Does Anyone Else Feel a Little 2003ish?

by Freneau on Apr 4, 2007 1:17 PM EDT in Kansas City Royals News

Does it seem a little bit like 2003 to anyone else? That team was incredibly efficient offensively (or lucky, or clutch, if you prefer) turning a somewhat limited number of raw bases into more runs than you'd normally expect. At the same time, the pitching was league average, which in the AL Central of 2003 meant something. Could we be heading down the same path this year?

I claim ignorance regarding pitching, but just think about the lineup for a second. It actually looks like a real American League lineup that never gives the pitcher an easy inning, especially if Buck/LaRue can keep things interesting. Last year, we had way too many Buck-Berroa-Gathright innings that lasted about 7 minutes long. Part of what 2003 demonstrated is that it can make alot of difference if you just don't have any absolute sinkholes in the offense. In the right environment, even if you don't have an elite hitter, facing guys like Raul Ibanez and Michael Tucker can be tougher than normal when Desi Relaford is on base all the time.

We'll see how it plays itself out.

For the pitching, if Peralta and Dotel can emerge... and Gobble eats innings... and... Well, you know...

The game thread will be posted later tonight. In the meantime, this story on the Royals Welcome Luncheon by Alan Eskew is worth the read. Nothing builds chemistry like winning, and it seems like everyone was feeling pretty good about themselves on Tuesday.

Now back to reading Washington Irving...

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"his jacket says Hyatt"

by kjfinkes on Apr 4, 2007 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Everyone loves Gload

by Freneau on Apr 4, 2007 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

What strikes me about this team

Is that, while our lineup doesn't have as much experience (read: pure power) as other teams in our division. However, we have pure hitters built for our stadium - potential doubles (and triples) hitters. In fact, our lineup is better than most NL lineups. We still have two automatic outs in our lineup; however, I really feel that Buck will come into his own this season. He looked like a different hitter yesterday and during Spring Training (as far as form).

Jack
http://royalsnation.proboards62.com

by JRaider2005 on Apr 4, 2007 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

No, not really

But I think this team will be enjoyable to watch.

New Rob n Rany up.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 4, 2007 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

if only...

we were in the national league

by Freneau on Apr 4, 2007 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually like our chances

Our chances of posting a league average ERA and not embarasing ourselves with more blown leads than saves.

If it weren't for baseball I'd be working.

by pd on Apr 4, 2007 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Wasn't Sidd Finch a descendant of

Father Knickerbocker?

I'll trade you Irving for my 4th block sixth grade science class.

by kjfinkes on Apr 4, 2007 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Washington Irving?

You can't pull a fast one on us. We all know it's your latest copy of MAD Magazine.

"Every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. I say we hang around and give 'em a big shitburger to eat"

by royaldaddy on Apr 4, 2007 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

It's about time for some optimism, RR!

All that 100-loss prognostication during ST was driving me crazy. We're supposed to dream this time of year, and it's nice to see you dreaming with some of the rest of us now.

I want .500 this year so bad it hurts. And a sweep against the Sox would be nice. Let's go ODIE!

Given the excitement surrounding the Meche signing, the Berroa demotion, Tony's son, Greinke's revival, Buck's long hair, and Dotel's fireballing, can you even IMAMGINE how crazy this city would be if we started this year ANYTHING like we started '03? It would be insane in KC. I'm just hoping for 2 series wins vs. Sox and Tigers. Go Royals!

On a hot summer day, is there anything better than a hot grill, a cold Boulevard, and Ryan & Denny on the radio?

by Gordon Roy on Apr 4, 2007 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Game threads

Will there continue to be game threads for each game a la 2006? My pick to click is Emil Brown. Honestly, I'm predicting a loss....maybe something along the lines of an 8-2 Red Sox victory. Odie will get knocked around a bit, and leave after about 5 1/3.

by JRaider2005 on Apr 4, 2007 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

yes

for every. single. game.

by Freneau on Apr 4, 2007 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

My daughter was born in '03

and I'd have to say that was the greatest summer of my life. Now, my second daughter is due in May. That's the story behind my name. I call my daughter "the good luck charm". My wife wouldn't let me name her Runelvysa (thank God looking back) and we settled on Sage. I can only hope this child brings that type of season to us. I'm a very supersticious former ballplayer who has now put unbelievable pressure on my unborn little girl. Time to step up, baby! If you guys thought I was crazy before, you probably think the white coats should come and get me now.

"Every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. I say we hang around and give 'em a big shitburger to eat"

by royaldaddy on Apr 4, 2007 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

congrats

FIRE BELL

by FireBell on Apr 4, 2007 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

it was a wild summer

congrats as well

by Freneau on Apr 4, 2007 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you guys

Let's hope baby Camden brings us another winning season.

"Every newspaper in the country has picked us to finish last. I say we hang around and give 'em a big shitburger to eat"

by royaldaddy on Apr 4, 2007 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

ever read Stephen King's Insomnia...

yes the little men in white coats are lurking

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

by PhattStairs on Apr 4, 2007 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Pitching

I was just reminded that the Royals bullpen blew 31 saves last year. That's embarrasing. If our pitching, bullpen especially, can hold on to some of the leads that this line-up will provide we should be a fairly good team. Think about this, if the Royals are alble to convert half of those blown saves last year we're just about a .500 team.

by EricConley on Apr 4, 2007 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Misleading stat

Some of those blown saves were wins, and some of those blown saves occurred in the same game.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Apr 4, 2007 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Blown Saves

Are an amazingly bad stat, IMHO.

"Your best? Losers always whine about 'giving it their best.' Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

"Carla was the prom queen."

by NHZ on Apr 4, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Irrationally Optimistic

But I love it. I honestly don't think it's out of the realm of possibility if everyone stays healthy. I wholeheartedly agree that our lineup seems solid.

by nycroyal on Apr 4, 2007 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

I just want a winning season...

The glass is still half full in my mind. I predicted and 82-80 season in 2007. I am optimistic because we should be better able to handle injuries this year because of a good team in AAA. The lineup is sound defensively and offensively. The pitching staff should give us a few suprises but still will be better than what we had in place last year. So, yes, it is only after one game but I am feeling good about this team.

Good luck, with Washington Irving. I am reading
The Rainbow, by D.H.Lawrence.

Go Blue.....

by grudz69 on Apr 4, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

Reading Rainbow???

With the guy from Star Trek...

If it weren't for baseball I'd be working.

by pd on Apr 4, 2007 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Irving is hilarious

I'm loving it. History of New York is laugh-out-loud funny.

Never read The Rainbow... only Lady Chatterley's Lover and... that may be it

by Freneau on Apr 4, 2007 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Irving, not a big fan of the Dutch.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Apr 4, 2007 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

For better or worse,

the first thing I think of when I hear "Washington Irving" is Major Major Major Major from Catch-22. The only book my english teachers made me read in high school that I liked.

"There are two things I can't stand: people being intolerant of others' cultures, and the dutch!"

"Your best? Losers always whine about 'giving it their best.' Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

"Carla was the prom queen."

by NHZ on Apr 4, 2007 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I was just going to post that

Glad you beat me to it: two Austin Powers references in a day would be overkill.

I loved Catch-22, but I have forgotten what Washington Irving had to do with it

by marbotty on Apr 5, 2007 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Major Major Major Major

gets tired of signing his own name on paperwork, so he begins to sign his name "Washington Irving" and "Irving Washington." When asked why paperwork keeps turning up with said names on it, he says "it couldn't've been me. I don't even know Washington Irving's name."

"Your best? Losers always whine about 'giving it their best.' Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

"Carla was the prom queen."

by NHZ on Apr 5, 2007 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Catch 22...

I am always in an absorbing info/culture mode...most recently I have been into a whole Kerouac phase...and I enjoyed the poem of the week posts (except I would really like to see some Will originals!!!)...I attempted to read Catch 22 about 1 1/2 years ago...was very frustrated...first book I actually bought the cliff notes for and then just eventually kind of gave up...I kind of understand the book as a whole, but kind of not really...any help??? just a short blurb would be cool

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

by PhattStairs on Apr 6, 2007 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

RE: Catch-22

Well, it's kind of a hard book to sum up quickly, and I'm not really sure exactly what you're looking for, but I'll try:

Catch-22 is one of those books that's kind of satiric and realistic at the same time, in that the writing-style is intended to be humorous, but you can identify with the stuggles of the characters at the same time. The stories about Yossarian and his fellow soldiers can be quite entertaining, but there are places where the author jerks you into what seems like a frightening reality of war (McWatt's death, for example).

While not really a Tarantino-esque effort, the storyline is not exactly linear; it seems like almost every chapter focuses on a different character, highlighting the different individuals who are sent to war, and what the experience does to them/how they deal with it. If you're looking for a linear storyline that's easy to follow looks elsewhere; it's kind of helpful at some points to think of each chapter as a type of extended character sketch if you start to get annoyed with the writing style.

I'm no english major, but I'm pretty sure the main message of the book is to show how war contains none of the glamour and glory that it is commonly assoicated with, and that it's really just a bunch of people who would rather be at home doing what they're told so they can try to survive long enough to get home. I think it also hints at how the different sides really don't "hate" each other on a personal level.

That's pretty much what I got: Catch-22 is kind of the opposite approach that "Platoon" takes towards showing the evil of war. Let me know if this helps. :)

"Your best? Losers always whine about 'giving it their best.' Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

"Carla was the prom queen."

by NHZ on Apr 6, 2007 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah it helped...

I just read like half of it...and was like, "ok I get it, but I don't really understand completely, so F this"...even though I really, really have a pet peeve about reading every single little word in every book and understanding it...I just didn't hook on to the style and gave up...figured I might come back sometime and try again...but thank you...literature can sometimes be tricky for me if I'm not completely into it...I gotta read a book like in a week for it to seep in...must be the drugs

Buy the ticket, take the ride.

by PhattStairs on Apr 7, 2007 4:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Optimism and magic

It certainly was a magical day on Monday, so no wonder that magical 2003-like feeling is still hanging in the air. It does kind of feel like 2003. But I'm certainly not going to predict 83 wins. I doubt we'll have league average pitching. But we might manage an above average offense. If a reasonable number of things go right, we could push 80 wins.

Then again, magic could happen. If a few more pitchers succeed than I expect and a couple of the right position players play over their heads, things could get really interesting.

by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2007 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

One can only hope

that we could get to 2003 levels. Agree with NY Royal don't think the pitching's quite there, but you never know. 2003 was the year Paul Abbott made quite a few appearances down the stretch, and I like to think that what we have now is better than that. There's always hope in April, maybe we might be able to keep it all year. Go Blue!

lordbyronk

by lordbyronk on Apr 4, 2007 7:11 PM EDT reply actions