Christmas Time In Texas: Act III
Joey Matschulat
Well, it wasn't a White Christmas ... but a White Christmas Eve is pretty close, right?I find it refreshing -- and a little bit amusing -- that this is the first Christmas of the three that have elapsed since I began writing for Baseball Time in Arlington some 34 months ago where I haven't felt compelled to lavish over-the-top praise upon the Texas Rangers and/or make repeated references to the "bright future" lying ahead of them. This is one year where it's just not necessary, because I don't like writing redundant things any more than you like reading them.
There is one redundant thing that I would like to write, however, and it's a simple word of unwavering gratitude: Thanks. I'm heartened by the enormous response that the high-quality work of David Brown, Jason Parks, Trip Somers and myself has received throughout this tumultuous calendar year. I'm pumped by the fact that the website has been smashing daily and weekly traffic records left and right during this month of December. Most of all, I'm touched that you're interested enough in what we have to say that you keep coming back. It's clichéd, but unequivocally true at the same time: without you, this place doesn't exist. I mean that.
I'm not certain what these next few months and years hold in store for my three cohorts, and I'm especially uncertain about what they hold in store for me -- truth be told, there have been times during this past year when I've been very tempted to hang up the cleats (almost entirely due to the enormous time investment), and perhaps that's the path that makes the most sense for me from a career-furthering standpoint. I sincerely hope things never deteriorate to the point where I do have to go down that path, however, because part of my identity is locked into this website and the effort I put into it, and I don't have any intention of losing that part of my identity -- or, for that matter, going out before I'm at the top. And so endeth my moment of holiday catharsis.
A very blessed Merry Christmas and happy holidays to each and every one of you out there, and above all else, take the words of the late, great Fred G. Sanford to heart ... love somebody.
Reader Comments (12)
Merry Christmas
A very Merry Christmas to all.
all of you fill a need in us..... we want to know more about the Rangers but dont have the time, opportunity, or knowledge to gather the facts or to be able to present them the way you guys do... so, keep up the good work..... and we will keep on coming back.... and
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Merry Xmas!
Thanks for the great writeups, hope this site continues strong through 2010!
Joey: Here's hoping you can continue to keep this site going. But if you can't due to time constraints, please understand that this work will always be considered the finest example of Ranger analysis out there. I just hope that someday, Sports Illustrated takes note of your writing...and immediately fires Tom Verducci to make room for you.
Thanks for not putting your career ahead of the Rangers just yet Joey :)
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and thanks for all that you all do in order to keep me up to date with our Rangers. Take care!
Merry Christmas Joey. All your work is appreciated!
You've done a great job with this site Joey. Keep up the good work.
I found you this fall doing a google search for J.Smoak as I was trying to decide if he would reach the bigs fast enough to hold on to him in my keeper league... I've been back every day since. So glad I found you guys.
I've been here since day 1, and I have always appreciated your excellent work, Joey. Hope 2010 is a great one for you!
This site makes my balls happy.