Who is Your Favorite Royal?
by Freneau on Dec 30, 2008 1:20 AM EST
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PrintIt's December 29th and I'm tired of worrying about how horrible some of the recent transactions were. So let's wander back to seventh grade.
Who is your favorite Royal?
I know its almost a childish question, and sometimes when people ask me a variation of it, I am not only unable to really come up with an answer, I'm at a loss to even fake one. I just don't engage the game through that channel anymore. For me, the guys I tend to really root for are either A) really limited players who I actually hate or dislike as a blogger/hardcore fan but for obvious reasons can also identify with B) your standard internet/sabermetic heroes C) guys with interesting/unusual skill-sets D) players identified as destroyers of our national innocence or un-clutch by the mainstream media. There are both exceptions and overlap however, which is understandable given that its a subjective, emotional, thing. Finally, probably because of their daily presence, I've always been biased towards position players.
Current favorites, actually on the roster: Mark Teahen, Esteban German, Jimmy Gobble, David DeJesus, Mike Aviles, Mitch Maier, Shane Costa, Zach/k Greinke.
So who is your favorite?
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DDJ and Soria are my favorites
He’s one of the Royals most talented and most productive players, he plays hard and always looks like he’s having fun. He’s a pleasure to watch play for the Royals.
My favorite pitcher would be Soria. And it’s not just because he’s a great pitcher. I like how he’s quiet, calm and unassuming. He’s very quietly dominant. He doesn’t pump his fist or woot and holler. He just blows guys away with no facial expression. I love that.
The immoderate moderator
The Mexicutioner
I can’t get over how the stadium erupted in thunder when he came in to pitch the ninth of the game I attended. It was electrifying. Add to that the fact that his agent approached Dayton about a contract to stay in KC long-term, and that makes for me a total “favorite” package. I expect that in another dozen years we can speak of Joakim Soria in the same breath as Dan Quisenberry or Jeff Montgomery.
Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!
Dejesus and Meche
Both are just work horses that just go out each time and give it there all.
Buck is close behind Dejesus base solely on his fight with Fat Elvis.
define workhorse
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2008 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Butler and Aviles
Aviles is an easy choice he is the ultimate underdog and he looks like he is having fun. Butler I don’t know why maybe its because he looks like any normal dude you hangout with on the street definitely doesn’t resemble an athlete. Also he has a lot of promise so I root for the new guy becoming a stud.
DDJ and Soria are good choices too.
It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.
Kyle Davies is definitely
moving up the list with the stories around him. Hopefully he can pitch close to what he did at the end of the year in ’08
It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.
A few
I like him because he’s just so good: Soria
I like him because the Royals actually got their money’s worth out of FA: Meche
I like him because he’s the only homegrown position player that’s worth a darn: DeJesus
I like him because he’s a little off his rocker, yet very good at the same time: Greinke
I like him because he’s the nicest guy on the team and the only one I don’t turn off the TV when he’s interviewed (despite the fact that he’ll probably never be a good player): Teahen
And finally, I like him because someone from our farm system actually exceeded expectations: Aviles
I say this, realizing...
I’ll take heat for saying Gordon and Aviles are position players that aren’t worth a darn. They probably are. Gordon not yet up to expectations, Aviles scheduled to regress. DeJesus is the only one with a track record?
Aviles. Fun guy to watch play.
Mike Jacobs is my sleeper candidate.
The short answers:
in no particular order, and for all kinds of reasons…
Brian Bannister
Zack Greinke
Joakim Soria
David DeJesus
Ryan Shealy
WTF, self?
DEJESUS!!!
And Planet Zach. The rest of the guys are just there to remind me how much I like DeJesus and Greinke.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
DeJesus, because we went to the same high school. Twenty years apart, sure, but it’s still something.
Greinke.
Soria.
You're 20 years younger than DeJesus?
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 29, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
You're 15?
I argued pitcher usage with a 15-year-old?
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 29, 2008 9:09 PM EST up reply actions
I argued pitcher usage with a 15-year-old?
Why are you asking me? I don’t know what you do in your spare time.
Surely you understood me to mean this Ivan DeJesus.
Clearly I didn't understand you meant that Ivan DeJesus
But now I do. You certainly didn’t and don’t seem like a 15-year-old.
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 29, 2008 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Hmmm
Soria- How badass is it that we have a Mexicutioner?
Billy Butler- When he hits a ball in the gap and starts his “that’s one hopping the wall and I have a double” jog, I love it.
Teahan- Enjoy watching him on the basepaths, just wish he’d be on them more often.
Least favorite- TPJ, Do I really need to say anything or should I just not have gone here?
no one should be allowed to utter TPJ anymore
but what are the odds that he AND gload are on our opening day roster…
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Dec 29, 2008 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
favorites
filthy favorite: Soria
person i most relate to: Aviles
you never know what’s next: Greinke
i like him more than is called for: Kila
Never giving up on your team is what makes you a good fan.
by kcisbetterthanstlateverything on Dec 29, 2008 4:52 PM EST reply actions
Unless you're stalking him outside his bedroom window,
there’s no “too much” liking Kila!
WTF, self?
Oops, busted!
Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!
speaking of which
Minda, you promised us more creepy stories similar to your Peralta episode
I may not be much, but I've got great intangibles.
Y'know, I don't think I can write these
without them sounding like Penthouse forum stories that have no ending. Yikes.
WTF, self?
I'll bet he took that giggle as a positive sign
I know how men think.
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2008 1:32 AM EST up reply actions
the thing is...
with an opener like “do you like packing” or “are you good at packing?” what he actually followed it up with wasn’t even that bad
True, he did eschew the horrendous pun come on
But that might be because English is not his first language. I shudder to think what he might have said if he’d been a lifelong fluent English speaker.
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2008 1:35 AM EST up reply actions
True.
I somehow hadn’t realized how bad that could have turned out.
What would I do without you guys?
WTF, self?
What would I do without you guys?
You’d be woefully unprepared to meet professional baseball players. That reminds me, don’t let any of them give you anything to drink…ever.
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2008 1:57 AM EST up reply actions
I'm going with Gordon
Got to see him play for Wichita several times and he was studly. He will get there in the Bigs.
Honorable Mentions:
Ducky, DDJ, Grienke, Soria
My wife likes Buck.
Mike Jacobs you're 2009 AL MVP
my fav's
pitcher: Greinke (my daughters’ favorite too)
position player: Teabag
best story: Aviles
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
From the future past
Glory Days: Frank White……grace, poise, smooth seamless play in the field, a little pop at the plate, Frank was the man. The Shakespeare of second base.
Gory Days: Greinke….I work with kids who have Asperger’s so its always inspirational to see people who have overcome the disability…….I also like A VILE SNOW, and will put a flyer on Jacobs provided he brings some SWAT to the K in the shape of 30 + Dongers.
by Nighthawk at the Diner on Dec 29, 2008 5:37 PM EST reply actions
Greinke
I thought he has been badly handled by the Royals(rushed to the majors, then had the blunder-twins of Guy Hansen & Tony Pena try and dumb him down to their level) but still emerged to become a fine pitcher and wonderful to watch on the mound.
by hunter s. royal on Dec 29, 2008 5:51 PM EST reply actions
you cant really make a legit argument that zack was rushed to the majors
TPJ...you're dead to me
by billybeingbilly on Dec 29, 2008 9:59 PM EST up reply actions
Farnsworth
I like the power arm and how he turns in the a uncontrollable rage filled mad man from time to time. Then he has almost no memory of what he did. Reminds me of myself.
For shore not smooth like butter
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Not sure about green but;
Kyle likes the color red
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
perhaps
we need to secretly hang a red handkerchief in AJ’s back pocket whenever he comes up
I may not be much, but I've got great intangibles.
That would be great!
Kyle would land a better punch than Barrett
Can’t stand AJ
and not the love to hate kinda hate
just pure evil hatred :)
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Greinke for sure
On top of being the most fun to watch, he’s completely hilarious with his disarmingly honest and often odd quotes.
Oh heck yes.
His interviews are pretty much the only ones worth watching after games, unless you are playing drinking games involving DeJesus licking his lips, or Grudz saying “y’know” or something like that.
WTF, self?
Sorry, I know
But he does it ALL THE TIME. I just want to, like, mail him a ChapStick or something.
WTF, self?
Sure, it's a deal.
FanGraphs says we just missed his birthday – do you think he’ll accept a late gift?
WTF, self?
Many favorites, for a variety of reasons
Bannister and Greinke—they give some of the best interviews of any pro athletes…ever.
Soria for that knee-buckling curveball (the eephus pitch that Zack used to throw elicited similar malicious glee from me whenever I saw it)
Mike Aviles, I was there for his MLB debut and given how well he turned out, that was pretty special for me.
And Kyle Davies is quickly racing up the list too, with all the cool stories coming out about him recently.
This will sound Homer-esque
…despite the fact that we’re approving homerism on this fanpost [ha! :)]
I root for all Royals and want them to succeed equally. However, I have noticed I have a natural bias toward pitchers, considering I used to be one. Zack Greinke seems like someone fun to hang out with, if for his thought-provoking quotes (to say the least) and calm confidence. I have an unusual admiration for sidewinders….the Chad Bradfords of the world. Just the ultimate gritty pitcher – always traveling from team to team on one-year contracts, usually coming in during situations, a pretty valuable aspect to a bullpen but not someone who casual fans are going to particularly remember. Yeah….Chad Bradford. Or Jimmy Gobble.
Yes, Chris Hayes
I can’t wait to see him with the big-league club when he’s FIP’ing 1.5 in 2009 as our new closer. (Actually, he’ll FIP 1.48 with a 57-22 K:BB ratio. Or maybe he won’t be with the club….I’m no wizard/crystal baller B.P. writer [I kid!])
by Royals Nation on Jan 3, 2009 3:11 AM EST up reply actions
Isn’t it usually the case with pitchers like him that they don’t get a lot of K’s and give up their share of walks, but they get a huge percentage of groundballs? I’d think he’d be more like Bradford and Ziegler…if he pans out in the majors at all.
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Jan 3, 2009 3:28 AM EST up reply actions
True
I always thought Bradford’s BB total was low (in conjunction with IP), but perhaps I’m wrong. I’m too lazy to dig up his stats.
I love pitchers like Hayes, though, which is a shame because I didn’t used to appreciate his prospect status (I knocked him out of Survivor II quite early).
Wasn’t Dan Quisenberry basically just a glorified Bradford/Hayes, though?
by Royals Nation on Jan 4, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions
Jose Guillen
just kidding. Hey, someone had to say it…though he does bring a high level of entertainment when he’s talking to the media.
I’d go with Soria, Zack and DDJ. I’m holding off on Aviles until he proves he can continue to play…nothing against him personally, just had my heart broken a few too many times, so I tend to be a little more hesitant with the Royals. Bannister could also probably be on that list, but that’s based more on his unique way of viewing the game and all the insight we get into the way his mind works (thanks to JoPoz) than actually on-the-field results.
by RoyalsFanInBillings on Dec 29, 2008 6:23 PM EST reply actions
1 year wonder shortstops
You are right with the recent examples of Berroa and TPJ. I hope and pray he won’t fall off a cliff like they did. I don’t think he will but have no basis for which to support that.
You know what’s frustrating about TPJ? Didn’t we all like him a year ago? His numbers were very in line with Freddie Patek type numbers whom I’m sure we all recall with fondness.
WTF?
I may not be much, but I've got great intangibles.
YES!!!
I finally get to go back to the same answer I used from 87-91.
IT’S KEVIN SEITZER!!!
In the Royals game of life, Neifi Perez is the rake.
but
If it has to be a player, I’m going with Aviles. But my prediction is by May 15th it will be Mike Jacobs.
In the Royals game of life, Neifi Perez is the rake.
Aviles – He just seems like a cool guy, would probably be fun to go to the bar with.
Greinke – Hilarious, got to love his personality.
Soria – Nastayyyy, and he seems like a pretty funny low key guy.
Dejesus – resident pretty boy, but he can back it up
Esty-bahn German – Apparently he is always decked out in Gucci, and other ridiculous expensive over the top designer clothing. Combine this with “bat-flip”, and his pinch hitting prowess, and he’s a favorite.
realistically speaking
Speaking of DDJ
MLB.com is streaming the July game against the Mariners that features DDJ’s walk-off home run. Free today only, not so free tomorrow.
I watched it,
and it was almost as awesome this time around as it was the first time. Even though I knew what was going to happen with the first pitch DDJ faced, it was still totally awesome.
WTF, self?
great, way to ruin it for the rest of us....
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
great thread . . .
my votes:
1. Soria (gotta support the best closer in all of baseball – that’s right – I said it!)
2. Gordon (potential, potential, potential)
3. DDJ (gamer, gritty, went to Rutgers)
4. Gil-ga-Meche (be honest – he’s been the Royals’ most consistent starter since Kevin Appier)
5. Aviles (represents everything I like about sports – proving all the so-called experts wrong on every facet of his game – best SS in Royals history – that’s right – I said it)
best SS in Royals history – that’s right – I said it)
Better than Freddie Patek?
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
if he continues to hit
like 08 for years, for sure
I may not be much, but I've got great intangibles.
For years... yes!
But right now I’ll go with Freddie and Buddy :)
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
my faves
greinke for sure – i love comeback kids
dejesus – for the hr off of rivera in the bronx and the one against the m’s
outside of the royals, i’ve always loved players with real exaggerated mechanics, like sheffield and dontrelle willis – i love watching sheffield just get after the ball and willis slinging it from east of first base.
i also love the sick speedsters like juan pierre (although not a great player, i know) – probably my 70s royals upbringing. i know it’s heresy on this site, but i really loved smallball – something about hustle and getting after it. walks are too fascist and kind of depressing, that you’re kind of waiting for the other guy to make a mistake instead of making something happen. i know that statistically it’s probably not valid, but just a personal preference i guess. i’d take a winning royals team with a bunch of jack custs anyday…
I hereby resign from this post.
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Dec 29, 2008 10:17 PM EST reply actions
real exaggerated mechanics
would that include Willie Stargell
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
for mechanics,
you should also like Aviles at the plate
I may not be much, but I've got great intangibles.
Hmmm, man this is hard
Current, I guess I have to say:
Aviles, DDJ, Soria ….and cheating a little Grudz!!
The olden days, even harder:
Brett, White, Patek, McRae, UL, Otis, Porter(why can’t we have a guy like him now), Hrabosky(!), Busby
The middle ages:
Eisenreich, Gubicza, Sabes, and the most entertaining Royal of all time, Bo Jackson!
I’m sure I’m forgetting some great faves during these older times, but they can’t all be on this list, can they??
I may not be much, but I've got great intangibles.
The olden days
My first favorite Royals were Amos Otis and John Mayberry, then Brett, Busby, and McRae. Some guys I liked who didn’t last nearly as long: Jim Wohlford (you’re an immortal if you manage to say something that becomes commonly attributed to Yogi Berra), Bob McClure (and of course now he’s back), and Rich Gale (I was in attendance for his 1-hitter against Texas in 1978).
The middle ages
Appier.
Huber now and forever!!!!!!!!!
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
i loved Huber
i really did. I’m still upset he wasn’t given a shot in ’06.
Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.
Is it even close?
Angel Berroa is my favorite Royal, no, baseball player, no, athlete, no, Man in the history of the world. The fact that he has a child with an enormous afro only helps to support my case. My current favorite Royal is DDJ, but there is no question, I enjoyed watching Angel come off the bench in the playoffs for the Dodgers this year more than I did watching DDJ hit that walk-off (even though in my inebriated state that was the highlight of my summer, easily). I am not able to watch Angel, or even see a picture of him, without beginning to laugh loudly. And this is not an insult, but rather a testament to the way that, no matter how shitty the Royals were playing, seeing him always put me in a better mood. Angel, you da man,
I miss Angel so much!
He really does love baseball, a LOT. I know it doesn’t always show, but I saw up close how much he is really passionate about his job. He just happens to be a little bit more passionate about making everyone around him smile and laugh as much as possible. I cried a little when he was traded.
And man, he really cared about kids a lot too. Every single time anyone hit a foul ball into the crowd, he’d crane his neck this way and that, trying to see where the ball landed and make sure nobody got hurt. And when it happened that someone did get hit by a ball, he’d do his best to make sure that the unlucky fan would at least get a signed ball or a bat to take home.
His son’s afro is amazing.
WTF, self?
as much as...
we pounded on Angel…it was quite apparent he was a cool dude and really loved playing baseball.
Founder of the Johnny Giavotella fan club.
German and Greinke
I always have an affinity for second basemen and Greinke’s tremendous quotes and personality won me over when he was coming up through the minors.
I also liked Miguel Asencio back in the days of yore.
My favorite is Billy Butler
For the fact he is my age and in major league baseball. And although he hasn’t consistantly been starting over the past couple of years he could have.
He’s really good. He’s an amazing hitter and will get better.
by Royal from Queens on Dec 30, 2008 3:11 AM EST reply actions
yeah
I think it’s ridiculous how they’re handling Butler. If they think he’s not ready for major league they should put him in Omaha. But, I think they know there’s not really much benefit for him in AAA because he just tears it up too easily. So, they should put him at first and just play the guy. Although, I’ll admit, due to the situation they’ve created at 1B, I think they should platoon Butler and Shealy at 1B because I want to see both get reps and a real chance to prove themselves.
I AM intangible!
Gregg Jefferies
Hands down
I'm about to change my username to DannyDuffyfan
by jackie ballgame on Dec 30, 2008 12:13 PM EST reply actions
I'm about to change my username to DannyDuffyfan
by jackie ballgame on Dec 30, 2008 12:13 PM EST reply actions
I can never seem to figure out how to post pictures on this thing
by jackie ballgame on Dec 30, 2008 12:14 PM EST reply actions
good luck with that
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Prince Phillip
We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan
yup
No order
Greinke
Soria
Gordon
Teahen
and of course, Esty
by I need more Esteban on Dec 30, 2008 12:45 PM EST reply actions
My take
Current Royals:
Greinke, followed by Soria for the pitchers
DDJ, followed by Aviles for the hitters
Past Royals:
Loved Quisenberry, followed by Saberhagen and Leibrandt
Loved Amos Otis, followed by Seitzer and Tartabull
As you can see, I sorta like underated, “good”, but not necessarily “great” hitters. As for pitchers, I tend to like the talented ones with a combination of a cerebral approach and very good command.
Let’s add some players from other teams:
Loved Craig Biggio (he ALWAYS tormented the Cardinals extra hard)
Loved Jeff Kent (VERY underrated – one of the best 2B of all-time, IMHO)
Loved Greg Maddox (as good as Clemens for this era, despite popular opinion to the contrary)
Loved Pedro Martinez (when he was on, I never saw a pitcher with more confidence/swagger)
Loved
Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!
+1 on Quiz
It was a great feeling when he came into a game, not unlike the buzz when the Mexicutioner comes in.
The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib
Grienke
Zach, Soria and Aviles.
Brett, Otis and White.
Man Crushes: UL, Guiel, Ibanez.
Good choices
And welcome to Royals Review. Stick around, enjoy yourself and don’t get too mad at me.
The immoderate moderator
by Scott McKinney on Dec 30, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
Consarn You And
Your fancy new made-up statistics, NYR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111 If it wasn’t on a cereal box baseball card, it’s not a real stat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111111130+HR
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Dec 30, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions
Bannister And Teahen
Because I’m obtuse and proud of it.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
Frank White
I know that this is not a current player but Frank was always my favorite growing up. I have not been able to to root for another Royals beyond the basis of the player being a Royal since then.
Back then it just was assumed that a player would stick with his team for his entire career. That assumption began dying in the mid 80’s as players began to take full advantage of their hard fought free agency battles. Back then you could pick a player to be your favorite and be fully confident that he would remain on the team. One never had a moral dilema about rooting for a player that played on another team.
I tried to root for Jim Eisenrich for a little while in the mid 90’s after Frank retired (I hate Terry Shumpert) but I just felt as though I was cheating. Now days players change teams so often it would be absurd to hang your “favorite” tag on a player without having your heart broken when he jets off to the Yankees or Bo Sox for more money than Canada’s GDP.
All in all I cant find it within me to pick anyone player out more than any other because they will be gone as soon as they prove themselves, and picking a player who has already proven himself is like cheating.
Mr. Weatherstone
by Mr. Weatherstone on Dec 31, 2008 8:01 PM EST reply actions
Having met Frank
I can say he is an amazing human being.
I’ve met him on a couple of occasions and he is just an awesome person. Always positive and always with a smile on his face.
by Royal from Queens on Jan 1, 2009 5:57 AM EST up reply actions
Oh true story.
Whenever he’s in Omaha, all the players just gather around him and latch on to every word he says – even pitchers!
WTF, self?
Current player..
Jose Guillen, Gil Meche, and Mike Aviles.
Former player: Sweeney.
Players I’m not a huge fan of? Butler.
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