WAY TO GO BARAJAS!!!

[metmagic]

NICE HOMERUN TO WIN THE GAME!! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:


i called it i called it!! :jump: :rotf:


watching the post game interview.... seems like a good guy too :)



NICE WIN RANGERS!!!! :clap:

[Chisox73]

Way to go Barajas! Way to call it Cyn!

[TXRangers]

I had tuned in late to that game Saturday. I was out enjoying the awsome pool we have in my new community with all my nephews and daughter. But I got home to see the 8th and 9th innings. I was thinking that Barajas could be the guy to step up. He hit a moon shot that just cleared the fence in left. I think he was suprized at first that he even saw that kind of pitch, but he was running fast to first base, then went into the HR trot. It was cool to see them come from behind. It always seems to happen to us the other way around. Most times our bullpen blows leads.

We took 2 outta the 3 games. It was a good series!!!!!

TXRangers :fro:

[Panzram]

Opportunity knocks for Barajas

By DEAN GOLEMBESKI


Known for his defense, Rod Barajas is proving to be a strong offensive catcher, too. (Getty Images) http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/features/scoreboard/mlbpa/20040526/mlbpa_opportunityknocksforbara/barajas.jpg


Whenever he's been needed, Rangers catcher Rod Barajas has shown over his career that he can get the job done. But this year is shaping up as something special.
Barjas, who has always been known for his defense, is currently hitting .290 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 62 at-bats. More significantly, since replacing injured rookie Gerald Laird in the starting lineup last week, Barajas has gone 6-for-20 with five RBIs and one big home run. The homer was a walkoff against the Yankees on Saturday in Arlington, giving the Rangers a 4-3 victory.

"I've always felt I could produce. I just felt I wasn't given the chance," says Barajas, who joined the Rangers during the off-season as non-roster invitee after having played 211 games over five seasons with the Diamondbacks.

While last week's walkoff homer was exciting, it is not the most memorable one that Barajas has hit. That homer came during Game 5 of the 2002 World Series, when Barajas was a last-minute addition to the starting lineup. In that game, Barajas went 2-for-4 with a solo home run off Mike Mussina as the Diamondbacks beat the Yankees en route to taking the World Series title. True to his defensive reputation, Barajas also gunned down Alfonso Soriano, now his teammate, as he tried to steal third during the game.

"That's one of my fondest memories," Barajas says of the Game 5 home run. The only thing equaling the blast, he says, was the overall experience of playing in a World Series, something that he would like to do again with the Rangers.

"I'd rather have a playoff experience than hit 30 home runs," he says. "All I want is winning."

In addition to more playing time, Barajas credits the switch in leagues and the aggressive style of Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo for his improved offense. In the National League, Barajas often hit in eighth, ahead of the pitcher, which limited his opportunities. And with offensive-minded Texas and Jaramillo, who is considered one of best hitting coaches around, Barajas says, "I'm able to go hard and take a couple of hard swings."

Earlier in his career, Barajas intentionally sacrificed his offense to concentrate on defense, explaining, "It kept me in the big leagues. I didn't want to seem to be an offensive-minded catcher who didn't care about the pitchers."

Barajas, who began catching at age 12 in his hometown of Norwalk, Calif., says that his goal when he's behind the plate is to work so closely with a pitcher that they think and act like one.

"I don't want pitchers to feel it's my way or the highway. I want them to feel it's a team thing," he says, adding, "I'm not guessing what pitches to call and they understand that."

Although he is just 28, Barajas is one of the older, more experienced players on the Texas roster. As a result, many of the younger players look to him for advice and more.

"They ask questions. They want to see the (World Series) ring. They want so much information. I couldn't ask for better teammates," he says.

And as to what the rest of the season and the future may hold, Barajas is optimistic.

"Nobody thought we had a chance this year. But now I have the chance to be part of something special, to be one of the links," he says. "I feel comfortable here. The players and coaching staff have accepted me."