Royals Rumblings - News for August 18, 2015

Royals Rumblings - News for August 18, 2015

Craig Brown at Royals Authority questions the umpiring from Sunday night's game.

Was it a makeup call? Maybe. I lean to general incompetence. Sal had an extended conversation and was eventually run. In this instance, I question why Ned Yost was so slow coming out of the dugout. Perez stood there expressing his displeasure for quite some time. It’s a no-no to argue ball and strike calls, so why did it take Yost so long to get out there? In that situation, it’s his job to protect his player. Not being critical here, just wondering why that moment was allowed to continue for so long that Wolcott had no choice but to give Perez the thumb.

Christina Kahrl of ESPN writes about the recent bullpen woes for the Royals.

This could just be a rough month from a great unit. There is time for each to turn things back around. There is certainly an element of irony in seeing what had been the Royals' greatest strength break down at a time when their rotation and lineup look good for the stretch run. But for the Royals’ sake, for all they have at stake, they better hope Herrera, Davis and Holland get back on track sooner rather than later.

Ned Yost fired some shots across the state.

Yost was asked about the fans after the game, and in his response, he saluted his fan base, while at the same time infuriating the red-wearing faithful across the state -- not that the Royals-Cardinals rivalry needs much flame-fueling.

"The Missouri fans are great," Yost said. "The St. Louis fans are great, but not as vocal and exciting as our fans."

Uh-oh.

Frank White announced he will return to Kauffman Stadium to be honored as one of the "Franchise Four", but he hasn't exactly made up with the franchise yet.

The worst of the feelings are gone, but so too is the urgency to reconcile. In the early days of the split, each side readily acknowledged it was hurt without the other. But life moves fast. White is as busy as ever and proud of his work in the community. The Royals are the best team in the American League, and perhaps more popular than they’ve ever been. Neither side is hurt anymore. Neither side needs the other.

Perhaps it’s telling that White analogizes his relationship with the Royals to a divorce. In the beginning, you’re furious. You’re raw. But then you either find something new or drown. You either move on or let sadness turn to depression. David Glass hosts a group of local politicians in his suite every opening day. That’s what White went for this year. He saw Dan Glass — the owner’s son, team president, and man White most directly feuded with — and exchanged pleasantries. On Monday, White downplayed the idea that this represented a significant step.

"I still talk to my ex-wife, you know?" he says.

Frank will also be part of a 1985 World Series reunion party at Harrah's Casino on August 20.

Eric Hosmer returns to Cincinnati, where he spent a few formative summers playing amateur ball for the legendary Midland program.

Hosmer enjoyed the experience in Jupiter, and he felt Midland offered a unique opportunity. So he and Deven Marrero, his close friend at American Heritage High and a future first-round pick of the Red Sox, packed their bags for the southwestern edge of Ohio in the summer of 2007. The two players moved in with Hiler, who lived with his wife about 15 minutes outside the city. Midway through the summer, the house added another occupant: a burly right-hander from Connecticut named Matt Harvey, who became an All-Star pitcher with the Mets.

The teenagers were obsessed with baseball. They played most days of the week, attended Reds games when they had the chance and spent hours thumbing the controls of Hiler’s Xbox. In between, they helped with the household chores.

"My neighbor comes out one day and I’ve got Harvey edging the lawn, Hosmer running the lawn mower, Marrero running the bush trimmer," Hiler said. "My neighbor says, ‘Do you mind if I get a picture of this? This is about $400 million you’re paying for yard work.’"

KCUR's Gina Kauffman writes how proud she discovered she was as a Royals fan after reading Filip Bondy's new book "The Pine Tar Game." (h/t Gross(est))

Everything about the Royals is in sharp contrast to the Yankees, and Bondy weaves a compelling narrative about a Shakespearean-caliber rivalry between the teams, as much about team identity as it is about technicalities like pine tar on bats. It’s also a rivalry most of Kansas City seems to have forgotten. It comes down to entitlement versus humility, a squad of well-paid mercenaries versus a team of hard-working loyalists, the center of the universe versus a remote Cowtown.

I love New York, but it’s a city where people simply assume everything is a little better than its equivalent somewhere else. And that is why, when the Royals are winning, everyone, even in New York, needs to recognize that David is beating Goliath. That’s a glorious triumph to behold, even for someone who’s not watching the game.

The MLB post-season schedule is out with the Royals on pace to open up October 8 or 9 at home.

More people watched Friday's Royals game in Kansas City, than all the over-the-air channels combined.

The Royals Sunday Night Baseball game was the highest-rated ESPN baseball game in any market in six years, drawing a 19.8 in Kansas City.

The September 13 game in Baltimore has been made a Sunday Night Baseball game for ESPN.

Ryan O'Hearn was named Carolina League Player of the Week.

Live streaming is coming for Royals baseball games, as long as you have a cable subscription.

Dave Cameron at Fangraphs looks at the collapse of the Nationals.

Crusty old sports writer makes lame stat jokes after he can't comprehend today's advanced metrics.

Jon Bois thinks participation trophies are pretty good.

Here's your SB Nation 2015 Fantasy Football Guide.

Sports Illustrated writes about sexual harassment of female sports writers.

Facebook wants you to start blogging, so get workin' in your mom's basement.

A joke-stealer from Twitter has his Comedy Central deal fall apart after he is called out.

Teenage girls are playing video games, you just won't hear about it.

Norm MacDonald is the new Colonel Sanders. We are all Colonel Sanders.

Stephen Colbert gives a sneak peek of his new late-night show for CBS for GQ magazine.

Your song of the day is William Shatner with "Common People."