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!

Blue Friday

The KC Royals wrapped up Spring Training in Arizona on Wednesday, finishing with the second best overall record behind only the Oakland Billy Butlers. This marks the second straight second place finish they have had in the MLB. I am not satisfied with that because I WANT TO BE A CHAMPION. However, I will not dwell on those second place finishes, mostly because I still despise Madison Bumgarner more than any human on the planet except for Peyton Manning, and because Spring Training games are meaningless. 

So today, I wanted to focus only on positives:

First and foremost, it is Good Friday. Let us all rejoice in this holy weekend.

Second and almost equally important, the Royals are playing two exhibition games in Houston today and tomorrow AND I GET TO SEE THEM IN PERSON. I have already indicated my excitement for these also meaningless exhibition games, but in case you still have not grasped how awesome this is, think back to September 30, 2014, when the Royals beat the Oakland A’s in the Wild Card game AND THEN REALIZE THAT I GET TO SEE THOSE GUYS TONIGHT.

I get to see Eric Hosmer crushing a baseball. I get to see new Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez in his final tune-up before the season starts. I get to see if Alex Gordon’s wrist is ready to earn a 5th straight Gold Glove. I GET TO SEE LORENZO CAIN PATROLLING CENTER FIELD LIKE A BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So yeah, you should be jealous. 

Third, the end of Spring Training means that Opening Day is around the corner. I hope all of you in Kansas City are planning to be at The K on Monday to watch the Royals receive their AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS rings. Now I am the one who is jealous. In fact, the only opening day I will be attending will be the Astros versus Cleveland Indians, also on Monday. BOOOOOOORING. And I hate Cleveland. However, the Astros announced that they are now offering a Chicken and Waffle Cone which sounds pretty delicious to me, so now you all know what my dinner will be on Monday. 

Finally, Easter is on Sunday, and the NFL draft is at the end of this month and baseball is back and Spring is in full swing and everything is awesome so have a good weekend because mine is sure to be amazing.