ARLINGTON -- Anytime an organization has an impressive group of prospects, someone always seems to give them a catchy nickname.
And Ranger fans remember the trio of pitching prospects known as DVD (John Danks, Edinson Volquez and Thomas Diamond), rather well.
Just over a decade ago, this trio of young starters were seen as the future of the organization, a group that would hopefully not only each make their mark in the big leagues, but also maybe win a Cy Young Award or two along the way.
Well, as Ranger fans know, that's not exactly how things turned out.
Volquez was the first to debut, doing so in 2005 with the Rangers. He is now pitching for the Kansas City Royals, the sixth different team he has pitched for since Texas traded him in 2007.
Next to debut was Danks, who did so in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox, who he still pitches for. Diamond, who retired from the game several years back after a litany of injuries, debuted in 2010 for the Chicago Cubs.
In May, Volquez was in town with the Royals for their lone visit of the regular season. This week, Danks returned and as he looks back on his "DVD" days, he admits it was pretty fun being part of such a talented yet maybe overhyped group of prospects.
"It was fun. I think we all three had a lot of fun with it. Volquez definitely loved it more than the rest of us, but we had fun. We're all close. We're good buddies. I've kept in touch with Edinson. I would love to see Thomas (Diamond) again. We were all young and it was exciting for me," Danks said.
Danks, who is 3-4 with a 4.81 ERA in 10 starts for Chicago this season, is currently the White Sox No. 4 starter.
And since Volquez is back in the American League, that gives him more chances to see his fellow former Ranger prospect, a good thing considering their ongoing friendship.
"Every time we see each other, it's like we've never been apart really. He's a close friend of mine. We've certainly had a lot of fun times together, certainly told a lot of stories about the good, old days if you will in Clinton, Iowa, Frisco or wherever we were, but really whenever I think of the minor leagues, that (being part of DVD) is one of the first memories that comes up," Danks said.
His time on the South Side has been eventful to say the least. From the time he first was promoted to "the show" in 2007 as then Chicago's top prospect, he has pitched for teams that didn't give him much if any run support, which his 75-89 career record as a starter illustrates.
Danks has also battled through several injuries, including a season-ending shoulder injury in 2012 which limited him to just nine starts.
But through it all, he has remained positive, realizing that such ebbs and flows are all part of life in the Majors.
"Yeah, ups and downs. Anyone that's fortunate enough to play in the big leagues as long as I have will certainly have peaks and valleys. Hopefully coming out of a little valley myself. It's a cruel game. It's a lot of fun. Certainly have to remind myself how fortunate I am at times, but living a dream, playing a game for a living," Danks said. "Try to keep in perspective but certainly it can be frustrating and it can get to the best of us. Just try to keep it all in perspective as best I can."
Now 30, he is a veteran member of the Chicago rotation, a guy that White Sox manager Robin Ventura knows he can depend on to provide one invaluable thing for any starter.
"I think right now just his length (is his biggest asset)," Ventura said. "I think he had a start probably three or four starts ago where he knew he was going to have to go out and throw probably 115 to 120 pitches and he did it. Being able to locate, you got a veteran guy that goes out and battles and that's the biggest thing right now, is his length that he's able to give us."
Danks did not pitch against the Rangers in this current three-game series, but has faced the organization which drafted him ninth overall back in 2003 on several occasions.
And even though there aren't nearly as many familiar faces in Arlington as there once was, pitching at Globe Life Park remains a special experience.
"It's a lot of fun. It was different when I knew a lot of the guys over there. Don't know quite as many anymore, but I think the combination of this is my first team, for four or five years, would envision myself or dream of being a Ranger and playing my home games here," Danks said. "Things have worked out great for me and I have no complaints, but getting to come home and spend a day in Round Rock this off day, it's still exciting to come here, see some people I don't get to see throughout the summer."
This season marks his ninth as a big-league starter and when asked to name how he thinks he has changed the most since debuting back in 2007, the current Nashville resident admitted he was at a bit of a loss because it's something he hasn't been asked much if ever.
But after some deep thought on his part, he realized that if anything, he's become a much smarter pitcher over the years.
"I don't throw half as hard as I did, little more smoke and mirrors if you will. It's still fun, which is a good thing. I always said as soon as it becomes a job and it's not fun anymore, that's when it's time to get out. It goes back to keep it in perspective, realize I'm playing a game for a living," Danks said.
"It's been a heck of a ride. I hope I'm not nearing the end, but if I am, it's been a heck of a run. May have been considered one of the young guns at one point, but I'm a way different guy than I was. Try to pour strikes in more than anything, try to locate more than just get them out with stuff."
Despite the ups and downs of his nearly nine seasons with the Pale Hose, Danks admits he wouldn't change a thing about his big-league career.
And if he had to name one big highlight from his time in the Windy City, it just might have to be getting to play alongside his younger brother, Jordan Danks between 2012 and 2014.
"A lot of guys don't have the opportunity to have a brother that plays in the big leagues much less on the same team. He's doing great. It was definitely a lot of fun to play with him. Saved a lot of heartache from my parents I think more than anything. If he was sitting over here on the Rangers and we were pitching against each other, that'd be tough (for my parents)," Danks said. :"t would certainly be a house divided. It'd be tough, but it truly was a blessing to get to play for him and root for him. I want all my teammates to do well, but it was a little extra when Jordan's up to bat."
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