Royals Rumblings - News for August 29, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for August 29, 2016

Ned Yost believes in Raul Mondesi, despite his poor hitting.

"Mondi has been doing fine," he said. " … He helps us win games. That's all I care about it.

"Absolutely [I can live with Mondesi's average]. But it's not going to be .180 [forever]. He's going to get some hits. He'll do some things."

Rustin Dodd profiles Peter Moylan and his trek from pharmaceutical rep to Royals reliever.

His big break came in the run-up to the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. Moylan earned a spot on the Australian team and caught the eye of major-league scouts in the process. A few days after the Aussies were eliminated, the Atlanta Braves invited him to their facility in Orlando for a possible tryout.

When Moylan arrived, a young Atlanta executive named Dayton Moore was there to meet him. The Braves would end up offering a contract. Moylan called his boss at the pharmaceutical company — who doubled as an official in the Australian baseball federation.

“Listen buddy, you’re going to have to find another sales rep,” Moylan told him. “Because I’m not coming back.”

Matt Strahm is taking his hot start in stride.

"I was nervous my first time out when I made my debut [in Texas]," Strahm said. "But since then, I don't get nervous. The only thing is, when I'm in the bullpen, my heart starts beating a little faster when the phone rings."

It's not nerves, Strahm said.

"It's just adrenaline," he said. "It's good adrenaline to have, I think."

Wade Davis update:

Jason Vargas update:

Lee Judge writes that the Jarrod Dyson catch shows why big leaguers are so special.

John Viril at Kings of Kauffman details Samir Duenez’s fast rise through the system.

Who are the streakiest teams in baseball this year?

Former Royals pitcher Joe Blanton is still a good reliever.

San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy sets a record for managerial pay.

A history of teammates fighting in sports clubhouses.

Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel is pretty miffed at manager Joe Maddon.

Six players who really should get another shot at the post-season.

Are the Yankees a rebuild model?

“Miss Lippy” from the movie Billy Madison gets a bobblehead night.

The San Diego Chicken is ready to ride off into the sunset.

New York wins the Little League World Series.

Fivethirtyeight projects the U.S. Open.

The Chiefs cut eight more players.

A North Korean defector recounts his efforts to bring down the regime.

A look back at the 1992 MTV VMAs, a sexist tribute to baby-boomers.

Your coffee addiction may be genetic.

Your song of the day is Led Zeppelin with the Battle of Evermore.