Spring Training Game 9 Open Thread

Hooch

Supposedly roughed up in the B game against Texas.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions

ugg

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 3:12 PM EST up reply actions

Can't find anything

was that on the radio or what?

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

According to 810

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Define roughed up

if the guy still threw strikes, I'm not all that worried.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Mar 7, 2008 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Royals fans are rounding into shape

Worrying about one ST game's performance? Check
Worrying/complaining about the Royals signing a pitcher to a cheap, no-risk minor league deal? Check
Grudz so ticked off that I said ST stats are meaningless that he uses the word at least 7 times in every game thread? Check

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 3:20 PM EST reply actions

And...

NYRoyal mocking comments with sarcasm. - check

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

I'm always in regular season form with that

But unfortunately none of those three things were sarcastic. They are all too true.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

I know you meant them. But also man, there's nothing wrong with commenting on someone's spring training performance, regardless of how much it actually means. That's what blogs are for. I agree a lot with you but I wish you would lighten up a little.

Oh, and the "meaningless" thing is getting very annoying everybody, get over it already.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

Not meant to be disrespectful to anyone

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Lightening up

I can understand that. And I wish fans would lighten up a little and get a little perspective. How important is it when someone has a bad ST game? How meaningful is it when the Royals go look at someone workout? How big of a deal is it when the Royals sign some stiff to a minor league deal with a NRI? I'm just trying to inject a little reality and perspective into the analysis. And for better or worse, I'm fighting snark with snark.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

Lighten up

I think you take some of our comments too seriously. When someone says "ugh" about Hochevar, its not "ugh, we should release Hochevar based on this one spring training performance". Its "ugh, I wish he would have pitched better."

Most of our snarky comments aren't supposed to be made with subjective analysis. They're just knee jerk commentary from a fan perspective. So don't take them so seriously. Its fun to be snarky.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

You're probably right

Undoubtedly I do take some of these comments too seriously. At the same time, I think fans often overreact to little, meaningless things and/or misinterpret them.

I do try to temper my game thread reactions. Believe it or not, you're seeing the calmer, less reactive version of me.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Less reactive...

Is that like the debate over less taste or less filling? Since you called me out by name regarding my ST habit of using the word "meaningless" in so many comments. I guess the guantlet has been thrown and things said are no longer meaningless. Just make sure when you are pontificating again and I know you will be that you don't use a word or a catch phrase that can be repeated over and over again. Sometimes you are just too easy... LOL...

by grudz69 on Mar 7, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Gauntlet?

Boy you really do carry a grudge. So you're looking "words or catch phrases that can be repeated over and over again?" So you're just trying to piss me off? I make a point in a diary about ST stats and instead of discussing it intelligently, you just try to ridicule it to piss me off. Do you really have to be that way? I have made a strong effort over the last several months to not engage you or argue with you or get into any petty bickering with you. And now we're in spring training and you are just trying to piss me off. Can you please cut the bullshit, Grudz?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

You are the one that called me out...

I think I was #3. So, don't bring the sarcasm and then blame it on me. Meaningless...yup, that is a very good word.

by grudz69 on Mar 7, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

I could see this from the young guys

on the site, but two mature guys like you...pretty pathetic. And to tell you the truth, it is making RR look bad. Why don't you both grow up and cut the bullshit, seriously.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

Enough

Grudz, I haven't been trying to ridicule you. I haven't been doing anything with the intention of pissing you off. You, on the other hand were attempting to ridicule you with your constant sarcastic "meaningless" remarks. That's your schtick. That's what you do. You look for some way to dig at me and you just keep on digging.

I've called for a truce in the past, but clearly you're not interested. So I'm unilaterally disarming. I'm done with it. If you want to keep ridiculing me and being an ass, go for it. I will not engage in it.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

First you call me out and then you call me

an ass. I don't remember doing any of that to you. I wasn't the first commenter to pick up on your meaningless prabble. It was loyal2'sdad. As for me making a thing about your "meaningless" comments. I wasn't the only one that made comments about it but I was the only one that you called out by name.

But, to call somebody names and then say you are not going to engage them. It is exactly what I would expect from you. You are a school yard bully and I am not taking your crap anymore. To engage or not to engage... doesn't matter. You are ridiculous and everyone here knows it.

by grudz69 on Mar 7, 2008 11:22 PM EST up reply actions

When I See

An irreconcilable disagreement, I know I have to stop, because as a RRologist, I know I'm the only one who can help. It's like, I saw KRRW and, it was just...pffffft (karate chop) and I knew.......I just knew. Maybe someday RS's (Royals Suppressives) will be something you'll just read about in history books. Because I know; I just know. HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

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

by philofthenorth on Mar 8, 2008 2:09 AM EST up reply actions

Cleveland has a pitcher named Kobayashi

I find humor in that, sorry

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:20 PM EST reply actions

Keyser Soze!!!

by KC Chris on Mar 7, 2008 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Mmmmmmmmmmmm......

Hot dogs.

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

by philofthenorth on Mar 7, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Banny

Walk, pick off, strike out, single, single, fly out

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:24 PM EST reply actions

Shealy

And Huber playing well. Good to see them performing.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 3:30 PM EST reply actions

RR

It should have said "NHZ has a huge post coming." Just wait 'til I get out of class...

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Mar 7, 2008 3:32 PM EST reply actions

1-0 Royals

Shealy RBI single

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:34 PM EST reply actions

Banny

1 hit, no damage in the second

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 3:41 PM EST reply actions

Shealy will be an All-Star this year

In his last two plate appearances, his line is:

1.000/1.000/2.500

I like the looks of that 3.500 OPS. Lock him down with a long-term contract right now!

;)

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 3:44 PM EST reply actions

cut butler too

end the experiment. he has too many old player skills. lets not get emotionally invested in him while he is young. lets just cut ties now.

by wildthang on Mar 7, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Snark sarcasm snark snark

Sardonic comment snark snark 600 OPS sarcastic repartee.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Mar 7, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Huber has better long-term value

"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 7, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

My EqSA (Equivalent Snark Average)

on that one was about .375. And that is very high on the EqSA scale.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

And Jason Smith has better pop off the bench

"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 7, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

EqSA spring training stats are meaningless

much too small and random sample size of snark

"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 7, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

lol @ meaningless

How dare you sir!!! How dare you. Spring training snark is obviously meaningful.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

What is his grit factor?

I don't understand you're new fangled statistics. I want to know how gritty Ryan Shealy is and does he know "how to win"?

Also, can he run the bases well?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Some Would Say

Shealy is full of grit.

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

by philofthenorth on Mar 7, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Stick a fork in Bannister today

"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 7, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply actions

He's probably just trying out a new pitch

that he invented in the offseason.

by Bornin85 on Mar 7, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

I just don't think he knows how to win

he needs to cut the photography - sabermathematician crap.

start firing fastballs with reckless abandon and go deer hunting with john buck.

then we'll see some results.

"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 7, 2008 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Grudz injects some much needed leadership

into our lineup

"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 7, 2008 3:59 PM EST reply actions

Anyone actually see the games

or you just listening. I was wondering about shealy. I know stats are meaningless now but I was wondering has his bat speed returned or is his success thanks to it being early spring training?

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 4:02 PM EST reply actions

Just listening

and while i've watched two ST games on MLB.tv, i haven't seen shealy swing a bat yet.

"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 7, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

I haven't seen him

He does well against minor league pitching and always has. The HR he hit yesterday was off of a guy he had faced in AAA and he was familiar with his pitches and approach (according to his post-game comments). I hope he's got bat speed back and he can make good, strong contact off of major league pitchers.

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Bloop RBI double by Gordo

DeJesus scores. 3-2 Rox.

Shealy's up.

"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 7, 2008 4:05 PM EST reply actions

DJ

Seems to be drawing quite a few walks this spring.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 4:05 PM EST reply actions

on base percentage is the new BA

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 4:12 PM EST reply actions

banny back out there

for his 3+ inning.

by armandy on Mar 7, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Ben Hendrickson in now

to stop the bleeding

"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 7, 2008 4:23 PM EST reply actions

Or not

Rockies score two runs on 8 straight balls by Hendrickson.

This inning - 2 HBP's, 2 4-pitch BB's, 1 infield single, 2 runs.

Wow.

"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 7, 2008 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

not pretty at any time of the year

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

My teeth are gnashed

That the Royals even invited Hendrickson to play with them.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 4:40 PM EST reply actions

Banny was just getting his work done...ala

the Zack attack. I doubt Banny will make negative comments about the manager's "rah rah spirit."

by grudz69 on Mar 7, 2008 4:42 PM EST reply actions

davies first batter goes yard

unfortunate, but not surprising.

by armandy on Mar 7, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions

i really dont like davies

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions

not enough grit?

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

well you definitely aren't going to like

giving up his second one.

only one out.

by armandy on Mar 7, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

maybe he is working on his

"groove" pitch

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Just in case you miss it above,

Spreadsheet Baseball is up, focusing on PECOTA's projections for our hitters. This thread will remain on top until the game ends/you've all had time to discuss the game.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Mar 7, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions

Hey!

A Chris George sighting! Now there's a guy that "knew how to win."

I still love his 2003 line:

9-6 7.11 ERA 93 2/3 IP 39 K 43 BB

And he should have won a tenth. In this game, the Royals gave him seven runs of offense, but he couldn't make it out of the fifth inning.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions

didn't he get sent down to AAA

that year while he was leading the team in wins but had that crappy ERA?

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

I hope so

I'm pretty sure that's correct. What black magic was he spinning that season?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

Chris George pitched to the score

and is a hall of famer in my book

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

TEAHAN!

Need to show that power in the regular season. And against real major league pitchers.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 4:56 PM EST reply actions

score now?

for those of us working without radio support?

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

5-7

with Colorado winning in the bottom of the 5. Sorry gameday is running slow.

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 5:02 PM EST up reply actions

Detroit lost that game because

they hit too many rally-ending HRs

by loyal2s dad on Mar 7, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

silliest thing I ever heard on

a Royals broadcast - you don't want too many of those home runs! oh no.

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 5:00 PM EST reply actions

They've been saying it

A lot this spring. Hope Hillman doesn't buy into that crap.

"And there goes a rally-killing home run by Alex Gordon."

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 7, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

I ust read Shealy's comments on his HR yesterday

and I was wondering how hitters can remember what guys threw to them before. They literally face up to if not more then 100 pitchers a year I bet. Yet they always remember what he likes to throw in what counts. I don't even remember what I had for dinner last night. So do they really remember or do they know most pitchers like to get ahead then they like to stay down and on the corners? Sorry its a little off topic.

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Well

I would assume that all of their at-bats are kept track of pitch-by-pitch by someone in the organization. Therefore, when they go to play Team X, all the player has to do is look at the at-bats he has had against any of the pitchers from that staff that he has faced previously.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe he has only faced 1 or 2

of the relievers, that's pretty easy to remember when/if they come into the game that day.

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

either way

nice to hear him say it

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

True

but they try to make it out like they have a infinte knowledge of other teams pitchers and use said knowledge from memory. I bet it is mostly told to them when a new pitcher is warming up.

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Who's throwin now?

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 5:26 PM EST reply actions

good question

btw

how scary are killer whales?
especially a white one

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080307/ap_on_sc/white_killer_whale

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Davies

by Cleveland on Mar 7, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

davies is also scary

and white

and a mammal

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

RR

you seem to have a real fear of unusual marine creatures (past posts on white killer whales and giant vampire sea spiders come to mind, David Hasselhoff(?)). I would recommend accepting a position at a land-locked university when you finish up your dissertion.

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

by buddyball on Mar 7, 2008 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

3 k 3 for Davies

by Cleveland on Mar 7, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions

3ks 3ip

sorry

by Cleveland on Mar 7, 2008 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

don't forget the

2 HRs and 5 hits.

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

Duly noted

my apologies for the limited info provided.

by Cleveland on Mar 7, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Probably Davies was working on his

fastball, slider, or maybe his slurve. 3 k's in 3 innings... isn't that better than Greinke and Tomko?

by grudz69 on Mar 7, 2008 5:33 PM EST reply actions

Regarding hitters vs pitchers

Heh, even this technologically challenged oldster knows the players have access to every ML bat vs every pitcher recorded somehow.

An astute batter can probably have all his previous ABs against all pitchers he may face that day, including relievers, downloaded to one of those fancy gadgets and quickly review them all pre-game. Perhaps just reviewing them would most likely trigger memory of some kind? After all, they are all young enough that their memories still function well : )

Let's hope the Royals make this available to their hitters - it already sounds like Bannister does the same to his opponents, so the Royals probably do have this option available to them.

by loyal2s dad on Mar 7, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions

Meche, Tsao, and Soria are about the

only pitchers that have looked dominating so far in ST.

by grudz69 on Mar 7, 2008 5:41 PM EST reply actions

still early though

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:45 PM EST reply actions

friday afternoon

someone actually came to my office hours

i'm stunned

is the game over yet?

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:50 PM EST reply actions

Top of the 8th

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 5:54 PM EST reply actions

Huber

Error

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 5:55 PM EST reply actions

nooooooooooooooooo

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

Only his 1st

according to the box score

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

well thats good

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

Probably bc they dont give errors

for balls hit that you fall over chasing, or if you take a bad route to it and don't make it to the ball. If these were taken also he would have more.

by TXroyal on Mar 7, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

that's why I noted "according to the boxscore"

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

So....

Has Gobble gotten out of the inning yet?

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 7, 2008 6:14 PM EST reply actions

looks like we died

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 6:30 PM EST reply actions

Some brief ST info....

6.13 ERA in 9 games. 35 BB's, 65 K's in 79 IP. 105 hits allowed. Too many baserunners.

Other categories look good, though:

.292/.355/.455 thus far....15 SB's in 18 attempts...

Do we really need to debate the merits of Spring Training discussion? I think it's consensus that it's too early to really form any meaningful opinions. Would like to bring that ERA down a bit. 105 hits allowed in 79 IP. Mostly from NRI's and probable Minor Leaguers, but still.

Become a member of Royals Nation!

by Royals Nation on Mar 7, 2008 6:49 PM EST reply actions

No debate on the merits of ST discussion

But one can certainly debate the meaning of those stats. Do you think we can draw any reliable conclusions about the pitching staff and hitters from the above stats? Do you think that data is meaningful at all?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

not yet, no

by Freneau on Mar 7, 2008 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

What if it was at the end of ST?

What if it were the day before opening day and the final ST ERA for the team was 6.13 and the final team OPS was .800. Would that data tell you something meaningful and/or predictive of the 2008 Royals?

I probably disagree with you.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 7, 2008 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

Not necessarily

The stats would only reveal marginally more than they would after 9 games. And even that wouldn't be enough, because you would have to consider which individually pitchers performed badly or well. And even that wouldn't be enough of an indicator, as scouting, B game performances, and MiLB performances would have to be taken into consideration. And, in most players' cases (unfortunately, not for all - as we now have more players that can fit into 5 or so teams' rosters), that wouldn't be enough. However, some players (Nomo? Hollins? Buchanan?) might not make rosters, so all of that subjective and objective information would probably have to be taken into account.

I'm basically agreeing with you here, NYRoyal.

Become a member of Royals Nation!

by Royals Nation on Mar 7, 2008 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

My point was...

...that the meaning of the above stats shouldn't be up for debate because it's too early, and I think most fans realize that. (I'm at work and had to rush that post).

That said, it would be nice to lower our ERA and # of baserunners allowed.

Become a member of Royals Nation!

by Royals Nation on Mar 7, 2008 7:07 PM EST up reply actions

Missed the game today...

had to read through the comments to find the Jason Smith pop off the bench comment. It's like the pork in pork and beans, you know it's in there, ya just don't know where. Everytime I read it, it makes me laugh outloud.

BELIEVE!! 162 WINS IN '08!!

by Shooter on Mar 7, 2008 10:51 PM EST reply actions

fyi...

i'm a regular at camden chat, but was in az for work last week and took in this ballgame. i'll post some pics or at least post a link to some when i can get them uploaded.

a couple thoughts:

rockies really got after bannister after once through the lineup.

the homers given up by davies were monstrous.

gordon looked sort of lost in the field.

tony pena jr, conversely, looks pretty slick.

you may find this hard to believe, but kip wells looked really good for the rox.

by jq higgins on Mar 12, 2008 10:07 AM EDT reply actions