2X2L
Mar 13, 2008 Feb 15, 2012 34 7144
In my family's home in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area in the middle '70s, on a radio just like this one, I tuned around the AM dial and also to Armed Forces Radio on shortwave to listen to broadcasts of baseball games. In addition to the New York stations, at night I could pick up the Red Sox from Hartford on WTIC, the Orioles from Baltimore on WBAL, the Indians on WWWE, and — but only occasionally because WABC's signal was so strong and conditions normally didn't allow it — the Tigers from Detroit on WJR. Those signals, fading in and fading out, allowed me to follow my favorite team, the Kansas City Royals, through most of their Eastern swings.
I settled in Northern California in the late '80s, and although I still follow the Royals I became a Giants fan as well.
The origin of my SB Nation user name is a line of dialogue from The Mercury Theatre radio production of War Of The Worlds.
RSSUser Blog
Three Baseball Guys Walk Into The Woods
Grant Brisbee has a look behind the Broxton signing.
3 months ago
2X2L
3 comments
1 recs
Maz, Bing, and 1985 on MLB Network today
Not only will Game 7 of the 1960 World Series get its first airing in over 50 years, but also Bing Crosby's association with baseball will be highlighted (so since you no doubt watched him in White Christmas again on AMC this past weekend, you'll want to find out what he was doing with some of his Hollywood dollars).
Also, the 1985 season will be reviewed, and that was a pretty good one, if I recall correctly.
Salary Caps Have Widened The Money Gap In Pro Sports
Salary caps: maybe not what you think, says Forbes' Mike Ozanian. Shysterball's summary of this article is here.
Your Royals All-Time Win Shares Update
by 2X2L on Nov 21, 2010 6:18 PM EST
on Royals Review
Retro's pre-2007 ranking of the 100 Greatest Royals in his terrific retrospective series is based on Win Shares and "slight adjustments" according to subjective analysis. A quick review: Retro's #100, Jay Bell, has 21 Win Shares in his single season as a Royal, 1997. The most recent article in the series highlighted the career of Tom Gordon as a Royal; he's ranked #28 on the list with 72 Win Shares accumulated from 1988 through 1995.
Although I believe Retro has already mentioned that when he gets around to updating his list he'll probably use other methods, perhaps making use of historical WAR, I wanted to check what the numbers look like today if they were compiled with current data using the same methods. So I dug out my Win Shares Digital Update for the data through 2001 and went to billjamesonline.net for data for 2002-2010, in an effort to find out who among the recent Royals would be added, who has already surpassed Tom Gordon's total at #28 or has a chance to do so within a year or two, and also approximately where David DeJesus would be ranked now that he has moved on to greener and golder pastures. And of course to answer the burning question, what about the Royal Beloved of $36 Million, Jose Guillen?
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Finally on iTunes
The Giants' NL West clincher, Game 162.
Also some band from Liverpool. But you can read about that elsewhere. You came here for news.
White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson spent an entire game complaining about umpire Joe West
Joe West's strike zone yesterday was indeed a thing of whimsy, but Hawk Harrelson apparently saw it as evidence of conspiracy.
BtB Power Rankings, or We're No. 22!
Now with data through the end of the regular season, here the Royals are ranked ahead of the Orioles and 7 NL teams including one that remained in Wild Card contention through late September. And the relative ranking of the Royals and Giants raises a number of questions about the methodology.
over 2 years ago
2X2L
67 comments
1 recs
Hillman: People don’t want to take the time to learn.
It’s challenging because most of the time, our local media and even our fan base, they don’t want to hear about the process. They don’t want to be educated on the process. But it is a process. ...People don’t want to take the time to learn, because we’re not bred that way, culturally. It was an easier sell in the other culture, in Japan, because they’re very used to processes. And they don’t care how long it takes, as long as you get it set to last.
Italian group claims to debunk Shroud of Turin
Interesting report on the activities of the Italian Committee for Checking Claims on the Paranormal. Having obtained its results on the Shroud, the Committee now turns its attention to claims of visitations of St. Willie the Outfielder.
Royals firsts in New York
- First game in Yankee Stadium: June 9, 1969 - Royals 7, Yankees 1
- First time 2X2L pays attention to the Royals: August 17, 1971 - the Mets are in LA so I'm listening to the Yanks on the radio
- First game in renovated Yankee Stadium: April 23, 1976 - Royals 3, Yankees 2
- First Royals game I see in person: July 6, 1976 - Royals 3, Yankees 1
- First game in the new Yankee Stadium: September 28, 2009
So, it’s one of those things where you just have to go out there and relax and just have fun. My thing is that I always have a smile on my face, because I’m blessed in this game. God has blessed me with the talent to play baseball and I want to show kids that it’s a game. It is a game, and it’s fun out there. It’s definitely a big business, but overall it’s a game that we’ve been playing since we were three or four years old. - DDJ
over 2 years ago
2X2L
5 comments
1 recs
Selecting players based on possibilities, and not probabilities, makes you the Kansas City Royals. – Dave Cameron
over 2 years ago
2X2L
0 comments
2 recs
Gil Meche’s fastball
"Assuming he gets healthy, Meche may still have problems if hitters lay off his fastball, if this survey is any indication."
Many of you pointed out to me that one of the big reasons that Trey Hillman left Greinke in after taking a shot off the elbow was so that he would be eligible for the win. Greinke's already the AL Cy Young favorite even with "just" 14 wins, so 13 wouldn't look that different. The logic for leaving him in is short-sighted, in that the award does nothing aside from offering the Royals some bright spot in an otherwise dark season. Greinke threw a short pen session on Saturday, and while there was still some bruising on the joint, there doesn't appear to be any real damage or reason to keep him from making his next scheduled start tomorrow against the Red Sox. With three more scheduled starts, Greinke will be bumping up against the 230-inning mark, one that always seemed to be an issue for another Royal, Kevin Appier. That Appier shows up high on Greinke's PECOTA comparables list should make some Royals fans nod, and others shudder.
What went wrong
Missed this article over the weekend at Circling the Bases.
Bloggers, let this stand as a caution: some calamities are just too massive to cover in 5 paragraphs. Lest you leave yourself open to comments such as, "Let's not forget the defense!!" if you need 6 paragraphs, or 10, do not stint.
Report from our statistician
Just the way the real baseball teams handle it.
over 2 years ago
2X2L
7 comments
2 recs
Billy Butler and the best young hitters in baseball
Billy Butler and Pablo Sandoval. The future is here.
ST Game 18 Open Thread - Royals vs Giants
by 2X2L on Mar 15, 2009 11:45 AM EDT
on Royals Review
Time to adjust your sets, because the Royals are on tellyvision today (albeit on the ever-popular tape delay).
Where: MLB Network. Find out if it's carried in your area by using the channel locator here.
When do they roll the tape: 8:30 PM EDT, 7:30 PM CDT, etc.
Gametime: 4:00 EDT, 3:00 CDT, sometime or other in Arizona, 1:00 PDT.
The set-up: Royals in Scottsdale to face the Giants. Luke Hochevar starts, with Heath Phillips and Jimmy Gobble to follow. Barry Zito for the contractually obligated Giants.
Also available live via MLB.TV and Gameday audio.
MLB.com Gameday link.
ST Game 17 Open Thread - Snakes vs Royals
by 2X2L on Mar 14, 2009 11:18 AM EDT
on Royals Review
CANCELED
One's the cerebral straight man, the other keeps it close to the ground. A favorite of RR readers, the Banny and Hooch series didn't play in Peoria and has been canceled after just 3 airings, before we get to find out which one turns into a major star and which one is really a dog.
But the show goes on. Banny spins off on his own today to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in Surprise. His supporting cast includes Brandon Duckworth, Juan Cruz, and Yaz Yabuta. Comedy gold? Tune in and find out. Jon Garland is the special guest starter.
Broadcast: MLB.com
MLB.com Gameday: here
ST Games 15 & 16 Open Thread - Split Squad Friday
by 2X2L on Mar 13, 2009 11:48 AM EDT
on Royals Review
Zacque Greinke starts against the Brewers in Maryvale while Robinson Tejeda starts against the Rangers in Surprise, as the Royals open up a two-front war on the Cactus League.
Yovani Gallardo and Trevor Hoffman are scheduled to pitch for the Brewers. Vicente Padilla gets the start for the Rangers.
Half, you go this way - half, you go that way!
MLB.com has audio for both games.
Maryvale Gameday. Surprise Gameday.
Comment starter: two-front wars in history, good/bad? Your thoughts.
ST Game 13 Open Thread - Mariners vs Royals
by 2X2L on Mar 11, 2009 11:25 AM EDT
on Royals Review
Not only Grass Creek but the entire population of Hot Springs County has been waiting for this one all winter long: Mariners vs. Royals at Surprise, Arizona.
This one's for you, Grass Creek!
Chris Jakubauskas starts for the Mariners. Gil Meche starts for the Royals, with Heath Phillips, Jamey Wright, Ron Mahay, Jimmy Gobble, and Carlos Rosa to follow.
Broadcast: the Royals Radio Network, MLB.com, and XM Radio channel 179.
MLB Gameday: here
ST Game 12 Open Thread - Royals vs Cubs
by 2X2L on Mar 9, 2009 10:09 AM EDT
on Royals Review
The Cubs have lost six in a row. What does it mean?
There may be no such thing as a must-win game before St. Patrick's Day, but Monday's game against the Royals may be the next-closest thing for the Cubs.
But, Lou, spring training records are meaningless, right?
"Look, spring training wins and losses don't mean anything," Piniella said. "But you don't want to get in the habit of getting your [butts] kicked every day either. That I can tell you, and that's exactly what's happening here."
And so at HoHoKam Park in Mesa today Lou puts the [butts] of Chad Gaudin and Jeff Samardzija on the line to stave off Cactus League elimination.
Brian Bannister and Luke Hochevar will pitch for the Royals, along with relievers Kyle Farnsworth and Joel Peralta.
Broadcast: the Royals radio network, MLB.com, and XM Radio channel 178.
MLB Gameday: here
Last year: the Cubs won both meetings with the Royals in Arizona. March 9: Brett Tomko and Leo Nunez were both shelled. Cubs, 13-1. March 18: Le Canadien Mark Teahen went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles, but Joakim Soria gave up the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the 9th. Cubs, 6-5.
ST Game 11 Open Thread - Brewers vs Royals
by 2X2L on Mar 8, 2009 1:17 PM EDT
on Royals Review
The Royals are back in Surprise today to host their long-lost expansion twin, the Seattle Pilots.
Zəḫ Greinke, Robinson Tejeda, Matt Wright and Roman Colon pitch for the Royals.
Yovani Gallardo starts for the visitors, and Jorge Julio relieves, among others.
Broadcast: MLB.com only today
MLB.com Gameday: here.
Remember that the game starts an hour later today at the usual time. It's complicated. Not as complicated as Ryan's and Dean's on-air explanation of baseball's roster rules, maybe, but hard enough to deal with when you're short of sleep.
Fun fact: the Royals haven't won their first Cactus League game against this franchise in any prior season. Revenge is on everyone's mind.
ST Game 10 Open Thread - Royals vs Indians
by 2X2L on Mar 7, 2009 9:40 AM EST
on Royals Review
The Royals travel to Goodyear today to kick the tires on a couple of prospective starters, Kyle Davies and Horacio Ramirez. Devon Lowery is also scheduled to pitch.
Aaron Laffey gets the start for the Indians, followed by Zach Jackson, John Meloan, Jack Cassel, Tony Sipp, Juan Salas, Greg Aguino and Ryan Edell.
Broadcast: MLB.com only today
MLB.com Gameday: here
One day it's Andrew Laughter, and the next it's Aaron Laffey. That's the way it goes in March, but March leads to October, and there is only one October.
Comment starter: Cookie Rojas. Tony Sipp. Andrew Laughter. Van Lingle Mungo.
ST Game 9 Open Thread - Rangers vs Royals
by 2X2L on Mar 6, 2009 10:13 AM EST
on Royals Review
The Royals have an organizational book. They're carrying it everywhere they go in Arizona this spring and consulting it frequently. It's called Are You My Lefty Starter?, and today the little birdie asks that eponymous question of Heath Phillips.
Ron Mahay and the Royal Farnsworth are scheduled to relieve.
The other team is apparently called the Wranglers or the Ragers or something like that. I never heard of them. But I did hear that Tommy Hunter gets the start for them on the mound while Omar Vizquel has an audition at second base.
Broadcast: the Royals radio network, MLB.com, XM Radio channel 181.
MLB.com Gameday: here.
This morning the Royals also play those same Riders or Ringos or whoever in a B game at George Brett Field. Gil Meche will pitch a little and Billy Butler will return to action after recovering from a reported contusion in the distal portion of his upper left limb. If you're in Surprise with your 3G phone, why don't you stop by George Brett Field and provide us with the play-by-play right here? Thanks.
ST Game 8 Open Thread - Royals vs Rangers
by 2X2L on Mar 4, 2009 12:10 PM EST
on Royals Review
Brian Bannister is a member of the Secret Brotherhood of Pitchers Who Control Balls In Play. He's very good at it -- so good, in fact, that in an emergency meeting convened before this start in Oakland, in fear of exposure and reprisal the Brotherhood voted to strip him of his rights and privileges until he learned to use his powers more subtly.
In the first inning of that game, Bannister directed a long drive into the glove of Teahen in left and a line drive into the glove of Gordon at third, but when he caught sight of a mysterious figure watching him intently from behind the third base dugout, he capitulated.
This is Bannister's make or break season. He will either practice his art so craftily that no one can detect it, or he won't.
Broadcast: the Royals radio network, MLB.com, XM Radio channel 177.
MLB.com Gameday: here.
Luke Hochevar, not a known member of the Brotherhood, is also scheduled to pitch for the Royals.
Kevin Millwood starts for the Rangers.
Fun fact: in Spring Training, the Rangers and Royals play against each other a lot.
ST Game 7 Open Thread - Indians vs Royals
by 2X2L on Mar 3, 2009 9:13 AM EST
on Royals Review
The Royals host the Indians at Surprise Stadium, where they plan to give the Royal Farnsworth his first public assay.
Zăk Greinke makes his second spring start for the Royals, followed by Farnsworth, Jimmy Gobble, Ron Mahay, Doug Waechter, and Robinson Tejeda. The Indians counter with Anthony Reyes, making his first start of the spring, David Huff, Kirk Saarloos, Jack Cassel, Edward Mujica, Tony Sipp, Rich Rundles, and the chawless Vinnie Chulk.
Broadcast: the Royals radio network, MLB.com, and XM Radio channel 179.
MLB.com Gameday: here.
Fun facts: the Indians have returned to the Cactus League this year after 16 years of spring training in Winter Haven, Florida. From 1947 through 1992 they trained in Tucson.
Incomplete fossil record: in the last of the ten years both teams played in the Grapefruit League, 2002, the Royals and Indians met 4 times, with the Royals winning 3 and losing 1.
ST Game 6 Open Thread - Giants vs Royals
by 2X2L on Mar 2, 2009 11:31 AM EST
on Royals Review
The Royals host the San Francisco Giants at Surprise Stadium, while with expectations newly raised by Joe Posnanski we all await a strikeout-laden performance by the Royals' pitching staff.
Matt Cain starts for the Giants against Horacio Ramirez for the Royals. Kevin Pucetas, Jack Taschner, and Brian Wilson are scheduled to relieve for the Giants. For the Royals: Kyle Davies, Jamey Wright, Julio Pimentel, and Heath Phillips.
Broadcast: the Royals radio network, MLB.com, and XM Radio channel 180.
MLB.com Gameday: here.
Recent action: the Royals defeated the Giants in Scottsdale last Friday, 6-1, as Xaq Greinke and six relievers limited the Giants to 5 hits. Matt Cain last pitched Thursday against the Dodgers, giving up 1 run in an inning and two thirds on a home run by Russell Martin. Horacio Ramirez last pitched in the Royals' Cactus League opener Wednesday against the Rangers; he got his work in.
Game notes: for the Giants, bench coach Ron Wotus will be acting as the skipper today while manager Bruce Bochy undergoes arthroscopic shoulder surgery. For the Royals, Billy Butler's availability for daring exploits on the basepaths is in doubt at this hour. He exited yesterday's game early when his hand swelled after having been struck by a pitch.
Fun fact: Ron Wotus has been the bench coach for the last three Giants managers, Dusty Baker, Felipe Alou, and Bruce Bochy.
Personal note: my step-daughter and one of Horacio Ramirez's cousins attended the same middle school, somewhere in viticultural Northern California.
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ST Game 5 Open Thread - Royals vs Angels
by 2X2L on Mar 1, 2009 11:56 AM EST
on Royals Review
The Royals take on the Los Angeles Angels of Tempe at Tempe Diablo Stadium, the spring home of the Angels since 1993. Gil Meche vs. Dustin Moseley. Nick Adenhart is scheduled to relieve for the Angels. For the Royals: Brandon Duckworth, Henry Barrera, Tim Hamulack, Carlos Rosa, Joel Peralta, and Roman Colon.
Broadcast: MLB.com, which you can listen to for free today. No coverage on the Royals broadcast network. None on XM Radio.
MLB.com Gameday: here.
Royals all-time record vs. Angels: 253 wins, 251 losses.
Cactus League record starting in 2003: 8 wins, 6 losses, 1 tie.
Last year:
March 12 - Royals 6, Angels 3 - Hochevar starts for the first time in spring training, Olivo muscles up for 8 total bases.
March 13 - Royals 6, Angels 5 - JDLR starts, Damon Hollins hits a 2-run home run.
Fun fact: prior to 1993 the Angels trained in Palm Springs, California, the part-time home of Gene Autry.
Phillies' slugging Mayberry gets his chance
John Mayberry Jr is in camp with the Phillies.
"He has talent," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who recognizes and prizes that quality in a hitter. "He's a real interesting guy. I'm looking forward to seeing him play."
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