With the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) not electing anyone into the Hall of Fame this year, I though it would be a good time to look at some possible former and current KC Royals players who could get enshrined in Cooperstown in the future. It is probably wishful thinking because it is highly doubtful I will see a Royals player inducted into the HOF in my lifetime.

Johnny Damon in 2007 with the Yankees (Keith Allison/Flickr)

Outfielder Johnny Damon. If and when he actually retires, the five year clock will start. That means that Damon could be on the 2018 ballot (at the earliest). There was a bit of a debate last year, but he still has not reached the “magical” 3,000 hit plateau (currently at 2,769 hits).

Damon has the playoff pedigree, as he won World Series titles with both Boston (2004) and the NY Yankees (2009).

If Damon were to not play again, he would be a career .284 hitter with 1,668 runs scored and 408 stolen bases. He has also hit 235 homeruns and driven in 1,139.

In his final season with the Royals (2000), he led the American League in runs scored (136) and stolen bases (46), and was second in the league in hits with 214. He was a two-time All-Star with the Red Sox (2002 and 2005). In 2002, Damon was the first player selected by fans in the inaugural All-Star Final Vote.

His best year was in 2004 when he hit .304 with 20 homeruns and 94 RBIs. He was also key to the Red Sox first World Series championship in 86 years.

Damon hit the DL for the first time in his career in July 2008 and at the time was one of only three active players to play at least ten years without heading to the DL.

Since his playing career with the Yankees came to an end following another championship in 2009, Damon has bounced around. He played with Detroit in 2010 and reached a few milestones: his 1,000th career RBI (fittingly against the Royals) and his 2,500th career hit against Baltimore. He moved on to Tampa Bay in 2011 and then Cleveland in 2012, where he was released in August and has not played since (besides for Thailand in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier).

» Continue reading “Will I See Another Royals HOFer?”

The KC Royals have won two in a row, two series in a row, and have won four out of six. Not bad considering how the season began. The Royals took Wednesday’s afternoon finale in Cleveland, 6-3, to push the Indians further back of the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central (the White Sox beat Tampa Bay again today).

On Wednesday, the Royals were the comeback kids. After being down 3-0 after two innings, they stormed back with five unanswered over the next three innings to defeat the Indians.

Starter Bruce Chen got into and out of trouble all afternoon. He could not escape the second inning. It started with two straight singles. After recording an out, Chen allowed an RBI single to Casey Kotchman (a left-handed hitter). Luke Carlin drove in a run with a force out. The big blow came next, as the slow-footed Carlin stole second base and scored on Shin-Soo Choo‘s RBI single (Choo is another left-handed hitter).

Johnny Giavotella

The Royals came back with two runs in the top of the 3rd inning against Indians starter Jeanmar Gomez. With one out, Johnny Giavotella doubled and Mike Moustakas doubled him in with two outs. Jeff Francoeur followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-2.

In the top of the 4th inning, Alcides Escobar singled with two outs. He then stole second base and scored on Alex Gordon‘s RBI double. Gio drove in Gordon with a single to give the Royals a 4-3 lead. Gio was then picked off first base by Gomez.

Chen picked up his fourth victory of the season, as he allowed three runs on seven hits (four to lefties) and two walks over five innings. The bullpen pitched four shutout innings, with Jonathan Broxton picking up his 11th save of the season.

The later innings weren’t without their problems. Tim Collins worked around a leadoff single in the 6th inning by Johnny Damon. Jose Mijares worked around a two out double by Damon in the 8th inning.

Somehow, Broxton worked out of a bases-loaded one out jam in the bottom of the 9th inning (via a single and two walks). He got Jose Lopez to ground into a game-ending double play on the very first pitch of the at-bat (after Broxton had walked Asdrubal Cabrera to load the bases).

Gordon, Gio, and Francoeur each had two hits. Brayan Pena went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Every starter had at least one hit except Billy Butler.

*Indians reliever Scott Barnes made his Major League debut in the 6th inning. It started out with a strikeout of Escobar. But then he hit Gordon and with two outs walked two straight. He did however escape with by getting Francoeur to pop out.

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The KC Royals finally get to play at Kauffman Stadium on Friday afternoon. They finished up a six-game West Coast trip on Wednesday and are 3-3. The Royals will open their home slate (and begin American League Central play) with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians are embarking on their first road trip. They are 1-4 and lost their first two games in extra innings.

The talk right now surrounding the Indians is their potential signing of veteran Johnny Damon. That will give them yet another left-handed hitter (they currently have six regulars and two switch-hitters). I don’t expect to see Damon in an Indians uniform this weekend, but expect to see lefties Jose Mijares and Tim Collins (and maybe even Everett Teaford) work alot this weekend.

What to expect this weekend: 

• Hopefully big crowds and not just for the home opener. This young team needs fan support everyday, not a huge dropoff on Saturday.

• Pitchers’ duels. Neither team has showed a consistent offense, so pitching could be key this weekend. The only hitter for the Indians hitting over .300 is third baseman Jack Hannahan (.313). The Royals have three players hitting over .300, but just one plays everyday (Humberto Quintero=.500, Jeff Francoeur=.333, and Yuniesky Betancourt=.300).

-OR-

• A slugfest. Maybe both teams’ offenses snap out of their funks.

Friday afternoon: Derek Lowe (RHP) vs. Luke Hochevar (RHP)

D-Lowe was sharp in his first game as an Indian, as he induced 15 ground outs with his sinker (1-0 with a 0.00 ERA).

Hochevar was also sharp in his first game, which resulted in a win (1-0 with a 2.84 ERA).

Saturday: Jeanmar Gomez (RHP) vs. Jonathan Sanchez (LHP)

Gomez will be making his first start of the 2012 season, as his first start on Tuesday was rained out. He did throw two perfect innings of relief on Wednesday (0-0, 0.00ERA).

Sanchez earned his first victory as a Royal on Sunday when his offense picked him up. He threw 99 pitches over just five innings (1-0 with a 3.60 ERA).

Sunday afternoon: Ubaldo Jimenez (RHP) vs. Luis Mendoza (RHP)

Jimenez was unhittable over the first six innings in his first start before allowing two runs in the 7th inning (0-0 with a 2.57 ERA). He will have finished his five-game suspension to start.

Mendoza lost his first game, though his offense was nowhere to be found on Monday night (they lost 1-0). The walks were an issue though (four walks over 5.2 innings). The best pitcher during spring training will be looking to show the home crowd that he is for real (0-1 with a 1.59 ERA).

With the divisional series coming to an end in Major League Baseball, let’s take a look at how some former KC Royals performed in those playoff games.

Let’s start with the first series that ended and the only series that did not reach five games. The Texas Rangers knocked out the TB Rays in four games as the Rays again could not win a home playoff game. While the four former Royals for the Rangers (Matt Treanor, Andres Blanco, Esteban German, and Endy Chavez) did not get into a game, those who played for the Rays played prominent roles (good and bad).

DH Johnny Damon began the barrage against Rangers starter CJ Wilson as he hit a two-run homerun in the 2nd inning of their Game 1 win (and their only win). In Game 1, Damon went 2-for-5 with three RBIs. After that, Damon went just 2-for-12 with one run scored. The Rays bullpen was speckled with former Royals. Closer Kyle Farnsworth did not pitch in a game, though he was up a few times in the ‘pen. Setup man Joel Peralta got the most work. Though he struggled a bit in his final appearance in Game 4 (two walks but Wade Davis cleaned up the mess), Peralta did not give up a run. His postseason line: 2.1IP, 1H, OR, 2BB.

In the 6th inning of Game 2, Juan Cruz entered with the bases loaded. On the first pitch he threw, Ian Kinsler ripped a two-run double (Cruz recovered from there). In Game 3, he entered with two men on base but Rays catcher John Jaso threw Elvis Andrus out trying to steal home. Cruz then pitched a scoreless 8th inning. In that same game, lefty JP Howell entered the 7th inning (right before Cruz) with the bases loaded and two outs to face lefty Josh Hamilton. Hamilton ripped the second slider for a two-run single (that inning gave the Rangers the lead). That was the only batter Howell faced in the series.

» Continue reading “How Did the Former Royals Do?”

That’s a headline KC Royals fans hope to enjoy as soon as next season. With the way the team played over stretches this season, it’s not hard to picture that scenario.

However this year, we are left to root for another team.

Being a baseball junkie, the playoffs are one of my favorite times of the year (outside watching guys make their debuts and the start of the season). It’s when nobody’s become somebody’s and sometimes superstars become choke artists.

While the Royals are beginning the offseason, some of their former players have the luxury of participating in the postseason. Actually, the only team without a former Royal on its roster is the NY Yankees.

Let’s start with former ace Zack Greinke. The whole reason he wanted out of KC was because he was tired of losing. Well, in his first year in Milwaukee, the Brewers won the National League Central and he is undefeated at home (Miller Park). Despite pitching the team’s finale at home on Wednesday as the Brewers secured home-field advantage against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS, Greinke is expected to start Game 2 at Miller Park on Sunday (on short rest).

Greinke isn’t the only former Royal on the Brewers. Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was also included in the deal that sent Greinke to Milwaukee. Betancourt has had a solid season (.252) in teaming with Rickie Weeks (and others when Weeks was on the DL) to form the Brewers double-play combination.

The Brewers counterpart, the Diamondbacks, have Willie Bloomquist on their roster. The Dbacks have yet to finalize their NLDS roster, so I am not 100% sure he made the cut. He had solid seasons in 2009 and part of 2010 with the Royals. He also had another solid season in Arizona this year (.266).

Utility man Wilson Betemit was traded to the Detroit Tigers during this summer to bolster their offense at third base. Despite dealing with a knee injury late in the season, Betemit started the Tigers final two games of the season. Betemit and the Tigers won the American League Central and begin their playoff push tonight against the NY Yankees in New York.

Catcher Matt Treanor was traded at the end of August while he was finishing up his rehab assignment (a concussion put him on the DL). Who was he traded to? The same team that dealt him to the Royals during spring training, the Texas Rangers. The Rangers won the AL West and secured home-field advantage in the ALDS. Surprisingly, Treanor made the Rangers ALDS roster, as they chose to carry three catchers. The Rangers begin their quest for a second consecutive AL title at 5pm ET today against the visiting TB Rays.

Treanor isn’t the only former Royal on the Rangers. Middle infielder Andres Blanco, who can be seen as more of a cheerleader than an actual player for the Rangers (he got into just 36 games this season), spent the beginning of his career with the Royals (I remember him as a youngster in Wilmington). He actually isn’t on the ALDS roster as he is dealing with a stress fracture in his lower back (though I’m sure you’ll still see him cheering). His replacement on the roster? You guessed it, a former Royal. That would be Esteban German (2006-2008), who can give them some speed and flexibility, but most likely won’t play (like last year). Another speed guy off the bench for the Rangers is Endy Chavez, who spent his first year in the big leagues (2001) with the Royals.

Speaking of the Rays, they have a host of former Royals on their roster, most notably in their revamped bullpen. Closer Kyle Farnsworth, who looks to be healthy, spent half of 2010 in KC before being traded to Atlanta. Farnsworth signed with the Rays this past offseason and helped solidify a brand new bullpen. His setup man, Joel Peralta (who can also close if Farnsworth is unavailable), spent 2006-2008 with the Royals. The past two seasons (in Washington and TB) may have been his best seasons yet. Juan Cruz, the guy who runs like a greyhound, spent the last two seasons with the Royals before signing with the Rays this year. Cruz has become the 7th inning guy or the reliever who comes in to get out of the mess. Lefty JP Howell is, thankfully, finally healthy. Howell was a 2004 draft pick of the Royals and started for them back in 2005. It has been a tough season on the quirky left-hander, but if he can figure it out, he will be tough.

The big name on the Rays that came from KC is Johnny Damon. Who can forget the guy who never wanted to leave, but has won how many World Series titles since? Damon will be batting 5th tonight for the Rays against the Rangers and lefty CJ Wilson. Despite his age, Damon has proven that he can still play the game and play it well.  I heard a rumor about a month ago that Damon wants to retire as a Royal.

The Philadelphia Phillies are the favorite yet again to win the NL title and Raul Ibanez is a big reason why. Though he struggled mightily against lefties this year and for most of the first half, he really came on strong down the stretch (he has seven RBIs over his last ten games). Ibanez spent 2001-2003 with the Royals.

The Phillies will face the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS beginning on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals can bring reliever Octavio Dotel in early or late, and he doesn’t seem to care. Since being acquired at the trading deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays, Dotel is 3-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 29 games. He has struck out 32 over 24.2 innings. Dotel pitched in 24 games for the Royals in 2007.

So, who will you be rooting for Royals fans?

Let me know in either the comments section or on my Facebook page.

(Check out my Tigers-Yankees Preview on Around the Horn, which should be up shortly.)

vs.

Anymore, it seems like the KC Royals are playing a contending team every night. This weekend is no different, as they welcome the Tampa Bay Rays into town for a three-game series. The Rays are coming off a series split with the NY Yankees at home, while the Royals took 2-of-3 from the Chicago White Sox. It is expected to be ungodly hot this weekend in Kansas City (like almost every part of the country), so the series may go to the team that handles the heat better.

This will be the first matchup between the Royals and Rays this season (they head to Tampa the second week of August). After the way the season started for the Rays (and the loss of so many players in the offseason), many expected them to lay down and fold. Instead, they regrouped and relied on their pitching staff and sit 7.5 games back in the American League East.

The offense has been a struggle, as they rank near the bottom of the AL in batting average and OBP, and middle of the pack in runs scored, homeruns, and RBIs. Unfortunately, they rank near the top in strikeouts. Casey Kotchman has come in and taken the first base job and is hitting .333 (though he is not a power threat). Johnny Damon has been a nice addition (.275) and Matt Joyce was the talk of the AL early in the season (he has since cooled off to a .288 average). Sam Fuld is still diving all over the outfield making great catches, but his offense has slowed down to a halt (.244). Evan Longoria and BJ Upton have struggled all season long (both are hitting below .240). Ben Zobrist has been up-and-down, but he’s been one of their most consistent hitters (.265).

That pitching staff consists of CY Young award candidate David Price, the resurgent “Complete Game” James Shields, and the young arms in the rotation. The Rays bullpen was supposed to be in shambles, after losing pretty much everybody from 2010. Insert Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta, who have come in and shut the door in the late innings. The Rays are beginning to lighten Peralta’s load, as he leads the AL in appearances (and his arm is tired). Lefty JP Howell is back and the young guys (like Brandon Gomes, Cesar Ramos, and Jake McGee) have done a nice job.

The Royals miss the Rays front-line starters, but will have to face the young up-and-comers. On Friday night, Wade Davis will return from the DL to make his first start since the beginning of the month. In a small sampling, Alex Gordon (1-for-3) and Mitch Maier (.400) have good numbers against Davis. He will be opposed by Luke Hochevar, who is coming off a very good start against the Minnesota Twins (two runs on three hits over seven innings). Longoria and Upton love hitting against Hochevar (.500 and .300 respectively).

On Saturday, Jeff Niemann will take the mound for the Rays. He is 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA in his career against the Royals. In his last start against the Boston Red Sox, he completely dominated, allowing just two hits over eight scoreless innings (he struck out 10). Brayan Pena is 2-for-4 in his career against Niemann. He will be opposed by Jeff Francis, who has not won since June 10^th but was solid in his last outing. Francis will be making his first start against the Rays.

Rookie Alex Cobb will be making his first start against the Royals on Sunday afternoon. He was recalled from Triple-A Durham to face the Yankees last week and was solid. Cobb allowed just two runs over six innings against the Yankees. He will be opposed by Felipe Paulino, who has only won one of his last eight starts. Like Cobb and Francis, it will be Paulino’s first start against the Rays.

Pitching Matchups:

Friday: Luke Hochevar (5-8, 5.23 ERA) vs. Wade Davis (7-6, 4.25 ERA)

Saturday: Jeff Francis (3-11, 4.62 ERA) vs. Jeff Niemann (4-4, 3.94 ERA)

Sunday: Felipe Paulino (1-3, 3.60 ERA) vs. Alex Cobb (2-0, 3.09 ERA)

There was a lot of news going on around the Royals. First, it was Jackie Robinson night and all of the Royals (and most, if not all, of the team’s did the same) wore Robinson’s number 42. Frank White, a former Royal, was honored with the Jackie Robinson Legacy Award. Then there is just the daily news surrounding the team.

So sit back, grad your glass of Royals Blue-Aid, bask in the Royals awesomeness, and read along.

White honored with Robinson Legacy Award royals.com (There’s video of White and Jeff Francoeur talking about Robinson’s impact)

Billy Butler of the 2011 Royals meets Bill Butler of 1969 Royals Around the Horn in KC

Royals’ average jumps second time through order royals.com

Setup role on Royals open with Tejeda on DL royals.com

Hot-hitting Gordon out of Royals’ lineup royals.com

Ned Yost media session: April 15 Around the Horn in KC

Crow Looks to Shake Off Rust in Second Season Baseball America

Will Damon go to the Hall of Fame-as a Royal? Ball Star