Royals Rumblings - News for May 19, 2020

Royals Rumblings - News for May 19, 2020

Lynn Worthy writes about that iconic home run Alex Gordon hit in the 2015 World Series.

“Obviously, he’ll be known as one of the best defensive players probably in the history of the game in left field,” Sveum said. “But that one home run in the World Series, in an incredible moment, at home, with one out and nobody on to tie the game, then of course we win the game on Hosmer’s sac fly, I think it definitely (affects how he’s remembered). ...

“I’m sure when he’s retired and done, he’ll show his kids. That’s the one thing he’ll go back on. All the people in Kansas City will always remember that. Those kinds of things don’t go away in a city like Kansas City: small market, loyal fans, especially with those two seasons, and then to back it up with a World Series.”

Pete Grathoff writes about how Alex Gordon’s 2015 World Series home run ball ended up in Denver.

In the replay of Gordon’s home run, Esfeld can be seen running toward batter’s eye while fans celebrated one of the biggest hits in Royals history. His initial reaction was disappointment.

“I was thinking, ‘Oh man, it didn’t clear the (batter’s eye) wall.’ When I was going up the ramp, the ball kind of flipped out from underneath the wall,” Esfeld said. “There’s a little fence rail behind the wall. I hopped over and grabbed the ball.”

Jim Callis at MLB.com gives teams a re-do for the 2010 draft.

4. Royals: Manny Machado, SS, Brito Miami Private HS (Miami)

Actual pick: Christian Colon, SS, Cal State Fullerton. Machado: first round, No. 3, Orioles.

The Royals had serious interest in Machado before switching to Colon, who prompted some Dustin Pedroia comparisons because he was a small shortstop with a big swing and tremendous hand-eye coordination. Signed for $2.75 million, he never produced enough to secure a starting job and has just 355 big league at-bats in parts of five seasons. He will be remembered fondly in Kansas City, however, because he delivered the game-winning hit to clinch the 2015 World Series.

The Rockies release former Royals farmhand Tim Melville.

Jordan Foote at Kings of Kauffman wonders when Salvador Perez will enter the top ten in club history in WAR.

Why a 50/50 revenue split doesn’t work.

Craig Edwards at Fangraphs parses the owners’ claims of $4 billion in losses if players don’t take a further pay cut.

The wife of Diamondbacks outfielder Starling Marte tragically dies of a heart attack.

California, New York, and Texas give the green light for sports to return.

Could a universal DH rule revitalize Ryan Braun?

Bartolo Colon wants to pitch on more season.

Sports Illustrated ranks the top ballparks.

What if former #1 overall pick Brien Taylor never shattered his shoulder?

A look back at Michael Jordan’s first ever pro basketball game, which took place in a high school gym.

A Korean soccer club has apologized for using sex dolls to fill empty seats.

NFL teams can reopen their training facilities today.

TheMaven, owners of Sports Illustrated, claim they only have enough money to operate for another year.

A glitch in online AP testing will force some students to have to re-take the test.

Your song of the day is Andy Allo with People Pleaser.