Saturday, March 28, 2009

Sheridan's Signature Store

Kauffman Stadium will feature the only frozen custard parlor in a professional sports venue (Sheridan's Signature Store).

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.

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!

The Buddha Gut will haveta check this one out on a hot day at The K!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday RLBLUE Report – 3/27/09

DRI DUCK Fountain Seats

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.”

The Bob Evans Bases Loaded 4-Pack 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!”


Ponson has ups and downs in debut

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.


Aviles has big day for Royals

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).


Royals' Olivo content as the starting catcher

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.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

One 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 announced that they released Jimmy Gobble. OK, so last year he was horrible against right handed hitters... but what do you expect from a lefty specialist?

No whining about how poorly he was used in 2008, he's gone now... we move on.

I say. "Bye, Jimmy. Good luck. Hope we don't get to see ya soon."

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

No Way, TJ

OK... so my TJ canpaign is over.

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.

Oh well, time to move on to other fun shtuff.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tony Pena, Jr. Should Be Our SS

I know many people would like to sweep TJ under the rug… but I don’t.

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.

With his new eyes , 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.

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.

I’d REALLY hate to see Tony Pena, Jr. go elsewhere to become an All-Star Gold Glove SS.

Let The Flames Begin.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bob Kaegel & Dick Dutton

Is 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?"

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).

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.

02/16/09 5:44 PM EST
Silent authority of Meche inspires KC
Right-hander has become quiet leader in Royals' clubhouse
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=....artnerId=rss_kc

Posted on Mon, Feb. 16, 2009 10:15 PM
Meche believes in this Royals team
By BOB DUTTONThe Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1037880.html

Monday, February 16, 2009

How 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.

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.

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.

So my fearless projection for the 2009 Royals is 90 wins… with the beginning of several post-season appearances in the next decade.

HEY… it could happen!