Royal rememberances

Since the Royals had yesterday off (Salvy gets some rest!), there are no new statistics to marvel at so today I wanted to take a look at, drumroll please… former Royals!  Billy Butler is coming to KC this weekend to celebrate his birthday and get his AL Championship ring with his red hot Oakland A’s, so I wanted to see how some of the former players for KC are doing. By the way, I had no criteria for who I decided to look up. I just randomly selected some former Royals of interest from the past few years. 

To start, I will begin with one of the greatest players KC ever had, and the person all of baseball celebrates today: Jackie Robinson.

For those of you that did not know, the 1947 Rookie of the Year and 1949 MVP who died in 1972, was given a contract to play for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. In 1945, he played 47 games at shortstop for KC and appeared in the All-Star game. His wife is still alive today. 

Billy Butler is third on the A’s with 6 RBI’s, a .371 batting average, a .543 slugging percentage, and is second on the team with 3 bases on balls. He does lead the team with 13 hits and is tied for the lead with 1 home run, although he also leads them with grounded into 3 double plays. In comparison, Kendrys Morales has 2 home runs, 5 bases on balls, a .724 slugging percentage, and 0 double plays grounded into. It is a small sample size but I currently prefer Morales. 

James Shields, who brought swagger and confidence in the trade that shocked the world in 2012, now pitches for the San Diego Padres. After two starts, he has thrown 13 innings, given up 9 hits and 3 earned runs (including 2 home runs), with 15 strikeouts, all of which currently rank in the top 10 among starting pitchers in the National League.

Wil Myers, once thought to be the Royals superstar of the future, now also plays for the Padres and has 10 hits and has scored 7 runs in 9 games playing right field. I wonder if Shields and Myers are friends.

Ervin Santana, who signed with the Twins this offseason, was suspended for 80 games in 2015 after testing positive for steroids. He was projected as the Twins #2 starter this season. Oops. Last season he had a 3.95 ERA in 31 games, pitching 196 innings and allowing only 16 home runs, while compiling 179 strikeouts for the Atlanta Braves. What a waste.

Johnny Giavotella, who was also supposed to be a star for the Royals, was announced the starting second basement for the Angels after Spring Training, and is currently batting .273 with 6 hits (all singles). In comparison, Omar Infante is batting .179 with 5 hits (all singles), although he is riding a 5-game hitting streak.  Infante has battled injuries in his short time with KC, and right now, it is a toss-up regarding who I would rather have between these two playing second base for the Royals.

Bruce Chen, who has played for 10 teams in the MLB in his career, is currently on the Cleveland Indians AAA team Columbus Clippers. He has a 0.75 ERA in 2 games, giving up only a solo home run in 12 innings. He is not on the Indians 40-man roster so I doubt he ever plays in the MLB again. 

David Lough, who was traded to the Orioles before last season to provide third base depth for Mike Moustakas, has been on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, and will likely serve as a fourth outfielder for the Orioles. 

Nori Aoki, who provided lots of entertainment in the form of baseballs to the crotch last season, currently plays right field for the Giants (what a traitor – doesn’t he know that the Giants cannot win a championship in odd numbered years?!?) and is hitting .405 with 15 hits and 2 stolen bases. His replacement, Alex Rios, was batting .321 with 9 hits, 8 RBI’s and 2 stolen bases before being placed on the disabled list after breaking a finger on Monday. 

It is fun to look back at the years those players had for KC, although I think the Royals are in a better place now. And since the Royals have been hit by 12 pitches this year, I think the only retaliation should be sweeping everybody. Good luck to Dem Roys tonight!

The Fantastic 4%

I normally don’t make two posts on this blog in one day, but I have been slacking off lately because I AM TOO BUSY WATCHING THE ROYALS WIN. Being undefeated will do that to a fan, so please pardon my laziness if you are one of the few fine folks who reads my words of Royals wisdom.

I have noticed a trend of growing Royals excitement on twitter and facebook the past 6 months or so, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to put out creative new ways to express my love for the team, while at the same time being able to provide meaningful statistics that I think are helpful for enjoying the beautiful game of baseball. My goal when I started this blog was simply to get a lot of thoughts out of my head so my wife didn’t have to sit and listen to my ranting, and also because I am fascinated with the statistics side of this sport and I wanted to share that fascination with anyone who bothered to read my writing. And that is exactly what I intend to do in this post. 

Earlier today, I shared my friend Kevin’s words about luck for all the Royals haters out there, and in this current post, I wanted to highlight some interesting statistics from the 7 games that the Royals have played so far. It is only 4% of the season, but what a fantastic 4%  (not to be confused with the Fantastic KC Four below) it has been!

First and foremost, the Royals remain without a loss for their second-best start in team history. Their best start was in 2003 when they went 9-0 (and got all the way to 16-3), before ultimately choking away a chance at the playoffs. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen this year!

Second, the Royals are crushing the ball and have hit at least one home run in every single game this season. Their 10 home runs are second most in baseball (and more than the stupid Tigers have hit). Please watch this video of Kendrys Morales’ second home run of the season. It was massive. The Royals also lead all of baseball with a .532 slugging percent (suck it Detroit) and have scored the most runs in the league, including scoring at least 4 runs in every single game. If you recall last year, the Royals magic number seemed to be 4 as they won almost every game when they scored that many runs. Same thing this year, and they also have 2 games with at least 10 runs. 

Third, the Royals are getting on base in 40% of their at-bats (second-best in the MLB) and they are doing so from 83 hits (third most in MLB), 20 bases on balls (18th most in MLB), AND 12 HIT BY PITCHES. Yes, they have been hit by 12 pitches, including 4 each by Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas. I guess opposing teams hate the Royals now, and outside of Alex Rios needing an x-ray for his hand after getting hit yesterday, I will take those 12 free bases.

Fourth, the team has the fifth lowest ERA in baseball (2.57) and allow the fewest walks and hits per inning (0.86), have the second-most saves (4), have given up the fourth fewest earned runs (18), and have given up the fewest bases on balls (10). The pitchers are all benefiting from the fantastic defense behind them: As defensive wizards, the Royals are tied for fewest errors in all of baseball with only 1. Salvy Perez has thrown out all 3 players who have tried to steal a base on him. Don't run on Sheriff Sal. When are teams going to learn?

Sheriff Sal - don't get caught trying to steal!

 This team is so incredibly exciting to watch right now that if you haven’t tuned in to a game yet, you are missing out. The Royals have a few more games in Minnesota this week, then they head back to KC to welcome Billy Butler to town. Please get me one of the AL Champion replica trophies that they are giving out on Saturday. I will pay you back with many more blog posts about the Royals, k?

Luck

“Luck is a big word that is used, and we see it all the time in society and in life.” Rex Hudler 

Royals fans should be well-acquainted with the odd sayings and mannerisms from Rex Hudler, their TV color commentator. Although there are people who compile a list of the odd things Hudler says, I think his description of the word luck above is pretty spot-on. Luck is a word that, prior to the Royals’ absolute demolishment of the Twins yesterday, many folks were using to describe the Royals start to 2015, as well as their World Series run in 2014. Seems that some people felt that the little old Royals, everyone’s favorite punching bag for the 29 years prior to 2014, were just a bunch of lucky ducks.

Well guess what idiots? That ain’t no luck. The Royals are playing phenomenal baseball and my pal Kevin, who has provided a guest post here, has a few words about luck he wanted to share with you all:

I guess the best way to introduce what I want to write about is the obligatory rhetorical question. What is luck? Is it an amazing extra-inning win against the A’s? Is it the ability to go on a 8-game winning streak in October? Many ‘experts’ in baseball believe the Royals had luck last year. These self proclaimed gurus of baseball explained the Royals’ 2014 season as luck. For this reason, many ‘experts’ have picked the boys in blue to finish fourth in the AL Central. I have even heard the opinion that the Indians will win the central, Detroit in second, the White Sox in third, the Royals fourth and the Twinkies bringing up the rear in fifth. The thought of this is laughable because of the reasoning the Royals were lucky last year.

To me, luck is human error in your favor. If you think about this definition you will realize its truth resides in its simplicity. Luck is something that is out of your control. Luck is something that happens to go in your favor. In baseball, luck happens when an umpire blows a call in your teams favor. There are many scenarios in baseball where a close call or blown call by an umpire can swing a game in your favor. This could be a close call on a steal of second that goes in your favor, and the follow-up hit brings in the winning run. As you ponder the many scenarios that can bring luck to your team, remember luck no longer exists in baseball.

The adoption of instant replay in baseball has killed luck. No longer can an umpire’s missed call bring game changing luck to a team. Manager’s now reserve the right to question a call, and stop game changing momentum. With this in mind, it is ludicrous to think that the Royals’ history making 8-game winning streak in October can be attributed to luck. ‘Experts’ refuse to acknowledge the evolution of baseball the Royals are ushering in with the three-headed monster (Herrera-Davis-Holland) to finish games after the sixth inning. Instead, they are stuck in the steroid era of baseball where cheaters like A-Roid and McGwire set records. ’Experts’ would rather criticize the Royals lack of home runs rather than recognize the talents of a great team. Instead of appreciating a solid starting rotation and league leading speed that brings steals, the ‘experts’ are fixed on power numbers. The tunnel visioned opinion of ‘experts’ should be the fuel for the Royals’ fans. Let their astigmatic opinions be the fuel that ignites our mantra; “Be Loyal, Be Royal.” #KCPride

Go Roys Go

Ahhhh it’s Friday. The Royals just swept the White Sox. Spring has sprung. The Royals have not yet lost a game. We do not have to think about freezing temperatures again for another 7 months. AND THE ROYALS ARE UNDEFEATED. I do not think I can stress enough that the Royals have won all of their games. Here is a quick look at some stats so far:

• Royals have the highest batting average, OPS and most RBI’s in the MLB
• Royals have second most home runs, total runs scored, stolen bases, and on-base percentage
• Royals have the fewest strikeouts in all of baseball
• Royals are one of only 5 undefeated teams left, only 2 of which are in the AL
• The 2003 Detroit Tigers were the worst team in the history of the AL. This is relevant only because I hate them and you should too. Even Justin Verlander thinks Detroit sucks...

 So basically, the Royals have been doing work so far in 2015, which is deserving of some song and praise. If you have ever been to Wrigley Field in Chicago and were able to see the rare Cubs win, you are familiar with the song they play at the end of the game. The main chorus goes like this:

“Go Cubs go, go Cubs go-oooh, Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are gonna win today”

Since the Royals have been winning so much lately, I think they need a similar song, and borrowing from the Cubs, I wrote one below. Please feel free to add music, copyright it in my name, then sell it to the Royals for a million bucks so I can retire. 

“Go Roys Go” 

Kansas City, the Boys in Blue,

Better watch out, they’re coming for you.

Hey Kansas City, what do you say,

The Royals are gonna win today.

They’re singing Go Roys go, Go Roys go,

Hey Kansas City, what do you say,

Dem Roys are gonna win today.

They got Moose and Hosmer, best in the League,

Dyson and Cain will burn you with speed,

AL Champions in 2014

Aint gonna stop ‘til they win the World Series

We’re singing now Go Roys Go, Go Roys Go,

Hey Kansas City what do you say,

The Royals are gonna win today

Everyone better come down to The K,

Watch Greg Holland get another save,

“Let’s Go Royals” everybody chants,

Cuz Kansas City has the GREATEST FANS

Let’s sing it, Go Roys Go, Go Roys Go,

Hey Kansas City, what do you say,

THE ROYALS ARE GONNA WIN AGAIN TODAY

Make sure you tune in tonight as the Royals take on the Los Angeles Mike Trouts. After sweeping them in the ALDS last year, we basically own them now, and it would be fun to see us give them another spanking. 

My Second Opening Day

Believe it or not, today marks only the second MLB Opening Day I will have ever attended, despite my lifelong baseball fandom. I will be watching the Astros face the Cleveland Indians in Houston although my heart will be in Kansas City. I wish I could see the Royals get the AL Championship rings!!!

My first Opening Day occurred when I was a junior in high school in 1999. That team included players such as Kevin Appier, Jeff Mongomery, Joe Randa, and the formidable outfield trio of Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Dye. Unfortunately, that team finished with a 64-97 record and Kevin Appier was traded on the trade deadline. But I had a great time that Opening Day, skipping out of school at lunchtime and heading up 40 highway to the back entrance of the Truman Sports Complex. We played a little catch in the parking lot then headed into The K, where my friends’ dad bought a bratwurst smothered in sauerkraut and mustard literally as soon as he walked in the gates. This was new to me as I had never eaten a brat before (I was 17 yrs old, give me a break), but he let me have a bite and OMG that is what Opening Day is about – brats and baseball. I don’t remember what happened that game; however, I do recall that I did not miss a single day of school that year but I was not rewarded for perfect attendance because of missing that half-day on Opening Day. IT WAS WORTH IT. 

Today, I will have a chance to relive that beautiful memory as my wife and I will head to Minute Maid Park in eastern downtown Houston this afternoon to see the 2014 Gold Glove pitcher Dallas Keuchel face off against the 2014 AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. I cannot wait. I might have to buy a brat smothered in kraut and mustard!

In other news, I got to see my beloved Royals finish their Spring Training with a second exhibition game here in Houston this past Saturday. We arrived early so my wife could get some autographs. On Friday, it was Lorenzo Cain who was signing for everyone, and Saturday it was Eric Hosmer. He signed a jersey for her, and then we also got Alcides Escobar and Omar Infante to sign it. 

Eric Hosmer signing autographs

We also got a chance to try the Astros new chicken and waffle cone (pic below), which consisted of a waffle cone filled with mashed potatoes and popcorn chicken, with honey mustard and chives drizzled over everything. It was so amazing that my wife and I decided to make our own chicken and waffle cones at home later that night. 

There weren't many fans at the game as you can see in the pics below, but there was plenty of Royal blue!

Sure are lots of fans there!

Beautiful view from right center field

The game itself was very laid-back. Jason Vargas pitched great in a short outing for the Royals, then all of the younger guys who will start the season in the minors came out. The Astros struck first in the 5th inning and it was 1-0 until Alex Gordon grounded out scoring Whit Merrifield. The Royals scored 2 more small ball runs when the Astros made a fielder’s choice and then later their prize prospect Carlos Correa dropped an easy out and fired the ball into the stands behind first base. Kind of scary. Later the Astros had a chance to score but their runner got caught in a rundown. It was nice to see the Royals win both games in Houston, but it was also sad because we may not get to see them in person again for a few months. 

Vargy!

For all of you in KC, Hy-Vee is offering AL Championship flags for $10 today until they run out. I would like 2 please. Shoot me an email for my home address, and enjoy your Opening Day! Let's go Royals!!!!!

These ‘Stros ain’t Royal

Last night the Royals dismantled the Astros and their new bullpen and it was one of the most wonderful nights I have ever witnessed as a baseball fan. Even though the game was a meaningless exhibition, I thought I would provide a recap for anyone who needs a baseball fix this glorious Easter weekend.

To start, my wife and I arrived early to watch batting practice and see our beloved Royals up close. Lorenzo Cain was the star as he willingly signed autographs for anyone and everyone. And there were a ton of Royals fans mingling by the Royals dugout and throughout the stadium. It almost felt like pre-game at The K.

We also watched the pitchers shagging fly balls during BP. Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas were in left field and seemed to be taking it seriously. The ridiculous quintuple-headed cyborg consisting of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, Greg Holland, Jason Frasor and Luke Hochevar was in center field and they were all chatting, presumably about how many batters they would allow to reach base before flashing them some mid-90’s fastball or wicked slider and crush any dreams the Astros would have of scoring a run (more on that later).

A hitter's nightmare is facing any of these guys... 

The game featured new Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez versus Scott Feldman. It was my first look at Volquez since I was not able to watch any spring training games. Although he was not signed to replace James Shields, Volquez did remind me of Shields a little bit. In 2014, Shields had a habit of starting games slowly, allowing a run or two in the first couple innings before settling down and shutting the other team down the rest of the game. Volquez was the same, allowing the first two batters to reach base before settling in and striking out 7 batters and allowing 0 runs in his short 4 innings.

Volquez and Scott Feldman chatting before the game

The Royals hitters were displaying their usual lack of patience at the plate and at this point, my wife and I were hungry, so we tried some fried pickles with jalapeno ranch. They were the second most amazing fried pickles I have ever eaten, with the most amazing coming from So Long Saloon in Manhattan, KS. All you Kansas City folks need to get down to Aggieville and try those if you haven’t.

The pickles only whetted our appetite more, so we decided to look for the new Chicken and Waffle Cone the Astros revealed was on their menu. Along with the chicken and waffle cone, they also offered brisket fries which sounded better so we tried those. OMG those reminded me of KC barbeque- smoky and full of flavor. At this point, we decided to buckle in and watch the rest of the game, so we found some seats behind the Royals dugout with the score tied at 0.

Brisket fries, a reminder of KC

The score didn’t hold up long as the Royals strung together some small ball and Alcides Escobar drove in a run. Then Cain brought Moose home and it was 2-0, which would remain the score until the 8th inning when Eric Hosmer hit a screaming opposite field home run that left the field in just milliseconds, which was immediately followed by Brett Eibner absolutely mashing the ball over left center. EIbner has an OPS of 2.5000 which is practically inhuman. What a beast; he has 6 home runs this spring.

Around the same time, the Royals brought out Jason Frasor, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis. I had to laugh because the Astros hitters didn’t have a chance. And none of the pitchers were throwing full heat! I think Davis allowed runners on second and third (probably as a joke) then got out unscathed (as always). Herrera played with his hitters, throwing 87 MPH CHANGEUPs then striking them out with 96 MPH fastballs. It was great entertainment.

Kelvin Herrera is a joy to watch. 

Greg Holland came in to close the game out and had a little trouble, allowing a home run and another hit. He didn’t look very sharp but the Royals were winning 11-1, a game that Holland would never pitch in anyway. There were few fans left, but those that remained broke out "Let's Go Royals" chants several times, and Orbit, the Astros mascot came down and gave some Royals fans a hard time, mocking them and shooting them with silly string. And after the game ended, more "Let's Go Royals" chants broke out on the concourse. It felt like home. 

Overall, it was a fantastic night and I am excited for Round 2 this afternoon. Jason Vargas takes the mound and my stomach has been subtly telling me to try the Chicken and Waffle cone. Check out my twitter for live updates during the game!