SB Nation User Blog: Fernando Vina School of Linguistics

Hochevar's blunder immortalized on video

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:51:37 -0000

Hochevar's blunder immortalized on video

Kansas City Royals Baseball.

Dayton Moore's Interview on 810 WHB from Friday

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:56:11 -0000

Dayton Moore's Interview on 810 WHB from Friday

If this link doesn't work, you can go to 810whb.com, click on podcasts, and open one of the choices from "The Program." Moore's interview (about 40 minutes long) will be in the list.

Listen to the man behind The Process (tm) if you dare!

Your daily dose of vomit-inducing excuses/rationale from Dayton/Trey/Dick Kaegel.

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:31:15 -0000

Your daily dose of vomit-inducing excuses/rationale from Dayton/Trey/Dick Kaegel.

Trust.the.process.

After.i.suck.down.some.pepto-bismol.

Extended version of Banny's 810 Interview & Pitch F/X Graphs

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:26:57 -0000

Soren Petro played the full-length interview with Brian Bannister that was first played on Rany's 810 WHB radio program Thursday night. This version has a few more minutes of Banny's commentary on resurrecting his career as a MLB-caliber pitcher.

Find it here: http://www.810whb.com/podcasts.
You can't see it, but it's in the list for "The Program" (the first show listed). Just click on the podcast for Kevin Hartman or "2 Minute Drill" and a new window will open.
Then you'll be able to see their full list, which includes "Brian Bannister Talks Pitching."

The added parts focus on his history with throwing the cutter--learning it from watching Mariano Rivera, successfully throwing it in the New York Mets system, abandoning it, and then bringing it back this year after getting shelled in Spring Training and his first AAA start (hitting "rock bottom," as he describes it). Still utterly compelling and refreshing to hear (for the second time).

By the way, here are the box scores from his AAA outings this season.

First start--prior to re-tooling his arsenal:

Box Score

Ugly Play-by-Play

Second start--after "selling out" to the new plan:

Box Score

Play-by-play Recap....notice the improved amount of ground balls

Third start--pulled after two innings due to call-up

Play-by-play....6 outs--5 GB, 1 K

Box Score

By the way, I loooooooooooove the completely unintentional--yet completely hilarious quasi-jab he takes at Dayton's much maligned way of indentifying "talent."

"it's not what you see out there"........"it's numbers behind numbers"

I'm not that familiar with all of the Pitch F/X data, but I thought I should head over there and check it out after Banny's comments. I was interested in a few of the statements he made. In the interview, he mentions replacing his 4-seam ("extreme fly ball pitch") with his cutter...which he said acts like Derek Lowe/Chien-Ming Wang's fastball and has "about four inches of vertical rise." I went to Pitch F/X to see how accurate those comparisons were.

Bannister cutter "Average V(ertical)-Break"--2009 starts (in chronological order):
7.25, 6.28, 7.76, 6.52, 8.41, 5.72, 7.05, 5.43, 8.79, 7.07, 5.64, 4.95, 7.48, 5.83, 6.82, 7.80, 7.01, 7.24

...hmmm that does not appear to be "about four inches of vertical rise." More like six or seven inches. Am I missing something? The more I looked at these individual pitching logs, it looks to me like perhaps the Pitch F/X lasers were confusing his cutter with his slider. In some of these games it was saying Banny threw over 50 sliders and less than 10 cutters, which doesn't seem right....especially when it was saying his slider was moving in on right-handed batters (a negative H-Break), which would be the opposite break a slider should have (Juan Cruz's cutter has like 7 inches of break away from a righty).

Looking at some of his slider numbers, here's what their Average V-Break has been this season:
6.27, 5.01, 5.45, 2.13, 6.32, 3.94, 4.52, 3.79, 5.58, 3.53, 3.31, 3.82, 5.78

So perhaps some of his cutters are being mixed in with the slider grouping. I'm not sure.

He also mentioned his change-up getting down in the "Brandon Webb range" for sink, allowing hitters to swing over the top of it for ground balls. Skeptical? Let's see how they compare, using 10 of Banny's 2009 starts with 10 of Webb's 2008 starts (since he's injured this season).

Bannister Vertical Break on his change-up, 2009:
2.61, 2.95, 3.46, 2.19, 3.22, 0.29, 1.13, 0.11, 4.23, -0.40

Webb Vertical Break on his fastball, 2008:
2.28, 2.58, 1.53, 0.11, 0.87, 1.22, 1.01, 0.14, 0.03, 0.53

.....pretty good comparison, eh? In fact, almost all of the elements of Webb's devastating sinking fastball are present in Bannister's changeup. In most instances that I viewed, Bannister's changeups are 2-3 mph slower than Webb's fastball, and they may have about an inch less break going into a RH hitter, but they seem to be very similar to my untrained eye. Definitely a pitch I would want in my arsenal.

Fancy FanGraphs info now!

Graphs for every Start:

Pitch F/X Data by start....compare 2009 & 2008

Flyball/Groundball/Linedrive %'s by Year:

Season Team GB/FB LD% GB% FB% IFFB% HR/FB IFH% BUH%

Total * - - - 1.05 19.6 % 41.1 % 39.3 % 11.3 % 9.0 % 5.0 % 18.5 %

2006 Mets 0.89 15.2 % 40.0 % 44.8 % 17.9 % 7.1 % 4.0 % 0.0 %

2007 Royals 1.02 19.2 % 40.8 % 39.9 % 12.7 % 6.8 % 5.3 % 25.0 %

2008 Royals 0.92 22.0 % 37.5 % 40.5 % 9.5 % 11.5 % 5.6 % 10.0 %

2009 Royals 1.42 17.4 % 48.4 % 34.2 % 9.2 % 8.3 % 4.1 % 30.0 %

Season	Team	GB/FB	LD%	GB%	FB%	IFFB%	HR/FB	IFH%	BUH%
Total *	- - -	1.05	19.6 %	41.1 %	39.3 %	11.3 %	9.0 %	5.0 %	18.5 %
2006	Mets	0.89	15.2 %	40.0 %	44.8 %	17.9 %	7.1 %	4.0 %	0.0 %
2007	Royals	1.02	19.2 %	40.8 %	39.9 %	12.7 %	6.8 %	5.3 %	25.0 %
2008	Royals	0.92	22.0 %	37.5 %	40.5 %	9.5 %	11.5 %	5.6 %	10.0 %
2009	Royals	1.42	17.4 %	48.4 %	34.2 %	9.2 %	8.3 %	4.1 %	30.0 %

via www.fangraphs.com

Vertical Break on Pitches by Year:

Season FA-Z SL-Z FC-Z CH-Z CU-Z FT-Z IN-Z PO-Z Pitches

2007 9.5 4.0 9.9 4.4 -5.4 9.6 1311

2008 10.4 5.3 10.6 4.1 -6.0 9.1 10.3 10.5 3093

2009 9.0 4.5 7.0 2.0 -8.5 9.7 9.0 9.2 1644

via www.fangraphs.com

Pitch % By Year, 2007-2009

via www.fangraphs.com

Season FA% SL% FC% CH% CU% FT% IN% PO% Pitches

Total 44.2 % 22.9 % 11.5 % 10.5 % 10.1 % 0.5 % 0.3 % 0.1 % 6048

2007 48.3 % 20.1 % 11.5 % 7.9 % 12.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.2 % 1311

2007 58.7 % 16.6 % 1.8 % 10.8 % 9.6 % 0.7 % 0.5 % 0.1 % - - -

2008 57.5 % 16.7 % 5.8 % 9.6 % 9.3 % 1.0 % 0.1 % 0.1 % 3093

2008 59.0 % 16.8 % 1.2 % 10.5 % 9.5 % 1.2 % 0.5 % 0.1 % - - -

2009 15.8 % 36.7 % 22.4 % 14.2 % 10.0 % 0.1 % 0.7 % 0.2 % 1644

Season	FA%	SL%	FC%	CH%	CU%	FT%	IN%	PO%	Pitches
Total	44.2 %	22.9 %	11.5 %	10.5 %	10.1 %	0.5 %	0.3 %	0.1 %	6048
2007	48.3 %	20.1 %	11.5 %	7.9 %	12.0 %	0.0 %	0.0 %	0.2 %	1311
2007	58.7 %	16.6 %	1.8 %	10.8 %	9.6 %	0.7 %	0.5 %	0.1 %	- - -
2008	57.5 %	16.7 %	5.8 %	9.6 %	9.3 %	1.0 %	0.1 %	0.1 %	3093
2008	59.0 %	16.8 %	1.2 %	10.5 %	9.5 %	1.2 %	0.5 %	0.1 %	- - -
2009	15.8 %	36.7 %	22.4 %	14.2 %	10.0 %	0.1 %	0.7 %	0.2 %	1644

Brian Bannister: Auditioning for General Manager Job on 810 WHB

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:53:48 -0000

I logged on to 810's website today to listen to their reaction to last night's bullpen collapse (again) and Trey Hillman-san's post-game semi-meltdown ("You guys are grilling me on every point in the game!"). Before I listened to Soren's podcast I tuned in to Rany's radio show tonight.

They played a clip of Brian Bannister after last night's game where he talked about how he's re-made himself into a solid pitcher again. The more and more he talked, the more I realized that he may very well be the smartest guy in the organization---and the most qualified to run this team. Seriously. Listen to his interview and forget the context of him being a player. Doesn't he sound like a smart GM/Front office type?

Basically what he said is that he's used the Pitch F/X data now available online to track/study his pitches and their break. He basically scrapped last year's plan of trying to throw more 4-seamers in an effort to get more strikeouts after last year's disaster of a season, mainly because the results weren't there...and he was giving up too many fly balls.

Instead he's gone to primarily throwing a cutter (which "baseball men" had said a righty can't throw as his primary pitch as a starter) and the "power change" he learned from RamRam and James Shields. He says these pitches have more downward break...and even though there isn't that classic speed differential between fastball & changeup that you normally see (he's only got a 2-3 mph difference on them), the movement on them is what's allowing him to get a lot more groundballs than in the past. He references Derek Lowe and Brandon Webb's pitches as being similar to some of the break he's got on his pitches now.

He even mentions his FIP this year being much better, whereas in his 2007 the insane BABIP kept his ERA down, but left his FIP lacking. He also mentions how he knows the game from an offensive standpoint and where it's headed with regard to OBP, etc....

Honestly, it's refreshing to see a guy take statistics/analysis to help himself become a better pitcher, while not being afraid to scrap last year's plan when it was obviously not producing results. (Insert Dayton's "trust the process" joke here). I shouldn't have been stunned listening to the Banny interview since we've known he's a smart guy who is into sabermetrics, but everything this guy was saying was just gold Jerry....GOLD!

Anyone else crafting up a "Banny for GM" paperbag to wear to the game---complete with replica Trey moustache?

Listen to the Banny interview on 810whb.com Go to Podcasts....and it's at the bottom under "additional programming" for 7/23/09. Trust me........it's a must listen.

**Banny's interview comes on at about the 33:00 or 34:00 minute mark.......the first half hour is railing on Hillman's use of the bullpen this weekend.

http://www.810whb.com/podcasts

Video Interview of Trey at a much happier time....

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:53:54 -0000

Video Interview of Trey at a much happier time....

YouTube interview of Trey three years ago. It's a religion-based conversation, but somewhat interesting to listen to--especially after the contrasting mood we heard tonight.

Part II of the conversation can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsku55W2lk4&feature=related

This Date in Royals History: July 20--Maybe the 'pen didn't lose it in the 8th while our closer was in witness protection

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 07:12:49 -0000

Kansas City Royals Baseball: Distracting ourselves from the current regime through Baseball Reference!

While it would certainly be appropriate to post another FanShot demonstrating the nitwit-like tendencies of the current Kansas City Royals, I thought it may be a good time to call for the changeup--instead offering up another installment of "This Day in Royals History." Once again, all credit goes to Baseball Reference....and once again, I'll provide you with a soundtrack to accompany the randomly selected box score I'm featuring (courtesy of YouTube & Yahoo! Music).

This time I just happened to click on 1988, so we'll be taking a long look at July 20, 1988--a mere score (plus one year) from today. My Yahoo!* Music player is currently set for 1980's country hits, which just seems like the perfect background for a hot, summer afternoon in 1988. Our first track features a man who I last saw on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice (the only time I watched the show). He seemed like a jerk on the show, but this is a classic:

*(what's with exclamation? has anyone ever used the word yahoo without being excited?)

The 1988 Kansas City Royals went 84-77 (three games worse than their Pythag expected record), good enough to finish 3rd in the AL West, a mere 19.5 games back in the division race. A stunning 12 wins that season came against the Baltimore Orioles, as the Royals did not lose a game to Baltimore the entire year. The Royals sent three players to the All-Star Game that year, and I bet you could guess a number of times before coming to the correct triumvirate of these gentlemen:

All three men played, Brett pinch-hitting in the 9th and flying out against Todd Worrell, Stillwell playing the bottom of the 9th on defense, and Gubicza pitching two innings (getting a hold, but also allowing the only run for the NL) of relief in the AL's win in Cincinnati.

The Royals were sitting at 46-41 in the standings, and just 7.5 back (this is the Oakland vs Los Angeles World Series year--Kirk Gibson heroics) at the All-Star break, still within reasonable striking distance of Oakland's Bash Brothers & Co. However, things went horribly wrong after the All-Star Game.

Kansas City was swept in a four-games-in-three-days series (yay doubleheaders!) at Fenway, with all three games being decided by three runs or less. The Red Sox were in third place in the AL East at the time, and were managed by Joe Morgan! Talk about embarrassing....getting swept by Mr. Consistency? Ok, ok, so it's not THAT Joe Morgan. But it would've been funny if it was.

After the miserable trip to Boston, the Royals headed to Milwaukee's County Stadium to square off with the Brewers in a three game series. Sadly, the road trip was not any better to KC in Joel Goldberg's collegiate stomping grounds of Wisconsin as the Royals lost the first two games of the series, managing to score two measly runs in those games (one in each game). The six-game losing streak was a season-high for the team, matching an unfortunate string of games in May--which ironically,* were all home games. July 20th was the final game of the road trip---a Wednesday afternoon "get-away day." Would this be the day John Wathan's Royals broke the losing streak which saw them drop from 7.5 games back to a devastating 11 games from first? We'll find out after the next musical interlude:

*Looking for confirmation from Alanis Morissette on the proper usage of 'ironic' in this situation.

July 20th, 1988--Twenty-one Years Ago

The last "This Day in Royals History" I examined also featured a road game in Milwaukee, and the game turned out to be a high-scoring, error-filled comeback affair for Kansas City. The 1988 game would not replicate the 1999 version of Brewers/Royals. Here is the pitching matchup for the game:

Charlie Leibrandt was in his fifth season with the Royals in 1988. He'd started a Meche-ian 126 games in those first four years, logging over 850 innings in that timeframe while accumulating a 58-38 record. He would go on to throw a career-high 243 innings for KC in 1988 (good for 10th in the league), winning 13 games in the process.

Teddy Higuera had been a phenom for the Brewers ever since having his contract purchased from the Mexican League. He went 15-8 his rookie year in 1985, good for second in the Rookie of the Year voting (to Ozzie Guillen). He'd won 20 games in 1986 with a whopping 15 complete games. He was the first Mexican-born pitcher to win 20 games in MLB, and was rewarded for his success with another second place finish, this time in the AL Cy Young voting (Roger Clemens won with a 24-4 record). He dropped to 18 wins (and 260 IP) and sixth in the Cy Young vote in 1987, but he was still a very successful pitcher going into the 1988 season. In fact, he led the league with a WHIP of 0.999 in 1988. Sadly, it would be his last truly great year as a multitude of injuries (back, ankle, rotator cuff) limited his effectiveness after the 1988 season.

It would've been nice to see what he could've become if injuries hadn't plagued his career. The first four comparables on his Baseball Reference page are John Lackey, Josh Beckett, Brandon Webb, and Carlos Zambrano. Yeah. Pretty freaking good. However, he has stayed involved in the game through coaching, having recently served as Joakim Soria's pitching coach for Team Mexico in both World Baseball Classics.

Next, the lineups...brought to you courtesy of ~~Kanye~~ Conway Twitty:

Lineups

   Kansas City Royals                        Milwaukee Brewers                            
1. Willie Wilson                CF       1. Paul Molitor                 DH
2. Bill Pecota                  SS       2. Jim Gantner                  2B
3. Kevin Seitzer                3B       3. Jeffrey Leonard              LF
4. George Brett                 1B       4. Robin Yount                  CF
5. Danny Tartabull              RF       5. Dale Sveum                   SS
6. Frank White                  DH       6. Joey Meyer                   1B
7. Bo Jackson                   LF       7. Bill Schroeder                C
8. Mike Macfarlane               C       8. Darryl Hamilton              RF
9. Brad Wellman                 2B       9. Juan Castillo                3B

   Charlie Leibrandt             P          Teddy Higuera                 P

Willie Wilson was getting up in years (32) and was in his last few seasons as a player for the Royals in 1988, though he still led the league in triples in 1988. Seitzer was coming off his league leading 200+ hit rookie season, and Brett managed to stay healthy for 157 games in '88, which allowed him to rack up over 20 HR and 100 RBI, good enough for another Silver Slugger. Tartabull also put up 20+ dongs and 100+ RBI, and though Frank White was in his upper 30's, this was the season he made a career-low four errors all season, yet explicably did not get a Gold Glove. Instead the honor went to Harold Reynolds, he of the 18 errors and -2.8 Fielding Runs Above Average. Nice work. Bo was 25, and in his second season with the Royals. He also hit over 20 jacks (where is this power now for the Royals?). A young Mike MacFarlane was in his first full season of what would become a long tenure with KC, and Wellman is probably the only unrecognizable name in our lineup. Besides being the brother-in-law of Tom Candiotti, he was signed by KC, then traded before he became a major leaguer in the Vida Blue deal. Once he was released, he came back to KC as a free agent, and played sparingly as a defensive replacement in '88 and '89 before retiring.

As for the game, it was a pure pitchers' duel between Leibrant and Higuera. Seeing that the Royals had only scored two runs in 18 innings in the first two games of the series, this was no surprise--especially when you consider how good Teddy Higuera was. But Leibrant was no slouch either, and he pitched like a man looking to stop a season-long losing streak.

Seitzer hit a two-out double in the top of the first to immediately give the Royals a scoring opportunity, but Brett struck out swinging on a 2-2 pitch to strand KC's first runner of the game. Another runner wouldn't reach second base until the bottom of the third, when Paul Molitor broke Leibrant's streak of six consecutive batters retired with a two-out single up the middle, and then swiped second base. However, that's as far as he'd get, as Jim Ganter grounded out to end the inning. At this point in the game, eight of the nine outs for Milwaukee had been recorded on ground balls, with lone outcast being Robin Yount's first inning strikeout. After 3: KC 0 MIL 0

Higuera continued to baffle KC hitters, striking out four of the next five before Mike MacFarlane was able to break through with the Royals' second hit of the game with a two-out single in the top of the 5th. But Wellman grounded out to end the inning. Leibrant also allowed a runner in the bottom half of the 5th on a Darryl Hamilton two-out walk. Charlie then compounded the problem with a balk, giving Milwaukee its first runner in scoring position of the day. But he got out of it by inducing a flyout to Wilson in center for the final out of the fifth. KC 0 MIL 0

Higuera breezed through the top of the KC order in the sixth on 12 pitches, and Leibrant topped that performance in the bottom of the frame by wiping out the top of the Milwaukee order in a mere six pitches. Not to be outdone, Higuera made it through the top of the seventh in five pitches when Brett singled on a 1-1 pitch, Tartabull hit into a 6-4-3 DP on the first pitch, and Frank White also made an out on the first pitch, lining out to left field.

Amazingly, Leibrant had a chance to match this pitching efficiency when he retired the first two Brewer batters of the bottom of the 7th after four pitches. It didn't happen, though, as Joey Meyer doubled down the line. With a 0-0 game, Milwaukee decided to pinch-run with one of the greatest names in baseball--Billie Jo Robidoux. I don't know his name really rhymes, but in my head, it does---------and it's spectacular.

Leibrant was somehow able to settle himself after watching the uber-brilliance of Robidoux make an appearance, as he struck out Bill Schroeder to end the inning. End 7 KC 0 MIL 0

KC couldn't sniff a baserunner against Higuera in the 8th or 9th, but Leibrant kept matching him frame-for-frame, until giving way to Jeff Montgomery in the bottom of the 9th in a 0-0 game. How scary is that thought? Relax...this is before Monty became a closer at all, let alone a closer with a bad habit of blowing leads late in games. This was his first full season in the majors, as the Royals had traded for him from Cincinnati just before Spring Training in 1988. Despite being a rookie, he was pitching out of the bullpen in fairly meaningful situations, usually in the 6th, 7th, or 8th inning. He had been used for as little as one out, or as much as three innings--and had appeared in a "high pressure" situation in 11 of his 16 appearances so far in 1988. With a 2-1 record, four holds, and a 3.60 ERA, he was making a nice name for himself in the KC 'pen.

Entering a scoreless game in the 9th, there was obviously no room for error. He retired the first two of the inning before giving up a double to Dale Sveum, sending Milwaukee's chances of winning the game from 54% to 61%. But Billie Jo Robidoux grounded out to end the threat and send this game to extras!!!!!!!!! End 9 KC 0 MIL 0

FREEEEEEEEEEE BASEBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!

Going into extra frames the Royals had scored two runs in its 27 innings in Milwaukee during the series, and with the game in the hands of the bullpen, things weren't exactly looking up for KC. However, a bit of good news came with the removal of Teddy Higuera from the game after 9 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 K in his 106-pitch masterpiece. Chuck Crim came on in relief to face the heart of the KC order in the 10th. He was up to the task, striking out Brett and Tartabull to begin the 10th. But then he gave up a single to Frank White and walked Bo Jackson to give KC a rare scoring chance. Macfarlane flied out to end the threat. After 9 1/2 KC 0 MIL 0

Montgomery stayed on in relief and continued his effectiveness, as he needed just eight pitches to work the bottom of the 10th on two flyouts and a groundout. Stillwell reached on a wild pitch on a strikeout (aka "an Olivo"), but was stranded in the 11th for KC, but Milwaukee was set down in order again by Montgomery in the bottom half--this time on 11 pitches. After 11 KC 0 MIL 0

The get-away day hackfest continued in the 12th, as both teams tried their hardest to get the game over ASAP, but to no avail. Neither squad could muster a baserunner in the inning; KC saw 7 pitches, the Brewers saw 10. After 12 KC 0 MIL 0

Going into the 13th, Chuck Crim had thrown 43 pitches over his three excellent innings, and he was pulled in favor of Tom Filer. Who? I don't know either. Looks like he pitched for Toronto in 1985, going 7-0 as a starter. But then he didn't make another appearance in the bigs until Milwaukee picked him up in 1988--so I'm guessing he got hurt*

*Upon further research, I found this bizarrely appropriate article describing who the heck Tom Filer is. Looks like he is part of a pretty exclusive club! And yes, he did get hurt--late in 1985--so he never pitched in the post-season vs. the Royals that year. Here's an excerpt from the above-linked article.

Unfortunately, baseball-reference’s Play Index only goes back to 1956 but I found 10 pitchers with 16 or more consecutive team wins when they started a game since ‘56. Here’s the list of those 10 pitchers:

20 – Roger Clemens, New York Yankees (May 26, 2001 – Sept. 19, 2001)
19 – Aaron Sele, Seattle Mariners (Sept. 5, 2000 – June 12, 2001)
19 – Tom Filer, Cubs/Blue Jays/Brewers (June 23, 1982 – June 14, 1988)
18 – Chuck Finley, Anaheim Angels (July 1, 1997 – May 2, 1998)
17 – Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals (June 14, 2005 – Sept. 13, 2005)
17 – Brian Anderson, Arizona Diamondbacks (July 24, 1999 – May 23, 2000)
17 – Whitey Ford, New York Yankees (June 2, 1961 – Aug. 10, 1961)
16 – Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners (Aug. 11, 1995 – April 26, 1996)
16 – La Marr Hoyt, Chicago White Sox (July 27, 1983 – April 10, 1984)
16 – Ron Guidry, New York Yankees (April 13, 1978 – July 2, 1978)

Tom Filer? TOM FILER??? There’s a Hall of Famer, six Cy Young Award winners, seven postseason game winners, eight former All-Stars and Tom Filer on this list. Not only is Tom Filer an oddity, his streak spanned nearly six years and three different teams:

So where were we? Oh yeah...top 13 in a scoreless game on get-away day. I'm sure all of the players were loving this. Thankfully Tom Filer obliged the Royals nearly-extinct bats with this beautiful sequence:

B. Jackson singled to CF.
M. Macfarlane struck out.
Bill Buckner pinch hits for T. Wellman.
B. Buckner singled to CF, B. Jackson advanced to 2b.
Dan Plesac replaced Tom Filer pitching for Milwaukee.
Nick Capra pinch ran for B. Buckner   (WHO IS NICK CAPRA??????)*
W. Wilson singled to LF, B. Jackson scored, N. Capra to 2b!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!      1-0 KC
K. Stillwell flied out to 2b.
K. Seitzer walked, N. Capra to 3b, W.Wilson to 2b (look at that plate discipline for Seitz)
G. Brett doubled to RF, N. Capra scored, W. Wilson scored, K. Seitzer scored                     4-0 KC
D. Tartabull flied out to RF.

How about that offensive outburst? After two runs in 21 innings, the Royals put up an avalanche of four runs thanks to the shaky relief work of Filer and Plesac. After Top 13 KC 4 MIL 0

*Oh yeah...Nick Capra. Anyone heard of this guy? Looks like he was a very bad outfielder, putting up a .167/.262/.241 line in his career, which consisted of 61 plate appearances over five seasons. In 1988 the Royals gave him the most playing time he ever earned in the bigs, and he rewarded them with a 4-29 effort at the plate over 14 games. After retiring, he headed into coaching. He managed for 11 seasons in the White Sox system, including the Burlington Bees. He is currently the White Sox minor league hitting coordinator. I wonder if he discusses his glory days in KC with Buddy Bell. Next thought--how is he qualified to be a hitting coordinator with those major league numbers? Wait....I just realized that the Royals have a current manager who couldn't even put up this guy's numbers in the low minors. Get this cat on the horn right now Dayton!!!!!!! I'm sure he has impeccable class and is a great communicator too!

Going into the bottom of the 13th, the Royals were pretty thin with bench players. Earlier in the game Pat Tabler had been used as a pinch-hitter for Bill Pecota. Since Tabler couldn't play middle infield, Stillwell replaced Tabler, burning two bench spots. When Bill Buckner reached base as a pinch hitter in the top of the 13th, he was pinch run for with Capra--an outfielder. It seems as if the Royals didn't have any options to play second base left on the bench, because John Wathan took his DH, Frank White, and inserted him into the game to play second. This meant Jeff Montgomery would now have to bat in the rare instance that Milwaukee tied the game and it went further into extras.

Now, you may be thinking---Jeff Montgomery is still in the game? Hasn't he pitched four innings of relief already? Yes, and yes. But he had retired 10 straight hitters. Plus, he had thrown 44 pitches in the 9th-12th, and he'd thrown more than that on a couple of occasions earlier in 1988. But he'd never gone this long into a game out of the bullpen. Cincinnati had given him one start in '87, and he lasted five innings in that game. Despite the large number of "up and downs"---to borrow a Treydaddy term---Monty miraculously did not have his arm spontaneously combust on the mound for having to record

15 outs in a game as a Major League relief pitcher!!!!!!1111111cueTrey'sheadexploding1111111111

...as Monty breezed through the bottom of the 13th, needing just seven pitches to earn game GRITMASTER honors to seal the slump-busting victory for the good ol' Boys in Blue. Despite the 13 innings, the game was played in three hours and 24 minutes thanks to the lack of hits and quick at-bats. Here is the final box score:

Kansas City Royals           AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
W Wilson CF                   6   1   1   1    0   0  .272  .636   18   15    2   0   
B Pecota SS                   3   0   0   0    0   2  .158  .415   14   11    2   4   
  P Tabler PH                 1   0   0   0    0   0  .261  .660    3    2    0   0   
  K Stillwell SS              2   0   0   0    0   1  .252  .743    5    5    1   1   
K Seitzer 3B                  5   1   1   0    1   2  .316  .821   24   13    0   3   2B
G Brett 1B                    6   0   2   3    0   3  .333  .947   25   17   21   0   2B
D Tartabull RF                5   0   0   0    1   2  .275  .880   19   10    1   0   GDP
F White DH-2B                 5   0   1   0    0   1  .261  .670   15   11    0   1   
B Jackson LF                  4   1   1   0    1   3  .264  .765   25   17    2   0   
M Macfarlane C                5   0   1   0    0   1  .268  .736   14   10    8   0   
B Wellman 2B                  4   0   0   0    0   1  .241  .540   13    9    2   9   
  B Buckner PH                1   0   1   0    0   0  .242  .601    2    1    0   0   
  N Capra PR                  0   1   0   0    0   0  .111  .384              0   0   
  J Montgomery P-P            0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   1   

C Leibrandt P                                                                 0   0
Totals                       47   4   8   0    3  16              177  121   39  19

Kansas City Royals            IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
C Leibrandt                    8     4   0   0    2   4   0   3.76   29  101-62   31·11·18   15· 8· 3· 0     76    -     1.09   0.55
J Montgomery, W (3-1)          5     1   0   0    0   3   0   3.00   16   51-36   24· 2·10    8· 5· 1· 0          0-0    1.71   0.56
Totals                        13     5   0   0    2   7   0          45  152-98   55·13·28   23·13· 4· 0           -

Milwaukee Brewers             IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
T Higuera                      9     3   0   0    1  10   0   2.39   30  106-74   45·14·14    7·12· 5· 0     90    -     1.12   0.68
C Crim                         3     1   0   0    1   5   0   2.30   12   43-30   16· 8· 5    2· 4· 2· 0          0-0    2.19   0.41
T Filer, L (5-4)               0.1   2   2   2    0   1   0   3.59    3    9-7     5· 1· 1    0· 2· 2· 0          0-0    2.97  -0.08
D Plesac                       0.2   2   2   2    1   0   0   2.36    5   19-10    9· 1· 0    0· 4· 2· 0          2-2    1.94  -0.40
Totals                        13     8   4   4    3  16   0          50  177-121  75·24·20    9·22·11· 0          2-2

I don't know about you, but this type of win deserves another 1980's country classic that was likely played hundreds of times after KC Royals games on the various Midwest radio stations spanning the Royals Radio Network.

Honorable Mention:

Seven Years Ago--2002: The Royals won the first game of a doubleheader with Cleveland on a scorching 97 degree day to run their amazing winning streak to nine games with a 7-5 win. Sadly, despite the winning streak the Royals were still 12 games under .500 in the final days of Tony Pena's managerial career with KC. AJ Hinch hit a 2-run HR off of Jake Westbrook to charge the Royal attack, and former great Brandon Berger also picked up 2 RBI in support of Runeylvs Hernandez, who won his first major league game (in his 2nd start). The magic didn't follow through to the second game, as the Royals lost 5-3 in 10 innings when Ellis Burks hit a bomb that still hasn't landed. The loss wasted a solid pitching effort from Shawn Sedlacek and Jason Grimsley. Brad Voyles got the loss.*
*Now that I think about it, I was in attendance for these games, and the stadium was electric for the winning streak. They had over 36K fans in attendance, and it was a great atmosphere. I still remember some drunk guy out there in right field general admission with us yelling at the Cleveland players. His best jeer was "SHUEY AINT POOEY," which Paul Shuey shook off to win the second game of the doubleheader....but he wasn't done there. No sir. He also was loudly supporting the Royals. His best pro-Royals cheer is still a line that my buddies will toss around from time to time:

GO MICHAEL TUCKER................HE'S MY MOTHER F#%$&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

(go on wit' 'cha bad self, Mike)

Sixteen Years Ago: 1993--
The Royals lost 7-0 and were one-hit by Baltimore's Ben McDonald, who improved to 7-8 on the season for the first-place Orioles. David Cone took the loss for KC, while Mark Gubicza pitched one inning of relief. Harold Baines homered and had three RBI for the Orioles. Gary Gaetti had KC's only hit, a two-out single in the 4th inning on a "line drive to deep SS," whatever that is. Rico Rossy made a sweet appearance on defense late in the game for the Royals, and Baltimore's starting third basemen was Tim Hulett, father of current Royal Tug Hulett.

Thirty-five Years Ago: 1974--
Jack McKeon's Royals fell to 47-46 (3rd place) with a 6-2 loss in New York to the Yankees in George Brett's first full season with the Royals. The game wasn't even that close, as the Royals scored both of their runs in the top of the 9th, and they only managed two hits on the day--both of which came to leadoff the 9th inning. Steve Busby had a rough outing for KC, as he had to be pulled before he could even record an out in the 2nd inning, giving up a total of four runs on seven hits and a walk. Doc Medich threw the near no-hitter, but settled for the complete game for the Yanks. He was coming off a 14-9 year that netted him third place honors in the Rookie of the Year balloting, and managed to improve that mark to 19-15 in 1974--which would become his best year of his 11-year career which saw him win 124 games against 105 losses.
Royals catcher Fran Healy broke up the no-no with a single leading off the 9th, and Richie Scheinblum collected a pinch-hit double as the next batter. Healy scored on a wild pitch, and Scheinblum scored on a groundout for KC. Interestingly, Doc Medich was later traded for Dock Ellis in perhaps the only Doc-for-Dock trade in MLB history. Dock Ellis is a guy who actually DID throw a no-hitter, but he claimed he was on LSD at the time......seriously. He also beaned Reggie Jackson in the face, and some said it was in retaliation for the HR he hit off of him in the 1971 All-Star game that hit the light tower in Detroit's Tiger Stadium. Here is a very inside look at his intimidating, crazy personality (and life).

Poll

Based on past July 20th events, what is most likely to happen in tonight's Royals game?

Inspired by Leibrant/Higuera, Sidney Ponson and Sean O'Sullivan pitch gems, game goes to 13th inning tied 0-0

2 votes

Inspired by Jeff Montgomery, Trey Hillman lets a relief pitcher throw 5 innings in a tie game

3 votes

Inspired by John Wathan using up his bench, Trey Hillman starts Frank White as DH and eventually enters him in the field.

1 votes

Inspired by AJ Hinch, Miguel Olivo hits 2-run HR, whines in post-game interview about wanting to become GM. David Glass obliges to Miggy's request and fires Dayton Moore.

6 votes

Royals get one-hit in 7-0 loss, Ben McDonald style.

22 votes

Royals have to get two hits in the 9th to keep from getting no-hit, Doc Medich style.

2 votes

Inspired by Steve Busby, Sidney Ponson doesn't record an out in the 2nd inning and has to be pulled, allowing 4 R and 8 baserunners

20 votes

Someone gets waaaaaaay too drunk and starts shouting hilarious rhyming obscenities towards Royals players (think of the possibilities!!)

18 votes

74 votes | Poll has closed

Dayton says PornStache and staff are doing a "tremendous" job..

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:10:30 -0000

Dayton says PornStache and staff are doing a "tremendous" job..

Some good quotes in here about farming as well (i think).

This Date in Royals History: July 16th...Celebrating 10 years since Dan Reichert's MLB Debut!

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:40:31 -0000

Kansas City Royals Baseball--When the present is seemingly insufferable, look back at the glorious past!

A week or so ago, Will asked for suggestions on how to improve this site. While a lot of that discussion was great, it got quickly buried by the fury of the YPJ trade. But one of the suggestions mentioned was to do a "This Day in Royals History." Since I didn't have enough baseball tonight (five hours at the ballpark for team pictures & a doubleheader--we got the sweep!), I figured I'd jump in and try one to kick off the post-ASB portion of the 2009 schedule.*

*Editor's note: To get the full effect of this glance back into KC history, it is paramount to find your music outlet of choice and play some tunes from the said time frame. For example, while researching my 1999 KC Royals information I'm rocking out to Yahoo's 1990's Alternative Rock Station--currently featuring Cake's vastly underrated "Rock'n'Roll Lifestyle."

Ten Years Ago: July 16, 1999

--After sending Jose Rosado to the 1999 All-Star Game in Boston (Pedro's filthy five strikeouts to six batters game), the Royals began the "second half" of the season with a doubleheader in Milwaukee's County Stadium. I can hear the snickers now "haha...Jose Rosado?" Trust me, there were much more bizarre All-Star selections in 1999. John Jaha anyone?

From the above-linked site (for those of you too lazy to click the link):

A fantastic season for Jaha in 1999 was highlighted perhaps by his first and only All-star appearance. Jaha struck out in his only at-bat, and participated in the Home Run Derby, where he hit one homer. He also holds the distinction of being the only person I've seen swing and miss in a homerun contest.

But it was a great season.

2005

John Jaha is now 39.

Anyway, I'm off track...and now listening to this late 90's great tune:

On July 16, 1999, the Royals were 35-52, a mere 21 games back. Here is the box score of the first game of the twinbill, which pitted Kevin Appier (just before he was traded to Oakland) and Steve Woodward, who was somehow 10-5 at the time. The Royals lost 2-0, with the Brewers scoring on a Mark Loretta single and a Rich Becker RBI groundout that scored ~~Jeremy~~ Jeromy Burnitz, who had reached base after striking out (no, Olivo was not catching for KC that day--blame KC's six-hole hitter, Chad Kreuter.

Kansas City Royals           AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details

J Damon LF                    4   0   0   0    0   2  .295  .832   13   10    2   0   

J Randa 3B                    4   0   2   0    0   0  .322  .857   16   12    1   1   

C Beltran CF                  4   0   0   0    0   2  .299  .803   11    9    3   0   

M Sweeney 1B                  3   0   1   0    0   0  .319  .890   11    8    8   1   2B

J Dye RF                      3   0   1   0    0   0  .302  .888    9    6    3   0   GDP

C Kreuter C                   3   0   0   0    0   1  .251  .721    8    5    2   4   

C Febles 2B                   3   0   0   0    0   0  .283  .814   10    9    2   1   GDP

R Sanchez SS                  3   0   0   0    0   0  .264  .653    5    4    3   4   

K Appier P                    2   0   0   0    0   1  .000  .000    6    4    0   3   

  A Morman P                  0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   0   

  K Ray P                     0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   1   

  J Giambi PH                 1   0   0   0    0   0  .273  .720    6    4    0   0   

Totals                       30   0   4   0    0   6               95   71   24  15

...and the pitching line:

Kansas City Royals            IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
K Appier, L (8-8)              6.2   8   2   2    3   2   0   4.83   30  105-67   51· 3·13   13·12· 6· 0     49    -     1.06   0.08
A Morman                       0.2   1   0   0    0   0   0   3.81    3   10-6     5· 0· 1    0· 3· 3· 0          1-0    0.42   0.02
K Ray                          0.2   0   0   0    0   0   0   0.00    1    5-3     1· 0· 2    1· 0· 0· 0          1-0    0.36   0.02
Totals                         8     9   2   2    3   2   0          34  120-76   57· 3·16   14·15· 9· 0          2-0

Yes, A. Morman and K. Ray. You should remember Ken Ray, since the Royals brought him back in the organization just a few years ago. But major bonus points if you knew who "A.Morman" was....or even what the "A" stands for.

But overall, that's about as good of a lineup as the Royals have had in who knows how long. Unfortunately, Woodward shut them down, only surrenduring three hits while striking out six in eight efficient innings (85 pitches-63 strikes). Bob Wickman picked up the save for the Brewers. *

*By the way, is the old school Brewers logo one of the best of all-time or what? I think I remember reading that a college kid designed as part of a contest back in the day. Embarrassing fact--I've always loved the logo...but up until a few years ago I just always saw it as a ball & glove...I had no idea that the glove was spelling out the team initials of "M" and "b". I was never good at those "3-D Crazy Eye" puzzles either. I always saw them backwards.

Game Two of the doubleheader was a joyous occasion for the KC faithful. I mean this thing was a demonstration in pitching excellence. Before we get to the happy box score, I just want to list off all the the pitchers that appeared in this game. David Weathers is the best of the lot....and it's not even close:

KC pitchers: Dan Reichert (making his MLB debut), Brian Barber (would not play again in MLB after this season), Mac Suzuki, Ken Ray, Tim Byrdak (who is somehow in the majors again), Scott Service (he picked up 8 amazing saves for the Royals in '99).

Milwaukee pitchers: Scott Karl, David Weathers (still going strong--19 yrs in the bigs), Jim Pittsley* (yes, the same guy who was a 1st round pick of the Royals in 1992--this was the next-to-last appearance in his career.), Eric Plunk (one of the best-ever names for a pitcher...he was also in his final MLB season), Rafael Roque (who?)

*I remember thinking Pittsley was awesome when Interleague play first started because he ripped a double at Pittsburgh to propel the Royals offense one game--is it sad that I can remember an at-bat from 1997 from Jim Pittsley...the man who only had seven plate appearances in his entire career? **

**Further research tells me that this at-bat came in the Royals first-ever interleague game. So that's slightly less embarrassing....it's the answer to a trivia question!!!111 FYI...Pittsley struck out in his first at-bat, and doubled in his next AB vs. the immortal Francisco Cordova.

Ok, so simply by seeing the list (and amount) of pitchers that appeared in this game, you probably can guess how many runs were scored. Rather than post a lame box score, I'll try to re-enact the action for you. Close your eyes and take yourself to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1999! Here is another musical trip back in time to serve as the background music:

Kansas City started the young Dan Reichert, exactly two years to the day after he signed a contract ($1.45 M bonus) with the Royals as the #7 Overall Pick in the 1997 MLB Draft. Sadly, the first round of the 1997 draft produced nothing but busts for pitchers besides Jon Garland. Seriously. Look at the list. There are good hitters (V.Wells, JD Drew, Glaus, Berkman), but nothing for pitchers.

Reichert had shot through the Royals' system, being named a 1999 AAA All-Star (9-2 with 123 K's in 111.2 IP with a 3.71 ERA.) So even with the extended rest of the All-Star break, the Royals called him up and gave him a shot with the big club in Milwaukee. Sadly, it did not go as Dan would have liked.

He retired the first two hitters he ever faced (Valentin & Belliard), but then walked two guys (a sign of things to come) before striking out the aforementioned Burnitz. However, his MLB career was off to a successful start--no runs allowed!

The second inning did not do him any favors, however. Here is the rundown:

M. Grissom singles.
B. Banks lines out to deep RF. (catcher Brian Banks if you didn't know...I didn't.)
M. Grissom steals 2B.
S. Berry hit by pitch (another sign of things to come)
S. Karl walks. (yes, he walked the opposing pitcher)
J. Valentin walks, RBI. (one wheel comes off!!)
R. Belliard singles, RBI.
J. Cirillo singles, 2 RBI.
J. Burnitz flies out to RF.
G. Jenkins triples to CF, 2 RBI (both wheels come off!!)
M. Grissom singles (for the second time this inning), RBI.
....exit Reichert...enter Brian Barber for KC as pitcher...

Final Line for Reichert:

1.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K. 52 pitches, 22 strikes.
Somehow the Yahoo Music player picks an appropriate song for the occasion for ol' Danny Boy-- "....well I guess this is growing up....." (warning...F-bomb in the song at the 0:55 mark for those at work):

After it was all said and done, the Royals were down 7-0 going into the top of the 3rd. According to the Baseball-Reference box score, the Royals had a 4% win expectancy after this inning. Thankfully, they weren't exactly facing Cy Young on the mound, because they would stage an all-time comeback. The seven-run comeback is the second-best in team history (happening seven times, most recently last season vs. SF in the Tim Lincecum game in throwback unis). Nine runs is the best comeback in team history. Anyway...here's how the comeback happened:

Top 3: After two quick outs, an error allows Beltran to reach 1B. Sweeney, Dye, and Randa all single (1999 Singles Train baby!!), scoring two unearned runs for KC. MIL 7 KC 2

Top 5: Still trailing 7-2, Beltran starts the rally with a leadoff single. Michael J Sweeney homers to make it 7-4. Dye doubles, Randa flys out, Rey Sanchez singles, and then KC legend Tim Spehr* hits a three-run HR to tie the game a 7-7 and chase Scott Karl from the game!!!!!!!! ROYAL PRIDE!!! YOU GOTTA LOVE THESE GUYS! CATCH THE FEVER! MIL 7 KC 7 ...........47% Win Expectancy!

*I999 was an odd year for Tim Spehr--who was born in the KC area and was originally drafted by the Royals before bouncing around MLB and finally returning home for his final season...he had 10 career HR going into the season (in 469 career plate appearances), yet somehow managed to hit 9 dongs for KC that season--his last as a pro.

With a new ballgame at a 7-7 score, Dan Reichert was off the hook and the comeback was almost complete. However, David Weathers kept KC at bay (retiring pinch hitter Steve Scarcone....who?? He'd only get 9 more AB's in the majors after this game--this is a sad trend of guys making their only/final MLB apperances with KC).

*Another late 90's musical interlude to serve as the soundtrack of the story----another underrated one from this Yahoo player. Is it just me or does this song have a bit of the music from CBS' Masters coverage in it?

Bottom 5: The momentum was back with the Royals, but Mac Suzuki promptly entered the game and gave it up, retiring the first two batters, and then allowing five straight batters to reach base (two walks, three singles), scoring three runs for the Brewers. MIL 10 KC 7

Top 7 (Back down to 11% Win Expectancy): Weathers held down the KC offense, but he was eventually relieved by Jim Pittsley, who in a cruel twist of fate, had just been put on waivers by KC & picked up by MIL at the end of May 1999. Joe Randa greeted the former Royal with a double, moved up on a fly ball, and then scored on a passed ball to make it a 10-8 defecit. After walking Tim Spehr (respect his power!) and uber-gritty Scott Pose, Johnny Damon singled to load the bases with one out for Carlos Febles. Febles grounded to short, but Valentin booted it, allowing a run to score, keeping the bases loaded.

That was it for Pittsley, who gave way to Eric Plunk. He induced Beltran to hit a potential DP grounder to first, but a bad throw (I assume a bad throw to home that got away from the catcher? maybe a throw to 2b that ended up in the outfield?...maybe this year is payback for this bizarre comeback game with our inability to turn any type of DP on a grounder to first) on MIL first baseman Sean Berry allowed two runs to score for KC. What are you thinking Sean Berry? You can't double up the gritasticity that is Scotty Pose and Johnny Damon!! POSE & DAMON FTW!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111111111oneeeeeeeeeeee! Sweeney hit into a DP to end the threat, but the Brewers were surely demoralized..........after six and a half........KC 11 MIL10.........62% Win Exp!

Now seizing the game's momentum, Tim "Shutdown" Byrdak recorded two 1-2-3 innings to take the game to the 9th with KC still nursing the slim 11-10 lead.

Top 9: Jed Hansen (pinch-hitting...also in his final MLB season...the trend continues!) and Johnny Damon singled with one out in the 9th, and the FIFTH ERROR of the game for the Brewers (Beltran ground ball to Cirillo) allowed KC to plate an insurance run...which is vital when you're using Scott Service as your closer. KC 12 MIL 10

Bottom 9: Service makes a mockery of my mocking him, closing out the bizarre Royals victory in order...14 pitches.

WHERE'S THAT 4% WIN EXPECTANCY NOW MR. COMPUTER?

Check out the carnage:

Kansas City Royals           AB   R   H RBI   BB  SO    BA   OPS  Pit  Str   PO   A  Details
J Damon LF                    6   1   2   0    0   0  .296  .830   28   17    0   0   
C Febles 2B                   6   0   1   1    0   1  .280  .805   16   12    3   2   SB
C Beltran CF                  5   2   1   1    1   0  .298  .799   23   14    3   1   
M Sweeney 1B                  6   2   2   2    0   1  .319  .896   37   24    7   1   HR,GDP
J Dye RF                      5   1   3   1    0   1  .307  .895   25   14    6   0   2B
J Randa 3B                    5   1   2   1    0   0  .323  .859   22   14    0   0   2B
R Sanchez SS                  5   1   1   0    0   0  .263  .649   12   10    2   2   
T Spehr C                     4   2   2   3    1   1  .214  .740   22   10    5   2   HR
D Reichert P                  1   0   0   0    0   1  .000  .000    6    4    0   0   
  B Barber P                  0   0   0   0    0   0                6    3    1   1   SH
  S Scarsone PH               1   0   0   0    0   0  .183  .525    1    1    0   0   
  M Suzuki P                  0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   0   
  K Ray P                     0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   0   
  S Pose PH                   0   1   0   0    1   0  .308  .764    7    3    0   0   
  T Byrdak P                  0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   0   
  J Hansen PH                 1   1   1   0    0   0  .214  .710    4    3    0   0   
  S Service P                 0   0   0   0    0   0                          0   0   
Totals                       45  12  15   0    3   5              209  129   27   9

Kansas City Royals            IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
D Reichert                     1.2   5   7   7    4   1   0  37.80   15   52-22   15· 0· 7    2· 7· 2· 0     14    -     1.19  -0.36
B Barber                       2.1   2   0   0    3   1   0   6.97   12   57-34   18· 4·12    4· 4· 3· 0          1-0    0.28   0.03
M Suzuki                       1     3   3   3    2   1   0   8.79    8   38-20   13· 2· 5    2· 3· 2· 0          0-0    1.42  -0.29
K Ray, W (1-0)                 1     2   0   0    0   0   0   0.00    4   14-9     4· 0· 5    2· 2· 1· 0          0-0    0.45   0.02
T Byrdak, H (4)                2     1   0   0    0   1   0   9.00    6   19-14    5· 1· 8    2· 3· 2· 0          0-0    1.70   0.26
S Service, S (4)               1     0   0   0    0   0   0   5.86    3   14-11    6· 1· 4    1· 2· 1· 0          0-0    1.31   0.10
Totals                         9    13  10  10    9   4   0          48  194-110  61· 8·41   13·21·11· 0          1-0

Milwaukee Brewers             IP     H   R  ER   BB  SO  HR    ERA   BF  Pit-Str  Ct·Sw·Lk   GB·FB·LD· ?   GmSc  IR-IS   LevI    WPA
S Karl                         4.1  10   7   5    1   3   2   5.05   26  117-74   52· 3·19    9·13· 7· 0     21    -     0.87  -0.30
D Weathers                     1.2   1   0   0    0   1   0   3.97    6   19-13    7· 1· 5    3· 2· 0· 0          0-0    1.09   0.09
J Pittsley, H (3), L (1-3)     0.1   2   4   3    2   0   0   5.79    6   24-11    7· 0· 4    2· 2· 1· 0          0-0    2.02  -0.38
E Plunk, BS (1)                1.2   0   0   0    0   1   0   3.02    5   21-15    7· 1· 7    3· 1· 0· 0          3-2    1.77  -0.07
R Roque                        1     2   1   0    0   0   0   5.69    6   23-15    7· 2· 6    4· 2· 0· 0          0-0    0.97  -0.07
Totals                         9    15  12   8    3   5   2          49  204-128  80· 7·41   21·20· 8· 0          3-2

Link to box score

Surely this massive collapse was the focal point of the Brewers' fall from grace in 1999. Seriously Milwaukee? Five errors in a game? I don't think the Royals have done that this year with our hands of stone/inaccurate arms/quality defense. Phil Garner wouldn't survive another four weeks on the job, with the team going 9-15 in the following weeks. Who would go on to replace Garner and manage the team to a 22-27 record for the rest of the season? None other than the father of KC broadcasting legend Ryan Lefebvre.......Jim Lefebvre!

HONORABLE MENTION PERFORMANCES

5 Years Ago: Dee Brown drives in five runs to lead KC to a win over the Twins and Brad Radke by a 12-3 score:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200407160.shtml

15 Years Ago: Wally Joyner goes 5-5, but Bob Milacki takes the loss to fall to 0-5 for KC, as they lose 13-7 to Detroit. Travis Fryman hits a grand slam for the Tigers:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA199407160.shtml

20 Years Ago: Another high scoring game, as the 3rd place Royals fall to the Yanks in New York by a 10-1 score. Danny Tartabull collects two of KC's six hits, in a game that was called after the top of the 7th due to rain. Terry Leach takes the loss for KC, but Bob Buchanan didn't help matters in relief, also giving up five runs. Greg Cadaret throws the 7 inning CG for the Yanks.

30 Years Ago: No Game....All-Star break

40 Years Ago--Inaugural Royals Season: The very first KC Royals lose a 4-2 game to the California Angels, but sit in third place with a 39-53 record. Jerry Adair had two hits for KC, which got its two RBI from the starting pitcher (Jim Rooker) and a pinch hitter, Chuck Harrison. Sandy Alomar (the original) led off for the Angels and had two hits and a RBI. Andy Messersmith threw a CG for California, who apparently was very good....4th in the league with a 139 ERA+ in the 1969 season. He'd go on to be a four-time All-Star, win 20 games in a season twice, win two Gold Gloves, and finish in the top five of the Cy Young voting three times, finishing as high as 2nd (in 1974, though he lost to teammate Mike Marshall, who went 15-12 with 21 Saves...appearing in an whopping 106 games--all in relief...throwing 208.1 IP out of the pen!!!)

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL196907160.shtml

***Big Kudos to Baseball-Reference.com for being awesome and providing all the info. If for some strange reason you've never been there, it's time to do so! Cue tie-in to 90's song:

Poll

Based on this brief history, what is most likely to happen in tonight's July 16th game?

A team commits five errors in the game (playing YPJ doesn't count as an "official" error)

15 votes

Game ends prematurely due to rain, Royals lose

4 votes

Royals fall behind 7-0 by the third inning, inspired by Dan Reichert

19 votes

The Royals have a CG thrown against them, inspired by the 1969 squad.

10 votes

Royals fall behind 7-0 but come back to win, inspired by Tim Spehr

5 votes

A Royals player goes 5-5, inspired by Wally Joyner

3 votes

A Royals player gets 5 RBI, inspired by Dee Brown

8 votes

Inspired by Dave Grohl, team signs him to contract, hoping he can show Royals how to come out of relative obscurity and transform into everything that is successful and the essence of insanely cool.

16 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

Conspiracy Theory Rock Part III: Revenge of the 'Stache!

Fernando Vina School of Linguistics — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:15:12 -0000

In Part One and Part Two of my series of conspiracy theories for why the Kansas City Royals have seen their "magical" 2009 season tank right before their eyes, I examined how Trey Hillman's moustache is the root of all issues with the team's performance. Trey's friends in Japan are aware of this fact, however their urgent message to Trey informing him of his facial hair folly was intercepted via the enemy in Washington's FCC offices (jealous to have a team worse than the Natinals), having received assistance from Seattle's Grass Creek conspirators.

Royals Review's attempt to save the Royals' season by delivering the news to the Treydaddy went awry in Toronto when our messenger, devil_fingers, came down with an emergency appendix operation the day of the game. Kansas City struck back against Washington by drafting noted Nationals hater, Aaron Crow, but the DC/Seattle faction countered by wiping out Ryan Lefebvre and forcing Royals fans to be subjected to Bob Davis.

Our latest installment of Conspiracy Theory Rock! examines the latest developments in this ever-growing MLB conspiracy that has seen the Royals season slowly and painfully circle down the drain of ineptitude.

So the Royals move forward, with a moustached leader aimlessly directing his team closer and closer to oblivion, a play-by-play guy sidelined, and a resident sabermetrician appendix-less. Meanwhile, the dark underbelly of the Kansas City Royals fanbase (located somewhere near the stadium in Raytown, I believe) grows larger and larger every day, slowly and meticulously plotting its revenge.............

Such was the state of affairs the last time we visited the conspiracy that has shaken the Kansas City Royals organization and fanbase to its core. Much has changed, yet much remains the same. The Royals have an even more-moustached leader (which I didn't realize was possible) who has successfully taken his team into oblivion, and while Ryan Lefebvre has recovered from his voice issues, our nemeses in DC/Seattle scored a resounding victory by forcing FSN viewers to spend a few innings each night with Bob Davis calling the action. The exact count is unknown, but following Davis' fill-in duty, there were "more than a few" cases of RSTN flashbacks being severe enough that it forced some FSN viewers to shout out cries of despair in their sleep involving 2006 Royal relief pitching legends Steve Stemle, Adam Bernero, Seth Etherton, and the immortal Chris Booker.

However, it hasn't been all bad news on the Royals' front. We were able to pawn off the craptasticity of Horacio Ramirez onto Washington AFTER they were desperate enough to sign Robert Meiklejohn "Mike" MacDougal to their team and quickly install him as their closer! However, Mac the Ninth has been surprisingly effective (for himself) in DC, having only allowed an earned run in two of his 15 appearances for the Nationals, while amassing three saves for the worst team in baseball (however KC is making a strong push for this "crown"). Meanwhile, our boy Horacio is toiling away in AAA for Washington, putting up a 0-0 record in three starts, giving up four runs in 11 IP.

But other than that, it's been bad news for the Boys in Blue. They sit with the fourth worst record in baseball, and it's falling faster by the day. Many fans have conceded the notion that it's only a matter of time before Cleveland eclipses Kansas City in the standings, forcing the Royals back into the AL Central basement. Please shield your eyes as you look at the MLB inverted standings:

Washington    ---
Arizona          7.5
Cleveland      8
Kansas City 10
Oakland         10.5

That represents a two game improvement from where KC was the last time we checked on the inverted standings (aka The Bryce Harper Sweepstakes), but things are definitely not looking up for Kansas City fans. Just in the last few days, the Royals organization banned one of its most popular bloggers (and optimistic fans) in the Rany-gate scandal. As has been pointed out numerous times here on Royals Review, it's obvious that Dayton Moore and the other higher-ups at Kauffman Stadium don't own a computer. This begs the question: How did the Royals organization find out about Rany's bashing of trainer Nick Swartz?

Through the media? Players? Fans? George Brett? Nope, nope, nope, and (holds up three fingers) nope. I'm shocked that nobody has made this connection yet........(i hope you're sitting down for this)........

LEE KUNTZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know what you're thinking: "Who? Is that Rusty Kuntz's brother?" I can't answer the latter question, but I can tell you who Lee Kuntz is (emphasis mine below):

Lee enters his second year with the Washington Nationals as Head Athletic Trainer. He attended Lock Haven University of PA, majored in Health and Physical Education with a specialization in Athletic Training. He received his Masters degree from Tennessee Tech. Upon graduation he took a job as Head Athletic Trainer at the Glen Mills School in Concordville, PA. He entered professional baseball in June 1985 when he accepted a position as a minor league athletic trainer for the Cleveland Indians. He worked his way up through their minor league system starting in Batavia, NY in 1985, Waterloo, IA 1986, Kinston, NC 1987, and Williamsport, PA 1988. Following the 1988 season he left baseball and took a clinical athletic training position with the Sports Medicine Center of Macon, GA. He eventually took charge of their athletic training outreach program to 7 local high schools in middle Georgia. In 1990 he returned to baseball again in Cleveland’s minor league system at the AA level. He remained at Canton-Akron 1990-92. He moved up to AAA Charlotte 1993-94. The Indians relocated their AAA franchise to Buffalo in 1995, and he was athletic trainer there from 1995-98. He was named Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Kansas City Royals in December 1998 and remained in that capacity during the 1999-2002 seasons. Following the 2002 season he returned again to the Cleveland Indians as Minor League Rehabilitation Coordinator and Medical Point person. He held that position from Nov 2002 until he was named Head Athletic Trainer for the Nationals. He has a wife, Leslie and two children, Leah and Emily.

CUE EXPLODING HEAD PIC!!!!!

Doesn't it all make sense now? Since obviously the Royals front office don't own computers, they were oblivious to Rany's criticism of Head Trainer Nick Swartz until they were notified by Washington Nationals head trainer (and former Assistant Trainer in Kansas City) Lee Kuntz!!! That's right! The conspiracy has infiltrated the Washington Nationals clubhouse! Kuntz obviously wanted to stand up for his mentor, Swartz, and deal another death-blow to the Royals and its fanbase. One quick phone call to his former colleagues in Kansas City, and "BOOM, Rany's Roasted!" He's probably sitting back at his desk in the Nationals' offices, laughing away at the controversy that's been swirling around this ballclub in the last few days. I cannot confirm nor deny that this photo was taken of Kuntz at his desk earlier this season:

So there you have it, folks. Was there really any other logical explanation for how KC execs found out about Rany's blog, and why they took action against it so harshly? Curse you Washington Nationals Conspirators!!!!!!

But if you think that's where the eerie connections end, you are dead wrong my friend. Care to see the face of evil? Here is our #1 Public Enemy, Lee Kuntz, from his profile page on the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society website:

Where have you seen that moustache before? Ahhh yes......you know it.....on the Treydaddy himself.

This pains me to say it, but I must bring up the following question: Is Trey Hillman part of some secret "Moustache Mafia" conspiracy group fixated on destroying the Kansas City Royals and its fans? Before you're quick to respond to my inquiry (here's looking at you Ken Rosenthal), look back up at the profile of Kuntz where I highlighted certain pieces of information. Did you notice the seemingly random bold text I put on the minor league organizations where Kuntz got his start in athletic training? Do you know what connection those towns have to the Royals? Check out this timeline of events:

Kuntz Timeline:
1985--Batavia, NY
1986--Waterloo, IA
1987--Kinston, NC

Trey Hillman's minor league playing career Timeline:
1985: Batavia, NY
1986: Waterloo, IA & Waterbury, CT
1987: Kinston, NC

DOUBLE HEAD EXPLODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can't make this stuff up folks. The conspiracy grows thicker and thicker by the day. I'm having a hard time trying to wrap my brain around these recent developments myself. Obviously the Washington Nationals have it out for Kansas City and the Royals organization. They're tired of being the laughingstock of Major League Baseball and they're trying to drag KC down with them. Their head trainer has a direct link to Nick Swartz and Kansas City, and he appears to be the man behind the tattle-taling that resulted in Rany's ban from the Royals. Has he somehow sabotaged Nick Swartz's training abilities as well? Did he destroy all Nick's materials on how to diagnose and treat baseball injuries after borrowing them to "learn the ropes" during his time in Kansas City? Is Nick Swartz an innocent victim himself in this conspiracy?

And what about the bizarre Moustache Mafia connection with Kuntz and Trey Hillman? Is it not merely coincidence that Hillman and Kuntz progressed through the Cleveland Indians' minor league system at the exact same speed every single year, Trey as a player and Lee Kuntz as his trainer? How does Trey fit in to all of this? Is he simply a mole for Washington in their conspiracy to destroy Kansas City Royals baseball? Only time will tell my friends. Only time will tell. But for now it seems that Trey's friends in Japan were right--his moustache is, in fact, the root of all evil.

Until then, the dark clouds of conspiracy swirl even more ominously over One Royal Way, Kansas City, MO 64129. The Royals are barely holding on to fourth place in the division, one of our most well-known and respected bloggers was banned from team personnel, a new Royal player is seemingly out for the season every other week, and the Moustache Mafia connections between Hillman, Swartz, and Lee Kuntz have paralyzed a fanbase. Who knows where this strange saga will lead us to next. I'm going to tomorrow's game (assuming I don't get banned in the next 10 hours) and I'll be scrounging around for clues, but for the sake of everyone involved, let's just hope that the Royals don't take the field tomorrow looking like this:

White Sox vs Royals coverage

Poll

Where should Royals fans direct their revenge in this conspiracy?

Washington Nationals Trainer Lee Kuntz--he obviously ratted out Rany and sabotaged Swartz's training ability

19 votes

Seattle--because they're always to blame somehow

32 votes

KC Royals manager Trey Hillman---I think he's a mole for the Moustache Mafia

29 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

Season	FA-Z	SL-Z	FC-Z	CH-Z	CU-Z	FT-Z	IN-Z	PO-Z	Pitches

2007	9.5	4.0	9.9	4.4	-5.4			9.6	1311

2008	10.4	5.3	10.6	4.1	-6.0	9.1	10.3	10.5	3093

2009	9.0	4.5	7.0	2.0	-8.5	9.7	9.0	9.2	1644