Who's your boy?

by The Mustache of Balboni on Apr 15, 2007 8:00 PM EDT Comment 57 comments

Maybe it's the fact that I'm bored (and have a liter of rum & cola in me), but anywho.

Who's your favorite Non-Royal?

For some reason, I find myself rooting for Nick Swisher (A's) pretty consistently. On another note, let's see someone else spell 'consistently' while they're drunk.

Don't judge me.

XOXOXO

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Here are a few

Well, I don't have a single favorite non-Royal, but here are a few I like quite a bit:

Ryan Freel (CIN) - Everyone should play this hard nosed. Guy plays to win.

Ken Griffy Jr. (CIN) - He stands out as one of the few great players of the last 15 years who really is an honest and decent guy. I hope he plays another five years.

Tim Wakefield (BOS) - Just because I like knuckleball pitchers and I think he might be the last really good one.

Dontrelle Willis (FLA) - Guy just looks like he has fun other there. He has a lot of emotion, but he doesn't come off as cocky to me.

Adam Dunn (CIN) - Because he looks like an oaf, hits the ball harder than anyone else in the game, but really is not a dumb guy. Check out his OBA sometime. He knows the game.

Greg Maddux (SD?) - One of the 10 best pitching careers in MLB history despite having about half the natural talent of most other pitchers who play the game.

Those are a few. I'm a bit of a sucker for Big Papi's smile also. He looks like he enjoys the game still. Manny brings me down.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 15, 2007 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Haeger is gonna be a good one

"Tim Wakefield (BOS) - Just because I like knuckleball pitchers and I think he might be the last really good one."

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 16, 2007 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

"don't judge me

XOXOXOX"

hilarious ending

by FlintHillsRoyal on Apr 15, 2007 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

in recent years

i've developed a subversive fandom of Arod

by royalsreview on Apr 15, 2007 8:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you an ARod fan as a form of backlash

against all the idiot New York sports reporting about his "character" issues?

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 15, 2007 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

but i also just love his swing

by royalsreview on Apr 15, 2007 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

God did that guy have a swing. He would stand bolt upright at the plate. You'd think he wasn't even aware a pitch was being delivered to him when his opponent was already into his motion. No reaction on Davis' face or body. The bat actually resting on his shoulder. And then in one instant this enormous wide swing would uncoil in a smooth natural motion, it was like a snake striking. He was scary good for about five or seven years in there. His homeruns would shock me, they came out of nowhere. All his power came from bat speed. No indication that even a swing was coming and than bang, 400 feet. Davis probably weighed 190 pounds.

The Royals have no one on the team who has talent like this.

I saw a guy a few weeks ago who is playing for the University of Texas, Kyle Russell. He was in Lawrence for a series against KU. Russell has hit 20 homeruns in 41 games this season. His manner at the plate reminded me of Davis. I hadn't thought of Eric the Red for a few years.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 15, 2007 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eric Davis

I loved seeing that guy play. Mad props to you for bringing him up.

by NHZ on Apr 16, 2007 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I had a ton of his baseball cards. He's another "coulda been a HOFer" kinda guy. Not that he had a bad career, but he had HOF talent. So did Strawberry. So did Gooden. So did Will Clark. If you had told me in 1988 that none of those guys would sniff the Hall, I wouldn't have believed you (and you can add Mattingly and Dale Murphy - they seemed like locks).

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 16, 2007 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

CHASE UTLEY

my hero. I bought an UTley jersey shirt (shersey) #26 represent! and a phillies hat last year.

He is sooooo sick! Hes actually the wallpaper for my comp right now.

I like Jake Peavy a lot too. Hes got nasty stuff.And hes intense. I love gamers like that.

Papelbon is another favorite. He rolls #58 and just throws sick stuff.

Bill Hall is one of the players who gets talked up alot in my fantasy league.

I like John Patterson a lot, and I think without his injuries he could be one of the best pitchers in the NL.

I also think Dave Bush is a baller, anyone who rolls the high socks combined with pants that are so tight its ridiculous is awesome in my book.

by wildthang on Apr 15, 2007 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

for some reason

Rich Aurilia. When some friends and I went to watch Randa play a few games in cinci, rich came over to us and chatted for a really long time and was just really, really awesome. Griffey came over too and attempted to chat us up and for some reason we all just completely blew him off. It was hilarious in retrospect.

by Randa4life on Apr 15, 2007 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rich was very popular in Cincinnati

He really had no role on the Reds this year, and he cost too much to be a reserve. But Reds fans were pretty sad to see him leave. Good guy. Nice wife. Didn't like having less deserving players get more starts than he did due to age, but he always showed up and got his job done.

When he first arrived in Cincinnati three seasons ago he was nicknamed "The Bad Man" because he took the starting 3B job from EddyE. Eddy was the man with growth potential and Reds fans saw Aurilla getting playing time over him much like Royals fans saw TLong in KC in 2005. In the end the nickname fadded away because it was clear that Rich was the better player that season.

I should have added Minky to my list above. I grew to like him quite a bit last year.

PS - I've never heard anyone report that 1) they did not enjoy visiting with Griffy, or 2) that they blew Griffy off when he wanted to visit with them. They guy is a 1st ballet HOFer. You must have been drunk.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 15, 2007 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My boys

Big Papi- Clutch ballplayer, great personality
Eric Byrnes- Unafraid. Tough and gritty.
John Smoltz- He's been a Brave his whole career and IMO, the best of the lot (Maddux, Glavine, Avery, etc...)
Curt Schilling- Bloody sock, enough said.
Akinori Iwamura- He's becoming one of my favorite ballplayers because he's so exciting to watch.
Ichiro and Jojhima- I like the style of the Japanese ballplayers
Nick Swisher is also a very fun player to watch. He loves the game and you have to love his trademark "handshake" thing after he goes yard.

by royaldaddy on Apr 15, 2007 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

BTW

I cannot stand Derek Jeter. He's such an arrogant little pretty boy punk. I also dislike Bonds, Sosa, C.C. Sabathia, Tony LaRussa, and Ozzie Guillen.

by royaldaddy on Apr 15, 2007 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ichiro is special

His style of play is almost sensual. That sounds odd I know.

Watch him at bat. Every motion is choreographed, perfectly duplicated every time. He runs with perfectly measured steps. He rounds bases widely and smoothly. His body never jerks, nothing looks forced or surprised. Everything looks like he is repeating a motion practiced tens of thousands of times in the past. I don't think his manner is a product of being Japanese. Look at him compared to Ohka. Ohka is all over the place, no discipline. I think Ichiro treats playing baseball like the practice of an artform. I think he is a truly special player.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 15, 2007 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sensual?

really? you're one of those guys looking at george brett's crotch while he swings, aren't you JQ? :)

The Chiefs have a coach named Dick Curl, and I find that rather amusing.

by Gordon Roy on Apr 16, 2007 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it is an uncommon word choice

but it just seemed right.

Don't Judge Me!

XOXOXOXO

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 16, 2007 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hilarious

thanks for your sincerity. and your sensuality too, i reckon.

The Chiefs have a coach named Dick Curl, and I find that rather amusing.

by Gordon Roy on Apr 16, 2007 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mine used to be

Johnny Damon before he became a punk ass sellout. Again.

Now I'm not sure. I haven't ever given it thought.

Greinke Jersey: $99 Outfield Plaza Ticket: $14 Meeting Your Idol: Priceless

by loyal2theroyals on Apr 15, 2007 10:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

greaaaaaaaaaaaat

Maybe Greinke takes up all the baseball crush room, but there is no one else!?! For a female thats kind of disappointing. I'll give you the fact that you are apart from most females in level of knowledge, interest in the game and baseball IQ (absent the questions about balks and passed balls, totally unacceptable, just kidding, but seriously though, it is) and maybe its because your interests aren't shallow and superficial like many others. But at this point, I forgot where my point was going and I've invested too much time in this post to just erase it and move on so I'll just ask, what is the deal with those KC blankets? Is there a real possibility of getting one? Or was it just game thread heat of the moment stuff, I understand it gets pretty intense in those open threads. Whatever. And I'm not even drinking.

by wildthang on Apr 16, 2007 3:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh no,

there are lots of baseball crushes past Grienke. I've got Teahen, Gordon, Shealy, DeJesus.

It's just that none of mine are non-Royals. I'm monogomous with my baseball teams ;)

I can definitely work on a blanket if you want one. I don't want to start on one if you're going to be like 'haha, jk!', but if you're serious about wanting one, I can make one.

Are you sure you aren't drinking? Because it sure does sound like it :)

Greinke Jersey: $99 Outfield Plaza Ticket: $14 Meeting Your Idol: Priceless

by loyal2theroyals on Apr 16, 2007 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i figured it out

i was gonna tie it in with a picture or something, but then no other pages would load so I got thrown off track. And when that happens I'm done.

Monogamy I can deal with though. That is acceptable.

by wildthang on Apr 16, 2007 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Players I like

David Wright, Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder, Michael Young, Grady Sizemore, Jim Thome, Pudge, A-Rod, and Vernon Wells

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 15, 2007 11:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Let's see....

Paul Konerko, Micheal Young, Lyle Overbay, Casey Blake (an Iowa lad), Rich Hill, Danny Haren ...and on and on...

by grudz69 on Apr 16, 2007 12:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What About

Craig Biggio?

When I was a kid I loved the whole Astros lineup:

P - Mike Scott, Nolan Ryan, Jim DeShais, Bob Knepper

C - Alan Ashby

1b - Glen Davis (another Davis with a sweet swing)

2b - Billy Doran (current Royals coach)

ss - Raphael Ramirez (gerry curl especial)

3b - Buddy Bell/Ken Caminiti (the early years)

lf - Jose Cruz (my FAVORITE astro - what a batting stance - and dude NEVER smiled)

cf - Billy Hatcher (hit more bloop singles than anyone in history i think)

rf - Kevin Bass (another favorite Astro - great arm)

and the best pinch hitter in the game at the time - terry puhl.

i can't believe i just remembered all that. what a blessed childhood i had.

The Chiefs have a coach named Dick Curl, and I find that rather amusing.

by Gordon Roy on Apr 16, 2007 12:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I was deep into my Red's fandom

duting these same years. You just don't know how much the Reds fans hated the Astros during the Mike Scott "doctoring the ball" phase of his career.

Glenn Davis, short but great career.

I was so used to hating the Astros that it took me weeks before I could accept Doran as a real member of the team after he came over to the good side.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 16, 2007 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

even tho i loved the astros

i always really liked the reds too. it began with Eric Davis - see, my name's Eric, too, so as a kid I always cheered for him. And then there was the advent of Chris Sabo - and in little league I was the only kid who was so blind that I had to wear those stupid plastic goggles to play ball. And there was Sabo, playing third base in the bigs with those same ugly goggles. I suddenly had a new hero :)

The Chiefs have a coach named Dick Curl, and I find that rather amusing.

by Gordon Roy on Apr 16, 2007 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A few of mine are

Ben Sheets - I've been a fan for a while. I love pitchers with that dynamic strikeout stuff, but he's inconsistent enough to be interesting.

Graffanino - I always liked him, more than Super Joe. Way more Joe Randa falls in this category too. Just guys I always rooted for.

Magglio Ordonez - He has my hair, only longer. Plus he seems to always be smiling, just having a good time. Then again, if I made that kind of money.... you know.

I second who ever said Jake Peavy too...Oh, and Mark Sweeney! That guy is a real pinch hitter.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Apr 16, 2007 1:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ugh

magglio? ugh.

one of my least favorite players, and his hair is actually a major reason why.

by wildthang on Apr 16, 2007 4:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but he has one of the best underground nicknames

fagglio

FIRE BELL

by FireBell on Apr 16, 2007 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonds,

Barry Bonds.

Let the bashing of me begin.

At least I am unafraid to post this!

For Cardinal fans, this is arch enemy #1, which just adds to his appeal for me.

by loyal2s dad on Apr 16, 2007 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Im a semi bonds fan too

I wanna see him break 800

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 16, 2007 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to see him break 800...

...bones and retire.

by NHZ on Apr 16, 2007 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would just like to see him RETIRE....

Any man that has a very public affair for ten years and then blames the media for making his kids cry...needs a reality check. Barry your 45 minutes of fame are up. L for loser....

by grudz69 on Apr 16, 2007 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quit Hatin

The media made him this way!

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 16, 2007 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonds has always been a grouch.

I don't care much about that, but the fact that he cheated tends to annoy me...

by NHZ on Apr 16, 2007 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what proof do you have?

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 16, 2007 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The onus is not on me to prove anything

I'm no lawyer, so this is all just my opinion, but your forehead doesn't grow as much as Bonds's has without something funny going on. That "something funny" IMHO, is most likely HGH. If Bond's absurd late-career performance spike doesn't raise a red flag on its own, the fact that there's still a major vein of performance enhancing drugs that MLB pleads inability to test for seems awfully suspicious. This is without getting into Greg Anderson going to prison to avoid testifying, Victor Conte and his steroid-distributing company, and their close associations with Barry Bonds.

Bonds has already failed a greeny test as well, IIRC, so that's another strike against him performance at this level "clean." Also, just because he's not using steroids now that the policies are in place does not necessarily mean he's always been clean. Frankly, I don't see why anyone would discount that some of his bulk was added via performance-enhancing drugs that are tested for, and he's been able to maintaining his physique by using HGH and working out naturally.

Statisically speaking, he fits the "user" profile as well, with a sudden spike in performance and the post-use injuries associated with steroids' users (Giambi comes to mind as another example). I acknowledge that Bonds was a great player before he juiced up, unlike Canseco, but I don't think he'd be anywhere near his level performance right now if he hadn't broken the rules.

Is he the only case of performance-enhancing drug use today in baseball? No. He's just the most flagrant who hasn't "tested" positive. More attention is drawn to Barry, and maybe that's not fair because others cheated as well, but the fact is when you're set up to break the home run record because of your drug use, you get put under a microscope. Tough shit.

IMHO, this all adds up (I won't bore you with long Conte and Anderson stories, but they play a big role here when I'm not giving the proportional type) to Barry Bonds being a cheater. Sometimes, if it smells like a rat, looks like a rat, squeaks like a rat, runs like a rat, eats like a rat, and hides like a rat...it's a rat.

by NHZ on Apr 16, 2007 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

your probably right

but how many of bonds teammates and opponents are using hgh as well? Give him his props for being a great hitter and nothing else, he's gonna break the record and i'm excited to watch it.

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 16, 2007 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i root for bonds too

FIRE BELL

by FireBell on Apr 16, 2007 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's my problem with Bonds

It's not so much the cheating as much as it's who he's cheating. Henry Aaron is a special man. He played for the Indianapolis Clowns (Negro Leagues Team), he recieved death threats because of the color of his skin when going for Ruth's record. We can't imagine that in this day and age. But, sit back and think about that. Roger Maris lost his hair and almost had a nervous breakdown over much less. Lastly, Hank has a great smile and he's a great ambassador for this game. It's so sad to see what's going to happen to this great man. All of his hard work and perseverance for nothing. It's just sad.

by royaldaddy on Apr 16, 2007 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bonds said about a month ago

he gets death threats too.

by wildthang on Apr 16, 2007 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, and that was

flaxseed oil too. Are you serious? That's an even greater insult to Hank.

by royaldaddy on Apr 16, 2007 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really doubt that many people

Are going to forget Henry Aaron's contributions to this game. He was a great hitter, a class act, and somewhat of a baseball pioneer. I would hesitate to say that Bonds's approach of the record makes that all for nothin: I think millions of people won't even recognize Bonds as the HR leader if he makes it.

by NHZ on Apr 16, 2007 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so, it is okay if everybody else does it.

I think that is an excuse that I tried to use in 4th grade. It didn't work then and it doesn't work now. Bond is a loser through and through.

by grudz69 on Apr 16, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you

I never really liked Barry, but the backlash he generates actually makes me root for the guy. That's kinda weird. I still think he's kind of a jerk, but I can understand why he is.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 16, 2007 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting question

I like watching Ichiro! a lot. He brings a unique style to the game, which makes it more interesting.

When I was a kid, my favorite player was Alan Trammell. My dad was a Tigers fan, so they were always my secondary team. In fact, I was a huge fan of the '88 Tigers. It was the first team to break my heart as they completely collapsed in the second half and the red hot Red Sox overtook them.

I find myself rooting for Nick Swisher (A's) pretty consistently.

I met him in college a few times. Nice guy.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 16, 2007 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Favorite Players

Manny's got to be on the list because of his brilliant combination of 1.000+ OPS and pissing my dad off to no end. Actually, I think my fandom of Manny is kind of a reaction to the local media's portrayal of him being lazy and not caring.

Miguel Tejada. Has one of those neat hitches in his swing, and has the bat speed to make it not matter. One of those hitters who it seems like he's over .300 with power every year, and, don't let some rumors fool you, he's a true class act. It's not his fault the O's have been bad in recent years.

David DeJesus. Seriously, I love the guy's approach at the plate. You know how much worse it would be if the Royals started one of those "great speed, nothing else" guys at the top of the line-up? DeJesus is a good defender, has some pop (Age 27 season!) and has the BA and walk rate to be an excellent OBP source year in and year out.

Johan Santana. Impossible not to like a pitcher as badass as Johan. He came, he saw, he K'ed 10 again.

That's just a few. This list could continue, but I'll stop it here.

by NHZ on Apr 16, 2007 11:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh!

Grady Sizemore. And it's strictly a looks thing, not a 'wow he's such a clutch hitter and look at those fielding stats' thing.

Greinke Jersey: $99 Outfield Plaza Ticket: $14 Meeting Your Idol: Priceless

by loyal2theroyals on Apr 16, 2007 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You should buy a Mrs. Sizemore t-shirt

I wake up every morning and piss excellence!

by greggagneHOF on Apr 16, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sizemore

sometimes looks hot, sometimes looks a little too swarthy to me

FIRE BELL

by FireBell on Apr 16, 2007 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've a confession to make.

It was a 750, not a liter as previously reported.

I apologize to the team, the blogosphere and, of course, the fans.

Don't judge me. XOXOXO

by The Mustache of Balboni on Apr 16, 2007 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Regarding Bonds

Aaron fans, don't fret - Bonds will only be holding the record for about a decade or so, until that scourge of the Earth, A-Rod, passes both of them.

(I am an A-Rod fan too, by the way. The NYY fanbase is insane when it comes to the whole A-Rod issue)

by loyal2s dad on Apr 16, 2007 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I bet Hammerin' Hank will

show up for that ceremony. I'm cheering for A-Rod all the way.

by royaldaddy on Apr 16, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

YOU KNOW IT...

Matt Stairs!!!!!!!...but since that isn't fair because I became a fan when he was with the Royals...it used to be Bonds...but I'm so mixed up with how I actually feel about Bonds I'm gonna go with...Vladimir...absolutely amazing to watch...can't believe no one has mentioned him...I pray every night that Vlad will eventually supersede ARod as the best player in baseball...I don't think there has been a player more exciting to watch since Bo was in the league...any pitch to him is a bad one!...Tim Wakefield rocks too...I mean think if you had Wakefield you could really pitch him like every day/every other day...this would really help keep everyone fresh and you could carry another hitter or two on your team

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

by PhattStairs on Apr 18, 2007 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

past players...

the all phatty team:

Sal Fasano
Steve Balboni
Kent HrBek
Cecil Fielder
Rich Garces
Bob Hamelin
and the beloved Matt Stairs

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

by PhattStairs on Apr 18, 2007 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vlad, another former Expo

God I feel for those fans. The Expos were producing all-stars all through the 90's, only to see them lost or dealt away to teams with higher payrolls. The only year the Expos were going to get some glory of their own, 1994, the strike eliminated the world series.

Look at this team! 1994 Expos, 74-40. Nothing to show for it. That has to hurt. That had to hurt as much as the 2006 KC season hurt.

FWIW, I spent a summer in Quebec City in 2004 improving my French (I should have put that in quotation marks.) Quebec is a great place. I don't know if there is a team playing in Montreal now but there is plenty of baseball to be found of the independent and minor leauge sort. I'd love to see MLB go back into Montreal when an indoor-outdoor stadium is built. Not exactly holding my breath on this.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 20, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs