SB Nation User Blog: kcisbetterthanstlateverything

Are the Twins a rival?

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:34:06 -0000

Do you hate the Minnesota Twins? Your response is most likely like mine. "Yeah, they're in the division...and they're always doing things without money just like we should be, but I don't HATE the Twins...their fans seem nice and there's nothing all that threatening about the Twin Cities." So my answer would probably be no, but there is something to the relationship between the Royals and Twins.

So...What is it that links these teams aside from the division?

First, geography.

The Royals and Twins share boundary lines in Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. However, due to growing apathy in the Royal fandom, Iowa and even parts of Nebraska have been lost to the nationally dubbed loveable losers, the Cubbies. Further, it is not all that long of a drive from Kansas City to Minneapolis, somewhere between 8 and a half to 10 hours depending how reckless you'd like to be on the road. As such, LOTS of Twins fans come to the games at Kauffman Stadium (most likely because it's outdoors and tickets are cheap) because it is close. Also, a surprising number of Royals fans show up on camera at the rightful indoor ballpark in Minneapolis. There is crossover here.

via donstuff.files.wordpress.com

Seriously, northern Nebraska, the Dakotas, and Grass Creek, WY....call Nike and voice your displeasure with their cartography (1-800-344-6453)

Second, envy.

While not all of us agree that the "Twins way" is what makes them good (it's more likely pitching and a willingness to play to their ballpark while still getting OBP), the Twins thrive in a small market in a way we wish the Royals could. Here's a table for that...

YEAR	Twins Payroll (division finish)	Royals Payroll (division finish)
2001	24.13M (2)	35.42M (5)
2002	40.23M (1)	47.26M (4)
2003	55.51M (1)	40.52M (3)
2004	53.59M (1)	47.61M (5)
2005	56.19M (3)	36.88M (5)
2006	63.40M (1)	47.29M (5)
2007	71.44M (3)	67.12M (5)
2008	56.93M (2, lost one game playoff)	59.25M (4)
2009	65.30M (2)	70.52M (4)

Envy forms the basis for many rivalries in sports (Browns/Steelers, old Yankees/Red Sox, Kansas/Kansas St., Cardinals/Cubs, even Royals/Cardinals), and this one may be closer to our noses than we think. While we can hate the White Sox because of their utter lack of class (beating up old people is not okay for those White Sox fans seeking clarification on this comment), the Twins just do what we're trying to do but better. The division finishes do not follow the monetary investment, and, therefore, their baseball people are smarter than our baseball people, at least those paid to do it, ironically, by the Glass family. So much for Wal-Mart bargains and smart-shopping. It hurts to see someone like you succeed while you fail, repeatedly.

Third, the people and crossovers.

Our current TV Broadcaster is the Twins former radio broadcaster.

via www.wickedlocal.com

My name is Ryan LeFebvre, and I am an alcoholic. I've been sober since I left Minnesota.

One of our worst free agent acquisitions ever was a former Twins All-Star.

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Look out Keith Olberman's mom! Knoblauch is throwing baseballs!

We hawked a year off of this future hall of fame Twin.

via www.mattspenandpaperheroes.com

He hit .199/.317/.375 in his final season in 1975 playing for the Royals, hitting the last 14 of his career 573 homers. Take that Minnesota (and Washington, D.C.)!

Hitting rivalry...Brett vs. Carew?

via i.cnn.net

via i.cdn.turner.com

Look who's closer- Happy Gilmore

Fourth, the many Twins heroes created by the Royals and Royals pariahs created by the Twins.

Lew Ford: LeFebvre once compared him to Joe DiMaggio when he plays against the Royals. Outside of those situations, however, he was not a very good ballplayer.

via img.photobucket.com

Luis Rivas: Perhaps a grander, and dumber, comparison by LeFebvre, Rivas was compared to Ruth after more than one multiple homerun game against the Royals (34 total career homers in 2100 AB in 8 seasons.

via images.minorleagueball.com

Okay, so the connections here are weak, and I'm reaching for something that I cannot find. The bottom line is that the Twins are a division opponent, and their fans are occupying the seats at Kauffman Stadium at an alarming rate. They embarass us constantly with some of our more famous meltdowns (See Joel Peralta vs. Craig Monroe, among others), while proving the point that market-size does not doom you to regular season failure, at least not in our division. So, to come back at it, are the Twins a rival? I certainly don't want their borderline Canadian accent and Miller Lite nonsense any more. Let them have hockey and eat it too.

Poll

Are the Twins a rival?

Our Worst Nightmare: Soria Injured

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:50:48 -0000

Our Worst Nightmare: Soria Injured

Sore shoulder makes Hillman look slightly better, our team much worse...

Robinson Tejeda is what 'we' wanted Farnsworth to be

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:15:25 -0000

Farnsworth sucks, sucked, and is overpaid. Anyone who follows the Royals gets it and has said to their friends, family, pets, and dead relatives. But what pisses me off the most is that we had/have the same player. In fact, a younger, better version just rotting without being used. That man: Robinson Tejeda.

Robinson Tejeda, much like Farnsworth, came up as a touted prospect. He had a blazing fastball, a bad attitude, and decent secondary pitches. While Farnsworth made his reputation in a big media market, Chicago, Tejeda was a young starter in Philadelphia.

via blogs.trb.com

Tejeda's career had a bright start. In 13 starts with the Phillies in 2005, he had a sparkling 3.57 ERA, with 72 k's and only 67 hits in 85.2 innings. The following offseason he was traded to the place where pitchers die. He followed his impressive rookie campaign with a less impressive 4.28 ERA in 14 starts the following season, albeit in a pitcher's version of hell...TEXAS. However, his stuff always overshadowed his results. To some, probably even a new GM named Dayton Moore, Tejeda's stuff screamed dominant reliever.

via texas.rangers.mlb.com

Tejeda struggled mightily, on a Horacio Ramirez level, in 2007 as a starter for Texas. He posted a 6.61 ERA in 19 starts for the Rangers. Obviously, he had to rediscover himself and find a niche. In 2008, Tejeda made 4 relief appearances for the Rangers, posting an unimpressive 9.00 ERA in 6 innings pitched. At which time, Dayton Moore claimed him off of waivers, surely banking on Tejeda's potential, and hoping that Texas played a large role in his terrible performance, with his still-blazing fastball and strikeout potential.

via media.kansascity.com

As has often happened with Dayton Moore and bullpen acquisitions, this one worked. Tejeda posted a 3.20 ERA in 39.1 innings in 25 appearances for the 2008 Royals. He struck out more than a batter an inning and limited his walks for the first time since his rookie season. Tejeda was a power arm in a stacked bullpen, although he was rarely used in leverage situations.

via cache.daylife.com

My question, why not then? More importantly, why not now? 7 k's in 3.2 innings this year (although 3 bb isn't good) is fantastic. This guy is a big arm that can go several innings for the bullpen. He is young (27). As far as the fastball and power, he is as good as Farnsworth...as far as effectiveness, he has been better in the time he has been with the Royals. He does NOT allow a homer for every 4 innings he pitches (a more normal 1 for every 8.5 innings pitched...approximately). It has been an interesting ride for Tejeda; now it's time to put him to use and forget about the overpaid moron losing a majority of our games.

via media.kansascity.com

As for Trey's management style, see Fernando Vina's (what the FUCK, did I just say Fernando Vina?-Matt Vasgersian for those who haven't seen the error in MLB Network yet Vasgersian blooper) summation of it...I agree with all of it except for the assertion that inserting TPJ was ever a tolerable decision.

Fernando Vina's thoughts on Trey

Addition by Subtraction, Gload Edition

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:08:23 -0000

Oh my God. While there is a fanshot about this, there is no way that is enough to explain the satisfaction most of us must be feeling here at RoyalsReview. No more IchiGload, Gload will explode, any of that nonsense. The dude sucked (have we established that?) and is gone. When I first heard, I hoped we would have gotten some peanuts back.

via freshpeel.com

In baseball terms, we did. The PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER, one of the oddest events in sports involves a trade with THAT guy. To be fair to Ross, he was classy, gritty, and hustled, redundancy almost necessary there.

via cache.daylife.com

Did I mention he was gritty?

Among his highlights as a Royal:

via www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com

This picture, when he displayed more power potential than at any time in his professional career.

Or when...

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The time he summed up the feeling of an entire fanbase.

Or...

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Only 78 strikeouts in 2 years!!! Wow, he must have really been a hitter with a keen eye...(only 39 walks)...708 AB in those 2 years*

But at least he was a good teammate...

via www.cbc.ca

Except for that time he nearly ended Grudzielanek's career w/ a recklessly inappropriate slide, taking out most of Grudzielanek's leg bones in the process.

All in all Ross, you're a lot like Ross from friends. You were THAT guy, and I never liked you.

Tug-ging my way to sanity

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:45:05 -0000

So the Royals have claimed Tug Hulett off of waivers from Seattle. Hulett will turn 26 in a few days and has been a minor leaguer since 2004 in the Texas and Seattle systems. Hulett's combined minor league line is .283/.394/.408. He can play every infield position and received his first dosage of major league time last season with Seattle, with limited results and even more limited playing time...thanks to (you guessed it) on-base machine Willie Bloomquist, whom we have also acquired at a substantially higher salary.

via cache.daylife.com

Tug is a mercenary in the Battle for Grass Creek; here he disposed of former prospect/Royal/player Matt Tupman in a Spring Training game, displaying his, dare I say, grit. Let us hope he can be our Marquis de Lafayette (Gilbert du Motier of American Revolution fame) and permanently turn the tide of this battle.

Does anyone else find it ironic that we signed an "on-base guy" that really was not an on-base guy and got really pissed about it, only to then claim a much better hitter (a real on-base guy)/utility man off the waiver wire, from the same TEAM? These are the reasons you do not sign Willie Bloomquist, because, as many have said, every franchise should have at least a few of these guys still in their system. It turns out the Mariners had two, and we took both of them, overpaying for one in free agency, and hoodwinking (always wanted to use that word, kind of like pussywillow and poppycock) them for the other. As for Tug Hulett, I'm a fan. The Royals are rapidly acquiring some fun names (Tug Hulett, Coco Crisp, Kila Kila....(killing the baseball gonna work here)..hue, David DeJesus, the Mexicutioner, JR House, etc....). What does this mean? Look out Homer Bailey, Hunter Pence, Joba Chamberlain, Milton Bradley, Kenny Rogers, Kaisuke Fukudome, and others with equally fun-sounding names. We're coming for you!!!

Chiefs Get Permission to Talk to Cardinals' Haley

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:11:23 -0000

Chiefs Get Permission to Talk to Cardinals' Haley

Inevitable, right?

Is Dayton Moore determined to make our middle infield worse?

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:55:00 -0000

In an offseason that started with fantastic rumors of the Royals' interest in Rafael Furcal, somehow we are now left trying to decide between Jerry Hairston, David Eckstein, and Willie Bloomquist.

via overheardinthesacristy.files.wordpress.com

Eckstein, right, knows this shot cannot be more than a single...and is confused...

For starters:

Rafael Furcal career line: .286/.352/.412,

via www.pe.com

162 game averages of 12 homers, 59 rbi, and 36 sb

Ok, I get that we could not afford Rafael Furcal, but does that explain why we abandoned all fiscal responsibility in search of relief pitching and pitching "depth" by signing Farnsworth and HoRam? (Roughly 7/8 of what Pat Burrell, .257/.367/.485, would have cost...) No, but something more sinister may be afoot here. Dayton Moore was the man that finally had to pull the trigger and rid us of Angel Berroa, but he did so only to our team's detriment, somehow actually finding a worse shortstop in TPJ!!!

via cache.daylife.com

Manny joking with Satan about how much money Dayton Moore could pay him if he were just a crappy middle infielder...

So now that Furcal has signed and we have pitching 'depth', we are out of money. This means any decent free agent, at most positions, is out of our spending range. But MLBTR has reported that free agents Jerry Hairston Jr., David Eckstein, and Willie Bloomquist are on our radar as potential 'help' for our middle infield. (RoyalsRetro had the fanshot for this) REALLY??? I'm not sure what kind of help that would be, but I do know that any of those options is worse than Aviles/Callaspo up the middle. Dayton finally found two guys who can hit a little, and he is not satisfied and wants more crappy infielders. This can only mean there is some conspiracy to make our middle infield awful in the name of DEFENSE. The problem is David Eckstein throws like a middle schooler and is 5'8 on a good day, eliminating any defensive advantage (range+arm)he has on Aviles (nevermind Aviles' stellar defensive metric ratings). Jerry Hairston is the baseball equivalent of James Posey; he might make you better but you really don't need to find out and it might be more expensive to do that anyway. As for Willie Bloomquist, he's the utility equivalent of Ross Gload. This is too frustrating. It's as if Allard Baird were somehow involved. But no, it is all too obvious that Dayton Moore is determined to make our middle infield worse...

via data.tumblr.com

Carl is next on Dayton's shortstop shopping list...and he at least deserves a head groundskeeper's 4 million/year contract...

Poll

Which middle infield is better?

Aviles/Callaspo

124 votes

Eckstein/Aviles

27 votes

Hairston/Aviles

24 votes

Bloomquist/Aviles

4 votes

Is Dayton Moore serious? I thought our middle infield was good after TPJ stopped playing!

33 votes

212 votes | Poll has closed

A turnaround possibility...

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:59:50 -0000

As my comment on ROC's post suggests, the single biggest impact player that could be available in free agency this year is Julius Peppers. (I'll hear the Haynesworth argument, but we need an end more)

via tampabaywatch.files.wordpress.com

Julius Peppers is one of the best pass-rushers in the game, and he is no slouch in the run game either. He has played on some of the NFL's best defenses in his career, and he is just now coming into his prime (Remember he left North Carolina early and even led us to draft Ryan Sims, who coincidentally just played next to Peppers and was not a good football player). He would at least double this team's sack total, and with a more aggressive defensive scheme could be VERY effective (I think the cover-2 will leave us when Herm leaves us...).

via www.georgeblowfish.com

Further, our pass rush and defense could be greatly improved by our first draft slot, at either the end position or at linebacker. At the first pick, I suggest we take Orakpo from Texas. WITH Julius Peppers, we could have a NY Giants pass-rush situation, which could build LONG-TERM success. Even without signing Peppers, Orakpo is an impact player and would be the best addition to our team.

via photos.signonsandiego.com

If we sign an end before the draft or feel linebacker is a bigger need, there is one linebacker worthy of such a high pick, USC's Rey Mauluga. He plays MLB at USC and by most accounts is a free-lancing aggressive linebacker that seeks to severely injure opponents with every tackle. He is good in coverage and good in blitz packages. Some have floated Ray Lewis comparisons when mentioning Mauluga, while others, including some in the Chiefs organization, feel he may be better suited at OLB. In any event, he is the ONLY linebacker worthy of top-5 consideration. James Lauriniatis reminds me of Andy Katzenmoyer instead of AJ Hawk, and I don't think we want to invest a high pick relying on the best defensive player out of the worst of the major conferences in college football.

via i.a.cnn.net

via yepyep.gibbs12.com

something is disturbing about this picture, but I just don't think he is fast enough to be that good in the NFL...

Undoubtedly, some will want to draft a franchise QB with our top pick, and there are some guys with great arms available. Matt Stafford and Sam Bradford are the premier names available, while others are sure to impress at the combine, such as Josh Freeman, Graham Harrell, Matt Sanchez, and others. But overall, Bradford seems to be the only one worthy of a top-5 pick of this bunch, AND he is the youngest. But he may not even declare for the NFL draft, and if he stays at OU, we should avoid drafting a QB at all costs.

via www.crimsonandcreammachine.com

Here's why....

via www.talkingnfl.com

See...he's reformed now....or something. At least it's a short commute from Leavenworth...

Someone had to bring this up. But watching Tyler Thigpen in this spread offense and the damage he can do with his legs, it is obvious that the spread can work with this type of quarterback. Michael Vick never got a chance in Atlanta to run anything other than a traditional NFL offense. This offense is ideal for him. If you think Thigpen is a great runner, you need to watch a Michael Vick highlight reel to put that in perspective. If you think Thigpen has a strong arm, again...see Vick video. While Thigpen's accuracy has been an issue, Vick's was less of an issue. For those who are against signing him for moral reasons, I understand. But he likely will not command a ton of interest or an incredibly expensive contract. He is a cheaper option than drafting a franchise QB, and he happens to be the ideal fit for this type of spread offense. Furthermore, every running back he has played with has gained over a yard per carry while playing with Vick. Teams MUST spy him, often leaving a safety or linebacker unable to help in the running game. Mediocre to poor backs such as an old Warrick Dunn, TJ Duckett, and Jamal Anderson have done VERY well when Vick is the quarterback. Imagine what Larry Johnson could do...

via images.businessweek.com

Not what Vick and Larry could do off the field....

via www.1570films.com

With these moves, we would still be well under the cap, may find other starters at OL or LB in the draft or free agency. We would be in competition. Do I have confidence that this will happen? No, not really. But I have a very good idea that it would succeed.

OT: Vote for Mustache of the Year to benefit Challenger Baseball

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:04:33 -0000

Although this may benefit the St. Louis area Challenger program, it is still a good cause. Challenger baseball is Mark Teahen's preferred charity and community service organization in the Kansas City area. What better way to show your support for bringing baseball to the lives of the disabled than voting for the mustache of the year? (Unrelated? Uh...yeah, but laughs are good too)

Story here:

http://www.kctv5.com/news/17637698/detail.html

Vote here:

http://www.americanmustacheinstitute.org/MustacheAmericanOfYear.aspx

Best Royals mustache of all time...vote now!!!

Bret Saberhagen

via i.cdn.turner.com

Dennis Leonard

via www.joesportsfan.com

Frank White

via i121.photobucket.com

Dan Quisenberry

via www.baseball-almanac.com

Al Hrabosky

via www.hollywoodcollectibles.com

Steve Balboni

via www.thephatphree.com

Amos Otis

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Tony Pena

via www.georgeblowfish.com

Vote or die

Poll

Who has the best mustache in the history of the Royals?

Bret Saberhagen

2 votes

Dennis Leonard

3 votes

Frank White

1 votes

Dan Quisenberry

5 votes

Al Hrabosky

6 votes

Steve Balboni

8 votes

Amos Otis

1 votes

Tony Pena

1 votes

27 votes | Poll has closed

Election Time!

kcisbetterthanstlateverything — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:45:11 -0000

I had this thought while driving today. God help the other drivers that were near me when I had this idea. As everyone knows, a certain country will be holding a presidential election in the next two months. The candidates are about as different as can be, but I thought something else was afoot here that we, as Royals fans, can relate to. So here it is, your 2008 Election!!! (Put as a choice between leaders)

Representing the Republican Party

BUDDY BELL

via cache.daylife.com

Did you know I've been a prisoner of baseball for several crappy teams my entire life?

Buddy Bell. Baseball man his entire life. His service to baseball is unquestioned. He came from a baseball family. His father Gus Bell was a major league outfielder and had an outfield...er...grandson named after him. Buddy, like all ambitious youngsters, had a rebel streak in him, largely due to the fact that his parents could not remember his name and, hence, called him Buddy (true according to Wikipedia). Buddy broke into MLB in 1972 as an outfielder but would become a fixture at 3b for the Indians, Rangers, Reds, and Astros. He was an all star in 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1984. He won Gold Gloves in 6 consecutive seasons from 1979 until 1984. He was an honorable man stuck as a prisoner to the communism that is bad baseball.

via media.scout.com

Remember Robin, Two Wallbangs for yes, One Wallbang for no...If I don't respond, that means I have died.

This track record would guide him in his task to lead our great (Royals)nation. With the experience and service necessary, Buddy will CHANGE what's wrong with the Royals by good old-fashioned know-how. He has fought for other organizations in their efforts to do things the RIGHT way (See Detroit and Colorado who have been in the World Series in the last decade). In this approach, he will use experienced players and coaches, emphasizing grit and batting average. Old baseball values of small-ball are his fixtures, along with innovative "bucking the trend" moves such as batting Shane Costa as the cleanup man. But above all, he is OLD. By making baseball first his entire life, he has proven his commitment to serving the game. BELL-BARNETT '08

via www.arlingtoncemetery.net

He looks so....Presidential.

Representing the Democratic Party

TREY HILLMAN

via cache.daylife.com

Hope for a better tomorrow!

Trey Hillman is considered an outsider in many baseball circles. While he is a "baseball man" in the most liberal sense of the word, he would prefer to be known as a loyal Texan with the ability to build a team through fundamentals and competent play. Upon arrival in America in hopes of leading the Royals to success, Trey brought the optimism of the sabermetric universe to Royals fans. His candor and eloquence in referring to the importance of On-Base-Percentage is refreshing and new for this (Royals)nation. He believes in this important CHANGE, change which stat gurus can believe in. While there is considerable reason for hope and optimism concerning Trey Hillman, there are some drawbacks. Trey learned baseball by engaging himself with the evil Yankee political machine...er...minor league system. After this, Trey went abroad to refine his skills. In Japan, Trey's most notable accomplishments came with some shady characters.

via www.japantimes.co.jp

Trey associated himself with an Iranian expert in PMD(pitches of mass destruction) in Yu Darvish and other societal castaways in Japan in leading their ragtag baseball army to Japan Series victory.

Are we to trust our nation to someone with ties to Iran? To someone with no MLB track record but eloquent and intelligent baseball speech? Are we to believe that a Japanese community organizer can lead a group of MLB egos and corrupt players to the promised land? That is for discussion, but the inspiration and admiration abroad should speak volumes for the faith the world will have in us if we elect Trey Hillman. Enough is enough, and the CHANGE we need is the youthful energy and charisma of Trey Hillman. HILLMAN-KUNTZ-'08

via www.japantimes.co.jp

The face of tomorrow, of diversity, of style, and of CHANGE.

WRITER'S NOTE: This was written to show a couple things. First, that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Second, politics can be entertaining and very erroneously related to other cultural arenas. I know these are not the most accurate portrayals of McCain, Obama, Buddy, or Trey, but I think they represent a lot of similar things. In a funny way, I think it points out the whole futility of the whole process. Also, I am not THIS cynical in real life. This is supposed to be entertainment. So, please, go make an informed decision the best you can this November 4th, and don't listen to yahoos on TV, Radio, or me to tell you how to vote. God bless Royalsnation!

Poll

For President of Royalsnation?

Buddy Bell

3 votes

Trey Hillman

15 votes

Consumer Advocate Ralph Nader

30 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed