Not Much Of A Home Run Derby!

When Billy Butler & Mike Avelis hit their 7th HR in early August, I thought it would be fun to track their HR's.

I thought wrong.

Oh, the "race" was tight and both banged their last HR's out in the same game of the last series. But their power surge was more like a flicker.

For what it's worth...

Billy won with 11...

one more than Mike who hit 10.

As a team, the Royals ranked way down in the league with total Home Runs... however... 7 players ended the season in double digits.

Something to build on... that's my spin!

WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!

The Last Home Stand Of 2008

During this last home stand for the Royals, I’ll be out at The K 3 times, at least!

Why?

Well, it’s like this. Being a die-hard Royals fan, I’d go to any game, any time. I’m also a family man. That means two things… games have to meet: family needs, and family budget.

Getting “STUFF” seems to be a driving force in my family’s (read son’s) desire to go to a game.

This home stand is a great example. Tuesday night is “T-shirt Tuesday” (we’ll get a long sleeved T). Also, we got free tickets in a promotion through KCP&L. Actually it WAS 2 tickets in the nosebleeds. We went to the ticket office, before another game, and tried to get one accessible ticket and 2 companions (we pay for the extra ticket). The lady at the ticket window looked all flustered, excused herself and left the window area. When she came back, she had three tickets and said we didn’t have to pay for the third one, either… Deal! Then when we looked at the tickets, we noticed they weren’t in the nosebleeds at all… no… they are Dugout Box Seats… right behind home-plate…section 101, seats 1-3… regularly $37.00, each… for free… Double Deal!! Now I’m a proud man. I don’t ask for stuff I don’t earn. But man, when someone hands me stuff like this. I smile and say, “Thanks!!!” We will even NOT bring our own food and buy their overpriced stuff… we can afford it… this time. We were planning on pre-paying for our parking (but wanted to rush off to get our banners), but they are offering parking for this series for only $5.00, so we are glad we did didn’t pre-pay $8.00 (usually $9.00 at the gate).

Then we heard they’re having $3.00 nosebleeds for this series… halfway to St Patrick’s Day (free KC caps with a shamrock on it)… add my son’s girlfriend’s birthday (next week)… and you have our second day at The K this home stand. Don’t forget the $5.00 parking!

I was thinking about going out on Saturday (take the bus & go out by myself). I casually told my wife that maybe I’d like a KC Stocking Cap. She said that maybe we should all go… cool! I decided to get the tickets when we go out on Tuesday. Now I get an email saying I can get 50% off tickets. Half off already cheap tickets fits my budget!!

Now, the last home game of the season… we’ll see.

OOPS, He Does It Again!

Just when I give up on the Bam Bam vs Smiley - Home Run Race, Bill The Thrill bangs another out! And WHAT a bomb!!
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809023407925&c_id=kc

Butler is the sixth Royals player to reach double digits in HR's this season. Buck has 8 and Aviles has 7, so there is a chance of 8 players to get there... MAN... even I have a hard time reaching for positives in this year's Royals team, again. But just as in life, one needs to relish the positives, then go on.

So I am.

OK... Here's The Thing...

On August 2, Billy Butler hit his seventh Home Run of the season, the next day, Mike Aviles did the same. I thought, "Wow... our young guns are finally going to show something!" So I started my tracking of their HR's.

ALL MONTH LONG, they didn't hit another... until Billy hit a couple more the last weekend of August. So I'll end my HR tracking, RIGHT HERE!

... It's A Jungle Out There ...

Mike (Smiley) Aviles vs Billy (Bam Bam) Butler

Mike (Smiley) Aviles & Billy (Bam Bam) Butler, are young guys with similar swings. Both enter the Twins series (starting 8/8/8) with Seven Home Runs each. So I wonder, "Which will hit the most Dingers this year?" So, I'll be updating their slug success, right here.

Mike (Smiley) Aviles

7 HR - 08/03/08
Billy (Bam Bam) Butler
7 HR - 08/02/08

RLBLUE Ride

So here's some pics of my Royal Blue Mini-van (It's not my fault, the lady in the SUV smashed my full-sized van!)... OK... I'm OK... it just sometimes comes out like that. The shrink says it'll stop one day (or not). Surely I'll be OK with being in the mini-van generation someday (or not).

Front View (note the plates)

Rear View (duh)

Show Room Angle

And now for the part that cost more than twice the amount of the vehicle:

So the van pulls into the driveway

The door opens & ramp begins sliding fron below the floor

Meanwhile the back of the van neels

The ramp drops to the ground

And the fat old man gets out of the van... Independence... that's what it's all about, baby!

When's the game?

The Nicest Bunch Of Guys To Push Around!

That’s the attitude teams have had about the Royals for the past decade or more.

At the risk of sounding like a biased, profiling bigot… I say, “Bring On That ‘Dominican Tude’!”

Year, after year, after freaking year the Kansas City Royals have been one of MLB’s doormats. There’s a close call to be made… the other team gets the call. A Royals’ batter gets hit… no retaliation is expected. The team goes on a long loosing streak; they all go out for a rousing night of “Cookies N Milk”. What a nice bunch of guys!

Well… now we’ve got some guys who aren’t afraid of stirring the pot! Young guys make stupid mistakes then bow their head… in the past they got hugs from their Captain… Now They Get Called Babies! A batter gets hit… AGAIN… in the past they take their base (with no repercussions)… Now The Batter Charges The Mound!

This year, pitchers have retaliated by hitting the opponent’s batter… that didn’t happened in the past.

Do I support beanings, brawls and nasty play? No! But at the same rime, rolling over time and again has gotten old. And I like the new fire in this team!

Ultimately, the game comes down to pitching, defense and run production… if doing it with a chip on the shoulder helps that process… BRING IT ON!!!

Mid Year Report (Part Deux)

* * Pitchers * *

STARTERS

If there was any question of who the Ace of the Pitching staff was at the beginning of the season, Zack Greinke has answered that! He should have more wins, but the offense and bullpen have let him down. Zack has given up too many homeruns, but since he’s always around the plate that’s bound to happen. His (nearly) 3/1 K/SO rate and more innings pitched than hits given up are impressive. Another telling stat is the fact that he has only given up one unearned run. To me, that means that he keeps the flow of the game steady so that the defense is always “in the game.” I’d like to see Zack Greinke cut his HRA down and otherwise keep the strong performances coming!
Mid-Term Grade – A-

Gil Meche was the definitive Ace of the Royals pitching staff, last year. He had the goal of throwing more strikes and working longer in games. His control is a little off this year, but seems to make the pitch he needs to in order to get out of jams. Gil is not the force that he was last year, but usually gives the team a chance to win each time he takes the hill. I’d like to see Gil Meche be more pitch-efficient in the second half, and let his “stuff” do the rest.
Mid-Term Grade – B

Brian Bannister started the season on fire and looked like he was going to make the off-season nay Sayers eat their words. Since his hot start, he hasn’t been near the pitcher he was last year. A soft pitching fly ball pitcher needs pinpoint control… that hasn’t been there. As a result, he has given up way too many homeruns. Brian is a student of the game, and needs to be with his less than blow-‘em away fastball. In the second half, I’d like to see Brian Bannister regain comand of his pitches, keep the ball in the park, and re-consider adding a sinker to his arsenal.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Number one draft-pick, Luke Hochevar, has yet to pitch like one. The Cool Hand shows a cool head when he has runners all around him, but that has been way too often. When Luke throws strikes and keeps his sinker down, he can control the game quite nicely. But too many walks have put a lot of stress on the young right-hander and have kept him from going deep into games. I’d like to see Luke Hochevar keep the ball down in the strike zone and keep the pace of the game crisp so the infielders have a chance to help him get deeper into games.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Kyle Davies has pitched like the young Major Leaguer that he is. He has looked very good at times, and not so good at other times. Personally (and I have nothing to back this up), I am not REAL impressed with him. But that aside, he has shown the ability to keep the team in most games. I’d like to see Kyle Davies gain better command of the strike zone and develop a reliable “out pitch.”
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Brett Tomko - FAIL- Nuff Said


RELIEVERS

Joakim Soria has been the best Rule 5 acquisition the Royals have ever had. We’ve, seemingly, picked the pockets of several teams in the past only to have that player flame out (best example - Andrew Sisco). This time we found Gold! When Joakim takes the mound, the game is pretty much over. The only question is how many batters are going to end up looking silly. More saves than hits allowed speaks for itself… PLUS… he has a way cool nickname – The Mexicusioner! Best of all, the Royals FINALLY had a TRUE All-Star representing them during the mid-summer classic!! Joakim Soria needs to keep on Mexicusioning!
Mid-Term Grade – A++

The Royals needed veteran presence in the bullpen, and Ron Mahay has been that and more. When the starters go into the sixth inning (or deeper), the bridge guys have done a very good job of handing the lead over to The Mexicusioner. Ron has done an excellent job against both right and left-handers. All I can say to Ron Mahay is, “Keep It Up Old Man!”
Mid-Term Grade - A

Leo Nunez lit up eyes at the beginning of the year, even though he only made the team because he was out of options. Leo went from a thrower to a pitcher… finally. Although he’s young (one of Allard Baird’s “bring ‘em up too soon boys”), it looked like the organization was loosing patience with him. His injury has marred his break-out year, but hopefully he can regain his early season form. When Leo Nunez comes back from the DL, he needs to “fill the strike zone”, and let his “stuff” take over (was that cliché enough for ya?).
Mid-Term Grade – A

The “Ramirez Twins” (especially Ram Ram) have been two other solid pieces to the bridge corps. When Ramon and Horacio command the strike zone, they have been extremely effective. I find it amazing how Dayton Moore has cherry picked pitchers that other teams have been so willing to give up on. I guess that’s a testament to the awesome job he has done to re-define the Royals’ scouting department. Not much to say to Ramon and Horacio Ramirez except, “Keep throwing strikes, dos Rams!”
Mid-Term Grade - A

Robinson Tejeda was bad enough to make the pitching-starved Texas Rangers dump him. Once again, the Royals’ scouting department was smart enough to grab him up. With the Royals, he has found the strike zone. He has been successful so far for KC, but has had very few chances. Robinson Tejeda appears to have a “Grade A” arm and needs to stay in the strike zone.
Mid-Term Grade - Incomplete

Joel Peralta was a very serviceable (and versatile) pitcher for the Royals in the past, and has been lights-out in Omaha this year. He has only had a little (not much) success for the MLB team. Giving up homeruns (and previous pitcher’s runs) has been his down-fall. Joel has an awesome forkball, but needs to get ahead in the count in order to use it. Keeping the ball in the park and inherited runners from scoring should be Joel Peralta’s second half goals (if he’s not bumped by other pitchers coming off pf the DL).
Mid-Term Grade – D-

What happened to the Jimmy Gobble that we saw the past year and a half? This year, he just doesn’t have it. This division has too many awesome left-handed hitters for our lefty specialist to implode. If he has options, I’d like to see Jimmy Gobble go to Omaha and rediscover his sidearm magic.
Mid-Term Grade - F

Hideo Nomo was an interesting experiment that failed.

Yasuhiko Yabuta was a large dollar failure - Nuff said (although I DO hold out hope for Yasuhiko Yabuta to learn where home plate is located on an American ball-field).

John Bale, Neal Musser, Jeff Fulchino, Carlos Rosa, - Incomplete – probably will see more action in the second half.

(opinions may vary, check your local ballpark for further deals)

Mid-Term Report

* * Position Players * *

Jose Guillen was paid big money by the Royals to provide the one thing that was missing from the roster… veteran leadership that included a power bat and production in the middle of the batting order. By veteran leadership, I mean a proven MLB player who had been productive in the past and still had some productive years ahead of him (not the “Milk & Cookie” veteran leadership we’ve had in the past). Although streaky and moody, Jose has been that man. Amazingly, his RBI totals could have been better it seems that he’s had MANY runners LOB. In the second half, I’d like to see a more consistent stroke from Jose Guillen with runners in scoring position, and fewer SO’s in the second half.
Mid-Term Grade – B

Alex Gordon is long on potential and charisma, but short on consistent production. He often looks really silly in the batter’s box, and then he pounds the ball. Many people compare his swing to George Brett’s. Except for the top hand release of his follow-through, I don’t see it. I think that too many people WANT to see the similarities. I see more of a Ken Griffey Jr.’s swing when I see Alex, than George. But, I’ve never heard (or read) anyone else make that comparison, so it’s probably just me (I saw that in Michael Tucker’s swing, too). Alex’s OBP is OK. Although he strikes out a lot, he draws his share off walks. Batting ahead of Guillen, that’s a good thing. Like last year, any trouble in the batter’s box doesn’t carry over to his defensive position. In fact, his glove (and arm) appears to have a golden hue. For the second half, I’d like to see Alex Gordon cut his swing down with two strikes. With Alex Gordon’s size, strength and uppercut awing, he should be hitting more homeruns… but first… he needs to make contact.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

People look at Mark Teahen and hope he can be the player we saw in the second half of the 2006 season. From my point of view, too many people have tried to turn Mark into someone other than who he is. When he was in the Oakland organization, they tried to get him to be a Jason Giambi clone. When he was traded to the Royals, they sent George Brett to Omaha to turn him into a Brett clone. A clone of either player (minus Jason’s juice) would be awesome. He doesn’t have some of the tools that Jason or George have, but he does have some tools that THEY don’t (didn’t). He seems like the kind of guy that should be batting at, or near, the top of the batting order. Mark is more built to be a speedy run scorer rather than someone who drives runs in. If he drives the ball the opposite way, rather than trying to pull the ball, his SO’s should drop to a more acceptable level. A gap-to-gap hitter with speed is very valuable in spacious Kaufman Stadium. Like Alex Gordon, I’d like to see Mark Teahen make more contact with the ball.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

David DeJesus is not a real toolsy player. With average center field speed and below average throwing arm, he is not the prototypical center fielder and leadoff hitter. But what he doesn’t have in raw talent, he makes up with heart and a ton of energy. This is shaping up as his “career year”. He has bounced around the outfield and has performed very well in just about any role asked of him. Leading the MLB in batting average with runner in scoring position makes moving him down in the lineup very tempting. The way the two players are playing right now, flip-flopping him with Mark Teahen might make sense. I’d like to see David DeJesus continue to be the REAL team leader!
Mid-Term Grade – A-

When healthy, Mark Grudzielanek has been the veteran leader that management expects him to be. With his age (38) and a nagging back, he seems to need more days off than he did last year when he had two knee surgeries. But when he DOES take a few days off, he comes back hitting the ball all over the park. Grud doesn’t strikeout excessively, but he doesn’t take a lot of walks, also. Although he obviously doesn’t have the range he did in his first year with the Royals, he makes just about every play within reach. I’d like to see Mark Grudzielanek be more willing to take days off so he can keep his body fresh throughout the dog days of summer.
Mid-Term Grade – B

Joey Gathright can be a real-highlight-reel with his play in center field. This year, he has used his speed as a useful tool both offensively and defensively. But when there has been miscommunication in the outfield, Joey has been in the middle of it. Kaufman Stadium has a huge outfield and needs speedy men patrolling the large open spaces. Although Joey has improved his bunting skills (he needs way more work), his overall batting skills seem to have taken a step backwards from last year. Joey Gathright needs to learn to drive the ball to leftfield and up the middle in order to become a useful player for this (or any MLB) team.
Mid-Term Grade – D

Ross Gload hasn’t had the first-half season that he had last year. But, he’s been fairly good now that he’s had steady work. He doesn’t have the power that is needed for a starting first-basemen. Although his great defensive play and blue-collar work ethic wins favor from Trey Hillman (and Buddy Bell before him), he seems more useful as a bench player. Ross Gload needs to continue to take advantage of the opportunities offered to him.
Mid-Term Grade – C

Billy Butler appears to be an All-Star of the future, the future’s not here, yet. Apparently, Trey Hillman isn’t serious about allowing him to become a first-baseman. So Billy needs to be the pure hitter that he seems destined to be. To put things into perspective, with roughly the same number of at-bats as Ross Gload and Joey Gathright, Billy’s HR & RBI totals and AVG are similar. That was the reason he was sent down to Omaha, earlier this season. He has been hitting the ball harder lately, but pulling the ball more than he did last year. Billy Butler needs to begin driving the ball up the middle and into the power-alleys in the second half.
Mid-Term Grade – D+

John Buck has handled the starting pitching very well. That is his focus, and what we can always expect from him. He WAS groomed behind Brad Ausmus with the Astros. I am OK with Buck’s batting average, though I’d like to see him cut his strikeouts down and continue to hit the ball all over the park. John has the power to hit homeruns to any part of the park. With the pitchers’ help, I’d like to see John Buck improve his caught stealing rate and continue his solid handling of the pitchers through the rest of the season.
Mid-Term Grade – C

Miguel Olivo was signed as a backup catcher (although he claims he didn’t know that). I have no problem with that. Miggi may throw out base runners at a higher rate that John Buck, but pitchers have a higher ERA with him behind the plate. Olivo has a little better power numbers than Buck, but he is WAY hard to walk. When Miguel Olivo gets his chances in the second half, he needs to be better at using the whole field and drive the ball to the power-alleys, rather than being pull happy.
Mid-Term Grade – C

Tony Pena, Jr. is one of the slickest fielding shortstops I seen. Even more than Alex Gordon, his glove (and arm) appears golden. The problem is that his bat appears invisible. Is this a “sophomore jinx”? Or is he really that pathetic? He would be Trey Hillman’s starting shortstop if he would bat anywhere like he did last year. TJ’s defense is pure joy to watch! For the second half of the season, I’d like to see Tony Pena, Jr. bunt effectively and adopt a Rey Sanchez swing.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Mike Aviles hit the MLB scene with a splash! His breakout series in his hometown New York didn’t hurt his stock. With a little back step at the plate after his hot start, he has shown the ability to deal with adversity. The biggest flaw that I’ve noticed in Mike’s game are his fielding mental errors (that don’t always show in the stats). Experience and a move to second base many help. In the second half, I’d like to see Mike Aviles continue his solid approach at the plate and hard work on his defense.
Mid-Term Grade – B+

Esteban German is having his roughest year with the Royals. A lot of this stems from the fact that Kansas City has too many middle infielders on their roster, and Esty isn’t getting consistent playing time. This is often the plight of a bench player. I see his worth being more on a National League team, where his versatility in the field can be exploited (and bat used more often). I like the energy that he brings to the team. In the second half Esteban German needs to try to make it hard for Trey Hillman to take him out of the lineup.
Mid-Term Grade – C-

Alberto Callaspo, in his limited exposure, has been all that was advertised. His bat looked pretty useful, before his personal issues imploded his career. I’m holding out hope that he can get his life worked out and that the organization supports him in that process. Ultimately, though, Alberto Callaspo controls his own destiny.
Mid-Term Grade – Incomplete

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

I really love this song, especially all the different versions thereof. Trevor Hurst (no relation) does a real bluesy version that you should be listening to right mow. The history of the song is pretty interesting. Here’s some text from Baseball Almanac:

In 1858, the first known baseball song was written, "The Base Ball Polka!" It was not quite as famous as Jack Norworth's 1908 classic, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", which was written on some scrap paper on a train ride to Manhattan, New York. Norworth then provided those paper scrap lyrics to Albert Von Tilzer who composed the music which in turn was published by the York Music Company and before the year was over, a hit song was born.


Jack Norworth was a very successful vaudeville entertainer / songwriter and spent fifteen minutes writing this classic which is sung during the seventh inning stretch at nearly every ball park in the country. In 1927, he changed some lyrics and a second version appeared. Baseball Almanac is proud to present both versions and an actual print of the original sheet music cover.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

1908 Version
Author: Jack NorworthComposer: Albert Von TilzerPublished on: 1908, 1927Published by: York Music Company

Katie Casey was baseball mad.

Had the fever and had it bad;

Just to root for the hometown crew,

Ev'ry sou Katie blew.

On a Saturday, he young beau

Called to see if she'd like to go,

To see a show but Miss Kate said,

"No, I'll tell you what you can do."

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

Katie Casey saw all the games,

Knew the players by their first names;

Told the umpire he was wrong,

All along good and strong.

When the score was just two to two,

Katie Casey knew what to do,

Just to cheer up the boys she knew,

She made the gang sing this song:

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, your out,

At the old ball game."

Take Me Out to the Ball Game
1927 Version
Author: Jack Norworth ©Composer: Albert Von TilzerPublished on: 1908, 1927Published by: York Music Company

Nelly Kelly love baseball games,

Knew the players, knew all their names,

You could see her there ev'ry day,

Shout "Hurray," when they'd play.

Her boy friend by the name of Joe

Said, "To Coney Isle, dear, let's go,

"Then Nelly started to fret and pout,

And to him I heard her shout.

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

Nelly Kelly was sure some fan,

She would root just like any man,

Told the umpire he was wrong,

All along, good and strong.

When the score was just two to two,

Nelly Kelly knew what to do,

Just to cheer up the boys she knew,

She made the gang sing this song.

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

So there you go. The song we all sing during the seventh inning stretch is just the chorus of a two verse song.

Here are some versions you might like to listen to:
Organ Version - instrumental
Traditional Version - instrumental
Goo Goo Dolls – Not my fav.

Abe Knuckleball Schwartz - Fun Version

Andrew Sisters 1940's
– Kind of Hawaii 50 meets the Beach Boys:

Polo del Mar
And here’s a couple for the kids:
The Countdown Kids

Raffi

VIRGIN BLOGGER, NO MORE!

OK, so this is my first attempt at blogging. I’ve posted STUFF (my favorite word), but not in blog form… (the ... are also a fav of mine) in my own blog THANG (also a fav word).

This is my attempt at a Royals blog. Everyone has a story… in life as well as fandom. A brief back-story about my fandom & me is where I’ll begin.

Oh, and one thang about grammar & spelling. Both of my grammar’s were old county girls. I remember going up on Sundays for family dinners… Fried Chicken… Green Beans… Mashed Potatoes… Country Gravy &/or Noodles… And Lots Of Dessert (my Granpar said he only liked two types of pies – one crust & 2). Anyway, both Grammars are long gone, so don’t expect much of that to appear in my blog. And as far as Spelling… none of the spells that I read about or watched on Harry Potter has worked for me, so don’t expect too much from me there, either!

* * *

Growing up, I was never a Sports Fan. It seemed to me that sports were stuff you did, not watch. Baseball… Football… Basketball…Kickball… Dodge Ball… Sit On The Little Skinny Kid & Punch Him Until He Cries For Help (my fat older brother liked this game WAY more than I did). Now, I DID like watching College Football, when I was a kid. Back then they didn’t have so many instant replays from a hundred different angles (See Bob the ref REALLY blew the call… from this angle you can clearly see it’s a catch, and this one... catch, and this one... catch, and this one... catch, and this… oh, WOW, the ball skipped on the ground… that was CLEARLY NOT a catch)… yawn! Back in the day, they did more important things between plays at a College Football game… show the CHEERLEADERS! UCLA had the best… and of course… Dallas Cowboys STILL have the best Pro Football Cheerleaders.

But my playing career (or bench warming career as the case may be) came to an end at the age of sixteen… no big loss to the sports world. Here’s a thing I wrote 30 years after my “playing Career” ended.(http://tinyurl.com/e3vs7)

Living in St Joe, MO, as a baseball fan there was the Cardinals. By the mid-70’s I started paying attention to the Royals. Hardly ever got to watch them on TV, maybe once a year a group from our church would rent a bus & drive down for a game. In 1974 I started paying a LOT of attention to the Royals. In 1975, the Royals won a 90+ games and challenged the Oakland dynasty… THAT’S when I became a die-hard Royals fan… listening to the crackly AM radio & reading all I could get my hands on in the newspaper.

When Brett & McRae were fighting Carew for the batting title, I had to get the box scores & compute everyone’s average because that stuff was only in the Sunday newspaper (updated to the previous Friday)… but I kept track daily (except when the Royals &/or Twins were playing on the West Coast). Brett’s first batting title & the teams first AL West title… that was awesome. After college, I moved to KC, started watching more games on TV, went to the stadium more often and listened to Denny when I couldn’t watch them.

STILL CRAZY (about the Royals) AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!

Umbrella Night Before The Rain -2

Umbrella Night Before The Rain -1