All the Stars were out, except one

Well, it’s the middle of the week, which means it is time for my sports beat. I already explained last week that my sports beat during the summer would be almost completely Texas Rangers talk and that’s where I’m heading right now. So, sit back, grab a beer and a hot dog, and relax as I catch ya’ll up on the local baseball franchise.

The latest on the sale of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club
Claiming its deal is being "derailed" and "hijacked," the prospective new owners of the Texas Rangers, including team president Nolan Ryan, filed suit against the ballclub Monday, asking that a bankruptcy judge approve the sale agreed upon in May. It was the latest twist in a messy drama being played out in federal bankruptcy court in Fort Worth. And the lawsuit is probably the most bizarre development to date…with Ryan suing his own club. In Monday's suit, the Greenberg-Ryan group accused the club of breaching the purchase agreement the group struck with owner Tom Hicks on May 23, which it claims still gives it exclusive rights to negotiate the team's purchase. Two Rangers partnerships to which Snyder serves as chief restructuring officer responded to the suit Monday night by saying the action was aimed at limiting his assigned duties, and urged Lynn to consider them defendants in the action. Separately, Lynn scheduled a hearing for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to hear the Greenberg-Ryan group's demand that the Rangers honor its May 23 deal. But Thomas Lauria, the group's attorney, told the judge Tuesday he would not argue for that suit if some bidding procedures and other issues could be resolved. He said his clients' only goal was to buy the team. And on Tuesday the judge ruled the proposed auction would go forward with a date of August 4.

If things weren't complicated enough, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Lynn confirmed on Monday that the man he appointed to determine the best course for the ballclub, business turnaround specialist William K. Snyder, has been on the receiving end of telephoned threats from over-zealous Rangers fans. Snyder declined to comment on the threats. Security was stepped up at the federal courthouse Friday, when Snyder attended a Rangers bankruptcy hearing. A Federal Protective Service vehicle was parked conspicuously in front of the entrance, and the number of guards on duty was more than doubled. Although a source close to the case said the calls were serious enough to alert federal officials, Lynn downplayed any potential danger. No one would describe the content of the threats or say how many have been received. I know for a fact there have been at least two: one from me and one from my brother (allegedly).

Michael Young’s second chance All-Star bid (and maybe third?)
The Texas Rangers are so hot they're making news even when they're not involved. American League manager Joe Girardi said Monday that Michael Young would replace Boston's Adrian Beltre in the All-Star Game. There was just one little problem: Beltre plans to be in the game. Girardi's announcement, made on national television, sent Major League Baseball into scramble mode. Beltre, who has a left hamstring strain, worked out Monday and plans to play. If he can't, Young is still on hold. He was in Texas on Monday. There are already six Rangers at the All-Star Game, and the initial news that Young had been added caught them off guard. Having Young on hold isn't unprecedented. Last year the American League added Chone Figgins to its roster the day of the game.

The All-Star Game
Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero hit back-to-back in The AL’s batting order for the All-Star game, although the order was reversed from how the Rangers use them. Josh Hamilton batted fourth and played center field. Guerrero hit fifth as the team's designated hitter. That meant an adjustment for Hamilton. Shortstop Elvis Andrus and closer Neftali Feliz were doing all they could to soak up their first All-Star experience. The other four Rangers All-Stars had their own podium during the news conference, with the first-timers sharing a stand. They didn't seem to mind.

The game was all about pitching, with the AL opening the game with five consecutive starters. The most impressive of the lot may have been Rangers left-hander Cliff Lee. Lee, who allowed six runs in his Texas debut Saturday against Baltimore, went through a much more formidable lineup. Lee came on in the fourth inning against the heart of the NL lineup and finished off Martin Prado, Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard on just six pitches. Half of those pitches went to Pujols, the two-time NL MVP, who struck out swinging. Five of the record six Rangers All-Stars saw action, with rookie right-hander Neftali Feliz the only one not playing. Josh Hamilton went 1 for 3 with a single off Roy Halladay. He was also robbed by Milwaukee's Ryan Braun of extra bases on a fourth-inning sinking liner. Hamilton was the only Ranger with a hit. Vladimir Guerrero went 0 for 2 after receiving a rousing ovation during the player introductions. Apparently fans in Annaheim are having trouble letting go. Elvis Andrus came in as a pinch runner to replace Derek Jeter, who singled in the bottom of the sixth. Andrus stole second but was tagged out by Brandon Phillips after he went past the bag. He grounded out in the eighth. Kinsler drew a walk in the seventh inning but was forced at second. That inning was also the AL's last real threat. Kinsler's walk followed a one-out double by John Buck. Kinsler thought he had a chance to extend the game in the ninth as he came up with two outs with a man on first. Ian Kinsler then drilled a Jonathan Broxton pitch to right center, but Arizona's Chris Young tracked it down for the final out. See what the American League gets for not adding Michael Young to its roster.

Odds on
The acquisition of Cliff Lee has shifted the betting line on the Rangers. According to bodog.com, the odds for the Rangers winning the American League West are 1-8. The odds of the Rangers winning the World Series are 15-2. Only the Yankees, 3-1, are more of a sure bet.