Ryan Shealy Powers the Kansas City Royals Into Fourth Place

by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 10:11 PM EDT Comment 52 comments

Live from Lexington, MA

Ryan Shealy has seven home runs. In sixteen games. The Royals spent four months giving something like 7,000 PAs to Ross Gload/Mark Teahen/Joey Gathright/Ross Gload/Mitch Maier and on and on, seemingly trying to avoid any semblence of power.

Hurray!

Thanks to seven strong innings, Zack Greinke likely finishes his 2008 campaign with a 3.47 ERA and career highs in IP, Ks, K/9 & WHIP.
At 72 wins the Royals have already reached their highest win total since... you guessed it, 2003. For good measure, they've only been in the 70s one other time this decade, when the '00 team won 77. So who do you think was better, the '08 or the '00 Royals?

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First!

Dayton/Hillman’s trilemma:

a) Play Gload, thus allowing the fanbase to remember how sucky he is, infuriating said fanbase when he is the starting 1B next year;

b) Play Butler and risk his continued hitting, thus ensuring the fanbase when starts the year in Omaha or is traded for multiple 4th OF prospects and/or Jeff Francoeur

c) Play Kila/Shealy, and risk them turning into a legitimately good platoon, thus infuriating the fanbase when Gload is somehow not DFAed before the 2009 season starts.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dang, how could I forget

By lowering his ERA under 3.5, I believe Zack has “officially” (it is ERA, after all) become an “ace.”

Any doubter?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 10:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No doubt that he is ace quality

But I don’t think Gil deserves to lose the title. It’s one thing if the title was up in the air, but Gil was our ace going into this year, and he has turned in an ace quality year as well, even if Zach did better.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Sep 23, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't mean to put down Meche

I’m being a bit silly with the “he’s under a 3.5 ERA!!!!!1111” since ERA is such a “great” stat and all. Just happy for Zach/Royals fans. Also will be kind of happy when/if he takes the Glass family to the bank so they can personally roll out wheelbarrows full of gold doubloons, chipolte burritos, and fly in Emil to play Super Mario Bros. all night in celebration.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We can just rejoice in having

two pitchers who could be an ace. It’s rather nice!

by minda33 on Sep 23, 2008 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Meche is more like a good #2 pitcher

which is great. I’m just showing off my recent learnding [© Ralph] about what #1, #2, etc. really mean.

Yup, I’m “learnding”

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meche is definitely a good #2 SP

And Greinke is definitely an ace. Stuff, control, stats all support Greinke = #1, Meche = #2

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Sep 24, 2008 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's Wrong With

Having 2 #1’s? We don’t have a real #2, but we have a couple of #3 candidates and at least one good #5. Starting pitching is at least OK for us.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Sep 24, 2008 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like the starting pitching

I’m just saying that Meche isn’t an ace. He’s very good, but his stats just aren’t at ace level.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Sep 24, 2008 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Shealy could hit like this forever...

…or even half a season in 2009 so he has super-trade-value, that would be GREAT.

SHEALY!!!!!!!!

by minda33 on Sep 23, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure Zack is done

Meche IS going on Saturday. So…Zack could very well go Sunday.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 10:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ugh

by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh, Y ugh

let him go 5 for a shot at win #14 plus ruin the Twins chances at the playoffs. I HATE THE TWINS

It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.

by kcscoliny on Sep 23, 2008 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate the Sux more though

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did the Royals announce that Meche is going Saturday?

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Sep 24, 2008 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's listed as the probable for saturday

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Sep 24, 2008 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oy vey

And then maybe an extra start for Greinke? That’s really stupid. And if we’re doing this for the “integrity of the playoff race,” then that is just monumentally idiotic (instead of simply stupid).

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Sep 24, 2008 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about starting him to avoid the basement?

I never was concerned with the Royals win total; I just do not want another last-place finish!

by jbrocato on Sep 24, 2008 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

The long-term health of Greinke and Meche are more important than the place in which the Royals finish

Priorities.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Sep 24, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Says who?

I need immediate gratification!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Sep 24, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duckworth is more clutch anyway

Hey, Greinke probably won’t get hurt. Heck, he might throw a perfect game! That will certainly help off-season negotiations.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 24, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

help the negotiations for whom?

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on Sep 24, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was sarcasm

with ever good start, the more expensive it’s going to be to extend Zack in the offseason. We already know he’s good. Shut him down.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 24, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah,

i was implying it helps ZG’s negotiations. sorry about that.

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on Sep 24, 2008 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe they should start Soria on Sunday

The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib

by buddyball on Sep 23, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh, and the Royals v.'08 are better

they are grittier

The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib

by buddyball on Sep 23, 2008 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

'00 would beat the '08 team

not much pitching but alot of bats
Dye, Damon, Sweeney (100% healthy), Beltran, Quinn (best season), Zaun (.800 OPS) maybe the best hitting team KC ever had top to bottom. 8 guys with .800 OPS.

It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.

by kcscoliny on Sep 23, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Randa too

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Sep 23, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

read my mind

by Randa4life on Sep 24, 2008 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is That Past

Tense or imperative?

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Sep 24, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gregg Zaun Rules

Definitely brought his Z-Game that year.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dig the

VORP for those hitter. Sween-Dog with his best year ever, and didn’t even lead the team (although he did a couple of other years. Remember when Johnny Damon wasn’t one of the least likable players in baseball?

I’m pretty sure even 2008 Brian Bannister could win 10 games with these guys. Zack would win about 23.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the AL Central was weak as hell then...

by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the '00 Staff would give up a lot of runs

in that game, though. It’d be interesting to see, probably a 8-7 win for either team.

by I need more Esteban on Sep 24, 2008 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The pitching staff was beyond awful though

Mac Suzuki, Jeff Suppan and a bunch of crap – Dan Reichert, Chris George, Blake Stein, Ricky Botallico, Jerry Spradling, blech.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Sep 24, 2008 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would Banny be the staff ace?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 24, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For posterity:

by minda33 on Sep 23, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

"clearly" put.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Sep 23, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it auto-resized.

I suppose the full-sized one would be here.

by minda33 on Sep 23, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

love it

by royalsreview on Sep 23, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weren't we like 4th in the league in runs scored? (in '00)

Se basically the ’00 Royals were the ’08 Rangers.

I follow the Tao of Steve (Balboni)

by jackie ballgame on Sep 23, 2008 11:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Who was Milton Bradley?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Sep 23, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we just win, baby

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Sep 24, 2008 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If only

the 2000 Royals offense had the 2008 Royals pitching, that would be a team to be reckoned with. The Royals are really ending the season with a bang, it’s an encouraging sign for next year.

by lordbyronk on Sep 24, 2008 1:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

I know it’s stupid to talk about, but if you could combine those 2 teams, we would win the central. Again, I know that’s dumb, but as a Royals fan I need something fun to do, like combining those 2 teams.

C Gregg Zaun
1B THE Mike Sweeney (the good one before the injuries)
2B Mike Aviles
3B Hmm…I think I go with Gordon, but just barely over Randa. Maybe Gordon would still be in AAA.
SS That’s it! I’d move Randa to 2B, Aviles at SS, Gordon at 3B…I’m a genious!
OF I think I’d go with Dye, Damon, Beltran, any arguments?
DH Butler would still be in AAA, I’d go with DeJesus and Guillen. Actually, we wouldn’t have signed Guillen. DeJesus would mix in the outfield in the 4 man rotation.

Rotation: Meche, Greinke, Suppan, Bannister, Davies (or Mac Suzuki)
Bullpen: I’d move Witasick and Reichert to the pen with Ram, Tajada, Mahay, Nunez, Soria

I think we would do well.

In the Royals game of life, Neifi Perez is the rake.

by Matty486 on Sep 24, 2008 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs