Saturday Roundup: Farewell to Ken Harvey

by Freneau on Dec 9, 2006 2:29 PM EST in Kansas City Royals News

How much more can the Royals fan take? First Paul Bako abandonded us, now this, the exile of "Grimace" to Minnesota. Yes, friends, Ken Harvey now has a minor league deal with the Twins.

I highly recommend checking out "greggagne4hof"'s diary on the betrayal of Swingin' Ken (the counter-nickname I tried to start with no success). Even through the pain, we'll always remember his epic All-Star selection in 2004.

Royals Review Promise: A Ken Harvey retrospective will be published this week. he deserves no less.

Speaking of Royal greats, I hope everyone has had a chance to read "royalstern"'s diary on The Almighty George Brett...

Meanwhile, "chukar" goes so far as to claim that, looking at our new rotation,:

We're probably in better shape than the Twins after Santana. The White Sox have question marks at 3-5 with both Buehrle and Vazquez slipping (will he still be there?). The Indians were fairly mediocre after Sabathia last year, although they have reworked the bullpen which was their big weakness. The Tigers are clearly the class of the division.

You may remember that in 2006, the Royals allowed 971 Runs, the 21st most runs of all-time. Of course, we went through all that in greater detail in the 2006 Season Review. Obviously, not having a historically bad pitching staff is a good goal heading into 2007. I'd bet my non-existent house that the Royals allow fewer runs in 2007.

Nevertheless, the initial projection on Gil Meche looks a tad higher than we might hope.

And finally, the bizarre/funny war of words between Buddy Bell and J.P. Ricciardi, after the latter questioned Meche's interest in winning after signing with the Royals:

Meche could not be reached for comment, but several Royals officials lashed back -- particularly manager Buddy Bell.

"(Ricciardi) is an interesting guy for all he's done in the game," Bell said. "He's a little guy with a big mouth, and all he does is whine. And you can write that.

"That's the kind of crap in this game that just drives me crazy. He knows nothing about our situation. You've got to be kidding me. Every time I hear this guy talk, all he's doing is whining."

Growl.

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Ken Harvey

Even though I'm not a KC fan, I'll always remember Harvey as the guy with a kacnk for getting hit in the ass/face with multiple relay throws. As well as when he threw the ball directly into Jason Grimsley's face when the latter was pitching against the Red Sox.

Given what we know about Grimsley now, perhaps I misjudged Harvey. I mean, what baseball fan wouldn't want to hit Jason Grimsley in the face?

by NHZ on Dec 9, 2006 4:15 PM EST reply actions

That's what's so tough about a Harvey

retrospective. It's too difficult to pick his most memorable moment. You left out the incident where he got trapped under the tarp. My niece still has this huge picture of him hanging on her bedroom wall. He was her favorite Royal, and at her age it's hard to let go.

by chukar on Dec 10, 2006 12:44 AM EST up reply actions

we need to find a clip

of him getting pegged by the relay throw against the padres

by Freneau on Dec 9, 2006 6:07 PM EST reply actions

Other Random Saturday news

I think I saw that Doh!mann was designated for assignment. One 40-man spot down, two to go (Duckworth? Keppinger?).

Also saw that the Yanks are interested in Dougie. That's good: I think they need a veteran presence, a real ballplayer who plays the game with respect and knows how to win.

(Actually, all the best to Dougie. Even though the team was terrible during his time with us, you can't really blame him--he far exceeded expectations).

by CentralChamps2009 on Dec 9, 2006 6:24 PM EST reply actions

thats hilarious

Dougie may actually be OK for them, provided he's only late inning defensive sub for giambi

by Freneau on Dec 9, 2006 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

Dougie

That is one team that won't mind his lack of power for the position. He'd be a better option for them than Shea Hillenbrand and others I've heard mentioned.

lordbyronk

by lordbyronk on Dec 10, 2006 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

Speaking of the forty-man roster

Do you guys still have Bobby Keppel? I randomly picked him out to illustrate how dumb the Jason Marquis contract is.

http://saberrox.blogspot.com/2006/12/cubs-sign-bobby-keppel-for-3-years-over.html

by NHZ on Dec 9, 2006 6:32 PM EST reply actions

although granted

keppel has what? 60 big league innings under his belt?

nevertheless, the marquis signing is just bizarre

by Freneau on Dec 9, 2006 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Less, actually.

As noted in the article, he struggled through 34.3 this last year. However, to me, this would indicate he has more of a chance to improve than Marquis. Marquis is terrible, and isn't getting better.

by NHZ on Dec 9, 2006 7:48 PM EST reply actions

Actually. . .

Keppel hit the wall real early on. He was dominant in his first two starts, acceptable in his next two, and quickly slid to truly awful.

Over an entire season? You could have been looking at a >8.00 ERA.

by CentralChamps2009 on Dec 10, 2006 1:29 AM EST up reply actions

i know this one of those classic questions

but ithink keppel was really exposed after a few scouting effects on him got out

by Freneau on Dec 10, 2006 1:38 AM EST reply actions

He may have...

Like I said, he was a random selection (I scrolled through the VORP ratings on BP.com) to illustrate how crazy it is that Jason Marquis is getting 7 million a year. Personally, I'd rather audition guys like Keppel than give suckage like Marquis a consistent spot.

by NHZ on Dec 10, 2006 12:32 PM EST reply actions