SB Nation User Blog: RoyalsRetro

Just wondering: If the Royals are unwilling to trade right-hander Zack Grienke except for a monster...

RoyalsRetro — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:29:37 -0000

Just wondering: If the Royals are unwilling to trade right-hander Zack Grienke except for a monster package, then why don't they sign him to a contract extension? Grienke, who turns 25 on Oct. 21, is a free agent after 2010. The Rangers made a big offer for him before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, and the Braves have maintained steady interest. The Royals continue to say that they will move Grienke only if they are overwhelmed.

Wonder what that "big offer" was.

Ken Rosenthal

The 100 Greatest Royals of All-Time - #43 Doug Bird

RoyalsRetro — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:38:12 -0000

The Bird is the word! At #43, Royals pitcher Doug Bird.

Today there is a lot of talk about whether to keep Joakim Soria as the closer, or move him to the rotation. Although Dan Quisenberry and Jeff Montgomery never started a game for the Royals, many good Royals relievers did make the transition, with varying results. One such pitcher who was probably better off remaining in the pen was Doug Bird.

Bird was a Southern California kid, taken in the third round pick by the Royals in the June Secondary Phase of the draft in 1969. He had plans to instead head to USC or UCLA to play college ball, but was convinced by a Royals scout named Spider Jorgensen (later his manager in rookie ball), that he would get to the big leagues quickly with an expansion team like the Royals.

Just a year into his professional career, it looked like Bird would have to put baseball on hold to serve his country in Vietnam.

"I got a notice to report for a physical and immediate induction into the Army. Then somebody blew up the draft board in South Pasadena. All the paperwork went up in smoke. By the time they got everything straightened out, they had switched over to a lottery system where they drew lots with birthdates on them. My number was up in the 280s, and they never called me.

If I knew who blew up the draft board, I'd thank him, cause otherwise I'd have been gone. End of baseball career."

Bird was used primarily as a starter in the minor leagues, posting a 1.84 ERA in 22 games in 1970 with Waterloo (but finishing with an 11-9 record!) and winning fifteen games the next season in San Jose. At the end of the 1972 season he was promoted to AAA Omaha, where he pitched out of the pen for seven ballgames. After four relief appearances in Omaha to start the 1973 season, the Royals called up him up to the big leagues to pitch out of their pen.

Gene Garber had been the most called upon late inning Royals reliever to begin the year, racking up a few saves along the way. Manager Jack McKeon found his 1.21 ERA to be too valuable to be used in the pen, so he called on Garber start some games in May and June. Garber tossed two complete game victories, then was shelled in his next two starts.

Bird was used sparingly in the pen at first, but by June 6, had had posted a 1.99 ERA in 22 2/3 innings of work. McKeon was now using Bird in many close games, often times in save situations. This was in the days before Tony LaRussa had institutionalized the "closer" position, so many of these saves were more than an inning of work. And there was not really a designated "closer". Save opportunities went to Bird, Garber (who was now back in the pen), Bruce Dal Canton, Joe Hoerner - whoever had the hot hand. The best reliever was instead known as a "fireman", a guy who could come into a tight situation, ninth inning or otherwise, and put out a fire. Bird was McKeon's most trusted fireman, and along the way got a bulk of the save opportunities.

"So the manager, Jack McKeon, made me the closer. Nobody asked me, but it was okay. I preferred it to doing nothing for four days between starts."

That season the Royals enjoyed their first ever winning season, with Doug Bird leading the team in saves with twenty. It was the second most ever in a season by a Royals pitcher, and stood as the franchise record for saves by a rookie reliever until Mike MacDougal in 2003. Bird led Royals relievers with a 2.99 ERA and fifty-four appearances, despite spending the first month of the season in Omaha.

Most Saves in a Career, Royals History
Jeff Montgomery 1988-1999 - 304
Dan Quisenberry 1979-1988 - 238
Joakim Soria 2007-2008 - 59
Doug Bird 1973-1978 - 58
Roberto Hernandez 2001-2002 - 54

In 1974, Bird was again the primary fireman in the pen, but racked up just ten saves. Why? Royals starters finished fifty-four complete games, twenty coming from Steve Busby. Bird would again lead Royals relievers in ERA at 2.73 and appearances with fifty-five. McKeon even let him start a game in the last week of the season and Bird went the distance in a 2-1 loss.

By 1975 the Royals were looking to contend, but by July they were barely over .500. On July 23, they fired McKeon and hired former Rangers manager Whitey Herzog. The club got red hot over August and closed what had been an eleven game lead by Oakland to just five by September 6. Bird had been the most frequently used reliever throughout the year, collecting eleven saves along the way. Nonetheless, Whitey had Bird start the second game of a crucial doubleheader that day against the Angels. Bird responded with seven plus innings and the win, completing the sweep and drawing the Royals to within four and half games of Oakland. Bird would start three more games down the stretch, but would fail to build upon his success. The Royals would fail to catch the A's, although they did enjoy their best season ever with ninety-one wins and a second place finish.

Bird began 1976 in the pen, but May he was back in the rotation.

"I wasn't as strong as I should have been. I'd begin to fade about the sixth inning."

It didn't help that Whitey drove Bird pretty hard, as he did with all his pitchers. Bird made twenty-seven starts, and went at least eight innings in eight of those starts, including a ten inning affair against Milwaukee. Despite the long outings, Bird continued to exhibit masterful control, going 46 2/3 consecutive innings in July without yielding a walk, a team record. Bird finished the year with a 12-10 record and a 3.37 ERA in 197 2/3 innings of work. In thirty-eight games, he walked just thirty-one batters. He pitched in relief in the American League Championships Series, picking up the win in Game Four.

Whitey had Bird pitch out of the pen most of 1977, with spot starts along the way. It was clear where Bird was more effective. He posted a 2.61 ERA as a reliever and a 9.55 ERA in five starts. He led the team with fourteen saves and fifty-three appearances. In the playoffs, he appeared in three games in relief without giving up a run.

In 1978 Whitey had an experienced pen full of colorful characters. Steve Mingori was the loony lefty. Al "The Mad Hungarian" Hrabosky was known for his wild antics on the mound. Marty Pattin was known for cracking up his teammates with his "Donald Duck" impression. And then there was Doug Bird. Whitey affectionately labeled the foursome "Mungo, Hungo, Duck and the Bird." Although the other three put together the foundation for a solid pen, Bird struggled through his worst season in Kansas City, compiling a 5.29 ERA.

For the third straight year, the Royals faced the Yankees in the playoffs. The teams split the first two, and the Royals were leading the pivotal Game Three by a score of 5-4 in the eighth inning thanks to three George Brett home runs. Paul Splittorff retired the first hitter in the eighth before allowing a single to Roy White. Whitey brought in Bird to relieve. After falling behind 2-0, Bird offered up a fastball to Yankees catcher Thurman Munson that ended up 420 feet away from home plate, over the left centerfield wall.

"The story of my year. I knew he hit it good. I didn't even bother to watch."

That was the final straw for Bird in Kansas City. At the end of spring training of 1979, the Royals dealt Bird to Philadelphia for shortstop prospect Todd Cruz. Bird would bounce from the Phillies to the Yankees to the Cubs to the Red Sox.

"The Cubs made me a starter again. In my last start in '82, I tried to score from second on a hit. I collided with the catcher, flipped up in the air and came down on my right shoulder. That winter they traded me to the Red Sox. The shoulder didn't feel right. I had some good days, some bad. They talked about an operation, but I was 33. There would be a year of rehab. It wasn't worth it to me. So I quit."

Doug Bird was a solid reliever, but his stuff was so good it was worth seeing if he could contribute as a starter. Somehow, those teams back in the 70s were able to win without a ninth inning "closer." I don't know whether Joakim Soria is good enough to become a solid starting pitcher, but the Royals should not be afraid of finding out.

You won't have Rusty Kuntz to make fun of anymore

RoyalsRetro — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:58:40 -0000

You won't have Rusty Kuntz to make fun of anymore

It appears the Royals will make at least one change to their coaching staff before next season.

First-base coach Rusty Kuntz has indicated a desire to shift to an upper-level roving position to allow him to spend more time with his family. Kuntz had a similar position in 2006-07 with Pittsburgh prior to joining the Royals.

All indications suggest the club will grant Kuntz’s request.

Too bad, I liked the mad-capped comedy of Kuntz when he was "mic'd up". I can only imagine we will seriously consider Dick Pole to replace Kuntz as "comically named coach."

Post-season Predictions

RoyalsRetro — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:21:41 -0000

The post-season begins tonight, although unfortunately and somewhat surprisingly given their late September play, it will begin without our dear Royals. So with the Royals out of the picture, the race is wide open. Who will emerge victorious? Is there really only one October? I mean, I seem to remember there being an October last year. So there have been at least two Octobers, probably more than that. Dane Cook, you are a liar.

Dodgers

vs.

Cubs

Beware discounting the Dodgers simply because they won a weak division with a record just nine games better than the Royals. Remember the Cardinals! The Dodgers may not have the power of the Best Fans in Baseball on their side, but they do have the power of Berroa. Angel Berroa. The guy just knows how to win. The Dodgers did lead the league in pitching (park effects alert! park effects alert! Their road ERA was 4.40!), but were 13th in runs scored. Manny gave them a boost, but he's just as likely to ditch the series to make a guest appearance on "Entourage" as he is coming up with post-season heroics.

Overlooked among the MannyBeingManny and C.C. Sabathia mid-season pickups was the Rich Harden deal. Harden has amazingly stayed healthy, and even better, has been dominate with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts. The Cubs just look like the deeper team, offensively and pitching-wise. The led the league in runs scored, and were second in pitching. They have to be the prohibitive favorites to win the pennant.

Prediction: Cubs in three

Phillies

vs.

Brewers

My heart says Brewers, but my head says Phillies. The Phils can slug, even away from their bandbox stadium. And their pitching ain't shabby either. Their bullpen has a clear edge over a shaky Brewer pen which was challenging the Mets for awhile in "most times infuriating the fans with awful choke jobs." And with Ben Sheets likely out, the Brews will be depending on rookie Yovani Gallardo, and Sabathia on three days rest (not that it has hurt him thus far).

The Brewers have momentum, but I always worry about teams that have to scratch and claw to make the playoffs, then celebrate that fact like they won the World Series. There is still a lot of work to be done. But in the end, I just think the Phillies are a better team.

Prediction: Phillies in four

Angels

vs.

We're all sick of Red Sox Nation right? They've quickly replaced Yankees fans in terms of obnoxiousness (Cubs fans, your time is coming). I think this is one of their weaker teams in years, but its still pretty darn good. But after a terrific ride in Boston sports, I think the train is coming to a stop. The Tom Brady injury was an ominous omen. The Angels match up well in pitching, but they simply can't score as many runs as the Sox. But pitching beats hitting in the postseason! Just four Angels regulars have an OPS+ over 100 (Tex, Vlad, Napoli and Torii). And K-Rod, while his save totals are delighting sportswriters, he is only useful if the team has a three run lead in the ninth.

I think the Red Sox are clearly the better team. But in a short series anything can happen, and if I've learned anything from Stephen Colbert, it is that (1) bears are lethal killing machines and (2) go with what feels right in your gut, not with what the facts say in your head. My gut says the run is over, Boston falls in the first round.

Prediction: Angels in five

White Sox

vs.

Rays

Ozzie may be a lunatic, but he gets results. He may think he's some sort of small ball genius, but in reality, he made the playoffs on a solo home run with a team that led the big leagues in dingers. They have three 30 home run guys, and six 20 home run guys. They were second to last in stolen bases. Small ball my ass.

The Rays have been perhaps the best story in baseball, and in a way, its just feels like their year. They're awfully young and untested, however I have little reason to believe that matters much, just ask the untested 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins. The Rays are Trey Hillman's wet dream, leading the league in steals, finishing second in walks, and playing superb defense, even on those tough pop-ups! They also pitched very well, although it sounds like they may be without Proven Closer Troy Percival. I think the Rays get past Ozzie's Sox, but I'm not convinced this young crowd is ready to go all the way....yet.

Prediction: Rays in five

NLCS

Cubs vs. Phillies

The Cubs seem like the best team in the league by a good margin. The Phils could make it interesting and have been overlooked much of the year, but no one can stop the destiny of FOX landing the Cubs in the World Series to boost ratings. Bud Selig will see that it happens.

Prediction: Cubs in six

ALCS

The Angels have been their before, they "know how to win", they know what it takes under the steady leadership of Mike Scioscia. Unless they play tight! The Rays are too young, untested, don't know how to win, will be overwhelmed by October baseball. Unless they are too young to know they should be scared, bring a youthful energy and "play within themselves!" I should be on Baseball Tonight. I don't really have any analysis here, my gut just says the Rays are not quite there even though it feels like their year. Next year they will begin a dynasty of championships next year that will unleash a reign of terror in the American League not seen since Ivan the Terrible. But this year they're just a feel-good story that ends up a bit short.

Prediction: Angels in seven

World Series

Is it just me or does anyone else not get the promos for the post-season where B-list (C-list?) celebrities like Frank Caliendo and Jeff Foxworthy are seen writing on their computer while there is a voice over. Why aren't they talking to the camera? Do they want to be seen as cool, hip bloggers? Shouldn't they be in their pajamas in their mother's basement? Even worse, Caliendo is doing a Bush impression, but is not dressed as Bush. Bizarre.

Anyway, I guess they'll play some World Series games too (hey look, its the cast of "Bones", Mondays 8/7 Central on FOX!) Cubs/Angels is the ideal outcome for FOX, as it gives them the largest two markets left in the post-season, the rabid national following of the Cubs, and the general interest of seeing a franchise break a century of futility. And we can see all the celebrities come out of the woodwork to say they have been Cubs fans all along! Think Ben Affleck was annoying? Wait til you see Bill Murray and John Cusack!

Cubs over the Angels. It is destiny. You can finally put the goat, Lee Elia, Leon Durham and Steve Bartman to rest, it will end this October.

AND THERE IS ONLY ONE OCTOBER!

Til next year.

Post your predictions.

The Royals make no secret regarding their offseason wish list: •A high-impact bat at a corner p...

RoyalsRetro — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:45:48 -0000

The Royals make no secret regarding their offseason wish list:

•A high-impact bat at a corner position. They’d love to add two, actually. This dwarfs every other priority.

•An innings-eating starter who can be a reliable No. 3 behind Meche and Greinke. If Brian Bannister rebounds or Kyle Davies and/or Luke Hochevar emerge — so much the better.

•A proven, productive middle infielder. Aviles’ emergence makes this less of a need while also allowing versatility. The Royals would prefer to get a shortstop and move Aviles to second, but he has played well enough at short to make it possible to pursue a second baseman instead.

•Another veteran in the bullpen. This falls into the it-would-be-nice category. The back of the Royals’ bullpen, when healthy, has been as good as any unit in the league.

I predict: Jacque Jones, Mark Hendrickson, Felipe Lopez, and Juan Rincon.

Moore’s vow to shake things up means Royals face a busy offseason

O-Royals trade Ty Cobb to Lexington

RoyalsRetro — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:38:18 -0000

O-Royals trade Ty Cobb to Lexington

Cobb was a marketing intern. He has a blog here. Cobb was dealt for Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon, a box of cigars and a copy of the 2003 film "Anger Management". No word on whether or not the cigars ever played for the Atlanta Braves.

Could Johnny Damon really be the center fielder? No shot. Damon is more than fine in left but he's...

RoyalsRetro — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:58:51 -0000

Could Johnny Damon really be the center fielder? No shot. Damon is more than fine in left but he's no full-season answer in center. And while Brett Gardner has provided a recent spark and Melky Cabrera is still around, the Yankees are more likely to pursue a proven commodity to man the most hallowed position in baseball (even if that ground will be across 161st Street). Nate McLouth, David DeJesus and Matt Kemp are among the names being speculated on inside the Yankees' clubhouse.

Jon Heyman: New stadium, new look: Next year's Yanks will be very different

Royals scouting Russ Ortiz

RoyalsRetro — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:45:28 -0000

Royals scouting Russ Ortiz

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports the Royals were one of ten teams looking at Ortiz, who is willing to start or relieve.

< insert obligatory ex-Braves comment here >

Royals open 2009 in Chicago; get Yanks in home opener

RoyalsRetro — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:24:22 -0000

Royals open 2009 in Chicago; get Yanks in home opener

The 2009 schedule, released today, includes six games in the I-70 Series against the Cardinals for a fourth straight year. The teams play May 22-24 in St. Louis and June 19-21 at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals also have interleague trips to Houston and Pittsburgh. The other interleague home series are against Cincinnati and Arizona.

Adrian (Libertyville IL): So let me guess your picking the Indians or the Tigers to win the AL...

RoyalsRetro — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:40:31 -0000

Adrian (Libertyville IL): So let me guess your picking the Indians or the Tigers to win the AL central next year right?

SportsNation Rob Neyer: I don't pick anyone until I see the projections, Adrian. My guess is that all four non-Royals teams will project at between 82 and 88 wins, though.

Hmmm, I think Rob is being pretty optimistic at pegging us for over 89 victories next year, but if a few things go our way, he might be right.