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?

» Continue reading “Giants Win Title with Former Royals Help”

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.

» Continue reading “Former Royals Help New Teams to World Series”

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.

» Continue reading “Former Royals Help New Teams to Championship Series”

You can talk all about the heroes for the St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese, Lance Berkman, Chris Carpenter, but without a certain reliever the Cardinals would not have won the World Series last night (let alone make the playoffs).

Via Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT

Former KC Royal Octavio Dotel, who was acquired at the trading deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays (with fellow reliever Marc Rzepczynski), came into big situation after big situation and repeatedly came out unscathed. He shut down the mighty Philadelphia Phillies lineup. He shut down Milwaukee Brewers stud Ryan Braun. Finally, he shut down the powerful Texas Rangers lineup.

It all came to fruition in Game 7 last night. With the Cardinals leading 5-2 in the 7th inning, Dotel entered the game with one out and David Murphy on second base. He proceeded to strike out Ian Kinsler and get Elvis Andrus to fly out to end the inning.

It wasn’t just his performance out of the bullpen that made Dotel such a huge addition. It was what he brought to the clubhouse: his attitude, confidence, and veteran presence. He and Rafael Furcal brought the phrase “Happy Flight” to St. Louis and they could be heard chanting it after winning it all last night (and after winning each series prior).

That confidence was on display after Game 6. Dotel calmly sat at his locker and declared the World Series over. And why wouldn’t the Cardinals think that? They had just come back from the brink, down to their final strike, twice, with Freese’s walk-off homer in the 11th inning sending them to a Game 7. It had to be a demoralizing loss for the Rangers, no matter what they said.

So congrats to the former Royal and all the Cardinals for giving us a great World Series!

The World Series begins tonight as the Texas Rangers make their second consecutive appearance in the Fall Classic against the St. Louis Cardinals. With the National League winning the All-Star Game, the Cardinals will have home-field advantage.

If you follow the KC Royals, you may be thinking “Why should I care about the 2011 World Series?” Well, if you like baseball in general, it should be a good series. You can also watch a few former Royals try to win a title, which is every professional’s goal.

The Rangers have four former Royals that will be with the team in the World Series. Speedy outfielder Endy Chavez made two starts against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. He went 0-for-4. Expect to see him get a few pinch-running opportunities. If you watched Game 6 of the ALCS, you probably saw Andres Blanco as their head cheerleader, greeting teammates at the top of the dugout steps after big plays, waving his towel. Because of a stress fracture in his back, Blanco has not been on the Rangers playoff roster. Esteban German has been on the playoff roster, but has yet to appear in a game. That could change with the first two games being played in St. Louis (and possibly four total). Catcher Matt Treanor was not on the ALCS roster (but was on the ALDS roster) though he could be added to the World Series roster with their need for an extra bat (and catcher).

If you happened to watch the NLCS, Octavio Dotel and his high socks toed the rubber in just about every game. He pitched in four of the Cardinals six games against the Milwaukee Brewers, including the World Series clincher. Dotel is a big reason why the Cardinals are in the World Series. In four LCS games, he allowed one earned run on two hits over four innings. He also struck out five, which seemed to be Ryan Braun every time they faced each other. You may just root for the Cardinals because they are a fellow Missouri team.

Who are you rooting for?

» Continue reading “Royals Fans: Who Are You Rooting for in the World Series?”

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.)