Kenny and Larry 1 Year Removed.

Not necessarily political but definitely newsworthy. Hard to believe that it was exactly one year ago today that Kenny Rogers had his moment of unfortunate stupidity with cameraman Larry Rodriguez. The reasons for this outburst were a combination of things. Lest you forget...

Kenny seeked a two year extension on his soon to be expiring contract. It was also reported that Tom Hicks was approached during spring training, in essence trying to hold the ballclub hostage for more $$$$. Tom Hicks said that he wouldn't negotiate.

Kenny proceeded to have an incredible run of success on the mound in April/May. At one point a streak of 32 consecutive innings without allowing a run. In the space of three weeks that slowly began to change-and radically! There was the trade of Ryan Drese from Texas to the Nationals. Ryan had a near fistfight with Rod Barajas over pitch count in an early June game. The two never went public with the matter. Kenny Rogers was angry that Drese was traded. The same way he was angry when A-Rod was traded 2/14/04.

It was around June 17th that Kenny had a poor outing against the Washington Nationals where he slammed a baseball to the ground before Buck pulled him. Kenny then proceeded to break his hand punching the wall and water cooler. Do you start to smell a T.O theme here? 'I'm pitching my guts out and I'm not making my $$$$. My best friend is traded and I am pissed!' Let's also remember too that Kenny wasn't always the nicest guy when it came to the local media.

The night before all this anger went down, The Angels were in town for an important four game set. Game one was a frustrating extra-inning loss, courtesy of a Garrett Anderson grand salami. Due to Kenny's injury he would be unable to play. Someone in the media (I forget who) went so far as to suggest that Kenny was faking his injury so not to face Anaheim. That set Mr. Rogers off and the rest as they say is history.

A twenty game suspension was reduced to 13, the story was a side thorn in the remainder of the Texas Ranger season. That and a 1-12 road trip in August. It is my humble opinion that Kenny Rogers destroyed whatever morale or hope the team had to make a division run, finally finishing 79-83.

Kenny is now in a better place. He got his money, and his Tigers have the best record in all of baseball. Kenny had many memorable seasons in Arlington, no doubt. Sometimes it isn't all the good things you do that are remembered. It's the one time you get out of character and the media has a field day with it. This was one example.

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will