It's generally not my thing to spotlight stories like this that aren't really news, but according to a story that T.R. Sullivan has up on MLB.com (http://tinyurl.com/33kdzw), the Rangers have expressed interest in bringing free agent lefthander Kenny Rogers back to Texas, for a fourth stint.
Said GM Jon Daniels: "We'd be open to it under the right circumstances. Obviously, finances would be a part of it. But I'd only want it to be a positive homecoming."
I'm obviously on record as having a love-hate relationship as a Rogers fan since 2005, but there's one thing that cannot be disputed: There's never - never - been a pitcher who better understood how to pitch in Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
If he returns and his head is right (not a given), he could be a huge benefit to this club, not only on days he pitches but also as a mentor to the young pitchers who have arrived and are on the way.
And think about JD's final comment: "I'd only want it to be a positive homecoming." If Rogers signed a contract to pitch here, by definition there would be nothing negative about his return from his own standpoint, either in business terms or personally. Otherwise he wouldn't sign the deal.
The positive Daniels must be talking about is from the organization's perspective, that is, a clear understanding that Rogers would be returning with some degree of contrition, a gesture to management and teammates and the local press and the fans that he isn't proud of his past behavior and is ready to put that behind him and everyone else.
No way? Then no deal.
That appears to be what Daniels is saying.
Fascinating.
Dallas attorney Jamey Newberg has been commenting on Rangers from the big club down through the entire farm system since 1998.
Scott Lucas was born in Arlington, Texas, to Richard and Becky Lucas. He lived mostly in Arlington before moving to Austin, where he graduated from The University of Texas. Scott works for Austin Valuation Consultants, Ltd., and has published several boring articles about real estate appraisal and environmental contamination. He makes a swell margarita and refuses to run longer than ten kilometres.
Eleanor grew up watching the AAA Mudhens in Toledo, Ohio. A loyal Ranger fan since 1979, she works "behind the scenes" at the Newberg Report.
