Spring Training Game 21 Open Thread

Today's game is at 8:05 cdt

Opposite prime time first round coverage of the NCAA tournament (including K-State's game).

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

Will

I'm about to post a prediction contest (predicting wins and a bunch of stats for the team). Are you willing to donate a RR t-shirt as a prize for the winner?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

yea

by Freneau on Mar 20, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool thanks

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

GO HAWKS!!!!

Beat the mighty mighty Ports of Portland State.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 20, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions

I just got back

from attending this game. Jayhawks looked like men among boys. I ended up in a suite! Sweet!

Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. - Emily Dickinson

by buddyball on Mar 20, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Awesome

NCAA games are interesting to go to. Usually not a great crowd and you can move down and get a front row seat to see your favorite team.

In 2003, when the Hawks made the Final Four, a friend of mine ended up buying a suite ticket at face value for the Championship game. I couldn't believe how easy it was to get a decent price for tickets.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 20, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

because the game started early

it wasn't very full, but by half time the place was pretty much full up. Lots of KU fans and I saw quite a bit of Mildcat purple.

my ticket was actually free.

Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. - Emily Dickinson

by buddyball on Mar 20, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Mildcat?

There's no reason for things to turn ugly. I don't gloat when the Jayhawks do one of their usual choke-jobs in the tourney. ;)

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

USC vs. KSU

could go either way. I'm really nervous for it, and how were we so lucky to get Wisconsin whe we win??? Thanks for the late season meltdown guys!

Anyway, Go Cats!

by KC Chris on Mar 20, 2008 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I picked K-State

...but I wouldn't put any money on it.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Guaranteed loss for the Wildcats

I'd like to see them advance, but they've been playing like an NIT team for the last 2 1/2 weeks.

"I'm tired of all these stupid a$$ questions every day. Why the f**k would I hit Brett for Miller?" The rest is history.

by DC Royal on Mar 20, 2008 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

There are no guaranteed losses in the NCAA tourney

...particularly in 6-11 matchups.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Guaranteed loss

Whoops!

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Did I say loss? I meant win ;)

"I'm tired of all these stupid a$$ questions every day. Why the f**k would I hit Brett for Miller?" The rest is history.

by DC Royal on Mar 20, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions

no matter what I call them

I was still pulling for KSU. I had them winning on my bracket. One of the few I picked right today...

Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. - Emily Dickinson

by buddyball on Mar 20, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

If Tomko blows chunks this time

he will have lost his chance at a rotation spot. It is my opinion that he should be released. What a waste of money.

Be loyal, Be Brave, Be Free.

by hardyguy on Mar 20, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Oy vey

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Somehow, I knew that you would disagree.

Be loyal, Be Brave, Be Free.

by hardyguy on Mar 20, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

There are a few reasons for that

Stats
Stuff
The opinions of a front office with a very good track record of evaluating and acquiring pitching talent.

Now, if Moore and his people see something different from him this spring than they expected to, then perhaps he shouldn't be in the rotation. But, for the most part, we really should defer to Moore and his people with regard to pitching. They've earned it.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Well then

Close up this forum, let's just have every thread read "Dayton's doing a great job, no dissenting opinions here!"

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 20, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't go that far

I'm just trying to say that one of the things we should take into consideration is that the Royals front office under Dayton Moore has done a good job of evaluating and acquiring pitchers. So if they think he's good enough to warrant $3M and a rotation spot, then there's probably something there.

So if you've got a front office with a good track record on pitchers on one side saying that he's good enough to be a #4 starter and you've got some fans on the other side who say he sucks and should be released, I'm going to go with the former over the latter.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see what the fuss is about Tomko

He's always been average to below average, and that's what we're paying him for. To be a #5 starter. He had a bad year with LA but that is an outlier amongst a plethora of average years. He's had a bad spring statistically but I could care less.

Bottom line: I don't see why he's become such a huge topic of debate, as no one expects him to blossom like Meche did last season.

"I'm tired of all these stupid a$$ questions every day. Why the f**k would I hit Brett for Miller?" The rest is history.

by DC Royal on Mar 20, 2008 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

all valid points

i just see the whole thing as being very Bairdian, ala Joe Mays or Elarton or Odie Perez (oh wait...)

just a pointless waste of time

by Freneau on Mar 20, 2008 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

If

If Tomko is little better than De La Rosa or Davies, then it will have been pointless. But I really don't think that is at all likely. Another positive is that he alleviates the pressure to push Hochevar up to the majors before he's ready.

Every team neeeds to be at least 6 deep in SP's. Without Tomko, the Royals were about 4 1/2 deep:

Meche
Bannister
Greinke
Bale (maybe)
Hochevar (for perhaps 1/2 a season)

The Royals really needed a solid 4/5 guy (which is exactly what Tomko is and has been in recent years). There is still room for DLR and Davies to make some starts, but with Tomko on the team, we don't have to rely on getting something decent from those two.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Dayton Moore has done a good job of evaluating

pitchers"

Jason Standridge, DLR, Kyle Davies, Odalis Perez, Todd Wellemeyer, Scott Dohman, Scott Elarton, Russ Haltiwanger, Jose Diaz, and Tyler Lumsden would disagree.

On the other hand, Moore did bring in Banny, Meche, Soria, and Cortes. So, it's hard to judge, but overall it's been positive.

But he's definitely not batting 1.000

This space intentionally left blank.

by marbotty on Mar 20, 2008 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's look at that list

Most, if not all of the bad pitchers in that first list were guys who the Royals took a flyer on and didn't count on them for anything. He wasn't exactly counting on Russ Haltiwanger to come in be a steadying force in the Royals rotation...or bullpen for that matter.

When you acquire pitching prospects, many of them are going to fail. So you have to look at how Moore has done overall. And Moore has done very, very well overall.

Of course he isn't batting 1.000. No GM bats 1.000. Could you or anyone disagree with the statement that Moore and his people have done a good job of evaluating and acquiring pitchers?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

i said it's been positive

but I'm not about to write a blank check or stifle dissent.

Moore's trades involving pitchers have yielded the following:

Stairs trade: nothing
Graffanino trade: nothing
Burgos trade: likely a win
MacDougal trade: likely a win
Dessens trade: $5 millon less and perhaps a prospect
Dotel trade: nothing (most likely)
Affeldt trade: nothing (as far pitchers, and probably in total)

So in 7 trades, we have acquired nothing in 4 of them.

In the three we did well or may end up doing well, we traded away a former all star closer, a potential future closer, and a guy having a career year. These are the sort of trades in which you would expect to get something in return. It's still too early to call these wins at this point.

Does this mean Moore's hasn't done a good job? No. But it does mean he should be open to scrutiny or criticism.

We have to wait a few years to truly be able to judge, but he really doesn't have a slam dunk win at this point. Bannister is the closest -- if he pitches well again this year, then it's safe to say we got the best of that trade.

This space intentionally left blank.

by marbotty on Mar 20, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow...you do love to be critical of Royals moves

So in 7 trades, we have acquired nothing in 4 of them.

When you trade mediocre players (the above players we traded ranged from below average to above average, but mediocre overall), you are doing very well to get something that turns out to be useful in 3 out of 7. Very, very well.

In the three we did well or may end up doing well, we traded away a former all star closer, a potential future closer, and a guy having a career year. These are the sort of trades in which you would expect to get something in return. It's still too early to call these wins at this point.

Oh please. The "former all star closer" was and is a usually injured reliever long on potential and very short on results. He is and has been a pretty mediocre reliever overall. The "potential future closer" is a pitcher who has never succeeded at the major league level, despite his good stuff. He was a persistent failure in the majors. And he had very risky mechanics. And those risky mechanics have led to Tommy John surgery. Who was the "guy having a career year"? The rest of those we traded were mediocre at best...and I believe all but one were part-season rentals.

Too early to call these trades? I can't believe you are serious about that.

But it does mean he should be open to scrutiny or criticism.

Let me repeat yet again that of course he is open to scrutiny and criticism. But his scouts have done a good job of evaluating pitchers. So that should be something taken into account when we as fans evaluate pitchers the Royals have acquired.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

You forgot the Howell trade

Traded a pitcher whose ERA ended up over 7 for a good (though not great) outfielder. A plus there.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan, and RR Poet!

by cmkeller on Mar 20, 2008 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

No One Does

Maybe that's why it's important to make many seemingly pointless, random moves. Standing pat doesn't usually work out well, either. On the other hand, Elarton and Wellemeyer made me physically ill at times.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Elarton

Not a Moore move. He was signed in December 2005. Moore was hired during the 2006 season.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

He Still Made

Me physically ill.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions

i blame Moore for Elarton's 9 starts in 2007

It was evident he was done prior to the season.

Moore had ample time to give the starting job to Greinke or someone else, but he waited and waited.

Moore doesn't get the blame for trading for Elarton, but he certainly should get the blame for making us suffer last year.

This space intentionally left blank.

by marbotty on Mar 20, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

What do you mean

"Moore had ample time to give the starting job to Greinke"?

In case you forgot, Greinke started the season in the rotation, and after a few great starts, messed up so bad that he was then moved to the bullpen.

Also, since when is it the GM who decides which pitchers that are on the roster get to start or not?

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan, and RR Poet!

by cmkeller on Mar 20, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Great points

Greinke benefitted greatly from going to the bullpen. And it is the manager the roles his players play.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we should add Soria to the list too

...and Pimentel.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

A little early

to write Davies or Lumsden off as failures, isn't it?

by Melchizedek on Mar 22, 2008 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm so glad it's on tv tonight :)

my Royals pictures

by teahen24 on Mar 20, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions

Me Too!

That will be 505PM here, and I get off work at 600PM, so I'll be able to use my premium subscription to MLB.TV for the first time this year. Too bad it's available only at 400K.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Randa

Never fails to impress.

by Randa4life on Mar 20, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

randa was clutch

by Freneau on Mar 20, 2008 3:20 PM EDT reply actions

Is There An

HBPRISP stat?

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

(OT) Kruger's Runnin' Rebs

Held Kent State to 10 points in the 1st half. I don't think I've ever seen that in a tournament game before. They're up 31-10 at the half.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Crap

Picking Kent State as my sleeper Final Four team doesn't seem like such a great idea now.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 20, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Nothing Ventured

You know the rest.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

they looked awful

by Freneau on Mar 20, 2008 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

there goes my $5 mill.

Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. - Emily Dickinson

by buddyball on Mar 20, 2008 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

Finally!

I get to hear Paul Splitorff's glorious pipes and hopefully join the game thread! This is a wonderful day. I wish I could watch Meche work, but it will be fun arguing about the skills of Brett Tomko. I am not at all in the "release him" camp, but I'm all in to the "long man/swingman" camp. Duckworth and Hudson are questionmarks so he seems perfect to step into that role. Maybe he will prove me wrong and show up big in the #5 spot. I just think he's much better served in the pen at this stage of his career.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

My on screen guide says FSN is showing

some show called sports science at 8:00. I hope it's wrong.

BELIEVE!! 162 WINS IN '08!!

by Shooter on Mar 20, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

On DirectTV, there is an alternate

FSN Midwest. It's channel 648 if that helps at all. That's where I find the game.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Line ups

Milwaukee    AB    R    H    RBI    BB    SO    LOB    AVG
Counsell, 2B    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .486
Gwynn, CF    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .353
Fielder, 1B    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .256
Braun, LF    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .296
Hart, RF    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .273
Hall, 3B    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .308
Gross, DH    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .239
Escobar, SS    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .357
Kendall, C    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .333
Totals    0    0    0    0    0    0    0

Kansas City    AB    R    H    RBI    BB    SO    LOB    AVG
DeJesus, CF    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .333
German, 2B    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .200
Gordon, 3B    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .324
Guillen, RF    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .125
Butler, DH    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .341
Shealy, 1B    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .273
Teahen, LF    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .295
Buck, C    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .258
Pena, T, SS    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    .282
Totals    0    0    0    0    0    0    0

BELIEVE!! 162 WINS IN '08!!

by Shooter on Mar 20, 2008 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

Put Grudz at second

and I like that lineup for Opening Day.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

agree

that is a good batting order.

by lordbyronk on Mar 20, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Alas

Guillen will probably be suspended. But I happen to think it's still a good linup with the underrated Huber in right.

by Melchizedek on Mar 22, 2008 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Ryan and Split!

It's like Thanksgiving with Christmas right around the corner!

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Starting Prince Fielder off with a

high breaking ball is not a smart thing to do. I'm not the world's smartest man, but I sure as hell wouldn't do that. Good thing it missed.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Rest of his pitches looked pretty sharp there

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Very true

Nice job to get out of the inning against two mashers like Fielder and Braun.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Tomko settled down to have

a decent inning. He scares me badly, but he got out of it.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

Not a bad 1st inning for Tomko

Fell behind the first two guys, walked one but the curveball is a good look for him.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

Dejesus looked pretty sharp there

on that steal. Maybe he is learning how to take bags. That will be interesting.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

My first look at Guillen

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

Jesus christ Guillen has a quick bat

Man he smacked that

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

Nice hit by Guillen

That was a solid smack into left field. He didn't get cheated at all. 1-0 good guys.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:22 PM EDT reply actions

K-State's "guaranteed loss"

...turns into a 80-67 win. I wonder if their next loss is "guaranteed" too.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

No idea why I was rooting for

K-State. I'm a Missouri guy, so me rooting for any team from Kansas is rare, but it's nice to see them get the W.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Shealy got behind, but shortened up

a little and blooped one into right. Nice adjustment.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Not really...I saw that hit

That ball was poorly hit. If Shealy shortens up like that and pops everything up during the season, he's going to have a long year. Don't get me wrong; I'll take bloop hits when they come, but they are hardly a good omen in spring training.

by Melchizedek on Mar 22, 2008 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Shealy is really good at blooping balls to right

when down 0-2

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Buck couldn't of hit that any harder

tough luck

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Tomko looked filthy on that K

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Tomko's hook looks pretty good

but he can't leave it up. He'll get slammed if he hangs that thing.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

Throw it up in his wheelhouse with the gas!

Let him take some pine.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

That thing was crushed.

Right over the plate with a straight fastball. That's why he makes me nervous.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions

That was an illadvised 3-2 fastball

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

Shealy looking good with the leather

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:43 PM EDT reply actions

Served up a double that was absolutely

mashed, but otherwise looked pretty good in the second.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:44 PM EDT reply actions

Offspeed stuff has great movement

He wasn't throwing the spike curve last time I saw him. Really sharp break, looks like a really slow slider. Changeup is down to 81-82 from 84-85... Tomko looks good so far. Fastball needs to be a show pitch for him, it's too straight.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

yeah, that fastball is scary straight

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I love to be proven wrong...

But, don't take the plastic off the couch just yet. Two innings don't make a turn around of Tomko's meaningless stats in ST. I agree Shea seems to be having a good night. Okay, back to the basketball game.

Be loyal, Be Brave, Be Free.

by hardyguy on Mar 20, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

I'm happy to be proven wrong as well

What I see with Tomko is that if he uses the fastball too much, he gets beat up. If he can learn to trust his other pitches, he may be okay in the rotation. But, that fastball scares me because it will get rocked a few times per game.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I have noticed that neither Tomko or Bale

will be winning any Gold Glove awards any time soon.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

That pitch to Braun

wasn't that bad. Braun just went down and clobbered it. That kid is going to be amazing.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

2 runs now thanks to Tomko's error

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

I like this FSN broadcast better

RSTN was cool because I could watch Royals games, but the quality was awful. How many games are we getting this year in HD?

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

I Hope All

Of them; I bought the package.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Solid knock for Teahen

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

Buck within inches of a homer

3 RBIs for the game and damn near plated himself that time. He's seeing Parra well.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

Man that John Buck leg kick

Crushing fastballs

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

Where's JQ at tonight

They are talking about the Naturals ballpark and information about the team. I may have to take the family for a weekend roadie this summer.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

I Rushed Home

To find the TV feed is not working for me. Is onyone else watching on MLB.TV?

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions

lets go irish

29-15 right now

by Freneau on Mar 20, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

Never Mind

It's working now.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions

I was wondering where you guys were

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:27 PM EDT reply actions

Dear god Tomko has thrown a ton of pitches

Been pretty effective but 80 pitches in 3 1/3 aint gon cut it

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

Ok, maybe not so effective

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on Mar 20, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt

He falls behind quite a bit, doesn't he?

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

so happy we sought him out

by Freneau on Mar 20, 2008 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Pena with a nice gun on the relay

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

This Joel Goldberg cat isn't your normal

tool-like reporter. He's not that bad really. I'm excited to have an actual pre and post game show now.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

A Bad Bunt

Works for Germy; score one for the grounds keepers.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Bad bunt?

Looked pretty good to me. Didn't appear Hall had a play on German at first, if he did, I'm sure he would have made the play and taken the out.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I Thought He

Bunted too hard, but I could be wrong. I wondered why he let it roll.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

The Butler

Did it again!

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

Nice job Billy

baserunning mistake by Gordon, but at least he guaranteed the 2nd run scoring

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 10:43 PM EDT reply actions

Guillen looked really solid in his first AB

Smoked a single to left

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wasn't here earlier

Have you guys talked about Shealy yet? Sure seems like it would be hard to send him down, though I think it is probably gonna happen.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions

It's gonna be a hard decision

He made a nice adjustment on an 0-2 count, shortened up his stroke and blooped one into right. He's also made two nice grabs at first. His bat looks much quicker this year. He looks like he has slimmed down a little and not so bulky and muscle bound.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Is Maier Really

A defensive improvement over Guillen?

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 10:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

From everything I've read, Maier is a plus defender who can even play a pretty good defensive CF.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Maier

Too bad he can't hit worth a lick

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

So, if Shealy keeps looking like

a serviceable first baseman, Gload kind of looks like he's just in the way. Or am I wrong?

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Completely agree

would love to see Gload go....elsewhere.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

If we didn't have Gload, we could

keep German on the bench with Callaspo, Olivo, and Gathright. But, because of him, we'll probably have to send Shealy to Omaha or trade German.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Not Much Pop

On thet bench.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I know who could fix that

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

He's Up

Right now, and Split actually said it.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

So, Nomo just pitches out of the stretch now?

What happened to the turn around motion?

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Nomo Looks At

The defense behind him; "Note to self; better not let anyone hit the ball."

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

Splitorff just said that Jason Smith

"has a little pop in that bat"

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

Now, don't tell me he doesn't read

every word written on RR... HI SPLIT!

BELIEVE!! 162 WINS IN '08!!

by Shooter on Mar 21, 2008 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Smitty needs a golf club if he's

gonna swing at pitches like that

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

Little Poppy fever

Everyone's catching it!

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 11:16 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, by the way phil

I heard them say that 88 games will be broadcast in HD this year. That's better than what I thought it would be.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, I

Missed that. I don't know if they're talking about broadcast TV or internet (I'm on the internet) and how that affects the availability of 700K feeds.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Hollins

Did they just say that Hollins has looked very good in the field? Everything I've heard has been negative on his defense.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

Those helmets aren't doing much of

anything for those base coaches. They look really silly and they're really not all that well protected.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:22 PM EDT reply actions

Helmets

First of all, looking silly should not even be brought up. It'a about safety, and I guarantee you that a line drive to that helmet will hurt a hell of a lot less than a line drive to a baseball cap. Oh, and it could save your life. Life or not looking silly...hmmm, what would you choose?

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 20, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

But they aren't even protecting anything

The ball that hit that dude last year hit him around the ear. Those helmets cover a small amount of the head. Basically, all they're doing is making those guys look goofy. If they had ear flaps on them and some padding, I'd be okay with it. That looks like one of those helmets I bought as a kid at the stadium.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Even if it doesn't help...

...or isn't really needed for safety reasons, MLB had to do this for legal liability reasons. After a coach was killed by a foul ball, MLB now knows that there is a risk of death or serious injury to the base coaches. If they did nothing to protect them and then someone was killed or seriously injured in the future, their liability for that negligence (legally speaking) would lead to a massive jury verdict for the plaintiff.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Hollins Is The

Poor man's......OK, homeless beggar's Ron Gant.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:23 PM EDT reply actions

TGJ Looks Pretty

Cool out in CF.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

Smitty flashing the leather

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

I Thought I

Was hallucinating; you saw that too?

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Huber just destroyed that pitch!

What a shot!

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:32 PM EDT reply actions

HR?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

No, sorry

He just ripped one right at the third baseman. It was hit so hard though. Just killed it! Bounced off the glove for a base hit.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

The Devil Discovers

Plate discipline; too late.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

Everytime you hit one in the air

you owe me twenty push-ups!

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

So, how did Nomo look?

His stat line looked pretty darn good.

If anyone is considering rooting against a Royals pitcher in ST, root against Nomo. If he makes the 25-man roster, he likely does it at the expense of Leo Nunez...who is out of options.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

No reason to keep a 39 year old Nomo over a guy with potential. But, Nomo did look okay. He had command of his pitches and was spotting them well. He hit 91 on the gun and mixed speeds well.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Now I'm pulling harder for Nomo than ever

Thanks for clarifying that for me.

by jbrocato on Mar 23, 2008 6:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Odd

You have an intense dislike for Buck and Nunez. Do you have something against talent and youth?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 23, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions

No, but my least favorite Royals have come

in trades for stars. I guess since the 1994 strike, my least favorite Royals have been Buck (Beltran), Wood (Beltran), N. Perez (Dye), Bip Roberts (Joyner), Stein (Appier), Nunez (Santiago), and Rigby (Appier). Perez and Roberts were not young when acquired. I do not consider any of these players talented.

It doesn't help every time I attend a game when Buck goes 0-for-6 or Nunez allows 6 ER in 1 IP.

by jbrocato on Mar 24, 2008 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Very odd

I hardly know where to begin, so I'll just give the highlights. It's not like Buck was traded straight up for Beltran. He was merely one part of that deal. Buck doesn't equal Beltran, nor would anyone expect him to be. Nunez is more talented and valuable now than Santiago was in his one season with the Royals. That trade as an absolute steal. Oh, and when you go to a game and a player performs badly, it's not personal. They aren't doing it to hurt you.

So, you're going to have a dislike for a player if:

1. He was traded for a player you liked and doesn't become a star.

and/or

2. He performs badly in some games that you attend.

You realize how irrational that is, don't you?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 24, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

More about Buck and Roberts

They both have complained too much. The comments Buck made about Buddy Bell showed a total lack of class. The first thing Bip Roberts did upon being traded to the Royals was whine, "I don't want to play in the Midwest." Not only are they mediocre players, they haven't been the most likable people.

I've also said:
Beltran for Teahen--bad trade
Beltran for Teahen and Wood--worse trade
Beltran for Teahen, Wood, Buck--even worse

by jbrocato on Mar 24, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Where do you get this stuff?

Nothing Buck said amount to much of a complaint. He hardly said anything at all. He was 10 times better than the backup catcher and mostly kept his mouth shut while his backup played 40% of the time. Buck showed amazing restraint

Beltran for Teahen, Wood, Buck--even worse

Do you base your opinions entirely on your heart and gut feelings? Because they certainly don't appear to be based on facts and stats. Do you know that Buck is an above average catcher? Please look beyond batting average and compare him to the rest of MLB catchers and you will see a young catcher who is above average for that position and improving. And yet his inclusion makes that trade worse? That's one of the silliest things I've ever read on any fan site...and that's saying something.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 24, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Buck hasn't even hit .250

Of course, this is coming from a person who said I shouldn't consider ERA when looking at Davies last year. I guess 3 1/2 seasons under .250 (and four last-place finishes to boot) aren't worth anything either!

I stand by my assertion that Buck is the worst starting catcher in the AL Central. If the Royals are to escape the cellar, they cannot rank fifth in the division at lots of positions.

by jbrocato on Mar 24, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Batting average is a crappy stat

It is a horrible stat for evaluating hitting. OPS is much better. OPS+ is better even still. There are even better metrics, but these are easily accessible and easily understandable.

Given his (important and meaningful) stats and his age and the fact that he's still improving, he's an above average catcher. It doesn't take much research to see that. It is more than clear. But you can just look at batting average and close your eyes to everything else if you want to. After all, he did hit poorly in games you attended. What could be more important than that?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 24, 2008 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Name one starting catcher in the AL Central

worse than Buck. You have not responded to the assertion that Buck is the worst starting catcher in the division.

by jbrocato on Mar 24, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok

For starters, we'll look at last year's OPS+ (100 is average for all MLB players, not just catchers) for AL Central catchers:

Martinez 127
Mauer 117
Buck 90
Rodriguez 85
Pierzynski 83

Rodriguez's defense last season made up for his worse hitting, so he and Buck were at roughly the same level. Pierzysnki, on the other hand has defense at or below Buck's. So, Buck is clearly better than A.J. Rodriguez is 36 years old and has been deteriorating for the last 4 years (as players of that age always do). So Buck is about as good as he is now and getting better, while I-Rod is getting worse.

Here are a few more starting catcher OPS+ from last season:

Navarro 70
Laird 64
Kendall 48
Lo Duca 80
Olivo 72
Barrett 85
Estrada 78
Y. Molina 85
Ausmus 68
Ross 68
Paulino 83
Torrealba 75
B. Molina 86

So, if the rest were better than Buck, that still puts Buck in the top half of MLB starting catchers last season.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 24, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Now That's

Some pop!

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

Did Poppy pop one?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 20, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Grounder Between

1B and 2B for the ever popular RBI.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Was that a cutter from Musser?

sure looked like it

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:50 PM EDT reply actions

Lost in the lefty reliever shuffle

has been Neal Musser. I think Musser is a decent pitcher. He's just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

Musser Sets Up

The DP; shrewd.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 20, 2008 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

Despite the baserunners, Musser

looked pretty darn good in that inning.

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

So, I wonder how my bracket looks right now

The only game I watched was most of the K-State game (and I got that one).

by royaldaddy on Mar 20, 2008 11:57 PM EDT reply actions

You are tied for the lead

You only got 1 wrong today. Very well done.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 21, 2008 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, thank you sir

I really don't know what I'm doing.

by royaldaddy on Mar 21, 2008 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

ugly ugly k by huber

"I'm tired of all these stupid a$$ questions every day. Why the f**k would I hit Brett for Miller?" The rest is history.

by DC Royal on Mar 21, 2008 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Huber was ahead 2-0 and got mowed down

by Gagne. Swung at one above the eyes.

by royaldaddy on Mar 21, 2008 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Peralta

"Still in the mix for the bullpen"? What? Why this guy isn't a lock for the bullpen is beyond me. Hasn't he basically earned the bullpen spot by his performance the last two years?

by royaldaddy on Mar 21, 2008 12:07 AM EDT reply actions

He should be a lock

But the broadcasters aren't going to call him a lock until the Royals say he is. There really shouldn't be any question there, whether he has an option or not.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 21, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Since I Saw

Him face down Big Papi in that first game last year, I've been sold on him. He's a bulldog. He never gives in to a hitter.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 21, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

that's game

11-3 good guys. Now, I'm off to the Brewers blog to brag about how awesome we are and how lowly and sad they are.

by royaldaddy on Mar 21, 2008 12:15 AM EDT reply actions

Good Call

I'm off work, so I'm just drinking heavily. Fuck the Brewers.

I'm not getting older....oh, wait, yes I am....and slower.... and weaker. God, this is great!

by philofthenorth on Mar 21, 2008 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, it wasn't the chunk blowing fiasco

that I thought it would be. I am still not taking the plastic off the furniture, yet. He still leaves too many pitches up in the sweet spot and I would really like to see Bale and Hochy in the 4 and 5 spot. Only if Tomko doesn't start to dominate something soon.

What about Nomo? He is still hanging around. It would be too bad if he beat out Musser or Peralta.

I like the win. Go Royals.

Kansas City IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Tomko (W, 2-1) 4.0 5 3 2 1 3 0 8.59
Duckworth 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7.94
Nomo 2.0 0 0 0 0 3 0 4.85
Musser 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00
Peralta 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 6.43

Be loyal, Be Brave, Be Free.

by hardyguy on Mar 21, 2008 1:00 AM EDT reply actions

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