Daily Ticket: The Blog

Breakfast Crumbs: Monday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Minnesota Twins 5, Texas Rangers 3: C.J. Wilson allowed three runs in the eighth inning as the Rangers lost two of three in their final visit to the Metrodome.

* Playoff watching: The Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox both won, pushing the Rangers back in the division and wild-card races. The Angels lead the Rangers by five games in the West, and the BoSox are up 3 1/2 in the wild card.

* Gil LeBreton: Not feeling a lot of love yet for these Dallas Cowboys as the preseason winds down.

* New linebacker Keith Brooking has been a nice fit in the Cowboys' defense.

* We're down to the Final Four in voting for all-time greatest Cowboy: Troy Aikman, Tom Landry, Bob Lilly and Roger Staubach.

* Buckshots: Where the readers are always right, here's a suggestion for Jerry Jones on keeping the video board punt-free.

* With seven starters back on offense, including quarterback Andy Dalton, expectations are high for TCU's offense.

* The Nebraska Cornhuskers believe the foundation has been laid for success in coach Bo Pelini's second season.

* El Paso Diablos 5, Fort Worth Cats 4: The Cats ended the regular season with a loss. The playoffs begin Tuesday night at LaGrave Field with a series against the Pensacola Pelicans.

* Speaking of playoffs, Heath Slocum won the first tournament of the PGA Tour's so-called playoffs.

 * Today is National Trail Mix Day.

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch today ...

* Toronto Blue Jays at Texas Rangers. The Blue Jays are in town for four games in three days, and they're coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox. Derek Holland (7-8, 4.95) pitches for the Rangers. Toronto starts left-hander Brett Cecil (5-3, 4.96), who has not made it out of the fifth inning in his past three starts. 7 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

* Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans. This is our first chance to really see Brett Favre in action for the Vikings. Favre is expected to play all of the first half. 7 p.m., ESPN.

-- David Thomas

The greatest Cowboy bracket: Final Four

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys, we’ve asked you to select the greatest Cowboy of all time. Our 64-man bracket is down to the final four Cowboys icons: Tom Landry, Bob Lilly, Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach. Who makes the final? It's your call. Sound off in the comments for your favorites. Voting lasts a week.

The greatest Cowboy bracket: Elite Eight

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys, we’ve asked you to select the greatest Cowboy of all time. Our 64-man bracket is down to the final eight Cowboys icons. Now the decisions get tougher. Who makes the Final Four? It's your call. Sound off in the comments for your favorites. Voting for each round lasts a week.
Cotton Bowl Region

Texas Stadium Region

Cowboys Stadium Region

Valley Ranch Region

Breakfast Crumbs: Thursday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Minnesota Twins 5, Texas Rangers 4: For the second consecutive night, the Twins used a four-run sixth inning to overcome an early deficit. The Rangers are now 6 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the West and trail the Boston Red Sox by one game in the wild-card race.

* Pudge Rodriguez made his first start for the Rangers and went 3-for-4 with one RBI.

* Jim Reeves: The Rangers are the latest team to adopt the "Why not us?" mantra.

* Rangers notes: Reliever Eddie Guerrero was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore knee.

* Dallas Cowboys rookie linebacker Victor Butler is experiencing information overload as he makes the shift from college defensive end to NFL linebacker.

* Gil LeBreton: We can talk offense all we want, but the Cowboys' season will come down to how the defense plays.

* Cowboys notes: Even if it is a preseason game, players are excited about their first game in Cowboys Stadium.

* Other than build a gargantuan stadium, what could you do with $1.15 billion?

* Remember those high school football playoff tripleheaders at Texas Stadium? They may be only a memory this year.

* TCU notes: At Wednesday's scrimmage, the offense had the advantage over the defense.

* The Texas Longhorns have lost four tight ends to injury in the past month.

* College football top 25 countdown: No. 4 Ohio State.

* Fort Worth Cats 15, El Paso Diablos 9: The Cats pounded out a club-record 24 hits to earn a three-game sweep in El Paso.

* Jimmy Burch: Southlake resident Y.E. Yang is a late bloomer now known for bringing down the world's best golfer.

* Anthony Andro: Chase contender Ryan Newman is ready to tackle four races this week at Bristol.

* Angel Watching: Jered Weaver's second career shutout highlighted Los Angeles' 3-0 win over the Cleveland Indians, the Angels' fifth straight win.

* Wednesday's MLB highlight: St. Louis Cardinals 3, Los Angeles Dodgers 2 -- The Cards took two out of three in L.A. in a matchup of two of the National League's first-place teams. Matt Holliday broke a tie in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly.

* Today is Pony Express Day. And although this isn't the Pony Express we're supposed to honor, let's take a moment to reflect on the greatness of Eric Dickerson and Craig James.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers. The Rangers need a win. Fortunately for them, rookie Derek Holland (6-7, 4.88) pitches tonight. In his last four starts, Holland is 3-1 with a 1.88 ERA. Also fortunately for the Rangers, rookie Anthony Swarzak (3-6, 5.87) starts for the Twins. Swarzak has a 18.00 ERA in his last three starts, during which he has pitched only eight total innings. But then again, the Rangers' problem in this series hasn't been getting big early leads. 7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Wednesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Pudge is a Texas Ranger again! The Rangers worked out a trade with the Houston Astros to bring in Pudge Rodriguez.

* Rangers fans are embracing the return of one of the Rangers' all-time most popular players.

* With Pudge coming in as the backup catcher, career .500 hitter Kevin Richardson was designated for assignment.

* Minnesota Twins 9, Texas Rangers 6: The Rangers led 5-1 after five innings, then gave up eight runs over the next three innings. On the sunny side of things, Pedro Borbon went 3-for-4 with three stolen bases.

* Randy Galloway: Major League Baseball is bankrolling the Rangers, and that impacted the failed negotiations with top pick Matt Purke.

* Despite the Rangers' financial problems, owner Tom Hicks will not be forced into a fire sale of the Dallas Stars.

* Gil LeBreton: Taking Wade Phillips' side on recent criticism, but Phillips still has to produce victories.

* Cowboys rookie kicker David Buehler is showing his versatility.

* Cowboys notes: Linebacker Bradie James says training camp has not been a cupcake.

* Arlington traffic is in for a major test with events at Rangers Ballpark and Cowboys Stadium tonight and the Cowboys' first home game on Friday.

* Brett Favre's business card now reads "Minnesota Viking."

* Fort Worth Cats 7, El Paso Diablos 2: Ryan Riddle pitched eight innings in improving to 6-6.

* TCU notes: Like Tom Petty, the Horned Frogs won't back down.

* College football top 25 countdown: No. 5 Alabama.

* High school football preview: Kennedale.

* The Fans' Insider: A newbies guide to Texas high school football. 

* Angel Watching: Trevor Bell pitched 5 1/3 innings to earn his first major-league win as the Los Angeles Angels won their fourth straight game, 5-4 over the Cleveland Indians.

* Tuesday's MLB highlight: Philadelphia Phillies 5, Arizona Diamondbacks 1 -- Pedro Martinez replaced Jamie Moyer in the Phils' starting rotation, but Moyer replaced Martinez after a long rain delay and threw six shutout innings.

* Today is a busy day. Pick which of these you would like to celebrate today: National Potato Day, National Aviation Day, National Medical Dosimetrist Day or "Black Cow" Root Beer Float Day.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers. Pudge Rodriguez is expected to make his first start for the Rangers since 2002. If he does, he'll catch Kevin Millwood (9-7, 3.31), who hasn't pitched seven innings since June 21. The Twinkies start right-hander Scott Baker (10-7, 5.41), who threw a two-hit shutout against Cleveland in his last start. 7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Tuesday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Texas Rangers 8, Minnesota Twins 5: Tommy Hunter allowed two runs in the top of the first inning and four overall, but the Rangers gave Hunter his sixth win by scoring three times in the first and four times in the second. The Rangers now lead the wild-card race by a full game over the Boston Red Sox, who tonight start a three-game series in Toronto.

* Jim Reeves: The Rangers' starting rotation is thriving with three guys who once wore the "Prospect" label.

* Left-handed pitcher Matt Purke, the Rangers' top draft pick, did not sign with the Rangers before the deadline and will pitch at TCU.

* Angel Watching: Vladimir Guerrero hit two of the Los Angeles Angels' four homers in an 8-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Angels, who won three of four in Baltimore, continue their 10-game road trip with three games in Cleveland followed by three in Toronto.

* Dallas Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh says he isn't replacing the departed Roy Williams, but he is.

* Gil LeBreton: Tony Romo isn't filling the mighty long shadows of Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman.

* Cowboys notes: Receiver Roy Williams practiced Monday and said he will play Friday night.

* Fort Worth Cats 7, El Paso Diablos 5 (11): The Cats overcame a four-run deficit, then scored two runs in the top of the 11th on sacrifice flies.

* TCU notes: Horned Frogs players are reaping the benefits of the team's off-season conditioning program.

* Baylor has big expectations for Penn State transfer Phil Taylor.

* College football top 25 countdown: No. 6 Mississippi.

* Monday's MLB highlight: Oakland Athletics 3, New York Yankees 0 -- Brett Tomko, released by the Yankees last month, shut out the Pinstripers for five innings to earn the win in his Oakland debut.

* Today is Bad Poetry Day. Be sure to enter your entry in the Comments section below.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers: Scott Feldman (12-4, 3.90) goes for his 13th victory. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in eight of his past 10 starts and has won seven of his past nine decisions. Minnesota starts right-hander Carl Pavano (10-9, 5.16). Pavano's first start of the season came against the Rangers, and he allowed nine runs on six hits and three walks in one inning. His ERA has dropped 75.84 points since that game. 7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Monday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Texas Rangers 4, Boston Red Sox 3: Ian Kinsler drove in two runs and Dustin Nippert allowed two runs over six innings as the Rangers took two of three from the Sox and grabbed the lead in the wild-card race.

* Jennifer Floyd Engel: Feeling a little sorry for Rangers owner Tom Hicks as what could become his former team enjoys its playoff chase.

* Angel Watching: Despite the Rangers' series win against Boston, the Los Angeles Angels maintained their 4 1/2-game lead in the West. The Angels scored nine runs in the 13th inning to win 17-8 in Baltimore. The O's and Angels wrap up their four-game series tonight.

* Y.E. Yang, a Southlake resident, outbattled Tiger Woods at the PGA Championship and became the first Asian-born golfer to win a major.

* Gil LeBreton: Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber III hasn't been the same since being selected to the Pro Bowl in 2007.

* Cornerback Orlando Scandrick has had an impressive training camp, but it's looking like he has failed to land a starting job.

* Cowboys notes: Receiver Roy Williams is day-to-day with a wrist injury.

* The voting for all-time greatest Cowboy continues. We're down to the Sweet 16 bracket.

* Arlington hotels already are seeing a positive impact from Cowboys Stadium.

* Buckshots: Readers sound off on the Cowboys' loss to the Raiders and Josh Hamilton.

* Wichita Wingnuts 2, Fort Worth Cats 1: The Wingnuts scored both runs in the top of the ninth.

* College football top 25 countdown, including teams from over the weekend: No. 9 USC, No. 8 Penn State and No. 7 Oklahoma State.

* High school football previews: Aledo, Azle, Birdville, Brewer, Cleburne, Crowley, Granbury, Lake Worth and Seguin.

* Sunday's MLB highlight: Los Angeles Dodgers 9, Arizona Diamondbacks 3 -- Here's the day of Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf: Struck out 10 while allowing three earned runs and five hits over 7 2/3 innings, and singled, doubled, homered and drove in three runs. The first-place Dodgers ended a three-game losing streak.

* Who else is happy this Monday morning: Usain Bolt, who broke the 100-meter world record with a 9.58. ... Brian Vickers, who won the Carfax 400 for his first NASCAR Cup win since '06. ... Chris Parnell, who won the Arlington Open City Championship.

* Today is National Meaning of "Is" Day. This day, as they say, is what it is.

TUBE TOPPER

The best of what to watch today ...

* Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers. The first game of a four-game set starts with the Rangers' Tommy "Big Game" Hunter (5-2, 2.26) on the mound. The struggling Twins, who have lost 11 of 15, counter with right-hander Francisco Liriano (5-11, 5.39). Liriano pitched well last time out, allowing one run in seven innings, but that was against the Kansas City Royals. So factor that in. 7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

The greatest Cowboy bracket: Sweet 16

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Dallas Cowboys, we’re asking you to select the greatest Cowboy of all time. And what better way to pick the greatest Cowboy than a 64-man bracket? Our selection committee has seeded the bracket, now it’s your turn to decide who advances to the Elite Eight. Sound off in the comments for your favorites or tell our committee where we got it wrong. Voting for each round will last a week.

Cotton Bowl Region

Texas Stadium Region

Cowboys Stadium Region

Valley Ranch Region

Breakfast Crumbs: Friday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Texas Rangers 4, Cleveland Indians 1: Scott Feldman won his 12th game and Josh Hamilton went 4-for-4 with two RBI, but let's talk about Neftali Feliz. The future Hall-of-Famer struck out five of the six batters he faced.

* Rangers notes: A return to the third spot in the batting order could come soon for Hamilton, who has his average up to .260 now.

* Angel Watching: The Los Angeles Angels may be on the road for their next 10 games, but their opponents -- Baltimore, Cleveland and Toronto -- are a combined 41 games under .500. During that stretch, the Rangers will play teams a combined 20 games over .500.

* Oakland Raiders 31, Dallas Cowboys 10: The Cowboys' first team looked good. But after that ...

* Charean Williams: Simply put, Felix Jones is a difference-maker.

* Cowboys notes: The offense showed diversity and versatility early.

* Jennifer Floyd Engel: TCU coach Gary Patterson may be about to loosen things up for the Horned Frogs offense.

* TCU notes: Quarterback Andy Dalton returned after sitting out two days of practice.

* College football top 25 countdown: No. 10 LSU.

* Michael Vick has a new team: the Philadelphia Eagles.

* High school football previews: Boswell, Saginaw and Southwest.

* Nolan Catholic senior Mark Kennedy is enjoying the chance to play after battling a heart condition.

* Thursday's MLB highlight: Detroit Tigers 2, Boston Red Sox 0: The Tigers avoided a four-game sweep behind the pitching of Justin Verlander, who allowed four hits and struck out eight in eight innings.

* Today is National Creamsicle Day.

* Today also is Friday -- '80s music tribute day in CrumbsLand! Now performing: Juice Newton, with "Queen of Hearts."

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch today ...

* PGA Championship. Tiger Woods was the first-round leader with a 5-under 67. The leaderboard includes Padraig Harrington (-4), Robert Allenby (-3), Hunter Mahan (-3), Vijay Singh (-3) and David Toms (-3). 1 p.m., TNT.

* Boston Red Sox at Texas Rangers. Another big series begins for the Rangers. The Red Sox are half a game up on the Rangers in the wild-card race and start Jon Lester (9-7, 3.67), who took a perfect game into the seventh when he faced the Rangers in June. Ace Kevin Millwood (9-7, 3.38) starts for the Rangers. The BoSox have lost six consecutive road games. 7:05 p.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

-- David Thomas

Breakfast Crumbs: Thursday

Notes and thoughts compiled at the breakfast table ...

* Texas Rangers 5, Cleveland Indians 0: Tommy Hunter blanked Cleveland for 7 2/3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.26, and Josh Hamilton went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI to raise his batting average to .248.

* The Dallas Cowboys kick off their preseason schedule tonight in Oakland against the Raiders.

* Jennifer Floyd Engel: Big Nate Newton has big concerns about the Cowboys' depth at offensive line.

* TCU notes: Defensive end Jerry Hughes was named to his sixth preseason All-America team.

* Fort Worth Cats 3, Shreveport-Bossier Captains 0: Ryan Riddle threw six shutout innings and three relievers took care of the rest as the Cats won two of three in Shreveport.

* Jimmy Burch: Not buying what Tiger Woods is selling when he says he will consider his season "great" even if he does not win the PGA Championship.

* The Trinity Trojans and a team from Bingham, Utah are excited about playing the first high school football game at Cowboys Stadium.

* High school football previews: Carter-Riverside, Castleberry and Diamond Hill-Jarvis.

* Mexico 2, United States 1: A goal in the 82nd minute drops the Americans' record in Mexico to 0-23-1.

* Anthony Andro: There's Chase for the Cup drama as six Chase spots remain open with four races left.

* Angel Watching: The Angels kept their lead over the Rangers at five games by spanking the Tampa Bay Rays 10-5 -- completing a three-game sweep. Los Angeles begins a 10-game road trip with four games in Baltimore.

* Wednesday's MLB highlight: Philadelphia Phillies 12, Chicago Cubs 5 -- 37-year-old Pedro Martinez picked up the win in his return to the majors. Martinez pitched five innings, allowing three runs and seven hits while striking out five.

* Today is National Left Handers Day. So here's a happy Left Hander's Day hug for Rangers lefties C.J. Wilson (pictured to the left, naturally), Eddie Guardado, Derek Holland, Josh Hamilton, David Murphy and Julio Borbon.

TUBE TOPPERS

The best of what to watch today ...

* Texas Rangers at Cleveland Indians. Day game! The Rangers are 5-4 heading into their final game on this 10-game road trip. Scott Feldman (11-4, 4.01), who threw a career-high 121 pitches last time out, tries to make it a winning trip. The Indians start lefty Jeremy Sowers (4-7, 4.75) and you can bet that the Rangers won't be wishing him a happy Left Hander's Day. 11 a.m., Fox Sports Southwest.

* PGA Championship. It's the final major of the season and Tiger Woods is still hunting his first major title of the season. 1 p.m., TNT.

* Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders. The game starts at 9 p.m., so the offensive starters should be done around, roughly, 9:15? 9 p.m., KTVT/Channel 11.

-- David Thomas