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Royals Rumblings - News for November 12, 2015
Andy McCullough says that the Alex Gordon situation could be similar to the Albert Pujols situation for St. Louis a few years ago.
The face of the franchise grew up only a few hours away from his home ballpark. During a decade in Missouri, he planted roots deep within his community, earned All-Star appearances, collected Gold Gloves and personified his organization’s ethos. When he reached free agency, days after winning the World Series, his team prepared to offer him the largest contract in its history in order to stay.
In 2015, that player is Alex Gordon. But four years ago, that player was Albert Pujols, and his foray into the open market placed the front office of St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak at a crossroads, forced to choose between sacrificing long-term flexibility or losing an iconic player.
Lee Judge tries to explain why Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain didn't get the gold gloves.
Mike Moustakas: Mike has fewer errors and a better fielding percentage than the winner at third base: Manny Machado. But as we all know — or should know — numbers never tell the whole story.
In spring training I watched Mike stand in front of pitching machine wearing a tiny infield glove; if the Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz had a baseball team, this would have been the model glove they’d wear.
The pitching machine was firing bullets at Moose and if he didn’t catch the ball at just the right angle it wouldn’t stick in the glove. That’s how you get good at catching smoking hot line drives.
Aaron Stilley at Royals Authority talks about the plays most important to the Royals' championship run.
1. World Series Game One, down 3-4
bottom of the 9th, one out, nobody on
Alex Gordon facing Jeurys Familia
championship probability added: 15%Thinking back on my favorite moments as a Royals fan, this ranks right up there with the 2014 wild card game and closing out the 2015 World Series. It has been such a thrill to watch Alex work, and work, and work his way from the disappointment of his first few years to be the all-around beast he’s been for the last five seasons. That work ethic, plus his dedication to every aspect of the game, style of defense, offensive approach, and impeccable decision-making on the field turned him into my favorite baseball player. I hope like hell he comes back, but if he doesn’t, this home run and championship are a perfect denouement to his superlative Royals career.
Some baseball execs participated in a survey, and weighted in on the Royals' chances of keeping Alex Gordon, Ben Zobrist, and Johnny Cueto, among other things.
7. Which pending free agent has the best chance of returning to the Kansas City Royals in 2016 -- Alex Gordon, Johnny Cueto or Ben Zobrist?
Responses: Gordon 25; Zobrist 7; Cueto 2.
The vast majority of responses came in before the Royals gave Gordon a qualifying offer, and Ben and Julianna Zobrist welcomed their third child, daughter Blaise Royal Zobrist, into the world Friday. If you're a sentimentalist, you might regard that middle name as a tipoff to where Zobrist's heart lies.
Survey respondents who chose Gordon cited his heartland sensibilities as a Nebraska kid and his history with the organization. The Royals chose Gordon with the second pick in the 2005 draft and watched him progress from a questionable third-base bat to an All-Star left fielder and a pivotal part of the clubhouse dynamic. It's not going to be easy for either side to cut the cord. Since the Royals have extended Gordon a qualifying offer, they'll at least get a draft pick as compensation if he signs elsewhere.
Tweets
#Royals have expressed interest in bringing back free agent Joakim Soria, sources say. Talks remain preliminary.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 11, 2015
Also sounds like Boras, Greg Holland's new rep, would be on board with a two-year deal for Holland after KC non-tenders him.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) November 11, 2015
Interest in O’Day so extensive, even teams with deep bullpens have expressed interest, sources say. Among them: The #Royals.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 11, 2015
Ned on Hoz: "He's going to be a perennial Gold Glover. Having Hoz at first base frees up our infielders to make dynamic plays." #Royals
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) November 11, 2015
The most beautiful flowers came to my front door to celebrate the most beautiful little bundle Thank you @Royals ! pic.twitter.com/1huCaO0Iur
— Julianna Zobrist (@JuliannaZobrist) November 11, 2015
#Royals radio broadcasts to stay on @610SportsKC through 2019 under 4-year extension announced by team today
— Chris Fickett (@ChrisFickett) November 11, 2015
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Thursday classic
Johannes Brahms, one of the most esteemed composers of the mid-19th century, was so intimidated by Beethoven's final symphony that he did not finish one of his own until he was 43 years old--older than the entire lives of Mozart, Schubert, and Mendelssohn.
Brahms' style was a continuation of Beethoven's late style, utilizing larger orchestras, more percussion, and more winds carrying more important material. Brahms composed in a decidedly romantic style, and is one of the most influential composers of his era (that being said, I find Brahms particularly overrated, as Russian, Finnish, French, Hungarian, and Italian music were all doing more interesting things than Brahms).