Robin Ventura Shakes Headlock, Takes a Stab at Managing White Sox

Robin Ventura, best know for getting his ass beat by Nolan Ryan (I swear that will be on this poor sap's tombstone) has taken Ozzie Guillen's job as skipper of the South Siders.

The former White Sox third baseman joined the team this summer as a "special adviser" to director of player development Buddy Bell, which is apparently a lot like managing a ball club. Fun fact: Ventura has never so much as managed a little little league team in his entire life... Oh well.

The White Sox don't seem to care about this minor detail, however. They just had to snag him up before another club did. You know, one who preferred a skipper with zero credentials. Besides, they had to get a name out there that someone recognized so the world would'nt realize that no one wants to be in charge of that mess, let alone listen to Ken Williams babble on and on.

Michael Young May Be Held Hostage by Rangers

Michael Young has asked the Texas Rangers to trade him. Of course, they are willing to oblige... if it will improve the team.

The Rangers all-time hits leader is not impressed with his changing role, upon last month's signing of free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Young is expected to become the club's primary designated hitter, while serving as a utility man all over the infield.

General manager Jon Daniels had this to say about his longest-tenured player's unhappy disposition:

"Nothing is imminent... [Young] has changed his mind, had a change of heart about that role, and if we can accommodate his request, and in doing so upgrade the club, we certainly would like to do that. It certainly hasn’t gotten to a point where we’ve presented Michael with anything because he’s been clear on his feelings about [being traded to teams not on his list.]"

Young is owed $46 million over the remaining three seasons of his contract —- $15 million in each of the next two seasons and $16 million in 2013 -- and he's made it extra difficult as there are just eight teams not on his no-trade list.

Cliff Lee Must Be Wooed

Ever heard the expression, "Never bring a knife to a gun fight?"

That may be what Texas Rangers owner Chuck Greenburg is doing with his team's "multiple substantial" offers to Cliff Lee in an attempt to keep him in Arlington. At one point, they asked him what it would take for him to stay. Unfortunately, Clifton Lee must be wooed.

So Greenburg, along with assistant general manager Thad Levine and co-chairman Ray Davis, met with Lee, the pitcher’s wife and his agent, Darek Braunecker, at Braunecker’s office Thursday night. While Greenburg refused to divulge the details, he called his team "highly competitive." But are they competitive enough?

Season Preview: Texas Rangers

Now that Spring Training has started, we're continuing on with Season Previews. Last year, they began as a serious analysis and ended as half-assed haiku, which we're just gonna keep rolling with.

Nolan Ryan. No-
lan Ryan. Nolan Ryan.
Nolan Ryan RULES.


[Lone Star Ball] | [Ranger Fans] | [Baseball Time In Arlington]

Nolan Ryan Hospitalzed

Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan was treated and released from Round Rock Medical Center in Texas Friday, in a non-emergency situation.

The 59-year-old strikeout king checked into the hospital for treatment of recurring symptoms from a pre-existing medical condition, his son, Reid Ryan, said. A family friend claims Ryan was suffering from chest pain.

Reid did not specify the condition, but said it was discovered when his father had double-bypass heart surgery in 2000. He explained his father takes medication for it and from time to time and has episodes that require him to get checked out when he has pain.

He's feeling good. This is more about taking precautions.

During his illustrious career, Nolan Ryan struck out 5,714 batters and pitched seven no-hitters - both major league records - in 27 years with the New York Mets, the California Angels, the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers before retiring in 1993 and being elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.

[KHOU]