ARLINGTON, TEXAS • Ron Washington, or at least, an actor playing Ron Washington, plays a part in the movie Moneyball.
The real Ron Washington, who at the time of the movie was a coach in the Oakland A's organization, was set to play himself in the movie, but because of scheduling conflicts, he couldn't do it, so an actor named Brent Jennings played Washington.
Washington was pleased with his screen portrayal.
"When they were talking about the production, they were going to use everyone that they could get," Washington said. "I had some time put away when we went out to Anaheim to film, but it just didn't happen.
"The guy was matter of fact. The only difference in the movie is that I never work on the sidelines, I work between the lines. So he was giving instruction from the sideline. That's not Ron Washington. Other than that, he did a great job."
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Groin patrol
Outfielder Josh Hamilton's groin continues to attract its share of attention. He's admitted it's bothering him and that he's not 100 percent, but neither he nor Washington have any interest in not playing him. In fact, for Game 3, Washington put Hamilton in center field, giving him more ground to cover and said he never considered using him as designated hitter.
"Hamilton is ready to play," Washington said. "As I keep saying, he's dealing with some nagging injuries, but they're not injuries that he can't play."
Said Rangers GM Jon Daniels: "We've got three to five days left. We'll address it at the end of the season. The doctors say he's OK to play, so he's in the lineup."
Bring up the noise
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington — which until 2007 was known as Ameriquest Field in Arlington until Ameriquest ran into financial problems — is the seventh largest ballpark in the majors and because of the high walls that enclose the stadium all around, it holds noise very well.
Rangers first baseman Michael Young said he hasn't found a place noisier.
"It will be crazy," he said prior to Game 3. "I've played in Yankee Stadium in the postseason, I've played in Detroit, and now ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and this is the loudest place I've ever been in the postseason. At 51,000 people strong, it's going to be fun."
Rangers Ballpark's listed capacity is 49,170, but with seats added for the postseason, Game 2 of the ALCS drew a crowd of 51,351
