The Ranger Zone

Beast of the Best is back, and this time it’s second basemen and shortstops. In this episode, Christopher reminds us that Toby Harrah was only 16 batting-average points shy of winning the Triple Crown in 1975. Robbie discovered that Marcus Semien is one of six second basemen to log 25+ HR, 100+ RBI, 120+ Runs in a single season. And Tony got the short end of the stick and had to talk about how great A-Rod was.
 
SHOW NOTES:Dallas Stars Mooterus Jersey ⚾https://bit.ly/413iKni 
 
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The baseball season is upon us all, and we could not, would not, let another second go by without predicting all the things and stuffs for 2026. In this episode, we discuss every digit from AL West standings to playoff spots to World Series winners and even some Rangers-specific guestimates. Also, we vehemently reject the racist statue erected at Globe Life Field last month and hope the people who tore down Saddam’s statue could do us a solid.
 
SHOW NOTES:D Magazine Article ⚾ https://bit.ly/4cMZBNC PECOTA Projections ⚾ https://bit.ly/4cGmtOF Jim Leyland vs Umpire ⚾ https://bit.ly/4un2QBv 
 
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If the Rangers’ farm system is ranked 25th, did they really give up anything of value to the Nationals? Only the cruel, unrelenting march of time will tell. But for now, the World Series window remains wide open with the addition of MacKenzie Gore and his lethal curveball. In this episode, we get into the Gore-y details (see what we did there) from the five prospects dealt to the Nats, to his machine-like swing-and-miss stuff, to who’s taking over the mound in 2028 when Gore, Eovaldi and deGrom are gone.
 
SHOW NOTES:Theme Nights ⚾ https://bit.ly/3ZGqhYB Rangers Savant Trade Value ⚾ https://bit.ly/4s597jv 
 
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Welcome to the first of a four-part mini-series where we break down the Rangers’ best single-season performances by position. In this episode, we learn that Rafael Palmeiro stole 22 bases in 1993 – he’d never stolen more than 12. Hank Blalock led the league in defensive WAR in 2003 and didn’t win a Gold Glove. Buddy Bell is not only the all-time best and second-best defensive third baseman for the Rangers, he ranks No. 3 in all-time best defensive third basemen in baseball history… but he’s not in the Hall of Fame.
 
SHOW NOTES:Human Rain Delay ⚾ https://bit.ly/4rGkYnH ‘93 First Base Comparison ⚾ https://bit.ly/3ZwI1Wk ‘05 First Base Comparison ⚾ https://bit.ly/4rMqF3M‘05 Michael Young Stats ⚾ https://bit.ly/4tsyptr 
 
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Things 1 and 2 behind the plate for the 2026 Texas Rangers are Kyle Higashioka, and man of the hour, Danny Jansen. In this episode, we gaze into our crystal baseball and glimpse Jansen’s past so we can predict his future – we think. We also compare the new tandem catchers with recently released Jonah Heim, shake in our boots about the Rangers’ long-term plan for the position, and Jansen’s historic trade from Toronto to Boston.
 
SHOW NOTES:Seager/Semien Dispute ⚾ https://bit.ly/4sSUEZ4 
 
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A 1-for-1 trade has brought Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, and we want to know: If the Big Apple were in Texas, would it be called the Bigger Apple? In this episode, WE. BREAK. DOWN. EVERYTHING. From Nimmo’s experience days leading up to the trade to reading between the lines of Semien’s exiting quotes to unpacking Nimmo’s entire plate approach. Robbie is concerned about his defense. Tony is concerned about his defense. Christopher is concerned about his defense.
 
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Before hopping completely back in the saddle for 2026, we are humbled by our 2025 predictions for Jake Burger, Joc Pederson, and Kyle Higashioka. In this episode, we do what we could not last season and try to make reasonable predictions - this time, it’s trades. Robbie still yearns for Brent Rooker, Chris suggests a few 1-for-1s, and Tony thinks the Twins’ cupboard still has some non-perishable items for the taking.
 
SHOW NOTES:Corey “Cookie Monster” Seager 🍪https://bit.ly/4qFmZ32 CC & Amber Sabathia costumes 👶 https://bit.ly/4qJy1EH 
 
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Even though Chris Young said he can’t spend a lot of Ray Davis’ money in 2026, we still think there’s a budget team to be built. In this episode, we count the nickels and dimes of player salaries for next season and play free agent musical chairs. How do Dustin May, Zac Gallen or Victor Caratini sound? Chris also debuts a new POWER RANKINGS segment.
 
SHOW NOTES:https://bit.ly/48nwfmh ⚾ CY year-end presser
 
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We’re back in our make-believe booth for the final edition of Amateur Broadcast Theater for the 2025 Rangers season. In this episode, you’ll hear the sounds and our calls of the final game from Sunday, September 28th, against the Cleveland Guardians, which includes a guest appearance from Christopher’s dad acting as a sort of on-field reporter as he attended the game in Cleveland. Lots of electric plays, a few home runs and a season that ended poetically at 81-81.
 
SHOW NOTES:Rookie Superheroes ⚾ https://bit.ly/47WDfoD 
 
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Just who is Skip Schumacher? You’re about to find out. In this episode, we chronicle Skip’s time as a player, bench coach, and, of course, a skipper. We’ll never forget the heartbreaking 2011 WS, you know, the one where Skip’s team won. But we’re hoping his vision for better communication, stronger teambuilding, and establishing a new “winning clubhouse culture” throughout his next four seasons as the Rangers’ manager might help soothe the lasting burn.
 
SHOW NOTES:Ichiro Ballin’ at 51⚾ https://bit.ly/43aMTT6 Schumacher’s Press Conference ⚾ https://bit.ly/4qEc2j0 
 
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