With the off-season upon the Texas Rangers, beat writer Evan Grant responds to some of the questions (and voices) rattling around his head in the final weekly Inside the Rangers newsletter of the season.
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AP

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has worked with a number of young pitchers this season, including Matt Harrison (second from left).

It's that time of year. It would be easy to lose patience with the Texas Rangers, whether you are emotionally or physically invested in the team. It's the time when remembering what patience really means is most important, writes Evan Grant in this week's Inside the Texas Rangers newsletter.
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AP

Texas Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison has showed promise in his first 12 major league starts.

The Texas Rangers haven't rolled out this many rookie or first-year starting pitchers since 1986. And while the numbers might not show it, putting those guys out there and having the guts to stick with them may end up paying big dividends, writes Evan Grant in this week's newsletter.
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LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Hank Blalock has played all seven of his major league seasons with the Texas Rangers.

On Friday, health and weather permitting, Hank Blalock will start at first base for the first time in his major league career. This is about determining if Blalock, an All-Star in his first full season with the Rangers, still has a future with the club.
Does Hank Blalock stay or does he go?

VERNON BRYANT / DMN

Andy Hawkins replaced Mark Connor as the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers on Friday.

The job of trying to build up these Texas Rangers pitchers now falls to Andy Hawkins. One thing he won't have: A different message than his predecessor Mark Connor, writes Evan Grant in this week's Inside the Rangers newsletter.
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