wipe off the dust

Sitting here at my desk at work, it's pretty apparent that a lot of things have changed over the past 4 years when a group of my friends and I started Hank's Homies. The most obvious change is that... I'm at work. Even with my phone clock trying to tell me to go home, I felt the desire to write on the MLBlogs, even though the one year anniversary of last writing on here is quickly coming up.

It's actually amazing how much can change in the course of only one year, not to mention 4. Last years home opener Robinson Tejada dominated the Angels. This year he was designated for assignment. Last year I went to spring training with long time buddy and fellow Homey DJ. This year DJ is married and it seems like special permission is now needed to be obtained even for opening day. How lame.

I have had a lot of people ask me what has happened to our group, where we have gone and why are we no longer at all the games. Unfortunately I do not have a better answer then, "We all grew up and now have responsibilities." Skipping a day here and there in college is apparently different then skipping a day here and there for your job. While one is frowned upon, the other... well we don't need that.

Enough reminiscing, yes wild nights in Vegas are awesome, but so is Opening Day and with a fresh permission slip from home, DJ and the rest of us will be going crazy out in Section 5.

I really don't think that I could be any more fired up then I am right now. Think about it, I'm at work... when I could be at home... and I'm writing on a blog that I haven't touched in almost a year.

The pitching has been awesome. Whether it's me being foolish or our staff finally coming together, I feel confident about the top 4 guys going out there. Mendoza looked good last year and has a good sinker too. And what about Hamilton? This guy is a beast! Who drops massive bombs into top porches and then beats out infield singles??? I already have his jersey t-shirt and yes, worn it twice.

Thinking of some of the names in our farm system who will soon be in Rangers blue gives me goose bumps. Emails about our farm system from Jamey Newberg and Scott Lucas have kept the extreme interest all winter and spring and trips to Frisco and Oklahoma City have now become a must.

So here is my goal, to write. Not every day though. I don't want to read something someone else wrote and regurgitate it in different words, but every so often write about our local home team. But here's the deal, I'm just a fan like anyone else out there. The only difference is my friends and I decide to wear eye black and cowboy hats. If there is any fellow Homies, whether I have ever met you or not that would like their voice heard, get in touch with me and let's make it happen.

Look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at the game!

Go Rangers!!!

-Homey Ryan