Uncle Hud Will Return For Royals Broadcasts In 2013

Huge story about Rex Hudler in the Kansas City Star this morning from Blair Kerkhoff.

Jim Homan, a season-ticket holder from Kansas City, thought about skipping one of the Royals’ games against the Chicago White Sox during the current homestand, their second-to-last of the season. Then he realized he’d have to watch the game on television. "And I didn’t want to because of him," Homan said. "I’m not very opinioned, but he has to go."

I don't know that we're covering new ground here, but it's kind of a year-end piece on how Uncle Hud dealt with some of the ups and downs of his first season in Kansas City. How replacing a legend like Frank White was going to be difficult no matter who the Royals hired - especially after how they parted. And how Uncle Hud keeps the positive vibes flowing even in the face of adversity.

It took awhile, but Kerkhoff found someone who liked Hudler:

Fan Mike Brasington of Independence can’t get enough of Hud. "I like the guy," Brasington said. "The passion he shows for the game, the fact that he’s holding the baseball the whole dang time, all of it."

For the most part, fans in Southern California liked him, too. When Hudler and play-by-play man Steve Physioc weren’t retained by the Angels after the 2009 season — before both were hired by Fox Sports for the Royals this season — more than 70 percent responding to a Los Angeles Times poll said they wanted Hudler back.

Personally, I'm fine with Uncle Hud. Some nights though, I'm not in the mood. I guess for me it comes when the Royals are losing... When he's trying to convince me that the players are trying. That they hurt. That they really, really care. But when they're winning, he's a much more fun listen. And I love it when he mocks Hawk Harrelson.

The article says Uncle Hud signed a two year deal with an option for a third season. Classic. Even the broadcasters get options on this team. Anyway, he's going to be back in 2013. Personally, I'm glad he'll be back.

So, poll time!