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— One night early this month, Nolan Ryan was talking about his favorite subject.
“I hate to sound like the old guy who complains, but I’m gonna sound like the old guy who complains,’’ Ryan said in his signature Texas drawl.
He was talking about pitching, of course. And about how it isn’t the way it used to be.
“We (starting pitchers) used to take ownership of the games we pitched,’’ Ryan said. “We stayed in there until we got the decision. It was our game. It’s just not that way anymore. It’s throw your 100-105 pitches, and just, ‘giving us a chance to win.’ ’’
There was more: About the importance of conditioning that allows a starter to go deep into games and amass pitch counts well over 100; about how these ideas and training methods are being instituted throughout the Texas Rangers organization, and at the big-league level by Ryan-approved pitching coach Mike Maddux.
None of this was anything new from Ryan; just a different set of ears were listening. But with Ryan’s Rangers stuck one game under .500 on this night, and with the staff ERA right around 5.00 and near the worst in the AL, it all sounded as if he just wanted to let off a little steam.
Then a funny thing happened. That old-school vision Ryan has for his staff suddenly became an up-to-the-minute reality. No AL staff has put up better numbers this month, and the Texas Rangers hold the best record in the league heading into the weekend.
And when 20,000-plus fans still were on hand at 12:38 a.m. Wednesday as the Rangers locked down a rain-delayed victory over the New York Yankees, it prompted staff ace Kevin Millwood to say: “Maybe they’re starting to buy into the idea that we’re a good team.’’
Lately, the numbers are saying exactly that. The Rangers’ May ERA through Thursday is 3.70, bringing their season mark to the middle of the AL pack.
Rangers starting pitchers trail only the Blue Jays rotation in innings pitched, and are tied with Royals starters for the league lead with five complete games. The Texas staff also has issued the third-fewest walks in the AL. (Alas, they are last in strikeouts, proving not all of Ryan’s methods are transferring over).
That means more balls in play, and an improved defense — particularly in the infield — has responded. The Rangers are tied for fourth in fielding percentage, just .002 off the league leaders, and have committed the fifth-fewest errors.
Millwood in particular has accepted Ryan’s challenge and stepped up as a staff ace should. His 72 innings pitched are third in the AL. Like Millwood, young lefty Matt Harrison also has two complete games and four victories.
Rookie of the Year candidate Elvis Andrus has made eye-opening plays at shortstop, Michael Young has made a nice transition to third base, and Chris Davis is proving to be an acrobatic, well-above-average defensive first baseman.
“Everybody always says that when the Rangers get some pitching and play better defense, they can be a contender,’’ broadcaster and former Rangers GM Tom Grieve said. “That’s exactly what they’re doing.’’
At this point, the usually potent offense only is middle-of-the-AL-pack in runs scored — although near the top in home runs, slugging percentage, doubles, total bases and stolen bases.
Josh Hamilton spent two weeks on the disabled list, and he currently sits sixth on the team in home runs, with four others already in double figures. So figure on an offensive pickup soon.
That’s the way it usually is in Texas, where the winds, lightning-fast playing surface and the ballpark (especially right field) all are hitter-friendly, and the home team employs arguably the best hitting instructor in the business in Rudy Jaramillo.
Still, questions remain. Can the starters keep up this innings-pitched pace? Vicente Padilla already is on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder. Harrison will miss his next start due to inflammation in his left shoulder, and could go on the DL as Padilla comes off.
The Rangers historically are a second-half-fade team, in part due to the damaging affects of the Texas heat. So the pitcher durability issue certainly will remain at the forefront as the season wears on.
And with the Los Angeles Angels showing more vulnerability than at any point during their impressive run since 2002, an AL West title also is at stake.
A: I'll give Sox GM Kenny Williams an ‘A’ for effort in trying to work out a deal recently for Jake Peavy, who vetoed it. That showed Williams a) isn't willing to give up on the season yet, and b) really wants to shake things up, and isn't afraid to part with prospects to do so.
But I'm more in agreement with your line of thinking, Paul. I don't like their roster mix, and nothing I've seen so far this season has changed my mind about picking the Sox to finish last in the AL Central.
Part of that reasoning is projecting that Williams will be trying to deal Dye, Konerko, Thome and others as the season wears on and the Sox fall further out of contention. That point hasn't been reached yet, but it might not be far off.
Not with Carlos Quentin in a major slump and out of the lineup due to injury. Not with the disappointing starts for all of the young position players: Josh Fields, Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix. At least Clayton Richard has stepped into Jose Contreras' rotation spot and pitched pretty well.
If it weren't for Mark Buerhle's 6-1 record, and the strong showing of relievers Bobby Jenks, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel, Matt Thornton and D.J. Carrasco, things would be worse on the South Side.
By the way, several of these veteran Sox players are in the final years of their deals, making them easier to trade: Thome ($13 million) is in the option year. Dye ($11.5 million) is in his final guaranteed season but does have a 2010 option. Colon ($1 million), Contreras ($10 million) and Dotel ($6 million) also are in the final years of their contracts. Konerko ($12 million) is signed through 2010.
A: I do think that St. Louis is one of the select few places where Peavy would approve a trade to, as he prefers to stay in the National League and pitch for a contender.
The Cardinals currently have the lowest team ERA in the NL, and as you say, their rotation already is very good — especially now that Chris Carpenter is back from his oblique injury.
But you're also correct in saying the Cards would have a dominant playoff rotation with Peavy, Carpenter and Adam Wainwright (and Joel Pineiro if needed).
However, Cards GM John Mozeliak has been saying for more than a year now that he is seeking another power bat to better protect Albert Pujols. The need has become even more pronounced this season, with Ryan Ludwick, Troy Glaus and Rick Ankiel spending time on the disabled list.
I think the Cards will look in that direction if they make a major move before the trade deadline, and I'll even throw in who I consider to be a perfect fit for them: Matt Holliday.
As for where Peavy may end up, you still have to consider the Cubs to be a leading possibility. They are a team built to win now with a veteran nucleus, and with their season is unraveling lately, they are going to need help to stay in the playoff chase.
The question is, will GM Jim Hendry make a move to address the offense, rather than the rotation? Among the regular position players, everybody other Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot is either underachieving or injured.
A: The quick answer is no, Chris. But the good folks at Elias did provide the all-time leading trio. And that would be from the 1961 New York Yankees (I think they made a movie about this): Roger Maris (61), Mickey Mantle (54), Bill 'Moose' Skowron (28) for 143.
Here are a few other high-powered trios I thought of from more recent times. This is not a complete list:
