Royals Rumblings - News for September 9, 2021

Royals Rumblings - News for September 9, 2021

Mike Matheny reflects on a tough loss against Baltimore.

“You don’t lose sight of the things that guys did well,” Matheny said. “But we make no question about the fact that it comes down to winning baseball. It comes down to wins and losses, that’s what we do, that’s what we’re paid to do. So to have one inning that gets away from us like that, our worst inning of the year, that is hard to swallow.”

Jackson Kowar admitted he has some things to work on after a rough start against Baltimore.

“It’s just little stuff like a little bit finer command, keeping my changeup down in the zone, some strike-to-ball changeups,” Kowar said of the difference after the second homer. “I thought my changeup was up and the off-speed was up just a little bit early. I was able to throw some quality off-speed and be a little more aggressive with my fastball and let my defense work.”

David Lesky at Inside the Crown saw mixed results.

The final line was ugly. Six runs on five hits with three walks in six innings isn’t what you want to see. But the seven strikeouts and bouncing back from a terrible first is very encouraging. In the words of Whit Merrifield, it’s not all peaches and roses with young pitchers, and in these September starts, it’s important to glean as much good as possible.

Craig Brown saw some things he liked.

Defense aside, go back to the location of the changeup that Kowar delivered. It was down on the bottom edge of the strike zone. It was a well-located pitch, one that is rarely hit over the wall.

It’s a four run inning, and yeah, that’s not what you want, but the way Kowar navigated the self-made jam of walking the first two batters is incredibly encouraging. He missed badly to the first two batters, made some sort of adjustment on the fly and started making some really exceptional pitches.

Mike Matheny loves the role Hanser Alberto has played, writes Anne Rogers.

“We have absolutely loved having this guy on our club,” manager Mike Matheny said prior to the Royals’ series-opening 4-3 win on Labor Day. “This guy loves the game, comes in and handles whatever role it is. … He’s had a different role since he’s been here, and he’s embraced it. He’s embraced his teammates and [is] trying to make people better. Those are the guys that stand out to me, are the guys who are making an impact not just on the field — doing your job when you get the chance. And he’s always ready, he’s always prepared.”

The 1977 Royals are featured on Chris Russo’s podcast “Digging up the Past” with Dennis Leonard and George Brett.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks at the minor leaguers on the 40-man roster who have yet to be called up.

Jerry Edwards at Inside the Royals likes the logjam in the farm system.

Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons, and Marvin Miller are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joe Posnanski looks at how Derek Jeter was equal to Barry Larkin in WAR, but they were very different players.

How Marvin Miller shaped the baseball labor movement.

Will the Hall of Fame ever induct more Negro League players?

The Rays sign General Manager Erik Neander to a contract extension and give him a promotion.

Could Max Scherzer win a fourth Cy Young award this year?

Astros pitcher Jake Odorizzi was not a fan of a quick hook.

The enduring legacy of Mike Piazza’s home run following 9/11.

The hitters that reached 100 home runs faster than any other.

Atlanta is flexing its financial muscle with some contract extensions.

The Cardinals are wondering if their ballpark has become too pitcher-friendly.

What’s next for former SportsCenter anchor Kenny Mayne?

Drake will curate the music for Monday Night Football this year.

The high court in Australia rules that Facebook users are liable for all comments under their posts.

Why are some octopuses hurling shells at each other?

For the first time in company history, AMC theaters will advertise on television.

Your song of the day is I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME with Leave Me Alone.