MINNEAPOLIS -- Rangers dugout coach Art Howe knows what Hank
Blalock will have to go through to become an accomplished first
baseman, and he is confident that Blalock can make a quick
transition.  "Hank has the ability to be an outstanding first
baseman," Howe said. "He has as good of hands as anybody. He
just needs to experience different things that come up over
there."  Blalock is expected to be activated off the disabled
list on Friday, when the Rangers open a three-game series with
the Indians in Cleveland. He has been working out at first base
in extended Spring Training, and that's where he'll be Friday
night, less than a week after volunteering to move there from
third base.  Howe had to make a similar transition in his
playing career. Initially signed by the Pirates as a shortstop,
Howe was traded to the Astros in 1976, where he played primarily
second base and third base before incorporating first base in to
his repertoire in 1978.  He has a checklist of points that
Blalock will have to adapt to dur