On Sunday night, the SF Giants finished off a four-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers to win the 2012 World Series. Without the help of some former KC Royals players, the Giants would not have been successful.

Following the World Series celebration, MLB Network analyst Kevin Millar called lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt the MVP Game 4.

Why would a reliever be the MVP?

Well, Affeldt entered Game 4 in the 8th inning with the score tied at 3-3. He walked pinch-hitter Avisail Garcia. However, he proceeded to strike out the Tigers 3-4-5 (Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, and Delmon Young) hitters on 12 pitches. Only Fielder was a left-handed hitter.

Affeldt then struck out lefty Andy Dirks (another left-handed hitter) to lead off the 9th inning before giving up a LONG fly ball to Jhonny Peralta that chased him from the game. The ball was caught on the warning track in centerfield only because the park is HUGE and the wind knocked it down. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after the game that when he came to take Affeldt out he said “You scared me. I have to take you out.”

So how did the Giants get to Game 4 with the help of some former Royals?

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Just like the divisional series, the championship series in Major League Baseball have former KC Royals playing integral parts for their new teams. One finished in a short four-game sweep. The other in an exciting seven games.

Raul Ibanez struck again in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Down 4-2 with two outs in the bottom of the 9^th inning against Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde, Ibanez took the second splitter of the at-bat into the right field seats to tie the game up at 4-4 and send the half-empty home crowd into a frenzy. That died off quickly as the Tigers came back and won in the 12^th inning after captain Derek Jeter was lost for the rest of the postseason with a fractured ankle.

In Game 2, Ibanez went 1-for-2 with two walks in the Yankees 3-0 loss. They collected just three hits off Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez (he had one of them).

Ibanez couldn’t be the hero every night and couldn’t awake the sleeping Yankees offense. In Game 3 (the first game in Detroit), he came up with two men on base, two out, and the Yankees down 2-1. Ibanez was facing lefty Phil Coke and worked the count full. However, Coke threw a nasty offspeed pitch and struck him out to end the game. He went 0-for-4 in Game 3. Ibanez went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in Game 4 and was pinch-hit for by Alex Rodriguez, who of course did nothing.

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All four Division Series played win-or-go home Game 5’s, so every series was interesting and down to the wire.

The first team to punch their ticket to the Championship Series was the SF Giants. All four former KC Royals played integral parts to their advancement.

Lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt pitched in just about every game. In Game 1, he walked one in 2/3 of an inning (12 pitches, five for strikes). In Game 3, he allowed one hit over two scoreless innings of relief (22 pitches, 14 for strikes). In the Game 5 clincher, he pitched another scoreless inning (the seventh). He was pulled after that one inning after a scary incident in the dugout on a foul line drive (he should be okay for the National League Championship Series).

Left fielder Gregor Blanco started every game for the Giants. In Game 1, he went 2-for-3. In Game 2’s blowout loss, he went 0-for-2, but the Giants only collected two hits. He went 0-for-1 with a run scored in Game 3. He showed off his surprise power in Game 4 with a two-run homerun in the 2^nd inning that gave the Giants the lead they would not relinquish. In the Game 5 clincher, he went 1-for-4 with a run scored in their six-run 5^th inning.

Shortstop Joaquin Arias didn’t start, but made an impact off the bench. He pinch-hit in Game 1 and picked up a single and scored a run in the bottom of the 9^th inning of the Giants 5-2 loss. He hit the eventual game-winning ground ball in the 10^th inning of Game 3’s 2-1 victory. Arias went 2-for-3 off the bench in Game 4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

Lefty reliever Jose Mijares had the worst series. In Game 2, he allowed three runs on two hits and a walk, but did not record an out. He rebounded in Game 4 and struck out the only batter he faced (Joey Votto) on five pitches in the 4^th inning.

One former Royal saw his season come to an end with the Cincinnati Reds. That was former closer and Reds setup man Jonathan Broxton. Broxton took the loss in Game 3 when a Ryan Hanigan passed ball moved base runners up in the top of the 10^th inning and Scott Rolen’s error scored the winning run. He pitched in three of the five games and allowed that unearned run on four hits over three innings. Broxton walked one while striking out four.

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The Major League Baseball Division Series begins tonight after an exciting Wild Card Friday. One former KC Royal, Endy Chavez, moved on to tomorrow’s American League Division Series with the Baltimore Orioles. He entered Friday night’s game as a defensive replacement in right field.

Another former Royal, outfielder Carlos Beltran, moved onto the National League Division Series, as the St. Louis Cardinals controversially defeated the Atlanta Braves on Wild Card Friday. He started in right field, batted second in the order, and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in the win. Beltran and the Cardinals moved on to face the NL East champion Washington Nationals on Sunday.

With the Division Series’ kicking off today, it’s a great time to take a look at the former Royals who will be participating.

The NL West champion SF Giants have quite a few representatives. They begin play tonight at 9:30pm ET on TBS.

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The final team for the Caribbean Series was filled out as Escogido won the best-of-nine Dominican Winter League Championship series over Aguilas on Monday night. The series took the full allotment of nine games to determine a champion.

I covered the first four games of the series in my winter league update last week. At that point, Escogido was leading the series 3-1, as they took the first three games. Aguilas took the next three games to tie the series at three games a piece.

In Game 5, former KC Royal Joaquin Arias drove in three runs in Aguilas’ 8-5 victory. Current Oakland A Brandon Moss hit another homerun in the win.

In Game 6, Aguilas won 2-1 on current Philadelphia Phillies minor leaguer Hector Luna‘s pinch-hit walk-off single. Luna’s new Phillies teammate, Raul Valdes, struck out 11 over eight scoreless innings. (Both are Phillies non-roster invitees to spring training.)

Escogido rebounded in Game 7, as they won 5-2. Manauris Baez pitched two innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in the loss.

Aguilas tied up the series at 4-4 with a 9-2 victory. They pounded Minnesota Twins starter Francisco Liriano, who is 0-4 in the DWL postseason. Moss had another good offensive game, as he went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two walks, and his 8th postseason homerun.

Game 9 must have been a joy to watch live, as it went to the final innings. Detroit Tigers outfielder Andy Dirks drove in the tying run in the bottom of the 8th inning with a sac fly for Escogido (they scored three runs in the inning).

However Jesse Gutierrez of Aguilas retook the lead with a solo homerun off new TB Rays reliever Fernando Rodney in the top of the 9th inning. Dirks remained the hero, as he delivered the walk-off victory for Escogido with a single in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.

It’s that time of the week again, for another installment of the KC Royals Winter League Update. I know, I know. The winter meetings are going on in Dallas, but anything that involves the Royals is just rumors at the moment. So why not refresh on what some of the Royals are doing during these winter months?

Let’s start in the Dominican Winter League, where the most Royals players are playing. Aguilas (24-14) is in first place, three games up on Toros (21-17). Licey (20-18) is four games back, followed by Estrellas (17-21), Gigantes (17-21), and Escogido (15-23).

On November 29th, Aguilas beat Estrellas, 3-1. Joaquin Arias went 2-for-4 in the win, though he was caught stealing. Arias leads the DWL in hitting with a .370 average. Escogido beat Gigantes, 7-0 as Jordan Norberto (Oakland A’s) pitched 5.1 shutout innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out ten. Two of the three hits came in the 6th inning. Kelvin Herrera followed (he entered with two men on base) and pitched 1.2 innings. He walked one while striking out two. Toros beat Licey, 1-0. Yamaico Navarro went 0-for-4 in the loss while playing shortstop.

On the last day of November, Aguilas beat Escogido in 12 innings. Arias went 1-for-6 with a walk in the win. Brayan Pena pinch-hit in the 9th inning for Escogido, but grounded out. Elisaul Pimentel pitched 1.2 innings and allowed a hit and two walks. He also struck out one. He entered with two men on base and got Arias to ground into an inning-ending double play. Estrellas beat Licey, 6-5, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to walk-off (Jake Fox’ RBI single). Navarro went 2-for-3 with a walk in the loss (though he was caught stealing). Mario Santiago started for Licey and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings. He also struck out three. He left with the lead and two men on base (which scored).

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Before I get to what the KC Royals players have been doing while participating in winter ball in the Caribbean, there are a few stories coming out of the winter leagues.

Colorado Rockies utility player Eric Young, Jr (better known as EY, Jr) was released by Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League. The team says that it was due to tardiness, but he said in a statement that

a problem with travel arrangements for a family member led to his arriving in the fifth inning of a game on Thanksgiving Day. Young also stated that the incident was his only attendance issue and added that the team failed to address his safety and security concerns for his family member.

His manager with Margarita is current Arizona Diamondbacks coach Don Baylor (who coached his dad in Colorado), who was relieved of his duties in Venezuela on Monday.

Chris Marrero, who was expected to push veteran Adam LaRoche and Michael Morse as the Washington Nationals starting first baseman in 2012, suffered a torn hamstring in winter ball about two weeks ago. He returned to the States and had surgery and believes he’ll just miss some time during spring training. The Nationals, however, are saying he will miss all of 2012 and are thus looking at other first baseman (aka Prince Fielder).

Wilson Ramos of the Nationals is back playing for Aragua in Venezuela after his kidnapping.

There is an article you should check out by Evan Drellich on MLB.com about the mix of veterans and prospects throughout winter ball. One of those veterans is Dmitri Young, who is attempting a comeback at age 38 after losing around 60 pounds and managing his diabetes.

Now onto the Royals in winter ball update.

Apparently, Panama also has a winter ball league (it’s a league that MLB doesn’t cover on their winter leagues site). After being home to baseball’s World Cup a few months ago, the island country is also home to winter ball. They’ve gotten a lot of rain (like they did during the World Cup), but there are quite a few players playing there. Buck Britton of the Baltimore Orioles, Andrew Lambo of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Steven Lerud are there (had to mention them since I saw them play over the last two seasons).

The Royals have four players participating in winter ball in Panama. First up is Edul Escobar, who caught for Idaho Falls this past season (.287 average). This past week, he went 1-for-9. Paulo Orlando, who was a member of the Panama team in the World Cup, had a good week. He went 6-for-17 with six RBIs and two runs scored. He also hit two triples. Outfielder Julio Aparicio played with Kane County this past season (.169 average). Last week, he was 0-for-4 in two games.

The final player in Panama is Ryan Dennick, who was a reliever with the Wilmington Blue Rocks this season. His first outing of the week came on November 22nd, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings. He walked one while striking out three. His next outing came on November 27th, as he allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks over just 2.2 innings.

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The KC Royals lost another player from winter ball this past week, as outfielder David Lough returned home. No injury to report, just that it was time to come home and gear up for the 2012 season.

In this week’s update on the Royals playing winter league baseball, let’s start in the Dominican Republic. Aguilas and Toros are tied at 17-11, with Licey 1.5 games back at 15-12. They are followed by Escogido (13-15), Gigantes (11-17), and Estrellas (10-17).

In the first game of the week (November 15th), Licey took their game over Toros, 10-9. Licey collected just six hits (and made four errors). Yamaico Navarro played shortstop and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He also committed an error. Gigantes beat Escogido, 4-1. Brayan Pena caught for Escogido and went 0-for-2 with a walk and an RBI (a sac fly) in the loss. Kelvin Herrera pitched two shutout innings for Escogido. He allowed three hits while striking out three. Aguilas shutout Estrellas, 4-0. Joaquin Arias went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBIs, and a run scored while playing shortstop.

The next day, Escogido beat Aguilas, 3-2. Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo homerun in the 4th inning (he followed up Brandon Belt’s solo homerun with one of his own). Pena got the chance to catch fellow Royal Everett Teaford, who allowed one run on four hits over six innings. He walked one while striking out six. Arias went 1-for-3 with a walk in the loss. Licey lost to Estrellas, 1-0. Navarro went 2-for-3 with a walk (he collected two of the team’s four hits). Manauris Baez started for Estrellas and pitched six shutout innings. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out seven.

On November 18th, Aguilas beat Escogido, 3-2 in ten innings. Arias went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the win. He also had a stolen base off Pena. Pena went 1-for-4 in the loss. Herrera pitched 1.1 innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits.

The next day, Gigantes beat Escogido, 9-1. Kevin Pucetas started and picked up the win, as he allowed one run on three hits over six innings. He walked one while striking out seven. Pena went 0-for-4 as Escogido’s DH. Aguilas beat Estrellas, 7-1. Arias went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Toros beat Licey, 3-2. Navarro went 0-for-4 in the loss (he moved up in the order to sixth).

On Sunday, Aguilas beat Licey, 6-5 after scoring four runs in the bottom of the 7th inning. Arias doubled in two runs in that inning to give Aguilas the lead (and the eventual win). He went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Mario Santiago started for Licey and allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over five innings while striking out four. Navarro went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the loss. Toros beat Escogido, 3-2. Pena hit his second homerun of the week, a solo shot in the 4th inning. He went 2-for-4 in the loss as the DH.

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There was a bit of a black eye that reigned down on the Venezuelan Winter League. Washington Nationals rookie catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped from his home. Thankfully he was rescued and is okay. Controversy ensued, as many debated whether or not MLB should allow players to participate in winter ball. I believe Ramos would have been kidnapped regardless of whether or not he was playing winter ball. He was at home. Anyway, two of the KC Royals American players left Venezuela prior to the kidnapping, Jarrod Dyson and Lorenzo Cain. Dyson was injured after running into a wall, while Cain didn’t make it through two weeks there because he was tired.

Manny Pina is the lone Royal participating in the VWL. He and Margarita are currently 12-18, 6.5 games out of first place. Pina does not play everyday (veteran Henry Blanco gets the majority of the starts behind the plate). Pina started on November 8th and went 1-for-3 in their loss to Aragua. He got another start on November 12th and went 0-for-2 with a walk. He had another passed ball (his fourth), but he did pick off Joe Thurston at first base.

In the Puerto Rican League, Caguas is tied for second place with Carolina at 4-4, while Mayaguez is in last place at 3-4. Irving Falu is a member of Mayaguez, while Rey Navarro is playing for Caguas. On November 8th, the two faced off against each other. Falu went  1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored as he batted leadoff and played second base. Navarro batted ninth and played third base while he went 0-for-3 in the loss. They faced off again the next day (there are only four teams in the league), but only Falu played. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

The two didn’t play again until November 12th. Navarro pinch-hit in the 8th inning and popped out. He stayed in the game to play shortstop in Caguas’ loss. Falu went 1-for-5 in Mayaguez’ win. Navarro hit his first winter ball homerun on the 13th, a solo shot in the 3rd inning. Overall, he went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored in the loss. On that same day, Falu went 0-for-4 in his team’s loss.

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The Puerto Rican League got underway on November 4th (the Australian Baseball League began on November 3rd, though I don’t think there are any KC Royals players there). Irving Falu and Rey Navarro are playing in Puerto Rico. Falu is a member of Indios de Mayaguez, who are 1-2. Rumor has it that veteran Roger Clemens has accompanied his son Koby, who is a member of Mayaguez (word is he may try and pitch). I had the chance to watch Navarro play some this season with Wilmington (he was named the Blue Rocks Player of the Year). He is a member of Criollos de Caguas, who are 2-1 and tied for first place.

Caguas lost their opener 7-6 to Carolina in ten innings. Navarro batted ninth and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored while playing third base. Mayaguez also lost their opener, 4-1 despite collecting ten hits. Falu batted second and played second base while going 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Caguas beat Ponce on November 5th, 2-0, as both teams collected three hits. Navarro went 0-for-3 in the win. Mayaguez also picked up their first win, a 7-2 victory over Carolina. Falu went 0-for-4 in the win.

On November 6th, Falu went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Mayaguez’ 6-4 loss to Carolina. He also committed an error, which allowed two runs to score in the 6th inning.

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