Richard Durrett

  (3:37 PM)

Nolan Ryan is getting a quick sandwich and will be here in 2 minutes. Lots of news today, obviously, to discuss with him.

Ben Bam (Greenville, Texas)

Will the positive test have much to do with Washington coming back after this year, or will that only be judged on wins and losses?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:42 PM)

He's going to be judged on the season and how a team plays for him and our evaluation of the job he does. If we were going to look at it from the perspective of the positive test then he wouldn't be here this spring.

Chris Smith (Dallas)

What was your first reaction when you learned of Washington positive test?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:43 PM)

I was in total shock. Then I was mad. Then I was very disappointed. I went through an array of emotions.

Clint (Fort Worth, Texas)

Why would the Rangers not announce this when it happened? The info still gets out (Hamilton during spring training last year)

Nolan Ryan

  (3:44 PM)

Because of the confidentiality of the major league drug testing program.

Bear (Fort Worth)

How do you feel the current situation with Ron Washington effects the club's upcoming season and his relationship with the players and management, such as yourself?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:45 PM)

I would like to think it will strengthen us as a team and an organization. We're supportive of people in our organization when they have issues and we're going to try to help them as a team. We realize that there are a lot of ups and downs in life and you need the support of your teammates and your organization.

Patrick (Fort Worth)

I approve of keeping Ron for this season, but what do you tell the fan that thinks you should have fired him last season when he offered to resign?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:46 PM)

I believe that there are going to be a lot of differences in opinion. Jon Daniels and I had to make a decision and we made the decision to keep him and we still feel like it's the right decision. Ron can learn from this incident and the team can also learn from it.

Michigan Ken (Michigan)

What did Nolan think of Feliz outing yesterday?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:47 PM)

I didn't get an opportunity to see him, but the reports I got were very encouraging.

Paul S (DFW )

Who, in your mind, is winning the 5th spot in the rotation? CJ or Matt?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:47 PM)

I think it's too early to predict, but I think that the competition for it has been very good.

jessie (oakland, ca)

Have you had a chance to talk to Josh Hamilton about this? What, if any, effect do you forsee this having on Washington's ability to manage his players?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:49 PM)

I have not visited with Josh or any of the other players specifically about this. The response that I saw when Wash had his meeting with the players, I feel they are very supportive of him. I would like to think this gives the team an opportunity to grow and strengthen.

Josh (Belton, Tx)

CJ Wilson has had an excellent spring. I think he is a great pitcher. What are his chances of making the rotation?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:49 PM)

I think at this point in time that C.J. has made a very good impression on us. I think the way that the competition is shaping up, that it's going to be a tough decision. I think he's certainly stepped forward as if not the No. 1 contender, than one of them.

chad (livonia )

Which player are you most excited about this season

Nolan Ryan

  (3:51 PM)

I can say I'm excited about Scheppers, because it's the first chance I've had to truly watch him and I feel like he's very talented and will have a presence on our club at some point in time and that he'll be important to us. I feel that Josh and Chris Davis are both playing extremely well and having quality at-bats.

Greg (St. Charles )

Ultimately do you see Tanner Scheppers as a starter or reliever?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:51 PM)

As a starter. He could be used as Holland and Feliz were used last year at some point.

Shane (Knoxville)

Nolan, in your opinion, who is the best pitcher in the Majors right now?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:53 PM)

That's tough. Tim Lincecum is one. He's very exciting and has been successful. Feliz Hernandez with Seattle would be another one. Justin Verlander is another. But that's tough.

Greg (St. Charles )

When is the last time you talked to Robin Ventura?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:53 PM)

I haven't seen him since the day that happened.

Greg (Fort Worth)

What do you expect from Julio Borbon this year?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:55 PM)

I'm very excited about Julio and the way he's come to spring training and gone to work. I expect a solid year out of him. We just want him to make his presence felt offensively on the ballclub with his ability to get on base and then make things happen with stealing and bringing a dimension to us we haven't had in a long time.

Sam (Fort Worth)

Nolan,It's always been a topic come up when I'm with friends watching baseball and just having general talk. The question always gets asked "How hard do you think Nolan Ryan can still throw?" So, do you know how hard you can still throw?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:56 PM)

Well, if I went out and just threw today, it wouldn't be that hard. But if I went out and was able to condition myself for a month to throw, I would think the way my arm feels that I could still be in the 80s.

Bob (Denver)

Are there any pitchers out there today who remind you of, well, you?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:57 PM)

I see similarities with Feliz and his abilty to throw his fastball and his inconsistency with his secondary stuff and that's where I was at that point and age in my career.

Greg (St. Charles )

Good afternoon Mr. Ryan, how excited is the organization about Martin Perez? Would you be in favor of seeing him in the majors in 2010?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:58 PM)

I'm very excited about his ability to throw three pitches and his natural stuff. My thoughts on him being able to help us in 2010 depends on him being able to command all three of his pitches.

haastile (louisville)

season starts today- your vote for leadoff: julio borbon or elvis andrus?

Nolan Ryan

  (3:59 PM)

Borbon. I think he's probably more of a natural leadoff hitter and I think that putting Elvis in the ninth hole gives us an opportunity to have two fast guys hitting in the same inning later on. I feel like hitting in the first spot in the lineup puts additional pressure on you. With the responsibility Elvis has as everyday shortstop, he'd be suited to hit further down in the lineup.

Chris (Rockwall)

Mr. Ryan, assuming the Rangers are in contention come the trade deadline, will this ownership be more agressive in terms of making impact deals to help the Rangers finally return to the playoffs then the previsous one was because of their finacial situation?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:00 PM)

Our intentions are, if we have the opportunity to improve the ballclub at the trade deadline and that it would make the difference on whether we made the postseason that we're open to that.

Tim (Dallas)

Considering Neftali Feliz's possible future as a starter and the fact that the Rangers can put off his free agency if he spends 65 days in the minors, is the team better served by starting him in the Redhawks rotation?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:01 PM)

What we're going to do is put our pitching staff together for what's in our best interest this season. If that includes Feliz, we're not going to worry about that and that's our goal coming out of spring training is to have the best 12 guys we possibly can to help us win.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Nolen, Who is going to win the NCAA Tournment?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:02 PM)

I picked Kansas. I just think they are a well-coached, well-disciplined team with a lot of talent.

AJ (Chicago, IL)

Is there any concern with Hamilton and his recent injury bug?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:03 PM)

He plays the game very aggressively and because of that, he seems to sustain more injuries than most people. But we feel like moving him to left field will help that to some degree and our hopes are he'll stay healthy for the year.

Erik Ramsland (Champaign, IL)

What are you expecting from Derek Holland? Both is season and in the future.

Nolan Ryan

  (4:03 PM)

We think Derek can be a very good starter for our club, whether it will be this year or next year, we don't know. We have been pleased with his progress during spring training.

Stuart (Lynchburg, VA)

What do you think are the keys to creating a World Series caliber team?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:04 PM)

I feel like you have to have balance throughout your ballclub and not have a glaring weakness. Then you have to have people that perform to the level of talent they have and you can't have any crippling injuries that lessens your ballclub's ability to win.

Andy C. (Garland, Tx)

Thanks for answering some question Mr. Ryan!If Spring Training ended today, who would you choose to fill out our Utility INF role?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:05 PM)

That's a good question. It's hard for me to narrow it down to one person, but I would say Esteban German would get a lot of consideration.

Bart (Arlington)

Hi Nolan,Not being an expert, if Murphy isn't in the lineup, the entire middle of the order are more power hitters than singles hitters. Is this accurate and are you concerned?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:07 PM)

That is true in that Murphy is the type of hitter that puts the ball in play and there's definitely something to be said for that.

Rich (Dallas)

How improved will the rotation be?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:08 PM)

I think it will be improved and I think the reason is that Feldman and Hunter have more experience. Harden is a more experienced veteran and Colby Lewis has experience. Whoever fills that fifth spot should have developed from their experiences last year.

Adam (Los Angeles)

Is there a fundamental difference in how Lewis will approach the game and hitters here as opposed to Japan? How large do you feel the talent gap really is?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:09 PM)

It's hard for me to judge the difference in talent when I haven't been around Japanese baseball enough to make an evaluation. But I feel like for Colby to be successful, he has to pitch to his location, use all his pitches and get ahead of the hitters.

Awayne (INDY)

Do you feel putting pitch counts on young pitchers hurts their development?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:10 PM)

I feel like what is restrictive to their development is if they're not on a program that increases their workload on a basis where they are building a foundation. I feel like it can have a negative effect on one's development if they are too cautious (about the counts).

Seth (Midland)

Are you worried about Rich Harden's health considering his medical history?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:11 PM)

I look at his last two years and feel like those have been his most productive years. I think at this point in his career, he has more of an idea of how to take care of his body. I feel like our timing is right with him.

Adrian (Austin)

Thanks for your time Mr. Ryan, when can we expect Round Rock to be the Triple A Team for the Rangers?

Nolan Ryan

  (4:12 PM)

Our working agreement expires at the end of this season with the Houston Astros as well as the Rangers with Oklahoma City. So those discussions will happen later in the season.

Robbie (Carrollton, TX)

Is there any discussion about making sure Mike Maddux is with the Rangers long term? You and him seem to have really turned around Rangers pitching in the last year.

Nolan Ryan

  (4:14 PM)

Mike is working on a three-year contract and at the appropriate time we will have discussions about extending it.

Nolan Ryan

  (4:14 PM)

Thanks a lot for the questions. See you at the park.