I had a dream last night:

I had a dream last night. Admittedly, I'm not one to dream. While most of the populace is in bed subconsciously thinking of the things that they most desire, I'm usually out like a light. Totally passed out. Incapable of any thought whatsoever, on any level.

Not last night. Last night, I had the best dream of all. It was a baseball dream. I was still living in Kansas City, and it was the beginning of February. Spring training had almost arrived. I turned on my laptop, and surfed over to KCRoyals.com. There was a press conference happening that day, a surprise press conference. The picture of a smiling Allard Baird jumped off the screen at me, and on cue, a queasy feeling in my stomach soon followed.

I turned on the radio. Of course, getting good reception was a problem - dreams are always filled with worthless details like this. Then I heard the unconvincing voice of the Royals puppet-master make his blockbuster announcement. "We've made a signing" he proclaimed, "of somebody with excellent pitch-ability, great stuff, and a professional make up. Your newest 2008 Kansas City Royal...Brett Tomko! (exclamation added.)". In my chair, I sat, and he continued to talk. Speech blurred together. Some jive about veteran presence, a proven arm to start on Opening Day, a dependable veteran dripping with grit at the front of our rotation so the "young talent" would have a professional to learn from. Plus, he said, the terms were reasonable - 2 years, 10 million cash dollars. After all, this team was much improved he went on, especially with the addition of Miguel Olivo batting fourth.

We were going to compete. We have a number one starter, a new catcher that can hit for power.I must of listened to him talk for too long. Jimmy Gobble was moving back to the rotation it was decided, to replace the burnt out and missing in action Zack Greinke. Mike Sweeney was resigned for another year to play first until "Billy Butler proves he can hit minor league pitching". Did I mention that we resigned Jeremy Affeldt to a 3 year, 15 million dollar deal to be our closer? Yes, we were going to win in 2008. How could we not. I must of listened to him talk for too long. In my dream, I was sure of it. All of it.

Then I woke up. Then... I realized it wasn't a dream. It was a nightmare. And only at this point, even after years of disappointment, blown leads, and wasted talent did I have my shocking moment of revelation. At this moment, I realized that the last 6 years of Royals baseball - have been a nightmare.