tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46438615903825249042024-02-19T01:56:59.129-06:00RLBLUE - The Buddha Gut - DOMA Tru Blu Royals BlogRLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-29024467543550389732013-03-03T19:09:00.002-06:002013-03-03T19:09:12.363-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECLtyjclvoABaFAm21JoQ1PEchdNWXC0W9LNLuTdO3ty4_Vx19Do8TmbDubr2HZqtvT4SqSHavlK-YCNcxqYCtkYFjzjTefGv6y_sBfLIYZVKTC7HlTxNoZP2F3wA_SeqQznQ2LTx0HY/s1600/Spring+Training+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECLtyjclvoABaFAm21JoQ1PEchdNWXC0W9LNLuTdO3ty4_Vx19Do8TmbDubr2HZqtvT4SqSHavlK-YCNcxqYCtkYFjzjTefGv6y_sBfLIYZVKTC7HlTxNoZP2F3wA_SeqQznQ2LTx0HY/s320/Spring+Training+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-70609783368816834902012-04-10T11:40:00.006-05:002012-04-10T12:04:16.170-05:00Isn’t That SPECIAL!Over the past 43 years, people have reacted to me in many ways. The two extremes are those who seem to treat me as if I don’t exist, and those who place me on a pedestal.<br /><br />There are times when I’m at restraint, the waitress looks to the person I’m with to ask what I want. In these instances (and others in the community), I regard them as opportunities to<br />educate people. I don’t mind people staring at me as I open doors at the Mall or other stores. In fact, it’s kind of fun watching people (especially little old ladies) freak out as I sit there in my wheelchair and hold the door for THEM!<br /><br />When I’m treated like I’m special, I become a little uncomfortable. When they use terms like “HERO”, well, I’ll just say that it’s not a word that I’d use to describe myself. I just try to be an <a href="http://youtu.be/mLNAkPsjAEk">Ordinary Average Guy</a>.<br /><br />Even though I'm a little uncomfortable with the "HERO" label, there is a contest to give 3 new wheelchair accessible vans to "Local Heros." My current van is starting to become unreliable... got stuck last week at the bowling alley & had to pay $60+ for the 10 mile accessible cab ride home (PLUS $50+ to fix the thing PLUS I gotta take it in again next week to fix something else), but it was late at night & you do what ya gotta do.<br /><br />Anyway, vote for me every day the rest of the month and use Promo Code: 995, 818 or 989 for extra points! Vote once every 24 hours through the end of April (try each code once, then vote without a code). Help me get a new vehicle!!!<br /><br />AND SPRESAD THE NEWS!!!<br /><br />thanks,<br />steve<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Here’s some info about the contest</span><br /></span><br /><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">National Mobility Awareness Month</span></strong></em><br />National Mobility Awareness Month is a proclaimed month that will be celebrated throughout the month of May. The purpose is to educate the public that people with disabilities constitute the 2nd largest minority group in the United States. Over 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada have mobility issues. Six million of those are veterans.<br /><br />This website is where we share the stories of people with disabilities who are dealing with and overcoming their mobility challenges. We are also asking people to submit their stories to be showcased by national and local media over the upcoming months. Favorite stories will be voted on by your friends, family and peers, and the winners will be awarded a new customized wheelchair accessible vehicle.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst">http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst</a><br /><br /><em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Here’s something that a friend wrote about me & my wife when she<br />forwarded my email asking for votes:</span></strong></em><br /><br />Hello sweet friends and family! Please take just a moment to read this important message and help my dear friend Steve win a new wheelchair accessible vehicle (which he NEEDS). He might be uncomfortable with the label "hero" for himself, but I am not. For those of you who do not know him...Steve and his wife Luanne are two of the most amazing individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. Steve was paralyzed at the age of 16 and has made it one of his lifelong endeavors to teach others that a person with a disability can (and should) be just like everyone else. He married Luanne who has got to be an angel among us. She is like no one else I know! Luanne works at TLC, a Children's Therapeutic Learning Center. They adopted not one, but two children with developmental disabilities, Mark and Michael. Years ago I was lucky enough to work with both of them as a Life Skills Teacher (mostly worked with Michael though) and I learned as much from them as they hopefully did from me. Sadly, Mark passed away a handful of years ago due to complications of lifelong health issues. He is missed dearly by us all. Michael (who is now 26 I believe), works part time at Petsmart in Kansas City and we talk regularly. He is part of our family. They all are and we love them whole-heartedly.<br /><br /><br />Together, they live quite a life of service - so giving and kind and are always there to lend a helping hand to others. Steve is such a kind, considerate, selfless man and quite the comedian! I am blessed to have him in my life and our family's lives. I wish this was more than a contest for a new van, as <strong>he deserves so much more</strong>. Steve and Luanne truly shine their light in this world and are an example for us all. I know someday he will be rewarded tenfold though for all the love he shares.<br /><br />Please take just a second out of your day and click the link, vote for Steve and enter Promo Code 989, 995 &818. <a href="http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst">http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst</a><br /><br /> Also, it would mean the world to me if you would please share this email with all your friends and encourage them to vote as well. I will be posting it on Facebook too which is another great way for us all to share it. I would love to send this message around the world and get him that van. It is just a small fraction of the appreciation he deserves for being such a wonderful person!<br /> <br />Here is the link again: <a href="http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst">http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/missouri/kansas-city/549/steven-hurst</a><br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Love,<br />S---- K----RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-83115580322641635192012-02-16T23:09:00.005-06:002012-02-16T23:32:12.251-06:00Pre-Pre-Season PredictionsThe Royals pitchers & catchers are scheduled to officially report in Surprise, AZ on Monday. So, today I’ll make my Pre-Pre-Season Predictions for the 2012 season. As Spring Training goes along, we can make more decisive choices of which players we predict to have the better years this season. This just starts the juices flowing a little while we (not so) patiently await the coming baseball season.<br /><br />Of course, as I have for every season in the past decade (or more), I predict that the Royals will win 90 games, and win the AL Central Division. Since anything can happen once you get into the playoffs, I further predict a WS Title in 7 games. Hey! It could happen!!!<br /><br />With that out of the way, these are my Individual Performance Awards. This isn’t rocket science… heck, I didn’t even kidnap some geek with a calculator from his mother’s basement.<br /><br /><strong>Player Of The Year</strong> - This actually came down to the probable starting position players for opening day, as I put them in likely order of who may win POY:<br /><em>Probable Picks:</em><br />Eric Hosmer<br />Alex Gordon<br />Mike Moustakas<br />Jeff Francoeur<br /><em>Dark Horses:</em><br />Lorenzo Cain<br />Salvador Perez<br />Alcides Escobar<br /><br /><strong>Pitcher Of The Year</strong> – This is a little more difficult as the probable list of pitchers for the Royals is much more fluid. As the year goes on, there will a lot of movement on & off the starting rotation, & indeed, the overall pitching staff.<br /><em>Probably Picks:</em><br />Jonathan Sanchez<br />Felipe Paulino<br />Joakim Soria<br />Jonathan Broxton<br />Greg Holland<br />Bruce Chen<br /><em>Dark Horses:</em><br />Noel Arguelles<br />Luis Mendoza<br />Mike Montgomery<br />Jake Odorizzi<br />OK, I wasn’t even going to put Chen on the list, but let’s be honest; he’s won it 2 years running so he deserves a little credit. However if Chen DOES with the Royals pitcher of the Year, then we’ll probably have a hard to reaching .500 (let alone my annual prediction of 90 wins).<br /><br />Actually, the only reason I put this list together is to say that there are 3 pitchers that I think will be guys that I have a gut feeling they will have a big impact (in a positive way) on our pitching this year. These guys are Paulino, Arguelles & Mendoza.<br /><br />Paulino had some very good stretches last year and really impressed me. Arguelles has top drawer stuff, when he’s healthy. Mendoza had such an awesome AAA season last year and brought that to KC for a couple games in September.<br /><br />PLAY BALL!RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-63450877227550912192012-01-20T20:21:00.004-06:002012-01-20T20:31:45.536-06:00Roy OswaltFrom FoxSports.com<br /><strong><em>KC's patience may pay off ... eventually<br /></em></strong><a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/kansas-city-royals-still-a-year-away-from-winning-al-central-analysis-011912">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/kansas-city-royals-still-a-year-away-from-winning-al-central-analysis-011912</a><br />JON PAUL MOROSI is practically saying the Royals are throwing away their only chance to win the AL Central in 2012, if they don't sign Roy Oswalt. For sure, obtaining a healthy Oswalt (or any #1 starting pitcher) would fill the only glairing gap in the Royals roster. The Royals have ignored the temptation to give away key portions of a deep and respected Farm System or overpay Free Agents in order to accomplish a short term gain. Dayton Moore has said many times this offseason that he & his staff are building a team that can be contenders for many years. You don’t do that by trading away key players in your farm system or overpaying veterans who may block your up and coming players. They seem to have the offense, defense & have bolstered an already strong bullpen. Again this year (as last year) their starting pitching appears to be their Achilles Heel.<br /><br />You don’t have to be an old-school scout in suspenders with a stop watch & a speed-gun, or be living in mama’s basement with a scientific calculator to know that 20012 could fall short of contention for the Royals (even with all their young talented players). And then again a lot can happen between the last week of January and the end of September.<br /><br />But for what it’s worth, here’s my take on Roy Oswalt. He's damaged goods asking for $10M. The Royals aren't the only team not biting on that... so I wouldn't trash the Royals for NOT signing<br />him. Besides, waiting to sign him isn't a bad thing, he WAS asking for multi-year deal… now, he’ll take a 1 year deal. With his medical history, nobody's giving him a $10M guaranteed contract...<br />no matter how many times he’s been an All-Star in the past.<br /><br />I have a feeling that he'll end up signing a 1 year deal (possibly with a 1 or 2 yr. option), for a base salary of $3-5M & incentives like an All-Star appearance, X# of innings &/or no time on DL that could get him close to his $10M asking price. Of course, if he comes down to these more realistic terms, there may be several teams willing to take a flier on Mr. Oswalt. And maybe it’s telling how far the Royals have come that they aren’t jumping at a chance at catching lighting in a bottle, by overpaying a veteran looking for a chance to keep his career alive.<br /><br />Who knows, the Royals may already have their true #1 starting pitcher in their system. Luis Mendoza, Felipe Paulino, Jonathan Sanchez, Aaron Crow, Danny Duffy, Mike Montgomery, or even Luke Hochevar could turn into that true #1 guy in the starting rotation.<br /><br />Of course, a healthy Roy Oswalt would…RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-59943125084491527232011-02-26T19:06:00.000-06:002011-02-26T19:08:04.963-06:00"Named Six"<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The below is my gut feeling of how these “Named Six” will do in 2011… not based on anything but my gut.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Bruce Chen, Kyle Davies, Jeff Francis, Luke Hochevar, Vin Mizzaro, Sean O’Sullivan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>These are the 6 pitchers who were named as the prime candidates to make up the Royals’ Starting Rotation to begin the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since there hasn’t been much press about these 6 dudes… because everyone likes to write about the bright new shinny prospects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So here is my pre-Spring Training forecast for the “Named Six”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Kyle Davies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As per usual, Kyle will dazzle with his great fastball & spike-curveball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Kyle will do well for a while, and then loose his concentration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>By mid-season, Kyle will find himself in the bullpen… do a fairly good job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, I believe Kyle will be packaged in a mid-season trade… or Designated for Assignment next offseason.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Luke Hochevar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s a tuffy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When healthy, he can be a very solid #3 starter, or better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But last year he injured his elbow during the season and when on the Disabled List. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Then came back and was ineffective, so he was shut down for the rest of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now they are calling him the probable Opening Day Starter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If he makes it out of Spring Training without needing surgery, I’m betting he’ll have some great games, but will end up having season ending surgery and (like Davies) probably never wear a Royals Uniform after 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And then again, Luke may feel the force and FINALLY become worthy of being a high draft choice (I won’t hold the #1 over-all pick tag on him).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I’ll combine Vin Mizzaro & Sean O’Sullivan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Both are youngish guys we got in trades during the season last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since we didn’t give away All-Star players in the trades, it’s doubtful that we got back All-Star pitching prospects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Both guys have the arms to be solid #3-#5 starters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But both have under-performed so far and could end up as easy cast-offs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I suggest that you flip a coin… one turning into an important piece in our rotation… the other… not so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t know (nor care) which.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Bruce Chen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Bruce Chen we saw last year is the one I’ll be looking for this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m guessing just a little better ERA & win total for Bruce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But he keeps talking about how he kept his pitches lower last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I view his 2010 re-caps, he got a lot of ground balls on pitches above the waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Maybe he had a lot of downward movement through the hitting zone… it could happen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I like his veteran presence in the clubhouse… and sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I see Bruce as that all important innings eater.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Jeff Francis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s our Ace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>OK, NOT a big time dominating #1 starter, but he’ll be a better #1 guy than Redman and many other Pre-Greinke/Meche #1 starters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m looking for a sub-4. ERA & 15+ wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If we get that out of him, 2011 may not be a total loss.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">OR, I could be totally wrong.</span></span><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p></p>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-82681142250529682682011-02-24T15:44:00.000-06:002011-02-24T16:29:22.826-06:00The Process<a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2011/02/23/2677593/royals-farm-system-gets-its-best.html#storylink=rss">More honors for Royals' prospects</a><br /><br />The Royals have 9 prospects listed as Baseball America's top 100 prospects. Better yet, 5 of the top 20 prospects... that's 25%... are from the Royals organization. The team has asked us fans to be patient for over 2 decades. Then, General Manager Dayton Moore (GMDM) told us that rebuilding a young team takes time... that it is a process... "The Process".<br /><br />As the Major League team in Kansas City continued to look the same (old overpaid washed up veterans with bad attitudes) with the same old loosing results, "The Process" was underway.<br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">This is all part of GMDM's "process".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And for all those who compared GMDM's "process" to other attempts at "youth movements", etc... there is just no comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It doesn't even compare to the last wave of #1's we had in AA who fought for a championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lubanski Maier, Butler, Gordon & I'll even add Greinke who was making his comeback from leaving baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From that wave, there were no real hot pitching prospects (Greinke had a couple ML years under his belt), and Mike Aviles was the only non-#1 draft pick player good enough to "complement" the wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Also Lubanski & Maier were "sign ability" #1 picks... so they hardly count anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nobody expected them to be possible All-Star players, anyway.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Now in this wave, we have a ton of pitching prospects... mostly lefties, and the list runs deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We have multiple power and batting average corner infielders & (at least) one corner outfielder. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>WE have guys with great speed & defense up the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have never known our farm system to have such depth throughout the entire minor league system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Folks, this is "The Process" that a small market team can be competitive (not just in a one & done fashion) for an extended period of time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:100%;">This is not to say that 2011 may be yet another loosing year. But, we should see some of the youngsters begin to take their place in Kansas City Royals History.</span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Play Ball!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-31103237185158167922010-02-22T20:59:00.000-06:002010-02-22T21:03:55.043-06:00Farnsworth Starting?<strong><a href="http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100221&content_id=8109862&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc">Starting is 10 years in making for Farnsworth</a></strong><br /><em>Royals righty to have another shot after decade in the bullpen</em><br /><br /><em>By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com<br />02/21/10 8:45 PM EST</em><br /><br />Not so fast there. Here’s the way I read it.<br /><br />Last year, Kyle Farnsworth didn’t do well as a set-up man… with the game on the line. He showed time and again that he tends to choke in high stress situations.<br /><br />He’s got a great arm, so the Royals are trying to figure out to how to maximize the best return on their investment in him. Believe me, making him a starter will NOT bring back high returns on their investment. Plus, if he makes the rotation, then there are MAJOR problems behind Zack Greinke. Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Robinson Tejeda, Kyle Davies and Luke Hochevar all have to crash and burn in order for Farnsworth to join the rotation.<br /><br />They need to get the most productive innings as they can out of him. Pitching in the rotation will get more innings out of him, but the key here is quality innings. He showed a knack at shutting the other team down when the game was NOT on the line. To me, that is the key element in his ability to provide quality innings.<br /><br />The article mentions that he’s working on new pitches. So here’s what the buzz REALLY comes down to. First, he needs more innings in Spring Training to work on developing his new pitches. Throwing in the bull-pen is helpful, but he needs to see how batters react to them. Starting games during Spring Training is a good way of getting those developmental innings.<br /><br />Then when the season begins, he becomes a long reliever… pitching well in less stress games (last year, no one was able to stop the bleeding once the other team began scoring runs, he seems to thrive more in these settings). That was when he seemed to have his best outings… middle of the game, no late game pressures.<br /><br />If (when) we need a spot starter, Kyle Farnsworth could be an option. NOT in the regular starting rotation, but a potential “swing man” to eat up innings in long relief, or occasionally start a game.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-50127965750971798562010-02-20T09:57:00.000-06:002010-02-20T10:03:39.249-06:00We Need A Healthy Gil Meche<a href="http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100219&content_id=8100828&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc"><strong>Meche now No. 2, but feeling fine</strong></a><br /><em><strong>Royals veteran happy for Greinke, and free of '09 back pain<br /></strong>By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com<br />02/19/10 6:06 PM EST<br /></em><br /><br />Whether Gil is “OK” about being the #2 guy in the Starting Rotation or not is of very little interest to me. The <strong>REAL</strong> question is whether Gil’s back is back. When a professional athlete looses his back, the rest of his body suffers. People run differently, and hurt their legs. Others throw differently, and hurt their arms.<br /><br />The end of Gil’s 2009 season ended early and was shut down because of “arm & shoulder strain”. If indeed his core strength training resulted in a healthy Gil Meche, I’d put our #1 & #2 combination against ANY other 1-2 combination in the Major Leagues.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-35187655029767065412010-02-09T00:22:00.000-06:002010-02-09T00:33:58.038-06:00Aaron Crow… I just Gotta Say ItI know that scouts are WAY smarter than I am, but this guy has hardly pitched at all in 2 years… and he’s rated as MLB.com’s 41st over-all best prospect in baseball? How did he earn that? Don’t get me wrong; I’d like to see him ranked high on ANYONE’S top prospect list… when he’s earned it. And so far, he hasn’t earned squat! I just have this gut feeling about Scott BoreAss’s clients who are talked into taking an entire year off from baseball (as it turns out essentially 2 years), before they have proven ANYTHING on the professional level.<br /><br /><em>Professional sports is a young man’s game. After a guy’s spent time in college… then holds out a year… the takes the whole summer to finally sign a professional contract… his developmental clock is ticking. That’s 2 years of development wasted… two years of lost professional athlete wages… two more years away from arbitration… two more years away from free agency. In a young man’s sport, there is a BIG difference between a 28 and a 30 year old free agent.</em><br /><br />There is a long list of “can’t miss” prospects who come out of high school or college… who DO miss. Maybe a guy like Luke Hochevar (another hold out “can’t miss” guy) will have a breakout season in 2010. Maybe Crow advances through the organization to be a prominent pitcher (like Luke didn’t). I’d love to see both of those things happen… but I’m not holding my breath.<br /><br />The REAL exiting thing will be watching how the four Royals on MLB.COM’s prospect list (Mike Moustakas-32, Will Myers-33, Crow-41 & Mike Montgomery-43) develop… in addition to guys like Jeff Bianchi, Eric Hosmer and Danny Duffy.<br /><br />I just hope we don’t get Jeff Austin-ed… again.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-67357390621711419582010-01-26T11:55:00.000-06:002010-01-26T12:57:04.278-06:00The Rick Ankiel ExperimentSo the Royals are trying to “Catch Lightening In A Bottle”… again. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea… it’s just a little redundant. I guess that is what happens when a team’s minor system isn’t pumping out solid prospects, and there isn’t a bottomless well to extract cash to BUY a contender.<br /><br />But, unlike guys like Juan Gone, Ankiel should be a positive influence on the team in the locker & on the field…even though Rick is apparently requesting to be the Center Fielder. I don’t like a player telling the team (manager) when and where he should play, but who else do we have that would be better suited? But I’ve read that our outfield would be Scott Podsednik in left field, Ankiel in center and David DeJesus in right field. DeJesus had a great defensive year in left field, last year. He cut balls off and made accurate throws to the infield, but he doesn’t have a right fielder’s arm. Neither does Scott. I’d rather see DDJ in left, Pod in center and Ankiel in right. Actually what I’d RATHER see is DDJ in left, Mitch Maier in center, Ankiel in right and Pod as the #4 outfielder (though Mitch in R & Rick in C would work for me).<br /><br />Anyway, I’ve also read that some fans don’t like the fact that Ankiel is “using” the Royals to give his career another kick-start. But that reminds me of a hot chick marrying a rich old man. Is she using him as a “Gold Digger”, or is he using her as a “Dirty Old Man”? The answer is, “YES!” It’s a win-win proposition (if it works). If Ankiel has a monster year the Royals will benefit on the field (ticket sales) for one year (possibly 2), then they can flip him for much needed high level prospects… in turn… he can go get his Bore-Ass deal when we’re done with him. THEN, some of our more highly touted recent draft picks may be ready to make their trip to The K.<br /><br />With a seemingly weak AL Central, maybe Rick Ankiel will prove to be a boost on an otherwise weak offensive and defensive team.<br /><br />Or Not!RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-20136330157506641872009-12-17T14:09:00.000-06:002009-12-17T14:30:19.673-06:00STILL (not) KICKING<span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span>I know this is supposed be my KC Royals blog, but I’ll probably not start back up until Spring Training.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span>Today, I’m posting something that I had written 11 years ago on the 30-year anniversary of when I acquired my disability.</span></p><s><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"></span></s><b><s><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span></s></b> </p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><s><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">THIRTY</span></s></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> 41 YEARS AND STILL (not) KICKING<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt">December 18, 1998 – </span></i><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt">(edited Dec. 2009)</span></i><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt">
<br /></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt">Today I celebrate <s>thirty</s> 41 years as a person with a disability. At the time of my automobile accident, I was a sixteen-year-old kid who certainly didn't want to work too hard in school, or think about the future. Like most kids, I really just wanted to have some fun. Then at the age of sixteen, the day after I got my driver's license, a mother's worst nightmare happened... I had a very serious automobile accident. I wasn't drinking... I wasn't driving fast... there wasn't another driver involved... no passenger distracted me... no pedestrian or animal that I had to dodge... there was just me, a slippery road and a very steep hill. But of course, it WAS the other guy's fault!</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Luckily, I was knocked out and don't remember anything about that evening... one week before Christmas.
<br />
<br />Three daze (days) later, I woke up in the middle of the night. It was dark. I couldn't move my head (didn't know I was in traction). Couldn't feel my legs, (let alone move them). I was confused, bewildered, terrified. I thought someone was torturing me. They had me tied down and wouldn't let me up. I didn't know who they were, or why they were doing this to me. I yelled for help. I screamed bloody murder. A nurse turned on the lights and I said that someone had me tied down and wouldn't let me move. She told me that I wasn't supposed to move... that I had a bad car accident and was in the hospital... that I was in traction so I wouldn't move and hurt myself even more... that I needed to stop yelling a waking up the other patients. I said, "Oh my God. Tell the other patients I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother anyone. I was just... a little... confused."
<br />
<br />I asked what I did to myself. The nurse said the doctor would talk to me about it in the morning... that I needed to just go back to sleep. But I was still confused... why couldn't she say what happened to me. I then realized that besides having no movement in my legs... I couldn't FEEL my legs... I just knew they were gone... amputated... they had me tied down so I couldn't see they were missing. The nurse assured me that they were still there. But I couldn't feel them... they must be missing. I said, (being from Missouri and all) "Oh yeah, SHOW me." So she lifted one of my legs to show me. I'll be damned, she's holding up one of my body parts... and I don't feel ANYTHING. I was shocked... confused... had MORE questions... was told to hold them for the doctor in the morning and she left.
<br />
<br />I had always been a "pronie"... I was very accident-prone... if something happened to one of us boys, it usually happened to me. I was laying there flat on my back. I tried to raise my arm in the air... and it fell back onto my face... I tried it again and it fell on my face, again... I tried it a third time with the same result... being rather quick to pick up on things... I decided to not try that again. I just laid there and said to myself, "Steve, I don't know what you did... but this time you really fucked up!"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">
<br /><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: windowtext; FONT-SIZE: 13pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span>The next day the doctor came in and told me that I had a skull fracture but more seriously I had a blood clot in my spine that had to be removed or it would have killed me. So I thought to myself... that's cool, I'm not dead and that is the reason why. I asked why I couldn't feel or move most of my body, and he told me that the blood clot (and the subsequent removal thereof) damaged my spinal cord. I thought to myself... the good news is that I'm not dead; the bad news is that I'm paralyzed... I didn't like this good news / bad news joke, at all.
<br />
<br />Before the doctor left, I asked if I would be back up on my feet in time to start training for football next year (as if I was a talented jock or something). He said that most likely I would never walk again... ever. So that was the end of my brief career as a tackling dummy. After everyone left I thought... for the first time in my life... gee, I wonder what the rest of my life will be like. I made a mental list of all the things I probably wouldn't be able to do anymore... then made a mental list of the things I probably COULD do... I decided the things that I could do were more important than the things that I couldn't do... I made a decision right then that, for the rest of my life, I had to focus on the things I could do and not worry about those I couldn't do. As time went on, there were things on the couldn't-do list that I figured out ways to do them... and a few things on the could-do list that didn't pan out. But after a while I misplaced these mental lists but kept the concept of not worrying about what I physically couldn't do, and instead focus on exploring different ways to do things.
<br />
<br />Thirty years. What a long strange trip its been. What have I accomplished... nothing special... but a lot more than some people may have expected. I got the feeling that people expected me to crawl into a corner... curl up and die. Suddenly, I was "special". People acted like I was Wyatt Earp... you know... the old TV western. The theme song was: Wyatt Earp. Wyatt Earp. Brave, Courageous and Bold. And why? Because I didn't fold my hand... I have played the cards dealt to me.
<br />
<br />I've never been the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I have learned to work hard with the tools I have. I caught up with my class in school after living 6 months in three hospitals. I completed a goal I had before my accident of earning my Eagle Scout Award. My service project was a life long endeavor to teach others that a person with a disability can (and should) be just like everyone else. I was the first person in a wheelchair to graduate from my high school. I went to college and graduated with a three-point average (not bad for a quad who also has a perceptual problem). I was the first person in a wheelchair to graduate from my college with a four-year degree. I was stunned when everyone, including people who didn't even know me, gave me a standing ovation on graduation day. When it happened in high school, I understood that all these kids knew me before I acquired this disability and they were proud of me. When it happened in college, I became very cynical. Was it so far fetched to think that a person with a disability could be successful? Why is it that when others do something its expected of them… but when I do, its so astounding that I can?
<br />
<br />To this day, I try to preach that I am many things... a man... a sports fan... a husband... a dad... a sexual human being... a friend... a voter... a driver... a consumer... a bowler... a wanna-be comedian... a pain in the ass... a dirty old man... and... a person with a disability. Having this thing called disability is but one part of me.
<br />
<br />Please celebrate life with me on the <s>thirty</s> 41-year anniversary of the day I acquired this thing called disability.
<br /></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">
<br /><i>-- </i></span><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Steven A Hurst</span></i>
<br /></span>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-23717080720314913812009-09-09T15:36:00.000-05:002009-09-09T15:43:15.768-05:00Watching Billy Butler...... is like watching a little leaguer play. When he gets a big hit, he's like"Wow, see what I did!"<br /><br />It's fun to see.<br /><br />Now, when he isn't getting those big hits, he'a poutty faced.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-81390687582940963832009-07-28T18:11:00.000-05:002009-07-28T18:13:19.438-05:00Now Pitching For The Royals… Tony Pena. Jr.<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mlofpq">http://tinyurl.com/mlofpq</a><br /><br />So, Tony Pena, Jr. is heading to AZ… Surprise! He’s converting into a pitcher. All I can say is, go for it. He’d need to know how to operate a bat to be a position player (even a Short Stop)… and he hasn’t been able to accomplish that task. He has a strong arm, so that should help.<br /><br />TJ does have a pretty good career pitching line:<br />1 I, 0 R, 1 SO, 0 BB… here’s the video: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/kspnvm">http://tinyurl.com/kspnvm</a><br /><br />TJ also seems to be a good kid, so I like keeping him in the organization. The only other way to keep him is to make him Zack Greinke’s & Brian Bannister’s valet Short Stop… DH the SS spot… and let the pitchers hit. I don’t think even Tony LaRussa would do that!RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-91379164069816236892009-03-29T17:49:00.000-05:002009-03-29T17:57:18.853-05:00People with disabilities will find the new Kauffman Stadium far friendlier<a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1111886.html">People with disabilities will find the new Kauffman Stadium far friendlier</a><br /><div><br /><div></div><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1111886.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318747144904445058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNOIrnwZ3YhZ93qrRmEnFwBBE6elvzmHJ5TA4ksGnCz_bdZMF5Gn4u6h4IvDXdxp4b7G9snoy0ymkGIuW5Uge1X28bh1CWBP3a0zRHDCQNdpCTWlTMAVAsIoWUQh1Jayo965TfMYDoB8/s320/Access.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><br />Forty years ago, when I acquired my disability, there were <strong><em>NO</em></strong> equal rights laws for people with disabilities. I was young, skinny & used a manual wheelchair and ready willing & able to be lifted, bounced & banged up steps, curbs & steep inclines.<br /><br />Since then I’ve seen (& have been involved in) the passage of: <em>Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act</em>, <em>Individuals with Disabilities Education Act</em> (IDEA), Amendments to <em>National Transportation & Safety Board</em> regulations, Amendments to the <em>Fair Housing Act</em>, as well as the passage of the <em>Americans with Disabilities Act</em> (ADA).<br /><br /><strong><em>Now</em></strong>, I don’t do steps… nor do I “go in the back door” at restaurants (which needs to ramped so they can get their kegs of beer in). So when we (Jackson County residents) passed the bonds to renovate The K, I was excited to see how they would include integrated seating in the retro-fit and new seating configurations.<br /><br />I sent several emails to Royals inquiring about accessible seating and their only reply was to send me a <a href="http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/ballpark/kc_ballpark_seating.jsp">Seating & Pricing</a> link, which I already knew how to navigate to. That bothered me on two fronts. First of all, they didn’t directly answer my question, nor route me to someone who COULD. So, I was kind of worried that my issues weren’t being addressed.<br /><br />My other problem has to do with the fact that I can’t order accessible tickets online… they always make me send an email that they may or may not respond to in a timely manner… but I’ll go deeper into this issue in another blog-post.<br /><br />Anyway, I know and trust some of the people sited in the KC Star article and mostly just wish I had been involved in the process… jealousy is an ugly thing. (insert emotion)<br /><br />So when I go to The K, I’ll know who to bitch to if I see accessibility issues.<br /><br />Side note… this article includes proper terminology when referring to people with disabilities. It’s not that hard to get it right, but not done well on a consistent basis… kudos KC Star!</div></div>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-75682659144490402772009-03-28T13:54:00.000-05:002009-03-28T14:02:15.259-05:00Sheridan's Signature Store<div>Kauffman Stadium will feature the only frozen custard parlor in a professional sports venue (<a class="__feedview__feedItemReadTitleLink" href="http://royals.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/03/sheridans_signature_store.html">Sheridan's Signature Store</a>).</div><br /><div>Sheridan's Signature Store in the Outfield Experience will feature the famous "Dirt and Worms" concrete, Royal Turtle sundaes, gourmet hot chocolate, smoothies, fresh-baked cookies and more. The Sheridan's Signature Store at Kauffman Stadium will operate on the same hours as the Outfield Experience. </div><div><br />Sheridan's will be easy to spot --- here's a sneak peek at a six-foot frozen custard cone that will be outside the store!</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318315476413007362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrFSQiaAQ2ZBmxe878nuZz4Cno20HLw7dvrTURAqkYGq87UChmwMbAaxlGHSUTyK8Y4zkRT5p1icXwcSXT3rUU-AHP1GUsk1n8h55FnT5Ux61xRc7_wyRNe309oBZjUUefMhV1h0h2xc/s320/Sheridan's+Cone.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div><em>The Buddha Gut will haveta check this one out on a hot day at The K!</em></div>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-65270810172547383222009-03-27T21:41:00.000-05:002009-03-27T21:45:11.738-05:00Friday RLBLUE Report – 3/27/09<a href="http://royals.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/03/dri_duck_fountain_seats.html">DRI DUCK Fountain Seats</a><br /><br />We’re getting General Admission back… Yeah! With all the high end seating additions at The K, I was glad to see some aimed at people like me. I could save up and go to a game or two at the higher priced seats, or go several times. I just need to remember to bring a plastic bag to cover joystick control box. If the wind is blowing just right (wrong?), I could see fans getting a little wet (On a fishing trip in WI a couple years ago, I sat out in the rain catching some nice small-mouth bass and the controller shorted out… this fat old man doesn’t like to have people push his chair around!). I don’t know how many people this area seats but “The first 100 fans arriving at these seats each game receive a special edition Royals cap made exclusively by DRI DUCK. The featured cap design will change for every homestand.”<br /><br /><a href="http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/ticketing/4pack.jsp">The Bob Evans Bases Loaded 4-Pack</a> sounds good, too. “Get four (4) View Level Infield tickets and $10 of loaded value per ticket for concessions and merchandise - over a $100 value - all for just $60!”<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090326&content_id=4072846&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc&partnerId=rss_kc">Ponson has ups and downs in debut</a><br /><br />Sir Sid did well for 5 innings… then lost it. He seems to have been an OK pick-up. I wouldn’t mind seeing a starting rotation of Meche, Greinke, and Davies, with Hochevar & Ponson in the final two spots. Bannister can go to Omaha to find his consistency, like he did in ’07.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20090326&content_id=4070336&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc&partnerId=rss_kc">Aviles has big day for Royals</a> <br /> <br />Looks like Aviles is heating up, now that he’s back from the WBC & getting consistent AB’s. We need a good offensive showing from him this year. It just concerns me a little to have both middle infielders being big O little D players (assuming Teabag wins 2B).<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1109157.html">Royals' Olivo content as the starting catcher </a><br /><br />Miggy certainly made it clear enough late last year that he wasn’t happy being the number 2 catcher for the Royals. He got the lion’s share of the playing time behind the plate in September. I like the way Buck is hitting this spring. If Bryan Pena can pass through waivers at the end of ST… and… if both Olivo & Buck hit well in the first half of the season… maybe… we can turn one of these guys into some good prospects near the trading dead-line. That’s a lot of if’s… so we’ll see.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-49851743247549127982009-03-18T15:54:00.000-05:002009-03-18T16:09:43.839-05:00One Sign Of A Good Team...... is that there are some ML capable players in Spring Training who will NOT make the club. If that is true, maybe the Royals WILL be a contender this year. Wednesday (3/18/09), the club <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">announced</span> that they released <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090318&content_id=4012684&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc&partnerId=rss_kc">Jimmy Gobble</a>. OK, so last year he was horrible against right handed hitters... but what do you expect from a lefty specialist?<br /><br />No <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">whining</span> about how poorly he was used in 2008, he's gone now... we move on.<br /><br />I say. "Bye, Jimmy. Good luck. Hope we don't get to see ya soon."RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-11325512206782582002009-03-17T21:59:00.000-05:002009-03-17T22:05:59.787-05:00No Way, TJOK... so my TJ canpaign is over.<br /><br />If he clears waivers... goes to Omaha & turns things around offensively, MAYBE he gets another shot in KC. I'm not holding my breath. Too bad... I like speed & D... not sure why I'm skeptical about Bloomer-boy.<br /><br />Oh well, time to move on to other fun shtuff.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-4760607018298295422009-02-24T13:08:00.000-06:002009-02-24T13:19:34.340-06:00Tony Pena, Jr. Should Be Our SS<div align="left">I know many people would like to sweep TJ under the rug… but I don’t.<br /><br />The man carries a gold glove onto the field. He has the range that could help make the left side of the infield awesome. With his absence last year, Alex Gordon had to range WAY to his left to fill in the hole between third base & Short Stop. With TJ in there, Gordon could set-up closer to the line (taking away doubles down the line) and letting TJ range far to his right & gun down runners (even on his knees). The improved defense would boost our already great pitching.<br /><br />With his <a href="http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090223&content_id=3869968&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc">new eyes </a>, he can now see the ball & have better pitch recognition. It IS true that you can’t hit what you can’t see. George Brett had 20/10 vision during his playing career, and that gave him such an advantage over other players. TJ will never resemble Brett at the plate, but he showed great improvement in winter ball, after he had Lasik (AVE .275, OBP .347.). Once on base, TJ gives us very good base running speed.<br /><br />The big question is whether TJ will get a true shot during Spring Training… Trey Hillman says he’ll get his opportunities… time will tell. A great spring by TJ will give MTH & GMDM more roster options. Mike Aviles can move over to his natural position at second base. Mark Teahen, Esteban German, Alberto Callaspo and Willie Bloomquist can fight out the back-up roles.<br /><br />I’d REALLY hate to see Tony Pena, Jr. go elsewhere to become an All-Star Gold Glove SS.<br /><br />Let The Flames Begin.</div>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-63123846458126960942009-02-17T10:40:00.000-06:002009-02-17T10:46:19.799-06:00Bob Kaegel & Dick DuttonIs it just me, or does anyone else think these 2 clones arrive at the ST complex (or ballparks during the regular season) and say, "Who are you interviewing today... Wow, that sounds good, mind if I tag along?"<br /><br />I understand that there are group interviews & everyone basically gets the same sound bites, etc., but I also know that there are 64 players on the spring roster & all the regular & extra coaches & spare parts players (like the minor leaguers needed for "live" batting practice before Wednesday).<br /><br />I guess I should just remind myself that this is not like "real" journalism where getting your OWN story is important. These two guys are just a couple old beat writers beaten down by many long (& loosing) seasons.<br /><br />02/16/09 5:44 PM EST<br /><strong>Silent authority of Meche inspires KC</strong><br /><em>Right-hander has become quiet leader in Royals' clubhouse</em><br />By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com<br /><a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=....artnerId=rss_kc" target="_blank">http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=....artnerId=rss_kc</a><br /><br />Posted on Mon, Feb. 16, 2009 10:15 PM<br /><strong>Meche believes in this Royals team</strong><br />By BOB DUTTONThe Kansas City Star<br /><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1037880.html" target="_blank">http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1037880.html</a>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-41747226449635063272009-02-16T14:52:00.000-06:002009-02-16T14:57:27.424-06:00How Are We Going To Do This Year?Some of the moves made by the Royals during the off-season are ones that Daytona Moore had the do to rev up our offense. The additions of Jacobs & Crisp will help to that end. We’ll miss Noonie & Ho Ram, but ya gotta give up talent to obtain talent in trades.<br /><br />Moore has said that he’d give up offense up the middle for defense, but the corners have to be power guys. Teahen doesn’t fit into this prototype corner-fielder. So the great Teahen @ 2B experiment of 09 will be underway this spring / summer. Funny, but I still have a gut feeling that TJ just MIGHT have a shot at winning back SS (moving Aviles to 2B)… or not.<br /><br />Anyway, I believe our offense will be improved (tho Gordon & Butler HAVE to become MEN for that to fully come true). Our pitching should prove to be a force.<br /><br />So my fearless projection for the 2009 Royals is 90 wins… with the beginning of several post-season appearances in the next decade.<br /><br />HEY… it could happen!RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-47586457928037003952008-09-28T17:17:00.000-05:002008-09-28T17:45:03.044-05:00Not 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.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I thought wrong.</div><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>For what it's worth...</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251204769661466018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="239" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6XJs6jjjDP-dVYC-sjUJqJ_zY6gs-Gsu3xCEpA2nrecvlUXMPmu60aeVX572gAPVQVxJuI-6jFVHVIN9u_1zrgpvaxJ6BVKWVaBEr0Zz0p21FD-W7_6qRM1jk1-4meTRyuaVi6hBwvJg/s320/BB+-+2.jpg" width="175" border="0" /> <div align="center"><em>Billy won with 11...</em></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251204953072157826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="220" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr5XOwyslWqKj-_Vpur0hgERRiANnYjn4BnWTEeoHO7ac-wB8qcsz7O0qtbLpZXZDoe-Qcqz8vizc8ownlTsbYlv-3jimbt9gxtww_hiLMiJRnOUeHT7lepRX8rZyM60hwNf-NyEGHNU/s320/Aviles+2.jpg" width="252" border="0" /> <div align="center"><em>one more than Mike who hit 10.</em></div><br /><div></div><div>As a team, the Royals ranked way down in the league with total Home Runs... however... 7 players ended the season in double digits.</div><br />Something to build on... that's my spin!<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!</span></em></strong></div>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-63552586936022493932008-09-15T20:54:00.000-05:002008-09-15T21:17:07.461-05:00The Last Home Stand Of 2008During this last home stand for the Royals, I’ll be out at <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">The K</span></strong> 3 times, <em>at least</em>!<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Getting “STUFF” seems to be a driving force in my family’s (read son’s) desire to go to a game.<br /><br />This home stand is a great example. Tuesday night is “T-shirt <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8hFUHpKuX7QRDux-KTazehj7hTKDlF8LxP6sNzifCuOzDYMKCjivuh237gMIedu3GCpDpFEd5XzW5fu-GE1C-19NcpjW3RJbn_mjWL9LMtund-HEUbMQi8k0wbCNEQLTXYjHGHTuYIM/s1600-h/Long+Sleeve+T.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246433179047900962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" height="130" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8hFUHpKuX7QRDux-KTazehj7hTKDlF8LxP6sNzifCuOzDYMKCjivuh237gMIedu3GCpDpFEd5XzW5fu-GE1C-19NcpjW3RJbn_mjWL9LMtund-HEUbMQi8k0wbCNEQLTXYjHGHTuYIM/s320/Long+Sleeve+T.jpg" width="156" border="0" /></a>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).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qoMF0uUTpedJwj0EdXowSTekf4KoAjjAblSTWuh0TdiyAeVv7jQtFRQhzzraksc2SKSASmpeKtl2cVhfQZt_TGRa6OgbDodpjv8hHXcJE7275Kurd1GNVFgfhjNQr57B5bsGJF9bTJQ/s1600-h/Half+Way+2+St+Paddy%27s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246435678756198642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" height="131" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qoMF0uUTpedJwj0EdXowSTekf4KoAjjAblSTWuh0TdiyAeVv7jQtFRQhzzraksc2SKSASmpeKtl2cVhfQZt_TGRa6OgbDodpjv8hHXcJE7275Kurd1GNVFgfhjNQr57B5bsGJF9bTJQ/s320/Half+Way+2+St+Paddy%27s.jpg" width="179" border="0" /></a><br />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!<br /><br />I was thinking about going out on Saturday (take the bus & go ou<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4xlxvrKokMUGtUlVuQIpUeVa2IjAuDXBl-b3W7vmSn3aflWsdYxkAx8x0GIhzGSMISgcgOM5nmgvz3FsK5UyomEg2lTYuAIsh8E4s3rEXaa5nEpephMuH9LLDu2U6FgHCK0oqv3xbgA/s1600-h/Stocking+Cap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246436748081912850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="123" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4xlxvrKokMUGtUlVuQIpUeVa2IjAuDXBl-b3W7vmSn3aflWsdYxkAx8x0GIhzGSMISgcgOM5nmgvz3FsK5UyomEg2lTYuAIsh8E4s3rEXaa5nEpephMuH9LLDu2U6FgHCK0oqv3xbgA/s320/Stocking+Cap.jpg" width="154" border="0" /></a>t 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!!<br /><br />Now, the last home game of the season… we’ll see.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-15879844221883633532008-09-03T21:06:00.000-05:002008-09-03T21:21:18.410-05:00OOPS, 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!!<br /><a href="http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809023407925&c_id=kc">http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809023407925&c_id=kc</a><br /><br />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 <strong><em>I</em></strong> 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.<br /><br />So I am.RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643861590382524904.post-40730443038932006792008-08-31T21:26:00.000-05:002008-08-31T21:43:36.654-05:00OK... 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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">... It's A Jungle Out There ...</div>RLBLUEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017926260409643995noreply@blogger.com0