One Kidney Does it all!

Three years ago Rangers Catcher, Gerald Laird, donated his kidney to Rangers Replay host, Mike O'Gulnik. And since then when Gerald comes to bat, we in the Snake pit have always said, "One kidney, does it all!" in unison.

Last Sunday, was Fan Photo Day. Bring your camera and go out on the field and take pictures of the Ranger players. My daughter, Aubrey and I hit the field with 1,000 or so, other fans. Later that night I unloaded my camera and looked at the pictures I had taken of Aubrey with players. (See posted photo, cropped for closer look.)

I looked closer at picture with Gerald and I couldn't believe what I saw! Not only is he minus a kidney....He's cross-eyed!!!

How did I go this long without noticing that? Better yet, how did it get passed Vikki?

Well, we had to change up our chant for Gerald. Now we'd say "One kidney, cross-eyed, does it all!"

Until, Yesterday, when Gerald played third base, with Vazquez at shortstop, because Michael Young was out with a strained ring-finger. - I heard he popped Ponson for getting in Kinsler's face about an error..........or he hurt it weight lifting.

Well, we had to yet again change up our chant for Laird. Now we say, "One kidney, cross-eyed, playing third, really does do it all!"

I can't wait till he starts pitching! This man is amazing. Lets not forget he's also Hispanic. I didn't know this till I saw his picture on the Hispanic Heritage Poster the Rangers handed out. Hmm

What a guy! Sorry ladies, I hear he's taken. He finally married the "Baby-Momma."

I would like to add that this blog is slightly embelished.

Erin

Hank Who?

A little back ground.....

Two years ago I was a little excited to get to a Rough Riders game to see Hank Blalock's little brother play ball. We went early to try and get autographs from the players before the game.
The lesser Blalock was signing so, Aubrey and I rushed over to get his autograph. He got right to Aubrey who was about 9 years old at the time and looked at her and said "That's it I got to go."

I understand having to go, a ball player needs to stretch before a game. (see above) We stayed where we were and after a few minutes he returned to sign some more. He got to Aubrey and again said "That's it"
I told Aubrey that I didn't think his britches were big enough to be big leaguing her like that. TWICE!

She didn't care... I did. Fast forward a few weeks and Hank is signing before a Rangers game. Aubrey and I wait for him to get down the short line of people to us. He signs for Aubrey and looks at me and says "That's it I got to go."
I was the only one left, there was no one after me. He big leagued me!!

That was it I had had it with the Blalock brothers. Hank was now DEAD to me. Every time Hank was announced before his at bat as well as merely mentioned, I always asked "Who?"
Hank began to struggle offensively. Vikki even resorted to bringing an IV line for him cause he was weak and thready. It didn't help much.

Hank seems to be on the DL quite consistently now days. hmmm And where is the lesser Blalock? How's he coming along in the minors?

Personally I don't think we need Hank anymore, we seem to be doing just fine without him. Third base is covered. Hank volunteers to play first and oops there goes the DL again.
I'm thinking he's a good DFA candidate.

Don't big league me, it doesn't set well.
Erin

Unlucky Number 13

Is it the number on his back? Is it that he bruised his knees curling up like a scared puppy while Sexon ran at him throwing his helmet? Or is it the fact he sees no humor in hitting Pierzynski with a fastball to the ribs?

Whatever the reason is, Gabbard is disappointing me. I do not like to be disappointed. Six walks in one game..wow.

I promised to show Gabbard love today during the game, but the game is over, as is the love.

Perhaps he would be better off in AAA practicing his curve ball & allowing Botts to practice hitting it.

I am certain a number of Bullpen boys would be happy to take his spot in the rotation and be more than pleased to throw one at AJ's ribs. Wouldn't you??

Got Kam?

We are thrilled Kameron Loe is back in the bullpen. He got to pitch in tonights game and came away with the win. Way to go Kam!

Craig's phone chirped all night Wednesday, after the news hit the press of Kam's return.

If Angel ,(Kam's Snake), had ears she could hear the good news herself. We told her anyway and gave her a nice fat rat to celebrate with. Although I think she would have preferred Craig's little Quaker, Salty. She's been eyeballing him for months now.

I can't wait to sit with Aubrey over the bullpen and yell for Kam when he comes out on their first game back here on the 30th.

Erin

When helmets are outlawed, only outlaws will have helmets!

Let's start with something we all know. Sexon is a tall guy, #1 in the draft, either will hit a home run..or strike out. I've heard he's a nice guy, can't prove it by me. The guy is a jerk. He behaved horribly and my only regret of it all is that Padilla did not have the opportunity to let one "slip" out of his hand. Willing to bet when Padilla let's one slip..it'll hurt. Oh well, yesterdays news. Sexon is nowhere to be found and his Mariners just lost yet another series to us. Glad Sexon's outbursts fired up the team so well.

The ladies of the Snake Pit could not be happier. Our team is playing like big leaguers & everyone contributes. We are still not sold on Washington and would be happy to see him "go away", but it's good to want things, right?

We are convinced the flames tattooed on Josh's arms are what causes the huge home runs & amazing throws from the out field. Please join in with us while we yell, "It's the flames." We all may have to invest in flame tattoos for the entire team.

Let's hope tomorrow we can sweep the Mariners out of town! Then we can prepare for a HUGE weekend with many friends and good times as the Astros come to town & Robert Earl Keen does his concert at the Temple. As he sings, "It feels so good, feeling good again."

Winning sure beats losing!

Roughriders & Horses

The Ladies of the Snake Pit ( at least Erin & I) need some baseball! With that in mind, I trekked up to Frisco today to purchase 4 tickets for the 2:05 Sunday game. I call them the Puppies of Summer, they are all just babies! Gotta love them.

As I am telling the young man at the ticket counter I wanted 4 tickets "down & front" for tomorrows game he showed me their seating chart & offered up row 2 down the 3rd base line. He politely looked me up and down & said , "now ma'am these are heads up tickets, you will have to pay attention to the game because foul balls get hit there often." I of course replied, "Score!!!" So he proceeded to explained foul balls... blah blah blah.. I thanked him & said I am certain those are the ones I want & I will even bring MY Keith Foulke Game Used Glove in which to catch one of those foul balls. He looked up at me & pronounced me "hard core"..I was so proud.

We will give a full report after the game..

I have to take a minute & venture away from baseball to pay respects to Eight Belles and all my friends in Lexington that knew & loved her. She was bred at Three Chimney Farm that I was fortunate enough to have a private tour of and meet the only horse I ever loved, Smarty Jones. I even have pictures of me with him. I have officially quit yelling for horses. For days I have told everyone where Eight Belles was from & when she was ready how she'd be bred to Smarty. So to Tony, Marylou, Kristin, Jennifer & all the veterinarians that cared for her, my heartfelt sympathy.

Autographs

I love Autograph Wednesdays at the ballpark. It's fun meeting the players and watching kids get their first autograph on a ball, listening to parents explain who the player is they're in line for, and of course there's the guy hoping to turn a profit for his time spent in line.

I enjoy looking at their signatures. Gerald Laird has a real pretty signature, it looks like it came off the Declaration of Independence. Elvis Andrus in the Minors scribbles fancy too. I love how some of them shorten it, like Ben Broussard, his is B B squiggle. Gotta love C.J. Wilson's, his begins with a star. John Wetteland gives ya a scripture with his autograph. PS 9:10

Occasionally players are asked to sign things other than a baseball or a baseball card........

Last month my son went with us to to a minor league game in Corpus Christi. We watched the Frisco Rough Riders play the Corpus Christi Hooks. Anyway, he is a bit of a character and it's amplified when he gets bored. See pic above.
He decided he wanted to get autographs with his sister from the CC Hooks players. My son didn't have a ball like his sister had, but he did have a travel sized tube of toothpaste from the hotel. He asked #10 outfielder Mitch Einertson to sign his toothpaste. I wish I could have seen the look on his face; I'm told he looked confused and wasn't sure he heard right, then he said, "Huh?".
But bless his heart he signed that toothpaste as though it was just another ball.

Erin