Monday Newsletter time: Hello, Surprise. You're a welcomed sight.
Texas Rangers minor-leaguers open their spring training Monday as they build for their seasons, which will begin on time.
SURPRISE, Ariz. — That dateline looks good.
So does the Surprise Recreation Campus, which had largely emptied by the time the Texas Rangers Newsletter pulled into town at lunch. Many players had the day off after getting poked and hopefully not prodded for their pre-camp physical exams.
The first workout of Rangers minor-league spring training is today. Intrasquad games begin Friday, and games against other teams March 15.
The minor-league seasons begin April 5 (Triple A) and April 8 (Double A, High A, Low A).
Expect a lot of videos to pop up on the Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast YouTube channel, which you absolutely should subscribe to for free. Speaking of subscriptions, a paid subscription to the Rangers Newsletter is only $5.99 a month or $60 a year.
John Moore and I will be out on the back fields the next four mornings cramming as much into our phones and tape recorders as possible. There’s a labor impasse between MLB owners and players, if you haven’t heard, so fresh content is the priority here.
With what’s going on with the lockout, we could all use as much of that as possible.
Labor update
Good news was not generated Sunday as the warring labor factions went back to the bargaining table in New York.
The owners found the players’ latest proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement to be a step backward from Tuesday, which shut down nine days of talks in Florida. Naturally, the players disagreed and pointed out to national writers all the areas where they have moved toward the owners.
I think there were three in the tweet I saw.
The players conveniently failed to mention the areas where the owners have come to them. Commissioner Rob Manfred did that for them Tuesday, when the players were appalled by the owners’ proposal … after being appalled that the owners didn’t like their proposal after what looked like a productive Monday.
Another day, another dud.
ICYMI …
A Saturday on the pitch and at the diamond and a Sunday on a plane made for a busy weekend. I’m guessing I’m not the only one wishing for a shorter week week. Here’s our latest work in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: A must-see list
Friday on the Farm: Minor-league camp preview
T.R.’s Memoirs: Building the World Series teams. Part I. Part II.
Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast: C.J. Nitkowski talks lockout
Doggy video!
I’ve always heard Dalmatians aren’t smart. This one is. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
Hey Jeff. Are fans allowed to attend practice on the back fields? Would like to go to ST, but not if everything is closed off to the fans.
Please take pics if y’all can, especially with the players y’all interview