Positive Thoughts Open Thread

by royalsreview on Jun 20, 2009 1:45 AM EDT Comment 56 comments

Why does it always feel like this? (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

We've (meaning mostly "I've") gotta mix it up a little bit, if only for a few hours on a Saturday morning at the very least. I think in the last four or five days I've probably set some kind of record for most consistently sustained bitterness in blog posts, comments, twitter potshots, etc. Actually, they give out an award for this every year, with a panel of judges including Buzz Bissinger, Bill Shanks, Mike Lupica, and both Stan & Jeff Van Gundy, its called the Murray Chass Chalice and it's the highest honor an angry white guy can recieve.

Not that I'm backing off any of it. Only, I'm starting to feel like I can't survive like this all summer. Not all the time, or maybe not this intensely. I don't know really. Maybe many of you feel the same way. Funny, but you might never have guessed it, but writing about a really bad, pretty poorly run, team every day for four years sometimes starts to wear a man down.

So let's hear everyone's positive thoughts on this team, system, organization, anything Royals-related.

No snark or sarcasm either, real stuff. I don't care how minor either. We're going Cartesian here folks, starting from nothing and maybe trying to see how far back we can build ourselves up.

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Billy had some great hustle on Tuesday to beat out a throw to first! It was pretty sweet to catch in person :)

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

by loyal2theroyals on Jun 20, 2009 1:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

billy's pretty fun to watch for stuff like that

thanks for the KKyle picture as well

by royalsreview on Jun 20, 2009 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I live to cater to your whims

Dad was the one to point it out…he was flabbergasted to see it while working. And had some fun ruining a cardinal fan’s photo taking op of Pujols. So all in all, a good night was had.

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

by loyal2theroyals on Jun 20, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

typical fans here

cannot let people enjoy a game…glad the Cardinals whacked the Royals now after hearing about this

Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat

by DESTROYER on Jun 20, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why?

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

by Warden11 on Jun 20, 2009 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FOR A

fan being a complete douche to ruin another fans fun at a game, i dont care who you root for that type of thing is pretty bad, so I am glad they royals got thumped

Pujols takes out "I" in BIG and "A" in MAC, previously considered to be an unyielding, consonant threat

by DESTROYER on Jun 20, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know all Cardinals fans aren't douches

but a vast majority that come to Kauffman Stadium are. Guy probably deserved what he got.

by AxDxMx on Jun 20, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Cardinals fans at the stadium stop being cheap

and start pulling into their pockets and buying product at the game, then my dad will stop being a “complete douche.” Technically, he was doing his job when he blocked the shot, and there were plenty of other times that that fan could have gotten a picture of Albert.

He’s an equal opportunity asshole when he wants to be, so don’t think he wouldn’t do it to fans from any other team, royals included.

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

by loyal2theroyals on Jun 20, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember him dogging it on the basepaths once this year.

He must have learned something from last year.

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

by Warden11 on Jun 20, 2009 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Zack and Meche are pretty good most of the time...

I can’t think of anything else yet…

by Trey_has_no_pulse on Jun 20, 2009 2:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Best 1-2 in the baseball

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jun 20, 2009 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah,

I like watching BB hit

by Trey_has_no_pulse on Jun 20, 2009 2:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That Greinke guy could be the first pitcher

to win less than 12 games and take the Cy Young. That’s positive right?

by AxDxMx on Jun 20, 2009 2:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

callaspo can really hit

how bout that gil meche

realistically speaking

by slayor on Jun 20, 2009 2:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The stadium is neat

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

by focs on Jun 20, 2009 2:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tony Pena Jr still has a lower Career ERA then everyone on our pitching staff

including Zack Greinke

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

by focs on Jun 20, 2009 2:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tug gets to watch Major League Baseball instead of playing Minor League Baseball

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

by focs on Jun 20, 2009 2:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

these are fun

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

by focs on Jun 20, 2009 2:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Royals have only attempted to be competiitive

since the passing of the stadium deal in 2006. Their payroll has greatly increased since then as have their win totals. David Glass has learned to be ruthlessly competitive from running Walmart, and if DMGM & Trey don’t succeed fairly rapidly, they will be tossed aside for more competent employees.(heartless perhaps, but I think true) The new stadium + revenue sharing means the Royals aren’t cash strapped as in the past and with the devotion of the fans and the relative mediocrity of their division, there is no reason to think the Royals can’t be competitive long term. I love to slag the team on the game threads, but with the money being spent on the farm system and Zack locked up for the next four years, we have an excellent chance to push our way to the top of the division and stay there for years to come. That seems positive to me.

by hunter s. royal on Jun 20, 2009 2:59 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

More Positives

-Jose Likes Hot Weather
-Mike Jacobs always cheers the team on
-Soria Pitched recently
-Farnsworth looked nasty tonight
-We still won the Burgos/Bannister trade
-Mike MacDougal is 2 for 2 in save ops with the nats
-Pujols didn’t homer against the royals (and hasn’t if I remember correctly)
-Royals accept fault and blame
-We didn’t get Orlando Cabrera
-We are still only 6.5 games back (possibly 7.5, haven’t checked)
-Gordon gets back soon
-Gordon was taking cuts in BP the other day
-David is getting better
-Meche and Greinke lalala
-Royals are scoring some runs again
-Jacobs might homer again
-Hillman made the ASG
-There is always next year
-Atleast it hasn’t been 101 years
-We still have Moustakas and Hosmer
-Kila is good
-We drafted Aaron Crow
-Miguel is playing kinda well
-Ludwick’s Slam helped my fantasy team
-Farnsworth doesn’t support dog fighting
-Royals have an offday Monday

I could keep giong but im gonna get some sleep

POSITIVE VIBES

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

by focs on Jun 20, 2009 3:09 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Do you mean hasn't homered against the Royals this year?

in reference to Poo-hOles

Nothing from Nothing leads to... Your 2009 Kansas City Royals

by averagegatsby on Jun 20, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes i mean that.

is that true?

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

by focs on Jun 20, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I dont know...

I saw him hit 3 homers in a game against us 3 or 4 years ago

Nothing from Nothing leads to... Your 2009 Kansas City Royals

by averagegatsby on Jun 20, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

add:

We didn’t get Milton Bradley!

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

by loyal2theroyals on Jun 20, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I loved it when TPJ...

struck out Pudge last year.

That was positive.

Nothing else about TPJ is.

by Trey_has_no_pulse on Jun 20, 2009 3:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...and Soria and Zack are locked up for years

That’s positive. I hope.

by Trey_has_no_pulse on Jun 20, 2009 3:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've said it before and I'm going to say it here.

2007 Rays. People were all over them as a sleeper and they couldn’t make the jump. People saw the talent correctly, just one year off on their progression. The Royals are getting there and will be contenders in one year.

Alex Gordon will come back and will jumpstart the Royals in the second half. Above .500 final record. Then, it’s on in 2010.

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

by Warden11 on Jun 20, 2009 8:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think number one is the fact that David Glass seems to be a legitimate major league owner now. No more forcing trades and handcuffing the GM about what must be gotten in return. He’s figured out that the best way to succeed is to hire good employees and let them do their job. And he’s shown a willingness to increase payroll when there’s an opportunity to improve the team.

Also, while it’s hard to see/remember when the team loses 23 out of 30 or loses three straight games while giving up double-digit runs right after it looked like they were starting to turn it around, this team is getting better. At this point, there’s not much hope for this season (only 6.5 back, though!), but it no longer feels like grasping for straws when coming up with reasons to be hopeful about the Royals. We’re no longer hoping that Ken Harvey is really an all-star caliber player or that Juan Gonzalez will push us over the top. The Royals are still a ways off from being a realistic contender, but there are some pieces there. And, going back to what I said above, now it feels like they’ll actually go out and get those pieces they still need, although it takes a little time to build a competitive team starting from what we had in 2006.

Lastly, it seems that every year, the Royals farm system moves up a little bit in the rankings. Spending in the draft and efforts at signing foreign players have increased, and eventually those investments will pay off at the big league level.

I am Billy Butler's Gold Glove.

by cbrett42 on Jun 20, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

good stuff

agreed with almost everything

by I need more Esteban on Jun 20, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Today Im going to watch the game with the mindset...

of riding an 8 game winning streak, as if we can’t be beaten.

Im going to wear my George Brett Shersy, and be incredibly positive… Heck I may even refer to the world series line-up and refer to each Royal as his counterpart in the clinching game of the 85 world series…

Nothing from Nothing leads to... Your 2009 Kansas City Royals

by averagegatsby on Jun 20, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Trying to avoid all snark

Greinke and Meche are the best 1-2 combo in baseball

Callaspo’s good hitting has managed to keep up with his terrible fielding so far — so that he’s about a league average player at the minimum.

Mark Teahen’s having a decent year on offense

BIlly Butler’s been decent with the bat, but even better, surprisingly competent with the glove

Brian Bannister has been good so far

DDJ’s bat seems to be coming around after a horrible start to the season, and his LF defense has been excellent

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

by devil_fingers on Jun 20, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

DDJ

has his defense really been excellent? I haven’t looked at any numbers but it seems that he’s had a lot of balls “lost” out there. Fangraphs does show him with a 9.5 UZR/150 in LF this year, so I guess you’re right.

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jun 20, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'd be a playoff contender

in the National League, no question about that, and it’s still June and we’re only like seven games back, which is not insurmountable, given that we’re in a very weak division and there are still more than three months to go in the season.

It's pronounced Poo-ZHOLS in Catalan.

by Juancho on Jun 20, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

By the way

I mean this in the nicest way possible — but calling out “Angry White Men” is, above all, the surest sign of someone on their way to becoming another one.

But if you’re going to have that panel, I think Michael Moore and Howard Zinn would fit on it quite nicely.

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

by devil_fingers on Jun 20, 2009 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We're playing on Fox today

east coast bias be damned

by raefzilla on Jun 20, 2009 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

seriously?

is it national?

Great… we’re having a big party for my wife here today. The one day I might get to watch the Royals…

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

by devil_fingers on Jun 20, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's one of three

It will vary by Region. Others are Brewers-Tigers and Rays-Mets.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 20, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and for some reason in SE Kansas...

they are showing Rays Mets.

Nothing from Nothing leads to... Your 2009 Kansas City Royals

by averagegatsby on Jun 20, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

blackout?

by royalsreview on Jun 20, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno...

I dont even understand the blackout rules…

But according to the digital cable box it says Rays-Mets… I hate my life, though I guess I can listen to it on the radio, which means I will still probably have to listen to Ryan…

Hopefully the info is wrong on the digital cable box.

Nothing from Nothing leads to... Your 2009 Kansas City Royals

by averagegatsby on Jun 20, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nikiski, AK Gets

The Mets/Rays game according to the satellite guide. It’s not always correct, so I’m hoping.

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

by philofthenorth on Jun 20, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As does Spokane, WA

Whose stations we get. Sigh. Radio it is.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 20, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's the Naturals' market

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

by devil_fingers on Jun 20, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Omaha gets Detroit/Milwaukee

not happy

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 20, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Broadcasting nationally

to the states of Missouri and Kansas!

by kcbottom9th on Jun 20, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think the FSN KC crew just wanted the day off

So, they lobbied their HQ really hard, and here we are.

"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 Jun 20, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, its something

by raefzilla on Jun 20, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+++

Greinke is sick-and the team locked him up for 4/$38. This caused me to immediately go out and shell out $165 for a powder-blue Greinke jersey.

Fans are showing up in DROVES. Part (most) of it is the new stadium, but part of it is also the better product (at least on paper and a commitment for more $$) on the field. I have always said that this town is more of a Royals than Chiefs town, and if the team can really contend, this city will explode with Royal blue.

There are pieces. We still need that one (maybe two) studs to really carry the team, but the talent is starting to get there.

DM has made some outstanding personnel moves. Burgos for Bannister, Davies for Dotel, Cortes for McDougal, signing Meche.

The Royals set an ALL-TIME record for spending on the draft last year, and followed that up by taking more “signability” picks in rounds 3 and 4 this year. We may be only one year away from really seeing some legitimate prospects in the upper minors.

DM has hired some of the brighter minds in the game to be his assistants, including Mike Arbuckle, Dean Taylor, and JJ Piccollo.

The 1990 Atlanta Braves lost 97 games. One year later, with only Sid Bream and Terry Pendleton as significant acquisitions…started a run of 14 consecutive division titles.

The 2005 Detroit Tigers lost 91 games. One year later, with Kenny Rogers as their only significant acquisition, won 95 games and made it to the world series.

The 2007 Tampa Bay Rays lost 96 games. One year later, they made two moves-bringing up Evan Longoria and trading Delmon Young for Matt Garza. They won 97 games and made it to the world series.

The 2009 Kansas City Royals went 70-92. One year later, they signed free-agent Jack Wilson to be shortstop and Xavier Nady to play right field. They won 95 games and made it to the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jun 20, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Wow

The 2009 Kansas City Royals went 70-92. One year later, they signed free-agent Jack Wilson to be shortstop and Xavier Nady to play right field. They won 95 games and made it to the playoffs for the first time in 25 years.

Now THAT’S some optimism.

"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 Jun 20, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

can't tell if Tony's being serious

but that is seriously optimistic — imagine what kinds of monster “breakouts” HRTC must be imagining for Gordon, Butler, and probably some of the pitchers if the team wins 95 despite DMGM signing Xavier Nady and Jack Wilson.

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

by devil_fingers on Jun 20, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am being serious

both players would be significant upgrades at positions of dire need for us. and yes, i am assuming continued improvement from our young core of gordon/butler/hochevar/davies (assuming that zack, gil, and jack are their usual selves). or, perhaps there’s a trade that nets us a player we need (i have no idea who that might be right now other than perhaps alcides escobar or reid brignac, who hasn’t done much yet). what if, somehow we are also able to dump guillen and have room for two significant signings or a sign and a trade?

if that doesn’t happen, then we’re pretty much screwed until 2012-2013, wouldn’t you agree?

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jun 20, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree in that I'm not sanguine about 2010 any more

And Nady and Wilson are useful players — but only on short and small contracts. Nady is in his early 30s and has been worth startin exactly one season in his career — last season. Next season he will be two years older than that and coming off a serious injury. He’s an average defender at best — I’m guessing worse.. As a stopgap, maybe. But he’ll be lucky to be a league average player ever again. Assuming Jose GUillen is gone, I’d still rather pay Mark Teahen to be the same or better than Xavier Nady — and that’s not a compliment to Teahen. If Nady was willing to sign for 1 year, less than $5M, MAYBE with with club option, then he’s worth considering if that fits in the budget and other better options aren’t available. If he wants more, don’t fall into the “KC has to overpay!” thing that Dayton Moore has used to basically disply his near-complete ineptitiude on the FA position player market (he hasn’t been brilliant with pitchers either, but Meche gives him a bit of leeway)

Wilson addresses a bigger need, and he’s bounced back a bit this year, but while he’s better than Nady, he’s still a guy whose “ceiling” is league average. I’m not sure what I’d pay for him, but again, a small, 1-2 year deal at most.

Not sure about the money, since the FA market is in a state of flux at the moment after last season’s mess.

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

by devil_fingers on Jun 20, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

positive today - Banny is pitching in a day game!

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Jun 20, 2009 12:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There's all sorts of (mostly genuine) positive vibes here

And the most optimistic in the game threads, ratherfantastic, hasn’t even posted yet :)

by sterlingice on Jun 20, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll try

Teahen has salvaged his career as a league avg player.

Butler looks more like the 07 version than the 08 version, with the added benefit of being adequate defensively at 1B. Since he is still 23, a breakout is still not out of the question.

Greinke is among the best pitchers in baseball, and should remain so for his entire Royals tenure.

Soria is still fun to watch, even if it’s only for 2 meaningless innings per week.

The minors are not completely barren – I can see our future shortstop (Bianchi) in AA now, along with Guillen’s potential replacement (Parraz). A replacement for our failed DH is already ready and waiting in AAA (Kaaihue).

Callaspo has emerged as a legitimate good ML hitter, despite doubts about his ability to play 2B defensively going forward.

Bullpen help from the minors may be closer than we think (Disco Hayes)

Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!

by loyal2sdad on Jun 22, 2009 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs