Pluggin' Away

"Give a man a fish, you have fed him for today.  Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime."

I thought it might be a good idea to lead my readers to the resources I use to get Rangers news and analysis.  Here's a list of my favorite websites, radio shows, and television shows that pay moderate-to-heavy attention to the Rangers, even in the off-season.

Internet:

• The Official Site of The Texas Rangers  (http://www.texasrangers.com/) - This is obvious, but necessary to put here first.  Everything is written or produced with a positive Rangers spin, but that can be said about Shaggin' Flies, too.  There is plenty of news throughout the year, and it is updated often.
• The Newberg Report (http://www.newbergreport.com/) - For the best analysis anywhere on major league and minor league happenings within the Texas Rangers organization, turn to the Newberg Report.  Besides the website, be sure to sign up for the email newsletter that contains Jamey Newberg's thoughts and analysis, as well as recaps of the previous night's minor league games in full detail, provided by Scott Lucas.  If you are not on the mailing list, you're doing it wrong.  Jamey once told me that I was his sixth subscriber back in the late '90's.  The mailing list just eclipsed 10,000.  As someone who's been reading his work for over a decade, you need to be plugged in to his information if you want to follow the Rangers as closely as possible.
• MLB Trade Rumors (http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/) - I said the other day that I'm not going to post every off-season rumor that involves the Rangers on this blog.  If you'd like to get that information, though, it's available at MLBTR.  They filter in articles, links, tweets, and any other transaction related information into one site, so you don't have to look at 15 sites on your own to try to get the best information.  You can even scroll down and choose your favorite team and see only the rumors that affect that club.  If you are on Facebook, you can 'Like' the site, or just choose to 'Like' your team on the site, and the rumor headlines for the Rangers (or whichever team you pick) will go to your News Feed.  This site is a very valuable resource at this time of year, as well as at the trade deadline.  You'll save lots of time and get the latest news and rumors.

Radio:

• The Ben and Skin Show  (9 AM - Noon, 103.3 ESPN) - Ben and Skin are local guys who follow DFW sports closely, but with a fun, goofy attitude.  They do not just focus on the Rangers, but they cover them about as closely as any radio show in the Metroplex.  The best part is they are fans of the team, and don't spend their time taking cheap shots at the team or make tired old observations that we've heard for decades, like some other local shows.  During the season they get tons of player and coach interviews, and they ask questions like no other media members around here.  It's a great show to listen to, even if they're not following the Rangers as closely at the moment.  Tune in if you're in the DFW area and available in the late morning time slot.
• The Josh Lewin Show (11 AM - 2 PM, 105.3 The Fan) - Josh Lewin was recently let go by the Rangers, and he turned up with his own radio show instead.  I've only had the chance to listen a few times in the car, and not for long periods of time, but I'm a fan of Josh Lewin and I'd be that it's worth listening to.  Since he's the former lead TV broadcaster for the Rangers, you know he'll throw in his fair share of Rangers talk, even during the off-season.

Television:

• MLB Network - It begins and ends here.  In a landscape that used to be dominated by Baseball Tonight on ESPN, MLB Network has blown that away with their daily studio broadcasts like MLB Tonight and the off-season show Hot Stove.  I think I've watched Baseball Tonight maybe five times since we got MLB Network, and I haven't missed the ESPN show at all.  MLBN even snagged Peter Gammons away from ESPN.  They are fair, giving attention to teams that deserve it, even though their studio is in New York.  You won't detect a harsh East Coast bias like ESPN, mostly because those on set are former players and broadcasters from teams all over the country.  Former Rangers Mitch Williams, Billy Ripken, and John Hart are regulars, as well as Barry Larkin, Harold Reynolds, Dan Plesac, Sean Casey, and Joe Magrane.  You won't find better national coverage of the MLB, including the Rangers, than at MLB Network.