I could use some baseball.

 

The Rangers' last playoff win was in 1996.

 

The last winning December the Dallas Cowboys had was in 1996.

 

One of the greatest gifts that sports gives me is that the Winter Meetings come around every December, right when my football team makes me want to punt the TV.  I could use some baseball.

 

It struck home as time expired and Fox went back to the studio, where Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer were situated load-left, side by side, behind the analysts' desk.  The difference between those two epitomizes the problem with this football team.

 

The Cowboys may have more talent than the Rangers, and may have more swagger (not an unimportant thing), but there's no question to me which organization is better prepared.  This football team has overcome an overmatched general manager (who happens to be an outstanding owner) but cannot overcome the Michelin Man, an overmatched coach of whom his players are a reflection, consistent in their sloppiness, bad judgment, lack of concentration, and lack of accountability. 

 

Yes, the quarterback was bad today - awful - but that game should have been won nonetheless.  Yet it's hardly surprising that it wasn't. 

 

One of these days, football Decembers won't be so demoralizing, so maddening, so embarrassing.

 

 

 

Of course, I'll be happy when I have a consistent run of baseball Septembers to complain about.

 

But that time is coming.  The baseball team is headed in the right direction.

 

Not so much for the football team as long as it's inhibited by this sad, sad coaching staff.

 

OK.  Sorry for the off-topic beatdown, but I needed a little catharsis.

 

 

Updated details for this Wednesday's Party (and attached Order Form):

 

WHAT:              Book Release Party for the 2009 Bound Edition of the Newberg Report

 

WHEN:              6:00-9:00 pm, this Wednesday, December 10, 2008

 

WHERE:           Sherlock's Baker Street Pub & Grill, 254 Lincoln Square Center in Arlington (a few blocks west of the Ballpark, just south of I-30 and west of Collins) - plenty of parking, and a huge party room that we have sole access to

GUESTS:           Jeff Zimmerman, Michael & Cristina Young, Chris Davis, and Derek Holland (who will all sign autographs)

 

FOOD:               http://www.sherlockspubco.com/Images/Final_Food_Menu.pdf  (during Sherlock's Happy Hour)

ADMISSION:   Free - but the "cost" for getting autographs from our guests is the purchase of a 2009 Bound Edition, which you can buy now (http://www.newbergreport.com/buythebook.asp) or at the event.  (The players will sign your own stuff, too - not just the books.)

If you paid for your books in advance (or do so between now and Tuesday night), I will bring your order to the party and you can avoid that line.

Q&A:                 Will follow the autograph session.

TOYS:                Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will also be at the gathering to collect new, unwrapped toys for the Rangers/Toys for Tots program.  Please consider supporting the effort to help needy children in North Texas experience the joy of the holidays.

 

If you're planning to attend, please print the attached form and fill it out in advance.  When you arrive, before you can get in line for autographs, you'll need to pick up your 2009 Bound Edition at a separate table (whether you've prepaid or not).  Filling this form out in advance will speed things up for you a bunch.

 

If you can't print Microsoft Word attachments, email me back and I'll send the form to you within an email rather than as an attachment.  Thanks.

 

By the way, still no word on Milton Bradley's decision on whether to accept the Rangers' offer of arbitration.  He has two and a half hours to decide.

 

And the White Sox are reportedly on the verge of trading Jermaine Dye to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey.

 

Stay tuned for frequent emails this week - baseball emails - as developments warrant.