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The John Buck Redemption: Royals Outlast White Sox, Improve to 16-11

Royalsreview_tiny by Will McDonald on in News Comment 467 comments

It was like John Buck and David DeJesus were battling each other all night, trying to see who could post a lower WPA in a single game. Maybe they were inspired by Hiram BanniDavies. I don't know.

Buck blinked first, and in their millionth chance to take the lead, the Royals finally did.

Games needed to reach 16 wins:

2006 59
2007 43
2008 37
2009 27

 

Thanks to everyone for a fun night "at" the game. We posted 2376 comments for a Monday night game. Impressive. (Though we've got to get the posting of pictures under control a bit.)

Alberto Callaspo 4 MVP.

The Battle for Grass Creek awaits.

0 recs  |  Comment 467 comments

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Read More: John Buck (C - TOR), Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals, May 5, 2009 8:10 PM EDT

Comments

Display:

FIRST?

Trey-Hillman-I'm-A-Dumbfuck-Giveaway-Counter: 4 (as of April 23rd)
"It's gonna be a special year. I'm feeling it." - Jose Guillen - You tell 'em, JoGui!!!
Proud Creator of the "Finsx lol Chart"

by KCsince88 on May 6, 2009 12:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You bet your ass we're in first.

- W. Bloomquist homered to deep center
- P. Earth explodes

by JobDDT on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's...

Exactly… What I meant!!!

Trey-Hillman-I'm-A-Dumbfuck-Giveaway-Counter: 4 (as of April 23rd)
"It's gonna be a special year. I'm feeling it." - Jose Guillen - You tell 'em, JoGui!!!
Proud Creator of the "Finsx lol Chart"

by KCsince88 on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yup, sure am :D

Trey-Hillman-I'm-A-Dumbfuck-Giveaway-Counter: 4 (as of April 23rd)
"It's gonna be a special year. I'm feeling it." - Jose Guillen - You tell 'em, JoGui!!!
Proud Creator of the "Finsx lol Chart"

by KCsince88 on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I went to the game..

it was amazing

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

phone posting?

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Left after the 9th

got home in time to see the W

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

boo!

you weren’t at the game for the win, then.

by stlfan on May 6, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

great win

Sir Sidney against Carlos Silva tomorrow. I wouldn’t have the start to the 2009 battle for grass creek start any other way.

by my count, only ho-ram and farnsworth are our fresh middle relievers for tomorrow. yikes

Waiting for April.

by DC Royal on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Optimism FTW

GO ROYALS!

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow

Another impressive, gutty win.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

They are very similar

Gritty + comeback + extra innings = gutty

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is gonna be a fun season, isn't it?

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

over 2000 comments... damn...

i dont care what’s wrong with soria right now… FIRST PLACE BABY!

where tpj used to happen but no longer does due to his current dl status.

by blue bandwagon on May 6, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

none yet

anxiously awaiting post-game interviews

where tpj used to happen but no longer does due to his current dl status.

by blue bandwagon on May 6, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

holy crap

I now have 9 BODs to catch up with. Which is ironic, because I stopped roughly around the time I started dating this guy. Oops?

Any helpers? The last one was from the Texas series….

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 12:50 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

two obvious greinkes

just give the other 7 to bloomquist

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was sure about the greinke ones

Just…the others…haha! I’ll try and dig up old box scores and go from there.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

give them all to Soria

just his presence in the bullpen is enough

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on May 6, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aviles - every one

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

your fictional boyfriends are upset you're cheating

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

my fictional boyfriends shouldn't worry

they’ll always have a spot in my heart :)

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

only if they do well, of course

since they are only “of the Day”

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

technically we should just rename it

to ‘The Boyfriend of the day when Greinke isn’t pitching because we all know who’s winning that shit in that instance’

Because it’s kinda true :\

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yup!

I used to have a SOD (scrub of the day) on losing games, but it got to be too much, so we gave a lifetime scrub award to Angel Berroa and called it good.

It’s a little contest we have over here, the guys pick out a player they think will be boss, and whoever racks up the most points over the season gets baked goods or whatever I deem acceptable.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cool idea!

If you ever expand the BOD pool, though, here’s the two sexiest men alive (for your consideration):


Death to Flying Things (a.k.a. Sex in Midair) and Russell The Love Muscle

Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

by Decatur on May 6, 2009 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But you did sometimes give out Most Valuable Opponents, right?

For players that seemed to want to give the game to the Royals?

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

sometimes

I really should bring that back…

The sad thing is, I think Pontoon won that a few times last season…

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tonight's has to be either

Mike Jacobs – 3-run HR put us back in the game when it looked lost or
Jamey Wright – 3 innings of scoreless relief made our offensive futility non-fatal

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

by cmkeller on May 6, 2009 4:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ridiculous Zack Stats from Posnanski

My favorite:

5. The league is hitting .242/.294/.337 against him with nobody on base.

But the league is hitting .109/.136/.125 against him with runners on base.

And the league is hitting .097/.097/.097 against him with runners in scoring position.

Ridiculous. More here

by bluenm on May 6, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That was a fun game,

did we have 11 walks?

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 6, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Fangraph of the game...

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Alright honestly guys..

is it really that fucking hard to see that Hillman doesnt like to or want to pitch Soria in non-save situations.. we go over this every fucking game.. he ISNT going to pitch in a non-save situation that often.. its not that hard to recognize that

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Sorry for the hostility..

im just tired of the same ol shit about why soria isnt pitching

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

yeah, and it's stupid

it worked tonight

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

And I might be the only one, but I really don’t think that it was THAT terrible of a decision.

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But he has last year

There must be something wrong.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope it's just soreness, or whatever.

I sure hope it isn’t a more serious issue.

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Again.. he pitched rarely last year in tie games

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no, I agree, that Hillman would benefit from using him in tie games on the road

but at home, I’m pretty sure he used him. I don’t have the time or energy to look up the exact usage though.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

probably

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mean, he used Soria in an extra innings, non-save situation in Minnesota

If he’d use him in that situation, then he’d use him tonight….if healthy and 100%.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He also hadn't pitched in a long ass time and needed work bad..

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He hadn't pitched...

…because he was injured. Get it?

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really dont even know what to say to you.

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just give it up

You’re not making sense.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No your not making since.. that why I quit trying with you

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"that's"

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And "sense"

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And "you're"

"You know what, I mean I cried in bed for a while, moaning 'Why!? Why did this have to happen?'"

Zack Greinke on the Brad Pitt - Jennifer Aniston split

by DCRoyals on May 6, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and you should have put a comma after "No"

We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
-Bob Dylan

by Royal Kingdom on May 6, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Trey just said Soria was a "little stiff from three up and downs in two days"

Don’t know if that wins the bet for NY or not…technically, it’s not “soreness” or “tightness.” Just “stiffness.”

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"I don't know we'll have to go to the judges on that one."

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

to defend focs kinda

Hillman did use Soria in Minnesota in a non save situation in Minnesota, BUT immediately after the game he said he doesn’t like to do that, and he can’t remember the last time he let him go more than an inning. Its on royals.com somewhere.

Anyways the point of that being that just because he used him in Minnesota in a similar situation doesn’t mean he even considered using him tonight, it actually makes it seem like he normally doesnt, and therefore he probably didn’t tonight.

So that doesn’t mean that hes def. hurt, but that also doesn’t mean he’s not hurt either…so NY you betting hes hurt doesn’t mean FOC is wrong to say what he said, so stop belittling him.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Of course he'd consider using him in this game if healthy

In 11 innings? He might not use him in the 9th (although he probably would at home). But he’d definitely use him in the 10th. So it was pretty clear that Soria wasn’t at 100% when he didn’t come in at any point in this game. That’s why I made the bet. That’s why I won it.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

your logic won out

Touche. But whats the difference between the 9th, 10th, 11th, etc in terms of leverage. Nothing really, right?

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Probably little or no difference

Certainly like every other MLB manager, HIllman would prefer to save his pitcher for save situations. But, like all managers, he’s willing to use his closer in tie games in the 9th+ innings. He has done so more than once in the past. Like all managers he’s more willing to do this at home, where there will be no save situation in the 9th+ innings, as opposed to on the road.

If Soria were 100%, there’s no way Wright goes out there for a third inning. And almost certainly the guy who would come in after Wright would have been Soria.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Ill take that bet..

I believe that Hillman thinks (along with me) that a closer is for closing out games.. hence the name.. not for tie games for for save situations.. while you might not agree with it.. thats why you have other pitchers in the bullpen for situations when the game is tied

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he's hurting. period. hopefully its just a day to day thing and nothing serious

maybe it was just because it was cold and wet. nothing but speculation. we’ll find out soon enough.

where tpj used to happen but no longer does due to his current dl status.

by blue bandwagon on May 6, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hillman just said

“he is a little bit stiff from getting up and down multiple times the last three days and didnt want to press the issue about getting him up tonight”

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There you go

As I said.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

but your all worried he was hurt

why would he be up that many times in the pen if he was hurt

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

NO absolutely not..

he was up in the pen soo much over the last couple days that he experienced tightness today.. not those days

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

When do I get my $100?

I take personal checks.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You were 1/3 right.. so no

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I said it was something physical. You said it was because Hillman won't use Soria in non-save situations.

Who was right? I’ll e-mail you my address for your check.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nah you named 3 things

Only 1 was right

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good lord

I’m joking about wanting the money, but I said it was a physical problem, like soreness, tightness, etc. I was right, you were wrong, let’s move on.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agree to disagree..

Lets move on

Bloomquist. God? Or just an illusion? You be the judge.

by focs on May 6, 2009 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Someone who is watching the Postgame show,

If ya don’t mind, share some of whats said please

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 6, 2009 12:52 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Jamie Quirk just said

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Black and Gold on May 6, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

trey hillman:

“i felt like he needed another day – that was my call, not his.” on joakim soria

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Trey: "I didn't want to force the envelope with him [Soria]."

Whatever that means.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He said he was experiencing tightness

So he’s not 100% and Hillman didn’t want to push him (onto the DL).

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know

I just like the phrase “force the envelope.” I may start using that in everyday conversation, just to see other peoples’ looks of confusion.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he just said he had a little stiffness

and he didn’t see him being adamant as he usually is whenever he’s ok to pitch.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't get into a verbal war with Trey Hillman

there will be no survivors

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's one of those classic, Michael Scott combined metaphors.

“Force the issue” and “push the envelope”, in this case.

Treydaddy invents his own metaphors, dammit.

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

its a classic hillman

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 6, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I heard a reporter on Fox news this morning

(I was in the shop getting the oil changed) say something like
“We are facing down the barrel of a bayonet here”. – I didn’t even know they were hollow!

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on May 6, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So.

I would bet that Cruz or Mahay could pitch if they had to.

Combined with HoRam and Farnsworth, and we should be OK.

As long as Ponson isn’t godawful.

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ponson needs a serious pick-me-up

and our offense needs to back him up for once.

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

maybe this is the team's way of sucking out all the poison

by doing bad when pontoon is on the mound.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well

they need to stop sucking the “poison” out of Meche

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good thing Willie didn't get the walk-off - sacrificing that goat I promised to the baseball Gods if WFB won the game would have been a huge pain.

I’m happy! Now the Royals will still be in first place place even after the M’s WAIL on you guys and win the series 2-0!!!!! Muwahahaha!

(I kid, I kid)

by Decatur on May 6, 2009 12:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

watch out, the pontoon boats comin to harbor.

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 6, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"i felt like he needed another day – that was my call, not his." on joakim soria
“he’s not as stiff, 3 ups and down in two days… didn’t want to force the envelope… didn’t seem as adamant about feeling good as he usually is…” bla bla

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 6, 2009 12:56 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

maybe he said push

i was typing it as he talks, but then again, it’ trey

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was "force"

“force the envelope” is my new favorite phrase

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

either that or "He's not a ___ specialist"

tough choice

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How about...

“He’s not an envelope forcing specialist.”

Perfect.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

"I was doing this when BJ was in his father's nutsack." -Renzo Gracie

by Sweep_the_Leg on May 6, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

or

How was I supposed to know he was going to force the envelope? I’m not a mailroom specialist?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he played 2 games in a row recently.

is that pushing it?

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If he's experiencing tightness/soreness/etc.

Then yeah, don’t push it and then rush him to the DL.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Page turing time at midnight...

can we grab the W tomorrow vs. Seattle? Pitching outlooks look dim.

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 12:57 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

time for bed

final tomorrow at 11, still need to study! Have fun with the continuing banter re: Soria. Looks like it’ll be a doozy of a discussion.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

+1

realistically speaking

by slayor on May 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The PR Move

Fine. It worked out in the end but isn’t the bigger point (the one someone already made during the game thread) that if you were going to replace Jose and Billy, shouldn’t it have been done as soon as they got on base?

That way, Mitch couldve possibly scored from first on the double?

by Raisethefencesbackto12feet on May 6, 2009 1:01 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

hmmm...it's a close call.

i probably wouldn’t have. once it’s a definite sac fly situation….then i might’ve. but i also might have left those guys on and not pinch-run.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

I would even call putting Maier in a ‘good’ call, but that is probably stretching it.

I don’t really understand the point of Bloomy pinch-hitting, but whatever.

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's what I thought of at first.

But, what other people said and is almost assuredly correct, is that Trey wanted to make sure we would have a good shot at taking the lead.

Otherwise, you want another potential Jose Guillen AB in the 9th inning.

But when we had 0 outs and a guy at 3rd, it makes sense to try and get a sac fly.

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

as a general rule, I hate all pinch-running in late game situations, especially in a tie game

and they way things played out in subsequent innings showed why

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Chi walked Teahen to get to Maier....

then walked AC to get to Buck, I believe.

I agreed with both moves. Make the worst players beat you.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

you take your chances with that

chances callaspo beats you with runners at 2nd & 3rd with one out is much greater than the chances john buck (who was 0-5) beats you with bases loaded….not just because Buck is not as good of a hitter, but also because of the force play being available at any base with the ibb.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's sleep time for me...

hooray for waking up at 5:30! ugghhh

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on May 6, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

It could be worse

You could live in the crappy eastern time zone. It’s after 1 here :(

by sterlingice on May 6, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Go Jamie Quirk.

Talking about Coco Crisp:

“Forget about the average. It’s the base on balls, getting on base.”

by rockchalk on May 6, 2009 1:04 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

To me

Coco’s been the difference this season and no, I don’t have a kajillion stats to back that statement up.

by sal fasano on May 6, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

right on, 4 walks tonight? all were important even if he didn't score.

"I can resist everything but temptation." - oscar wylde

by cfizzle on May 6, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

21 walks now...

…if my sleepy-time math is correct, he’s on pace for 126.

WTF, self?

by minda33 on May 6, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So Im feeling really good about...

My bet on who will win more games… Royals or Yankees (at least as of right now)

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 1:11 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This was really cool

Good way to end the night. I’m sorry if I offended anyone with my comment. But I do love me some John Buck, and you should too or you’re all terrible people.

Great win. 16-11 is pretty cool looking.

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on May 6, 2009 1:16 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm still amazed at Saturday, Sunday, and tonight's win

Monday’s wasn’t so bad either.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

yay winnings bizzarre games

deal with the quick exit of the “Big Three” talk later

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mr. -90?

No, he sucks and he’ll always suck.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, he's not a sub-3.00 ERA pitcher

He’s a decent pitcher, and has performed that way so far. Instead of just looking at the number of BB’s and K’s, let’s look at the best metric for evaluating pitching performance: tRA, which includes those events, and HR’s and batted ball data. His tRA+ is 110. That’s more than a little better than average. According to Matt Carruth at Stat Corner, over the last two years, the average tRA+ a #2 starter has been 112. So, one could give credit where credit is due.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

TAKE SIDES NOW!

The classic matchup makes its way to center stage.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

For the record, I still think Banny will be a roughly average #4 SP

(which is also what the average of his projections said)

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Some thoughts.

I didn’t get in to catch the game until the 7th, and last I knew we were down 5-1, so seeing that it was 7-6 pumped me up.

Hillman deserves credit for what I saw from that point on. I’m not sure I’d have run for Butler, but I can’t fault him for it either. He set up the situation he wanted, and he got it; if it works, odds are very good that neither pinch-runner steps to the plate anyway. You might blame Owen for sending Mitch on such a short fly, but it was at least a go-for-the-throat move. (And Maier was safe, damnit.)

Beyond that, I’m just slack-jawed at the approach at the plate tonight. I’ve never seen so many 3-2 counts in my life. And lo and behold, 11 walks (albeit a couple intentional). Just fantastic stuff, and furthers my opinion that this offense is not nearly as bad as we “feel” it is.

Hell of an outing for Jamie, and he made a couple of guys look absolutely stupid in the process.

And finally, we go back to Hillman, who made the right calls in the 11th. Bloomquist is a player of limited skills, but the skills he does have, he has in abundance. That was exactly the right place to call for the hit-and-run, and props to Trey for that. Sending Bloomquist against expected defensive indifference to eliminate the DP was gravy. (And a special shout-out to Jacobs, whose final at-bat was legitimately professional; he knew what he was trying to accomplish, and he worked the count to get there. Can’t complain about the line drive that ensued.)

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:27 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh, and let's not forget the new MVP

Callaspo was hitting .378 10 games ago. He’s hitting .379 now, because he’s hit .3788 in his last 10 games. THAT, my friends, is just creepy, to be honest.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's like I said in the thread

it’s time to start asking “who is more on fire, Greinke or Callaspo?”

They’re both obviously going to regress. Zack is also obviously playing closer to his “true talent.” But what Callaspo is doing right now is just ridiculous. Someone buy that man a drink!

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nonsense.

How can you seriously argue that Callaspo can’t maintain a .390 BABIP? Pfft.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

heh

yeah, but I I was actually trying to praise him more t han deflate expectations.

I’m trying not to buy in too hard — two avies starts into the season, and I forgot all the “one month + a couple good starts doesn’t mean much” conditioning. So, yeah, Callaspo’s secon half last year + this first month shouldn’t sway me too much…

but man, doesn’t it feel like Aviles last year? Where he just smacks the ball around no matter how improbable it seems?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The difference being, of course

that we’ve always KNOWN Callaspo could hit. What we didn’t know, or even suspect, was that he could hit the ball for extra bases…

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

(trying hard not to make a tasteless joke about who knows how hard Callaspo can hit)

Seems like a classic Angels prospect. Sort of Howie Kendrick, with better strike zone judgment (ok, that makes him atypical for the Angels), but less physical tools, speed, defense, power, etc. Obviously he’s hitting a lot better than Kendrick at the moment, but you know what I mean.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He didn't hit his wife. He kicked her.

It’s a fine distinction.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There are so many people on this board obsessed with finding mistakes with Hillman..

We are freaking 16-11…GET OVER IT! Hindsight is 20/20.

Beyond making game calls is managing behind the scenes and in the clubhouse. This team has more fight than any Royals team I have ever seen in my life. He gets some credit for that!

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:33 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

The positioning of your post is irony of the highest order

considering I’ve been one of the most vocal supporters of the “Hillman’s an idiot” club, and you posted right after I basically gave him credit for the win.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wasn't talking about your post specifically...

I have been a vocal supporter…I just get on here for the games and it seems like he is constantly 2nd guessed and trashed based on a very small window of decisions and anything good is ignored. As if the Royals always start 16-11.

Their a bunch of posters who don’t like him and WANT to find something wrong. That might not be you, but they are not hard to find on this board.

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, it IS me.

I didn’t say I’m a vocal supporter of Hillman, I said I’m a vocal supporter of calling him an idiot.

And yet, even I had to admit he managed a good game tonight, at least from the 7th on. THAT’s why the timing of your post was funny.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hillman is an idiot

But talented teams, or teams that just put it together on any given night can still make up for questionable decisions. Hell Doc Rivers won an NBA championship last year.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fans love to bitch about their team's manager

It’s what fans do. It’s like breathing.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fans bitch about their manager a lot more when the team is losing

But Royals fans have a long history of losing and a long history of bitching about poor managers. It’s going to take a lot of winning for fans to get used to it.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

haha...good point...hard to act like you've been there.

I am a “coach’s” son…I am just use to anything and everything being blamed on them. Easy target.

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even the great Dick Howser was grilled on almost a nightly basis

If he wouldn’t have been fortunate enough to be the manager when they won it all in 1985, he would be remembered as a marginally good manager. Some of his decisions in the postseason in 1984 & 85 were very questionable.

by trauty on May 6, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, but he still

absolutely managed the pants off Bobby Cox in the ’85 ALCS. I mean, he took him to school.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:19 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know any mention of Toronto

getting pantsed disturbs you.

Really, it’s why I said it.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well ya

But don’t you think he’s made some poor decisions. I’ve been mad about his use of the bullpen. Except for letting Wright pitch multiple innings on a semi frequent basis. I have actually LOVED his late game substitutions, and I didn’t think the pinch running was too bad tonight, so I’m not upset about it. I don’t think that’s unfair.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ya he has made some bad decisions and will again...there are 162 games!

But some of his so called bad decisions were not bad until the outcome was bad….if it had gone good no one would have complained.

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

ARE YOU SMOKING

ok sorry about that….

We won some games where we started scream as soon as he botched who he put in in high leverage late inning situations (FARNSWORTH). We bitched when we signed him, we bitched when he gets put in, we bitch when he loses games.

Don’t say that unless it goes bad we don’t notice a bad decision. And putting in gopher ball with people on base is dumb.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

you world view is so easy and simple...

upper mgmt (dayton moore) needed to see Farnsworth FAIL…

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

If they could use statistics

They would have already known this. Thats why WE ALL, and I mean pretty much everyone on RR was mad when they signed him.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stop with the get over it, it happened

and the hyperboles, and the stop analyzing results.

IF you don’t like to analyze results and statistics and decisions just read the morning paper and see if we won or not.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

You mean like putting the Professor in to pitch to

home-run hitters with the game on the line?

Come on. That’s a bad decision, even when it somehow works out. That’s the sort of thing most of us go batshit about, and nobody in their right mind could ever think that letting Kyle Farnsworth pitch to Jim Thome when he’s the game-winning run is a smart thing.

No, we call him out for clearly stupid shit, and we give him credit when he makes a good call.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course he's made some poor decisions

And he’s made some good decisions. That’s what managers do. It’s like evaluating a hitter and saying, sure he got a hit in 40% of his at bats, but he made an out in the other 60%. We have a right to bitch about the 60% failure of that .400 hitter! You have to judge a player or manager by a reasonable scale. Or one could just bitch about every little judgment call a manager makes and blow them out of proportion (I’m not saying that you, per se, are doing this. But there is a lot of that among the fanbase).

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well hitting a baseball and putting in a pitcher are different

Its not like 40 percent of the time Soria comes in and sucks, and 60% of the time he does great.

I’m trying to say its a lot easier with the help of statistics to know probable outcomes and put in the correct player for the situation than it is for a player to come in and do it. I wouldn’t get mad at hillman if he put in soria in the 8th and he blew a game once in awhile. That is still the best statistical play.

Managers CAN (i mean by can, can make mistakes without me getting mad) but they should do them far far far less often than players having a bad game.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What tcon just said

even harkens back to a situation last year, when I first started questioning Hillman’s intelligence: he let Gobble pitch to Kotchman when Kotchman was hitting well over .500 against lefties, instead of walking him to set up the DP with Hunter at the plate.

(And I started bitching about that before Kotchman planted one in the seats, too.)

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

THANK YOU FOR THE HYPERBOLE AGAIN

Didn’t you just see me agree that a manager maybe affects 3 to 5 % of the end outcomes, not 100%.

I don’t understand how you can’t take an arguement without taking it to the extreme.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

b/c that is what is happening everyone's judgment of Trey!

if the Royals or Farnswroth loses…it is 100% on Trey

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So you are saying...

That Farnsworth should pitch in crucial situations?

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not now?

So you agree that Farnsworth shouldn’t be pitched in close situations, when everyone else but you and Hillman didn’t.

Go look at the game logs, 90% of the comments predicted the HR to Thome

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that didn't come out right.

Regardless there was plenty of evidence that showed that Farnsworth should never be pitched in close situations.

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nope

Didn’t say that. I said using Farnsworth in a high leverage late inning situation with people on base and a lefty who kills hard throwing righties is batting then it was a bad decision. Its not completely on him, or farns, but it was still a bad call.

Bad calls can happen, im not saying hang the guy, I just wish he wouldnt do that, or we had a manager who didn’t think so old school, as in closers only pitch in save situations, or we have to have a K here so bring in farns.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, they wouldn't.

You’re failing to see the greater point. Yes, had Hillman ordered an IBB to Kotchman in that situation, Hunter might well have smacked a double into the gap on the next pitch. These are things that happen.

But it’s the manager’s job to understand his player’s strengths and weaknesses, and the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. If I, who do not rely financially on my knowledge of the players in this game, intuitively understand that Kotchman has a reverse platoon split and that Farnsworth should never be allowed to pitch to home-run hitters with the game on the line, why doesn’t Trey?

I give him credit tonight for tactical decisions which were sound. I fault him for tactical decisions in the past which were not. But if Hillman made a decision which was sound and which failed spectacularly, I’d still defend his decision. Do you see?

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

For instance, why didn't Guillen put his closer (by far his best reliever) into this game?

Managers do this kind of thing all the time. It’s also not uncommon for them to misjudge the true talent level of veteran relievers and overuse them.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes... though I must again say

I’m not sure this shouldn’t mean we can’t complain about it.

Baseball is game of failure, but we should still be able to complain when Player X strikes out.

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+200

but only if it’s John Buck

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I'm not saying one can't complain about it

But one should do it in context. Or at least understand and recognize the context. When Player X strikes out, there aren’t many complaints, because it is just one event among many. Any time Hillman brings in the pitcher that some didn’t like, people lose their shit. There’s no recognition of how good/bad Hillman is in comparison to the rest of MLB managers. There’s no recognition of the fact that Hillman manages just like pretty much every other manager. People just act like he’s incredibly stupid and much worse than most managers.

I mean, I could whine and complain every time DeJesus struck out, but would that make any sense? No, but I guess I’d have a “right” to.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Yes, that was a mistake.

The fans on the White Sox boards knew it, we knew it, it is not unreasonable to expect a manager not to make those mistakes.
No manager is going to be perfect, but when obvious mistakes are being made, the fans will naturally point them out. Here is another mistake, Luis Hernandez did not even have a reason to be on the team in an 11 inning game. He should not be on the roster, and we should bring up another bat.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on May 6, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Managers don't ultimately make those calls

that is for General Managers to decide who comes up

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, Hillman gets blamed for everything!

That is, unless we’re in Moore-bashing mode, in which case he gets blamed for everything, including how players on the 25-man roster are used in games.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

incorrect.

Witness Buck and DDJ lynching last night

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the DDJ

lynching was ridiculous.

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

by Warden11 on May 6, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The get over thing...

Remember everything is not black and white, just because we won doesn’t mean we are perfect, or the manager put together the perfect gameplan. For that reason in loses we can say wow that guy did well, or in wins we can say wow that guy sucked, or that decision could have cost us in other games. Hillman has cost us games before, but his questionable substitutions didn’t tonight.

Thankyou for the hyperbole which took everything I said out of context to the extreme. Thanks. The most talented team with the high payroll doesn’t go 162-0 and the least talented doesn’t go 0-162. Its baseball. A bad manager can cause a team idk 5 games. A bad reliever can cost them what 3 in April, believe me I’ve seen it happen.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Soria just exagerates everything

because he’s so insanely good, we don’t have much around him, and because closers are so typically mismanaged

perfect storm for second-guessing

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ya, good point!

But once again…everyone was bitching about Trey when they didn’t have all the info (when he was hurt).

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's one thing to bitch about

“not using Soria.” It’s another entirely to bitch about “using Farnsworth.” You can’t get past the fact that Trey’s inappropriate usage of the Professor is the difference between us being (a very pleasant) 16-11 and (an out-of-this-world-let’s-all-get-giddy) 19-8.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Really? You don't agree that it cost us 3 games?

Then what, pray tell, is that “3” after the hyphen in Farnsworth’s record?

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Have to agree here

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No you don't

because you also agree that Farnsworth had no business stepping onto the mound any of those three times. You know damn well those were failed decisions.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I recognize his bad decisions

And I recognize his good decisions. And I recognize that Hillman is virtually indistinguishable from pretty much every other MLB manager. So complaining about him being like every other manager seems pointless. And I do agree that using pitcher L’s as a measuring stick is a poor way to evaluate a pitcher.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Which managers do you really think

would have let Farnsworth pitch to Thome?

Be serious now.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What I think is that managers not infrequently make that kind of mistake

Maybe most wouldn’t have used Farnsworth. But I can pick out a situation or two (or three or four) from every manager this year where he used a likely lesser, veteran reliever over other, likely better relievers. It’s not uncommon at all. Sure it was stupid and worthy of criticism. But it is a very non-unique criticism.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think that one mistake,

in particular, was so egregious as to be worthy of mention, though. And I also believe it is a mistake whose level of error was such that most managers would not, in fact, make an error of similar magnitude. Some certainly would, don’t get me wrong. But a mistake of that magnitude… that IS the difference between good and bad managers.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wait, I have to find an opening day mistake for them?

Is opening day a higher leverage managing situation? Your evaluative criteria are…unique.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think he meant

“guys who had jobs on opening day.”

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is that right, Fernando?

And is that seriously your list of the top 5 managers? Really?

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just threw out five guys...

no particular order…..you said you’d find mistakes. Go.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok

I’m going to have to go through box scores and PBP logs. Check back in this space sometime later Wednesday.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cito Gaston

has never even made a mistake. Hell, Toronto never should have fired him to begin with!

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What I could find in a quick look through some of their games

Scioscia – April 7, tied 3-3 in the 7th. Mike puts in Kevin Jepsen despite the availability of Arredondo, Speier and Shields. He leaves him in the entire inning to give up 4 hits and 2 runs. Angels lose.

Manuel – April 28, Mets up 4-3 in the 7th inning. Manuel puts in Green despite the availability of Putz, Feliciano and Stokes. He leaves Green in the game for the full inning to give up 4 runs. Mets lose.

Gardenhire – April 13, Twins up 6-5. 7th inning, 2 outs, 1 on. Gardy puts in Ayala even though Crain and other, better relievers are available. He leaves Ayala in long enough to give up 4 hits and 2 runs. Twins lose.

Gaston – April 17, 5-5 tie in the 7th. Cito puts in League despite the availability of Camp, Downs and others. He leaves him in there for 2 full innings to give up 3 runs. BJ’s lose.

A quick look didn’t reveal anything glaring for Torre.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 5:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Torre is amazing!!!!

Numbah 1 manager!!!

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's the question:

Did/do Jepsen, Green, Ayala, and/or League have critical flaws or weaknesses which were ripe for exploitation by the hitter(s) they were due to face? Did inserting any of them into the game scream “I am not only defying conventional wisdom, I am deliberately holding a match up to a gas pump to see what happens”?

And for the love of god, I hope Fernando meant Charlie Manuel rather than Jerry. Jerry Manuel IS an idiot.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did/do Jepsen, Green, Ayala, and/or League have critical flaws or weaknesses which were ripe for exploitation by the hitter(s) they were due to face? Did inserting any of them into the game scream "I am not only defying conventional wisdom, I am deliberately holding a match up to a gas pump to see what happens"?

Yes and yes. Actually, with regard to the second question, how was Hillman defying conventional wisdom? Because he put in a pitcher who was projected to be a slightly below average reliever in the 8th inning in a close game? Or because there was a better setup man who he could have gone with? Or because he could have gone with a lefty-lefty matchup? If it is those factors which lead you to characterize that decision as “deliberately holding a match up to a gas pump” then the answer is clearly yes. And that kind of thing happens in MLB frequently.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, come on now.

If the game thread erupts with comments which boil down to “Oh, great, Thome’s going to jack one off the Professor,” then it’s at best naive and at worst mendacious to even ask me how Hillman was defying conventional wisdom.

So, I will ask you again, in different terms: do you think fans of the Angels, Mets, Twins, and Blue Jays erupted in paroxysms of “Oh, hell, there goes the ballgame now” upon seeing Jepsen/Ayala/Green/League walking out of the bullpen? Or are you confusing “a decision which would be difficult to defend” with “a completely indefensible decision”?

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by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or are you confusing "a decision which would be difficult to defend" with "a completely indefensible decision"?

That’s a fine distinction. Fans overreact about all kinds of things. And if you are seriously asking if fans of those teams whined, moaned, bitched and complained about those decisions, then the answer is a definitely YES.

In short, that decision apparently looked like the most stupid, indefensible, unbelievable move (as opposed to just a poor reliever decision not much worse than many other managers’ pitching mistakes this season) to Royals fans because we are so close to it. Because it involves the Royals, it’s magnified, and the overreactions are predictable.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And if you are seriously asking if fans of those teams whined, moaned, bitched and complained about those decisions, then the answer is a definitely YES.

Did they do it before anything bad happened? Can you show me?

I mean, I don’t need to show you where I and several other people said “Here comes a homer.” You already saw it.

I think you’re in a hole here, trying to defend a basic principle against the vagaries of a singular occurence. Do not misunderstand me; I agree with your basic premise as a general rule. Managers are essentially fungible. But what you’re not letting go of is a couple of things:

One, this move (these moves, really, because bringing him in to face Young was almost as bad) was SO bad that it calls the manager’s judgment into question.

I do not mean it calls the decision into question; that is indisputable. I mean it calls the manager’s ability to even make such decisions into question, because if dozens of us schlubs out here on teh intarwebs knew it was a mistake before the batter even left the on-deck circle, the manager should know. He has to know. And unless he just lied through his teeth in the post-game to save face, he didn’t know. (Oh, and let’s not forget that whole “throw AC and DDJ under the bus” bit, either.)

Two: Farnsworth isn’t the only beneficiary of Hillman’s unique inability to judge. Gload. Gobble. “Well, that didn’t work out” after one game of Aviles. The man has absolutely ZERO comprehension of measuring performance; he ignores the fact that players suck when he has clearly better options who are actually part of the franchise’s future, he ignores unignorable platoon splits, he thought one 0-for from Aviles was more telling than over a month of TPJ’s brilliant offense, and he thinks letting a right-handed power pitcher with the propensity to give up homers throw to lefties who eat fastballs for breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, dinner, and fourthmeal is a good idea.

He doesn’t get it in ways which exceed the structural tolerance of the position. I understand your position that it’s not like there’s a Casey Stengel or Earl Weaver just waiting to take his place. But that does NOT mean the guy’s not a bad manager.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, as it were), I think it’ll all work out in the end. I mean, even Jim Frey managed a World Series team.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

To you point

about predicting what was going to happen I will say that is crap. There are countless times that people predict things and they don’t happen either, so getting a few right is bound to happen.

I know this because I always call people out on it when they are like, “Oh damnit why did you bring in Tejeda instead of Wright, he’s going to lose this game, you moron!” Then Tejeda strikes out 2 guys and the prediction was totally off. For as many times people predicted the right things in game threads, there are 5 that were wrong.

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Are you sure that Royals fans are really that much better complainers than other fans? I mean, it’s possible. Royals fans really do bitch and whine very, very well. But I’m not sure we’re that much better than every other team’s fans.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

those guys you brought up are not the whipping boys with the reputations for being total crap like Fransworth. That is my point. Not whatever you’re saying.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, I'll tell you what.

Instead of 19-8, how about 18-9?

Because Farnsworth twice gave up walk-off moonshots to guys he had no business pitching to at all.

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by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does Hillman get any credit

for now not using Farnsworth in high-leverage situations? I mean we can’t get those games back and it really sucked that we lost them. But once Hillman saw that one of the big signings in the bullpen couldn’t handle the job, he hasn’t used him in those situations since.

He gets no credit there?

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sure.

I just think it’s a lesson he needn’t have learned via experience. I mean, my mom TOLD me what would happen if I put my hand on the burner on the stove, and she told me in graphic detail. What would y’all think of me if I told you that I just HAD to find out for myself?

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

haha point taken

I look at it as if you don’t try, then you’ll never know. You can look at all the stats you want, but things fully come into place when you see a player perform or not perform in that Royal Blue. Trey had to see him not perform with us….However, I will never defend bringing him in Opening Day against Thome, that was awful.

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, it's too bad Farnsworth didn't have any prior history to draw on

oh well, at leat he never came in in a crucial situation again

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Usual snark ignored

The Rangers game was bad but not as bad as Thome, and the other one that he lost I think is blown way out of proportion, I wasn’t following the game but if I remember right, Mahay or some other reliever really sucked too and it was the 6th or 7th. There are only so many guys out there in the bullpen.

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

(That is why

I conceded the third loss as “not Hillman’s problem.”)

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

true

while Hillman had seen Farnsworth pitch before, and in a Royals uniform, he hadn’t seen Farnsworth pitch in Royals blue against the Rangers.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

wow

you never quit do you

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, sorry

obviously, we usually get along pretty well (I least I think so), I just don’t get the “we can’t say if a player’s good or bad until we see him play for the Royals thing,” that’s all. I just took it a bit far this time. Cheers.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no it's all good

for what it’s worth, I wasn’t stating that this is how it should be or what I beleive, I was simply saying that this could be how Hillman and management treated the Farnsworth thing.

All I needed was to see Farnsworth 3 years ago at a game with the Tigers, heckled the shit out of him and he was awful.

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

3-5% could easily be the difference

In an AL central which lacks a clear leader.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

ya, but how do you bitch about

Say DDJ tonight. You don’t really. You say he had a bad game, hes a good player and will do good things for the team in the future. What he’s doing is really hard, what Hillman is doing is much more noticeable, thats why we comment about it.

There is nothing wrong with pointing out his mistakes.

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 1:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and how would you describe your criticism of those commenters?

you are near, what, 20 comments on this now?

I don’t see a huge difference… its the internet, people like to talk about things

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

TMI, TMI, my friend

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it still does

I think the episodes are funnier the second time… I’ve become such a dork that when I’m watching a new one I’m too engrossed in the plot lines… especially earlier this season when they were being fairly gimicky with everything (Jan’s back! Pam’s at art school! Jim Proposes! etc)

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I missed an ep in there

so I’ve lost it… I’ll get back to it. Michael not being beat down constantly is nicer. But too much “relationship” B.S. Even when it’s not there, it’s there. It’s like every decent show turns into a f—ing Cure song.

It’s like this: I love talking about baseball stuff, but even I can onlly take so much going over a fine tooth comb on every angle re: exactly how far below replacement level Tony Pena, Jr., is. And I’d rather do that than have to talk myself into watching another season of The Office.

Not without seeing Jenna Fischer naked, anyway.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Rec'd for the Cure song line

And I like The Cure, but comedy is not their forte

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

switched over to Phil Collins

I go hardcore soft rock late at night

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

you're like 10 years younger t han me

seriously, are you just being ironic? Phil Collins?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

nah...

I love this stuff… U2 is about as hard as I get

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

now I know you're lying

the next line out of your mouth will be about Banny’s #2 upside

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

honest to god

I love sting’s solo career, phil collins, elton john’s 80s stuff, etc

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i have no idea what to say

this is just stunning

it’s… sublime or something

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Though you're a lover of good literature

You have atrocious taste in popular music. How could anyone passionate about 18th-19th century Brit lit possibly stand Phil Collins, Sting, or Elton John, among the cheesiest alleged musicians of all time?

I mean, if you’re into the softer stuff, you’ve got much better options, anything from Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby through Joni Mitchell and Crosby, Stills, and Nash, to Norah Jones and Beyoncé. Not to mention the entire Motown catalogue, a lot of Beatles and Kinks, and classic country from Bob Wills to Willie Nelson to Dwight Yoakam.

I, for one, am shocked.

It's pronounced Poo-ZHOLS in Catalan.

by Juancho on May 6, 2009 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You guys have him stuck

between the Scylla and Charybdis

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Firefox actually crashed when I typed Phil Collins in Google search

I heard his cover of “You Can’t Hurry Love” on the oldies station in St. Louis, and I wanted to drive to the station and beat the DJ with a hammer. Just like how Abraham Lincoln was killed.

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yea, I get that

but like I said above, as opposed to anti-hillman feeling driving it, I feel like its everyone’s love of soria

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not even that

There hasn’t really been a time this season when I’ve thought to myself, “Damnit, where’s Soria?!?”

But the “Damnit, not Farnsworth!!!” moments do kinda stick out like a sore thumb.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Except that he might be a competent reliever

I said “might be.”

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

His projections said he'd be pretty good

He’s been better than that. Nice, cheap find by Moore (like HoRam last year)

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

throw six relievers into a bucket...

and two good ones will fall out after a good shake

this goes beyond Dayton… the gap between how well wright has pitched versus Farns and their salaries is really incredible

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:10 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know about that

but off the top of my head I’d say there’s an inverse correlation between their pay and their performance

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

more clearly

the cheaper the better, w hic his to be expected, because younger players are generally better, especially relievers, who usuallly need Ks more.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's certainly had more success with cheaper guys

I wish he’d stick with that and not pay any reliever more than $3M (and not pay more than two of them that much, including Soria).

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

scary thought (it's late)

the best time to trade Soria might have been this past offseason

just a possibility

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're worried about the shoulder?

Elite closers not infrequently have little injury problems like that and it doesn’t hurt their value (either trade or free agency).

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well,

it was more me thinking that maybe he can’t start (and I don’t know) because of health/mechanics reasons, and the more that’s evident, the more his value in general decreases.

I’m hoping to read up on “closer/reliever” career length/aging curves (or better yet, wait for TucsonRoyal to do the research), but I’m wondering if it might be generally shorter than for starters.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think his trade value ever had much to do with the fact that he could start. I think the baseball world sees him as a closer and that anything else is merely speculative.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I confused my wording

I mean his value to the Royals is much less

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Swisher+Hughes!

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I refuse

to indulge your perverse Nick Swisher man-crush.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

True

Apparently his value to the Royals has always been as merely a closer. Oh well. The Royals won’t be trading Soria ever, IMO. But if I were the GM, I’d trade him for a big bat in a heartbeat. I’d do it right now. I’d do it in the offseason. I’d do it whenever I got a sufficiently huge offer. And I think many such offers would come in. Closers are still overvalued. I’d exploit that.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

BRANYAN + SWEENEY NOW!

devastating platoon

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

trying to imagine RR after a soria trade

some hellish combination of 2000 election night, the day they cure aids (hat tip Dennis Miller) and… and… something about baseball I guess

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Will, I think the riots would be so violent

that even you would be toppled from your throne despite having had nothing at all to do with it.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This place would blow up

And unless the Royals got a major “name” in return, there would be much calling for the head of the GM. Give me a good, young hitter who can play some D and I’d trade him in a second.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:36 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dunno

I agree with you in principle, but there have been some guys who were useful enough (and durable enough) in middle relief to justify some expense.

Not very damned many, however.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wish the Royals would get some guys like that

Scott Shields (good years) type guys you mean? Basically, guys “good enough to close,” but who pitch middle relief?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:19 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was thinking more along the lines of

guys like Mike Timlin or Mike Stanton, or on the other side of the fence, guys who could almost start but can’t really — guys like… well, guys like we already have two of without the expense, namely Tejeda and Wright.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, I don't see why Gms just don't do that

or, if they don’t trust the young guys, stack up on the Joe Nelsons and Russ Springers of the world

Obviously, it’s easy for me to say, but for Farnsworth’s salary alone, you could have had Cruz and one or both of those guys, and that would be a hell of a ’pen

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

which is what makes the Farnsworth contract so weird...

if there’s anyone who shouldn’t be making that move, for that price, its him

DOESN’T HE SEE HIS OWN POWER/LEARN THE LESSONS OF HIS SUCCESS?

of course, this was an old angels trick as well… discover brendan donnelly and all the otehr guys from their 02 team, but then resign them all for FA pays

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Moore doesn't want to RELY on cheap, scrapheap guys

I think Moore is fine with the 5, 6, 7 guys in the bullpen being NRI’s, waiver claims, minor league contract guys, and cheap trades. But I think he also wants some proven vets for setup roles. He has just recently chosen some poor “proven vets.”

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

no, not really...

I’m closer to what d_f said…

I’m not trying to hate on moore, just trying to be more philosophical about it. Relievers are like… I dunno… mystical or something…

moore’s random/scrap-heap/scouting guys have been better than his name brand guys (Mahay, Dotel, Farns, etc)

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dotel and Riske were both pretty good

And Dotel got us value in trade, and Riske got us a compensatory draft pick. Mahay was given too much money. Farnsy was a horrendous move. HoRam is overpaid.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd consider Dotel

more of a scrapheap pickup than a name brand guy at the time of the signing.

He was only on a one year deal trying to prove he was healthy. If there hadn’t been an injury concern, he would’ve gotten a bigger deal from someone else.

by Top Ramen on May 6, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But I don't hate Farnsworth.

He actually has his uses. It’s not HIS fault his manager sent him out there to try and retire a left-handed batter who’s hit more home runs against the Royals than any other player in history when Farnsworth’s greatest flaw is his ability to give up home runs to left-handed power hitters.

See, NYRoyal is trying to stoke an argument with me up there by claiming that what’s being bitched about is a decision “any manager would likely make.” I’m pretty sure most major-league managers know better than to let Farnsworth pitch to Thome.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I don't think it is as black and white a decision as most on this board make it out to be.

So where would you use him now…filler games when we are out of it? Or middle relief work on a poor start night?

by hwcasey12 on May 6, 2009 2:08 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yep

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who cares how expensive it is...

Do you want to win games, or have Farnsworth prove he is overpaid?

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Then instead of hiring a manager...

GMDM should have done it himself

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bullshit...

GMDM gives Hillman the tools, then its up to HIllman to use them as he sees fit. Bottom line is Hillman has misused other pitchers than just Farnsworth

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Plenty of places to use him.

1) Innings-eater in blowouts, either for or against.

2) To retire certain key hitters against whom he actually does match up well (For instance, if there’s runners on 1-2 with 2 outs in the 8th, and we’re up by one, then sure, bring him on to nail someone with marginal power who’s prone to striking out. I’m actually all for using him that way.)

3) To bridge an inning against the lesser part of a team’s batting order.

4) When necessary due to a lack of other options.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think the people who want Soria to stay in the bullpen should understand that this is how closers are used

If you want Soria to stay a closer, this is how Soria is going to be used by Hillman or any other MLB manager.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Horacio Ramirez

love’s his mamas enchiladas

"I'll take some Coco with that please"

by RoyalJHWKR on May 6, 2009 1:52 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Record has nothing to do with second guessing

Or really anything in baseball. If a team is 0-11 that doesn’t mean a guy can’t come up and make a great play, and me say that was a great hit or whatever.

You’re saying that since we are wining we shouldn’t complain…but dont you realize thats just like saying hypothetically in 2006 when we were losing we shouldn’t cheer a win or a good play by one of our players since they are “losers”. Nothing is black and white, I cheer for good plays, and I point out (sometimes before, sometimes after bad plays and decisions)

I gotta study, cya guys

At least Wally Joyner's not on the team....

by tcon125 on May 6, 2009 2:08 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

and by your logic... Jose makes to much money

to be pinch ran for

Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?

by averagegatsby on May 6, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

C'Mon Omar

.944 OPS RF just waiting for you

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just talked to Omar

He says he refuses to take Guillen off our hands unless we’ll take Beltran and his damn contract.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

pass

I’m not sure where the Royals would put him. CoCo had 4 walks tonight.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's on pace for

126.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

this team is making a playoff run

I’m not sure they need Beltran bringing the Mets’ stench of failure around

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

give it another month

you might be right again.

Then wrong again two weeks after that

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Trufax:

He’s actually been making me nervous. Just standing there watching pitch after pitch go by… I swear, he’s drawn more 6/7-pitch walks without ever taking the bat off his shoulder than anyone I’ve ever seen.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

to be fair

I still think Dotel was in on some sort of bet about “how few strikes can I throw without taking the loss during this game tonight.” Geez. I can’t believe the Royals didn’t win during that inning.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They did win during that inning.

The umpire just didn’t feel like leaving yet.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I dunno.

But I also think AJ was out on Pod’s sac fly, despite Joel stating “yeah, he was safe” while showing the replay from three angles in the post-game.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, that's one of the things that led to my comment

Seems like those calls have been going against us. But that’s probably just my fan bias.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What really boiled me

was that AJ missed the plate with his lead leg, and Buck got the tag in on his trail leg before it crossed.

Mitch HIT the plate with his lead leg, and AJ tagged him on the trail!

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

wrong

John Buck has never done anything right, especially not this season. Olivo is superior in every way.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We got that call @ 3rd on Punto

When he was clearly safe…I don’t recall a close play at home going our way though

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on May 6, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think when discussions like this occur, I should make a seperate thread

So I don’t have to waste my time scrolling through circular arguments, but that would require me to be on here constantly. We have an average manager, an albatross in our bullpen, and a closer who doesn’t get enough work, but is also always sore. I like the spirit, but seriously, FanPost about Trey being great or us being great despite Trey sucking so that I don’t have to choke myself (possibly erotically) every time I read a post-game thread

However, tonight was an interesting display of bipolar behavior. I know the game was back and forth, but damn everyone seemed off their meds every time we struck out or played catcher like a little leaguer. Luckily, our gritty ballclub was destined to win this game, because frankly the White Sox deserve bad karma for every time I have to see AJ’s face not pounded in.

Oh, and John Buck sucks, let’s trade him, release him, or make him walk the plank.

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:40 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

people were not happy with John Buck tonight...

but then again, we all know emotions run strong in the royals catcher controversy

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

However, tonight was an interesting display of bipolar behavior. I know the game was back and forth, but damn everyone seemed off their meds every time we struck out or played catcher like a little leaguer.

No meds are allowed in the game thread. It is a place reserved for free-form insanity, exuberant emotion, extreme overreactions and widespread irrationality.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who needs meds when the games are insane as well?

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Excuse me

I need meds because the games are insane, thank you very much.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I prefer insane victory to predictably dull heartbreak

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

true dat.

and we have been in a whirlwind of particularly insane games lately……..it’s been great!

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on May 6, 2009 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We are also going to implement

a random drug testing policy for all posters.

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

on DDJs night

he posted a negative WPA of -.317, which is pretty damn impressive

greinke’s WPA last night was something around .410, so basically, DDJ was almost as damaging tonight as greinke was good last night

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:42 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How much of that did he earn

by smashing his face into the wall?

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 2:43 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Since Ankiel is fine I can say this

That was karma for having that god awful mustache.

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

DDJ = not clutch!

WPA is a weak statistic.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

have May's BODs saved!

Now for the 6 in April that I missed…

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

make that 5

oops, my bad

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe I'm a lone dissenter

But can we place a ban on posting .gifs during gamethreads? I personally find them to be extremely annoying, they distract from the actual thoughtful postings that people make, and I see no relevance of, and 99.9% of the .gifs people post don’t even have to do with baseball. For example, I have no interest in seeing repeating clips of a squirrel riding a bicycle, an Asian kid riding a bicycle, an old woman being punched in the face, etc.

Waiting for April.

by DC Royal on May 6, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

just another user

but I was tempted to say the same thing… but I hate to tell people what to post and not post, how to be a fan not be fan. Besides, I post plenty of pictures myself, so I’d be pretty hypocritical to complain.

But yeah, the repeating clips are annoying to me. Especially the one with the dude who looks like Dave Mustaine. Even though Mustaine rules.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm with the crazy man and the other crazy man

Seriously, tho- we’re going on picture overload and it’s just too much

by sterlingice on May 6, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

For the record, I am not the person who posted this suggestion

But I also live in DC, and I also support at least a reduction in .gif posting

"You know what, I mean I cried in bed for a while, moaning 'Why!? Why did this have to happen?'"

Zack Greinke on the Brad Pitt - Jennifer Aniston split

by DCRoyals on May 6, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it's just a matter of degree

I like the pictures too, I have posted millions myself, but if there get to be too many it slows the page down too much

by Will McDonald on May 6, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I think people should limit the gif's

Pics are one thing, but gif’s really do slow things down. In huge game threads, this can be a problem.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Less gifs

more pics of hot girls!

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

well...it did work last night

I threw one up and BAM! Game winning single.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

nice

I’ll have to go make sure

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I used to be in DC

and I concur…

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on May 6, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, I'm not of the mid-Atlantic contingency (but could be if I could go back in time)

However, until we are able to alter the space-time continuum (or I simply move) I am part of the NW (upper left coast) contingent.

I don’t have any clue how to make a .gif so I agree. However, I’m guilty of loving the hotness of hot ladies and am guilty of posting some of those pics of my favorites from time to time. I’m with “Esteban” – less gifs, but leniency on hot lady pics!

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm also in DC

And I think the more pics and gifs the merrier.

I am Billy Butler's Gold Glove.

by cbrett42 on May 6, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hi Everyone!

This is my first post on here. I’ve been a regular over at your football brother’s site, arrowheadpride.com. I’m Chris and I’m in the United States Coast Guard stationed in Alaska and I’m a HUGE Royals fan! I’ve been following very closely and I can’t wait to get back down to MO (from K.C. btw) to be around Royals and Chiefs fans again and out of the Mariners, Seahawks, and Miami (who would’ve thought Miami fans in Alaska) fan that annoy the crap out of me…Miami fans were optimistic about getting Parcells and a new coach, but once the Chiefs did they sent all the negativity to the nearest fan they could find…me. Not fun.

Anyway, I followed this game last night and it was a nail biter for me. Our offense came through and our bullpen did what they did best and close out the game with clean zero’s posted across the board. Kyle has been struggling lately but I really like him as a pitcher. He’s aggressive, smart, and works hard at what he does. I think he’s laxed a little on his aggressiveness…maybe he got a girlfriend or something…but he’s reliable as a starter.

Gil, in my opinion, tries to show he can be like Zach while denying he’s a pitcher like that. He’s older, his joints tightening up, some rust starting to show…still a GREAT pitcher and reliable to a fault, but he’s lost that zip that he had his first year here. Hopefully he can find that later on in the season. It’s better to be early than late, so I’m glad the rust is coming up NOW where he’s got time to brush it off and hit the plate hard than LATER when it gets to crunch time for a post-season continuation.

I’ve always liked Bannister…he’s been great, even in his bad days, so I always root for him, but Ponson…I don’t know, but from what I’ve been able to see of him he’s not all that reliable as a starter. I see him as a VERY solid relief pitcher, but starter…maybe that might be pushing it. A Seattle Mariners fan told me today that Ponson’s a great pitcher but has just had some VERY bad luck against batters so far this year. I hope to see the starting quality that Hillman saw during camp sometime soon.

What do you all think?

There's no hope with dope...

by chrisjo07 on May 6, 2009 12:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank You

And you have some great posts, btw. Very informitive and passionate about the game and our home-town team. Keep up the good work. :)

There's no hope with dope...

by chrisjo07 on May 6, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We could oblige to continue the Battle of Grass Creek

by cedeing them the services of Ponson.

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

my "blue bandwagon" is filling up...

i’ve heard from royals “fans” i haven’t heard from in a long time. go team!

where tpj used to happen but no longer does due to his current dl status.

by blue bandwagon on May 6, 2009 12:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

some of the sports radio shows

are getting to be more unbearble than usual with all the “I haven’t followed the Royals the last 10 years, even though I grew up and live here, since they sucked. But I still love them and I’m going to at least go see this new Greinke kid pitch at some point. Woo Hoo. Go Royals! I’ll listen off-air.”

I guess having to deal with fairweather fans is a good problem to have, though.

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on May 6, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can only imagine

I’ve been going to games since the early 80’s and by the time I was in college it was tough to find strong die-hard Royals fans. Even at one of our local major universities.

I love the Royals so much I actually went a Kurt Stillwell for Halloween one year. I used to bunch up my sleeves and pull up the back neckline of my jersey just like Kevin Seitzer. I don’t have kids so I don’t really know, but do kids in KC still feel that way about the Royals?

I've got crazy flipper fingers!

by labbadabba on May 6, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know my 3 year old feels that way!

DJ and Greinke are her favorites. Some of the neighborhood kids talk about going to games or certain players. But not at the level I remember doing, or think they’ll do if we keep winning.

I was lucky enough to have a dad that worked for Mr. K. So that led to/fed my obsession. Can you say good times in ‘85 for a kid who’s obsessed with baseball and has an inside connection? Anyway, through the last 10 years or so, there were times I had to convince friends that it would be fun to go to a game with me. Even with free tickets. Seriously! Maybe I just have some idiot friends, or maybe I’m an ass… Anyway, I don’t think it’ll be so hard to find takers right now. And I’m happy that’s the case.

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on May 6, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm doing an internship with 5th graders

down here in Warrensburg, and every time I go in I get these excited chats with the boys about how good the Royals are doing. I remember going in on Opening Day and telling them that I was listening to the game on the way there in the car, and they immediately bombarded me with questions about where Aviles was batting, who was winning, what had happened. They were so infuriated that Mike was in the 9 spot and tried to make me justify it.

The fact that these boys are so eager to gobble up my stories from the park or how a day game is going gives me hope that this year will be better than the last few we’ve seen.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wish I could intern as a 5th grader!

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hah

well, to be fair I’m teaching them math…but I’m still a pretty popular bird when I’m there (which never ceases to amaze me) so I guess I have that going for me!

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe we can soon become as annoying as bandwagon Red Sox fans.

Naw, probably not.

Royals baseball. Where .260 would be orgasmic.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on May 6, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

All aboard

Catch the blue wave!!!

by gilmeche55 on May 6, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think there are a lot of Royals fans...

who got tired of emotionally investing in a team that has let them down for so many years. I haven’t lived in KC for a couple of decades, but I’ve always been a vocal proponent of the team, even when they sucked. I’m not going to fault people for drifting away from the team for awhile. I’m just glad that the fans have a competitive team to cheer about for a change!

by CaseyRoyal on May 6, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

agreed

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on May 6, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good Story

In general, I think the memories of the K keep Royals fans around. The unique experience of going to a game where there are no bad seats, the food and drinks are cheap, and the fans are into the game but not incredibly angry douches like the Yankees fans. I’ve never had a bad experience at Kauffman Stadium, and I don’t know many who have. It’s extremely hard to do.

I think the thing that surprises people is though we have stunk for years, we still have many diehard fans spread out across the country.

"It’s not about the guacamole itself," Greinke said. "I just don’t want to let them win."

by lobes on May 6, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I had a bad experience

They put me on the kiss cam, but the girl I was with wouldn’t kiss me.

And then we got shutout by Verlander.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hey hey you

since you’re on, help me figure out BODs for April. I’m epically lost.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

the people who don't have him might!

I need one from the Cleveland series (4/22), one from Detroit (4/24), and three from Toronto (though one is Greinke so I really only need the other two games…)

The problem with these (and the Saturday game) was that I didn’t actually see them or listen to them, so I don’t have a good idea of who’s deserving.

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on May 6, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

hmm my opinion

4/22 – Bannister
The return of Banny!

4/24 – Greinke also

Game 1 Toronto – Jose Home Run Guillen
Game 4 Toronto – John Buck and a close 2nd was the Royals infield
Was at this game so I’m confident in that

by I need more Esteban on May 6, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aw, I wasn't paying attention to this thread

But, yeah,

4/22-Banny six shutout innings
4/24- Greinke, fa sho

4/27-Guillen, 3-4, 2 HR. Special mention: Banny, 7IP 1ER.
4/29- I actually say Butler for this one, but Greinke can have it. Special mention: Butler 4-5, 2HR
4/30-Buck, 2 triples. Infield-6 double plays turned.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

that Buck number can't be right

he’s horrible, remember? Obviously a fabrication of the anti-Olivo media

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh you're right

It was actually NEGATIVE 2 triples. I keep getting the blernsball rules confused.

MULTIBALL MULTIBALL MULTIBALL

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Passion For The Game...

It’s infectious, even if you don’t like the game of baseball, gets you caught up in all the excitement when you’re there at the park during a close game. When you have the crowds cheering, the food tasting great, the team playing well, the tension of pulling out a win in the end…it’s all there to infect some kind of joy out of the game and that stems from the passion of the fans and the players.

As mediocre as some jobs can be, like working in a steelmill or even a desk job, the workers who are passionate about their jobs can make or break a person’s spirit about the job if they are coming in to learn the job and continue on with the work. The same is with baseball. You can tell when it feels routine with the players and their hearts are not in it for that game. Sometimes I felt that a past Royals games from the other teams and even from our own team…(this was years ago, btw) but lately I’ve been seeing a surge in the passion for the game spreading through out the team, stemming from last year when they brought in Hillman as the new manager. The players were excited about being apart of the team again, their chances for success that year and the years to come and now, even more so, that excitement is showing during play on the field and it’s spreading through the fans watching in the stadium seats. More and more people are showing up to watch the games, damn near selling out the stadium (if they haven’t already) and that’s something we haven’t seen for the Royals in a long, LONG time. I’m excited to get down there this year and be apart of that crowd. To be apart of that action. That passion. It’s going to be another memorable moment for me. I can feel it.

There's no hope with dope...

by chrisjo07 on May 6, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Tonight's lineup

Tonight’s lineup, according to Around the Horn in KC:

DeJesus – CF

Bloomquist – SS

Teahen – 3B

Guillen – RF

Butler – 1B

Jacobs – DH

Callaspo – 2B

Olivo – C

Maier – CF

Ponson – P

Two CF and no LF. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see how it plays out for them.

I am Billy Butler's Gold Glove.

by cbrett42 on May 6, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

it's like the anti-Mariners defense

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I get Crisp getting the day off, but why Bloomquist against Silva?

Wouldn’t it make more sense to start him tomorrow against the LHP Washburn? I guess Bloomy has to start proving to Hillman that he can’t hit righties. Sigh.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bloomy has been hot

But vs. a RHP, I’m predicting an 0-fer.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He knows Silva's secret

(He sucks)

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Think Bloomy will start tomorrow too?

I fear he might. But maybe in a day game after a night game, you switch back to Aviles.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

maybe the plan is to give Aviles a day off anyway

and let him hit against a LHP tomorrow

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did you and RR have a Bloomquist PA bet?

I kow you already won the Gload bet by the two sweetest words in English language…

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by Matt Klaassen on May 6, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think we did

I think we debated the issue (or at least I did with someone) and numbers were thrown around. But I don’t think it ever got to an actual bet.

Is Will waiting until after the season to pay off on the Gload bet?

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I believe the phrase “for the Royals” was in there somewhere. Lawyers usually don’t leave out key clauses like that.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on May 6, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Might be a good idea to wait

We might need to flip Cruz for him.

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on May 6, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm assuming Aviles will start tomorrow

But that doesn’t mean Bloomquist can’t start again, too. After all, he’s The Spork!

I am Billy Butler's Gold Glove.

by cbrett42 on May 6, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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SB Nation's 2010 MLB Previews: New York Mets, The High Cost Of Low Expectations

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg throws during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in Viera, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Nationals Send Stephen Strasburg To Double-A Despite Impressive Spring

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