Cook said. "I have enough to worry about with my job whether they are doing their job."

"I know how important it was for us to get regular officials back. They are professionals and they administer the game," Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said today on a conference call to FW/d reporters. "That would make the game better. But for us, the Cowboys are occupying our thoughts."

I actually liked this answer the best from Chicago Bears WR Brandon Marshall. I asked him if he was relieved this ref lockout was over.

"When I think about that situation I have compassion for the replacement refs. They took a lot of heat," he said. "To be criticized and talked about by the world week in and week out is tough. Those guys are trying to get it right but it's tough to be thrown into the fire like that. I am sure they did the best they could. I'm glad this is behind us, but I have a lot of compassion for the replacement refs."

Now we can return to complaining about the real crews, and their screwps.

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com

Facebook Mac Engel

Fear not, Cowboys fans, Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester is done

No, Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester is not out for the year, retired or injured. He is scheduled to play for the Bears against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

I am calling my shot - Hester's days as the most dominant returner in NFL history are over.

He still may be effective, but the man who scored 18 touchdowns on returns from 2006 to 2011 is no longer. 

He has returned six punts for 70 yards this season and seven kicks for an average of 27.3 yards per return. Hester is in his seventh NFL season, and he is 29.

Bears coach Love Smith does not agree.

"As a returner it's hard to be speical and have a touchdown on returns every game. You go through spells where it doesn't happen," Smith said on Wednesday during a conference call with reporters.

I asked him the rather loaded question if he sees any signs of declining skills on Hester's part because dominant returners, historically, have a tendency to just fall off.

"Not scoring right now. I can see why you would question where Devin is right now. He is a young player, still. I still believe his best returns are ahead of him."

What is Lovie going to say? "Yeah - you're right - this guy is toast and we're in denial."

Hester should still be considered for the Hall of Fame based on his ability as a returner, but he is nearing that point when he no longer is the fastest guy with the best moves.

 

@MacEngelProf
tengel@star-telegram.com

Facebook Mac Engel