Kaufman Stadium

Spring Training has brought great fortune to the KC Royals so far. A great start, with great anticipation for a wonderful 2009 campaign, what’s in store for the Royals? Dare we think a winning season, pushing for a chance to qualify for post-season play, A PENNANT? In spring training the hopes of all fans alike, including the fans of the often lowly Royals are high, especially when the team gets off to a blazing spring start of 11-6-1. What this shows us is that our front office is actually putting in time to get a quality product on the field, and it appears as though the Royals may be on the cusp of returning baseball fever to all those who support them. As a fan of this team I personally can’t remember the last time we actually had legitimacy with this team. Actual hopes of a successful season, we have young talented players, with a nice mix of seasoned veterans, and a pitching staff (barring injuries) that looks destined to keep other team’s power hitters inside the state of Missouri. Wish all of us luck, and hopefully a nice run at the AL Central crown.

The Royals had a very nice showing in their first game of the spring against the Texas Rangers. What impressed this writer most is the possibilities of an emergence of legitimate power in the KC lineup for 2009. Something that Royals fans have not enjoyed since, well ever honestly. The Royals connected for four homeruns in the game Mike Jacobs, Billy Butler, Miguel Olivo, and Mitch Maier all connected for long balls. If you’ve been reading my blogs, you’ll notice that I’m a big fan of the Royals young talent and that talent shone through on the first game of Cactus League Play 2009.

Other than the struggles of starting pitcher, Horacio Ramirez the Royals played an extremely solid ball game. Speaking of that young KC talent, in his first career Spring Training at bat Derrick Robinson did collect a hit, and score a run for the Royals. The afore mentioned Billy Butler connected for a tape measure solo shot, and finished the day going 2 for 3. Of course later on today there will be a rematch of these two teams, I’m looking forward to the game, and how these young upstart Royals come out of the gate. I know that these games don’t count for anything, but as a die hard fan these games mean everything.

Thanks,

Codes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      What more can I say? It’s actually here the 2009 workouts are actually upon us, no more waiting for pitchers, and catchers to report, no more wondering what next young stud will be invited to Spring training it’s here. All 63 players showed up with the aspirations of making the Kansas City Royals 25 player squad com April. Great things that happened is that the top brass showed up with George Brett in tow, but honestly how could they not? The Royals this year are celebrating their 40th anniversary as being a part of Major League baseball, with 39 of those years having George Brett as a part.

Which I as a Royals fan look at as being a blessing and a curse, if you look through the Royals 40 year history as an outsider can you honestly name another great? Obviously many will say what about Bo? Bo knows Kansas City, not really Bo had the potential to be one of the greatest athletes any of us had ever seen but it was cut a little short of me calling him a Royal immortal, or even a baseball great. Right now I’m going to spit out some names that to the casual fan you may not know (YET!!!) but someday I believe they all have a chance of making a great name for themselves. Billy Butler, this kid has limitless potential at the plate, the downside is he reminds me a little of Edgar Martinez. Great hitter, Great pop, NO defense if anyone remembers playing video games as a kid like I did, they always had Edgar listed as a 3rd baseman. However I can count on 1 hand how many times I actually saw him playing there in an actual game. Butler will be one of those players who will hit between .285 and .315, he’ll have a ton of doubles, he’ll begin to hit between 25 and 40 homers, having 120 RBI a season great numbers, but if he wants to be remembered for more than 10 years after his retirement speech he’d better find a place to play during the defensive parts of the innings. Luke Hochevar, former no. 1 pick. This ball player has stardom written all over him. I think the sky’s the limit big pitcher who can bring it in the mid to upper nineties with absolutely disgusting off speed pitches. If within 5 -6 years this kid is not in the running (if not winning) the CY Young award I for one will be completely shocked, but let’s not forget this is K.C. we’re talking about the team that has a history of having our pitchers do great things (Just with other teams). I.e. David Cone, you all remember what he did for the Mets and Yankees don’t you, or even how Brett Saberhagen really flourished in the Big Apple also. Another star in the making is Centerfielder Derrick Robinson, this kid has been officially clocked as running the fastest 60 time in high school history, a 6.19 60 that’s faster than even Deion (Primetime) Sanders. If this kid were to make it on the Opening Day roster (he won’t) he’d be the fastest man in all of the MLB. He is however lacking in the offensive department, no real power to speak of but he has speed for days, months, heck even years. If his bat ever comes around he’ll be the prototypical lead off man and compete with the likes of Jose Reyes, and Carl Crawford for leader in stolen bases. I could go on and on about the talent that this team actually possesses, and their potential, but potential doesn’t mean anything. Especially to a fan like myself, we’ve had potential plenty of times before that didn’t pan out, or when it did pan out they were wearing a different uniform.

The one difference that I can see about today’s Royals that we have seen in the past is that we are growing our talent from within our farm system. Which is something that proves to be a valuable asset when it comes to assessing your front office and their eye for talent? Yeah, I admit it, I’d love to be the fan of a team with deep pockets, such as those teams from NY, or LA and cherry pick everyone’s talent, but does that really pay off in the end? It hasn’t fared to well for the Yankees the past 5 season’s the Mets have been a total disaster since adopting this theory of how to build a ball club. What I believe all fans of K.C. would like to see is just a competitive team day in and out, let’s try to get everyone’s cleat marks off our back and begin to fight back, I believe that this year is that year. Once again I’ll yell it from the mountain tops, IT’S HERE, IT’S HERE, SPRING TRAINING 2009 IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!!!!!

Codes!!!!!

Long gone are the Royals of the 80’s. No Brett Saberhagen won’t start opening day against the White sox on April 6th Bo Jackson won’t be scaling the walls, and George Brett also won’t be patrolling the outfield. Gone also are the days of the Royals being a perennial Doormat within the AL Central. These are not your father’s KC Royals.

These young upstart Royals may be the closest thing to real baseball that Kansas City has seen in a long time. Who will be the leader of these new royals you ask, none other than 9 year vet Gil Meche, Last season Meche lead the Royals pitching staff with 14 wins and an ERA of 3.98. Adding to that will once again be Zack Greinke, and former number 1 pick Luke Hochevar who showed real promise last September. Add that to a line-up that has veteran leaders, and future stars it’s a combination for success, or that’s what the Royals hope. Billy Butler is now entering his third season donning the blue and white and is a lock for stardom with his pure hitting skill and limitless power. Vets Coco Crisp, and Jose Guillen back to lead a solid outfield core, the Royals may push for a playoff spot or at very least R-E-S-P-E-C-T. This is what the Royals need to establish if they expect to lure any of the top free agents to join their squad when they expect to make a legitimate push for the pennant in 2011. I personally can’t wait for the season to start. Yes I will be making my annual trip to Surprise, AZ to get my first fix of Major League Baseball, so let’s sit back and enjoy the ride of what looks to be an exciting season of Kansas city Royals baseball.

Codes!!!!!