Kansas City Royals @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

Royals' bats remain silent in Boston

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:51:00 +0000

07/19/2006
BOSTON -- If the operators working the manual scoreboard on the Green Monster during Wednesday afternoon's game had left up Tuesday night's numbers, they could have saved themselves a lot of time. The only difference in Wednesday's game was a new source of illumination, as the glaring sun replaced the stadium lights.
Coming up on the short end of a game dominated by pitching for the second night in a row, the Royals lost, 1-0, at Fenway Park. The Red Sox swept the Royals, with their three victories coming by a total of three runs.
"We got two -- or actually three -- really good pitching performances and we wasted them," Royals manager Buddy Bell said. "[We're] having trouble lining things up. ... Lining things up in our offense.
Royals southpaw Mark Redman pitched one of his best games of the season, allowing one run and seven hits over eight innings, but he was outdueled by Josh Beckett, who pitched eight scoreless innings.
"Yeah it was wasted," Bell said of Redman's start. "He had fairly easy innings for the most part. It's not always the pitch count, it's the kind of innings that he had. And in the past, his tougher innings have been later on in the game and he seemed OK to go back out [in the eighth]."
Redman had won six consecutive decisions and easily could have won No. 7, but the Royals' offense was shut out for the second straight night. The Royals have not scored a run since the sixth inning of Monday's game.
Like starter Brandon Duckworth on Tuesday night, Redman was given little help from a struggling Royals offense.
"You can look at it as being frustrating, but you can say, 'Hey, we're right in it,'" Redman said. "We're playing good baseball. We're not backing down and we're not giving up. Things aren't going our way right now [but if] we keep playing this way, eventually it's gonna turn around again for us."
Manny Ramirez provided the Boston offense when he belted the first pitch of the fourth inning over the Green Monster for his 25th homer this season and 460th of his career.
"Not much to it," Redman said of the homer. "It was a first-pitch changeup. He just got a pitch maybe he was looking for and out over the plate, but it was down. [A] home run. You have to take that. I can't say it was a mistake pitch. It was a good pitch. You just gotta tip your hat to Manny. He got it up in the air and over the fence. It was a good game.
"When you're facing Boston nothing is easy. This team is a tough team. You just have to make good pitches and try and get them to swing at your pitch."
The Royals had several opportunities to end their scoring drought, but they could not capitalize with runners on base.
Kansas City's biggest chance came in the sixth inning after singles by Doug Mientkiewicz and Matt Stairs loaded the bases with two outs. Beckett worked a full count to Emil Brown, who hit a fly ball to right field that was awkwardly intercepted by center fielder Coco Crisp from right fielder Gabe Kapler.
Angel Berroa doubled to lead off the third inning and was advanced to third base on a Paul Phillips groundout. It was the first time a Royals runner had reached third base since the sixth inning of Monday's game.
But Berroa was stranded after a Joey Gathright strikeout and a well-hit liner by David DeJesus that gravitated directly towards the glove of Crisp.
"The bats kind of quieted down this series, but I guess we'll have to give credit to the Red Sox pitchers for that," infielder Tony Graffanino said. "We had no runs yesterday and no runs today, so they did their job for sure. We have to look at it the positive way. We're playing good baseball. We were in every game on this trip except for one. ... If we keep playing as well as we're playing, sooner or later things will start rolling our way and we'll win ballgames."
The eighth inning provided a glimmer of hope for the Royals after DeJesus hit a one-out double and was advanced to third base on an Esteban German groundout.
Mientkiewicz stepped to the plate as a visitor in the place he once called home and and fell behind 1-2 to Beckett. Mientkiewicz worked a full-count on an eight-pitch at-bat, but was only able to loft the ball to Ramirez, his former teammate.
Jonathan Papelbon came on in the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff walk to get his 29th save of the season.
"Maybe catching some breaks, maybe something's missing, who knows?" Graffanino said. "We're playing with what we have in here, and we're playing well. Detroit's a good team [and] Boston's a good team. On paper, they're probably not the best matchups for us. Again, this was a good road trip for us. We easily could have won 6 out of 7 ballgames."
Unfortunately for the Royals, they didn't.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Notes: Hernandez back with Royals

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:49:00 +0000

07/20/2006
KANSAS CITY -- It wouldn't be fair to expect Runelvys Hernandez, who will be recalled from Triple-A Omaha to start Friday against the Angels, to completely fill the shoes of the pitcher he's replacing in the rotation. Still, the Royals will take what they can get.
"We need a pitcher and he's the guy," manager Buddy Bell said.
Hernandez's promotion comes after right-hander Scott Elarton, who hasn't missed a start this season, was placed on the disabled list Tuesday with a right shoulder strain. The full medical report on Elarton is forthcoming. Team physician Steve Joyce will evaluate an MRI performed on Elarton's shoulder Thursday.
Bell deferred further inquiry to head trainer Nick Swartz, who said that nothing could truly be determined until Joyce's evaluation. It appears the problem is not something that can be healed with normal rest.
"It's not good," Bell said. "I don't know if it's a cuff or a labrum."
Could the injury be season-ending?
"I think there's a good chance," Bell said. "I'm hoping that's not the case. But that's certainly something that's been talked about."
Hernandez was 1-4 with a 7.44 ERA in seven starts with the Royals from late April to late May. He began the season on the 15-day disabled list due to issues with his weight and stamina.
He failed to get out of the first inning in his most recent outing in the Majors, yielding five runs in two-thirds of an inning May 28 at Yankee Stadium. Including his season-opening stint at Omaha, Hernandez compiled a 5-6 record and a 4.59 ERA in 12 games there. All but one were starts.
"He has the recommendation of a lot of people, first of all our Triple-A staff, who I have a tremendous amount of confidence in," Bell said. "They say he's throwing the best, taking care of himself.
"Hopefully Runelvys will come up here and give us a chance to win as Scotty did pretty much every start."
Mac's back ... sort of: Closer Mike MacDougal hopes to make his first appearance at home this season sometime during the series against the Angels. He had spent the entire year on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain until being activated last Thursday.
"That was kind of the good thing about being here all year," said MacDougal, who rehabbed with the team. "It doesn't feel like I'm the new guy coming in. Not really a homecoming. Just the first time I've pitched here this year."
MacDougal threw one scoreless inning apiece on Saturday and Sunday in Detroit, notching his first save of 2006 in the series finale. He's glad to be back at Kauffman Stadium and has confidence in the outfield's abilities to patrol its spacious dimensions.
"That's definitely a plus," MacDougal said. "When you have guys like [David] DeJesus and [Joey] Gathright out there, it makes you feel pretty good that you can throw balls in the air."
Just doing his job: Reliever Joel Peralta spent nearly seven seasons in the Angels' organization before joining the Royals in the offseason. But that won't be on his mind should he be called upon during the next four games.
"Anyone I face, I want to get them out no matter what," Peralta said.
Peralta signed as a Minor League free agent with the Angels in February 1999. An outfielder at the time, the club converted him to pitcher. He was 1-0 with a 3.89 ERA in 28 relief appearances for Los Angeles in 2005.
"I'm grateful to those guys," Peralta said. "They gave me a chance last year, called me up. But right now I'm on the Royals and I'm going to try and do whatever I can to help this team out."
Injury roll call: Six Royals are currently on the disabled list, including catcher Paul Bako, designated hitter Mike Sweeney and right-hander Mike Wood. The timetables on each are uncertain.
Bako has missed nine games with a partially torn right oblique.
"He swung the other day and he's starting to feel better," Bell said.
Wood, meanwhile, has thrown once off a mound since he went out with back inflammation July 3.
Sweeney has been away the longest, unavailable for 71 games since May 2 with a bulging disk in his upper back. Before the All-Star break, he hinted that he might be sent out for a Minor League rehab assignment during the club's recently completed seven-game road trip. That was not the case.
"My hope is in the last two months of the season I'll be able to contribute in a mighty way," Sweeney said.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Royals acquire Keppinger from Mets

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:49:00 +0000

07/19/2006
The Kansas City Royals and New York Mets completed a deal that sent Jeff Keppinger to Kansas City and Ruben Gotay to New York in a swap of Minor League second basemen.
With much speculation circling around possible trades involving Reggie Sanders, Tony Graffanino and Mark Redman by the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, Kansas City took part in a Minor League deal Wednesday.
In the Minors, Gotay, a 23-year-old switch-hitter, was batting .264 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs. Keppinger was batting .299 with two home runs and 26 RBIs.
Gotay was once in line to be the Royals' second baseman of the future, but struggled at times in the field and at the plate when he got opportunities at the Major League level. Gotay appeared in 44 games and batted .270 for the Royals in 2004, but in 86 games with Kansas City in 2005, Gotay slumped to .227 at the plate. In 123 career games at the Major League level with the Royals, Gotay had a .981 fielding percentage.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Royals pull away from Angels late

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:45:00 +0000

07/21/2006
KANSAS CITY -- Joey Gathright's speed might be as good as advertised, but it could do nothing to accelerate the lumbering pace of Thursday night's game between the Royals and Angels.
Batting in the bottom of the sixth with the game already approaching the 2 1/2-hour mark, the Royals' center fielder at least added some spice.
In the process, he helped produce what proved to be the winning run in Kansas City's 9-4 victory against the Angels.
Whether as the leadoff man -- a role he is expected to gradually assume -- or in the No. 9 spot as he was Thursday, one maneuver is especially successful in Gathright's offensive arsenal: the unassuming bunt single.
It is only now occurring to him.
"I could bunt at any time and I should do it a lot more, which I will be doing," Gathright said. "It's a weapon. So I'm going to start using it."
With the game tied at 4, he laid a bunt down the third-base line to begin the sixth and started his sprint toward first base. Angels reliever Kevin Gregg, unwilling to concede, scrambled to try to nab Gathright.
His throw bounced up the line and even eluded Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick, who dove trying to back up the play. Gathright knew he was going to advance on Gregg's error. It was just a matter of how far.
He dug himself a potential hole after taking a wide turn around first base, venturing into the outfield grass.
"It's hard for me to stop once I'm going," Gathright said, "so I had to get all the way out there and just try to go the best I could."
The ball strayed far enough into foul ground in right field that Gathright decided to go for third. He wasn't worried that Vladimir Guerrero, widely regarded as having one of the best arms among outfielders in baseball, would be trying to throw him out.
"It doesn't matter who's getting the ball," Gathright said. "If I'm running, I feel like I'm going to be safe."
On base with a single and two-base error, he scored one batter later, as David DeJesus reached on an error by Angels first baseman Kendry Morales.
"Joey gives us a dimension that we haven't had all year," manager Buddy Bell said. "Having speed like that in your lineup, especially when you're not swinging the bats well like we were in Boston, it's nice to have to be able to manufacture some stuff."
Kansas City came into the game on the heels of a 1-6 road trip, losing the latter two games 1-0 at Fenway Park. Considering its opponent, the club's offensive struggles figured to last a little longer.
Another of baseball's starting Santanas stood in the Royals' path Thursday, bringing with him a recent string of personal success that rivaled his team's own hot streak.
Results were mixed for Kansas City the last time that happened. On July 3, the Royals knocked Minnesota ace left-hander Johan Santana, fresh from a torrid June (5-0, 1.05 ERA), out of the game in the sixth. But things turned sour soon after. The bullpen faltered in the late innings, helping the Twins to their 11th consecutive win.
This time, Angels right-hander Ervin Santana, winner of seven straight decisions, was the foe, taking the mound for a club that had victories in eight of its last nine games.
Just as Johan and Ervin are not related, however, neither was the outcome for Kansas City. The Royals set the tone early, then added five runs in the last three innings, to halt a three-game skid.
A corollary of the funk, a 21-inning scoreless streak, was snapped in the bottom of the first largely because Santana had trouble finding the strike zone.
First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz's trip around the bases told the story: He walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and reached third on Emil Brown's sacrifice fly, which scored Mark Grudzielanek.
Mientkiewicz came around himself courtesy of a passed ball by Angels catcher Mike Napoli. The Kauffman Stadium loudspeaker blared The Troggs' tune "Wild Thing" despite the official ruling.
Perhaps it was foreshadowing. Santana added a second wild pitch later in the frame and walked eight in 4 1/3 innings. The game featured two more wild pitches. Los Angeles also committed four errors -- three in the sixth -- to the Royals' one.
Further, there were separate calls for runner's and catcher's interference.
Elmer Dessens improved to 5-7 by pitching three innings of one-hit relief.
"I located my fastball and that was key," Dessens said. "It was down in the strike zone."

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Matthews draws closer to Hall call

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:20:00 +0000

02/21/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Denny Matthews is in the Royals Hall of Fame but he'll have to wait for Cooperstown.
Matthews missed out on the Hall when former Houston Astros announcer Gene Elston was selected for the broadcasters' wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Matthews, who has called Royals games since the franchise began play in 1969, was among 10 finalists for the award.
"This was the first year I was a little bit excited," Matthews said. "I think it'll probably happen eventually."
Royals owner David Glass has been championing Matthews' election for several years. When a different selection format was utilized, Glass told Matthews he was in the final five at one point.
"From a personal standpoint, I'm disappointed," said Royals general manager Allard Baird. "Not only for Denny but for Royals fans. You look at the long line of listeners. Grandmothers and grandfathers have heard him and now their grandchildren hear him.
Matthews has broadcast Royals games for 37 years and in five decades, becoming just one of six announcers to spend their entire careers with one team and logging at least 35 years at it. The other five are Vin Scully (Dodgers), Bob Prince (Pirates), Jack Buck (Cardinals), Jaime Jarrin (Dodgers) and Joe Nuxhall (Reds).
On March 1, Matthews will check into Spring Training to begin his 38th season.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Bernero competing for spot in bullpen

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:20:00 +0000

02/21/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- What team did Adam Bernero help get to the World Series?
The Yankees perhaps? No, we're talking college ball here. Hmm, Texas or Cal State Fullerton?
Nope and nope. It was little Culver-Stockton from Canton, Mo., in the NAIA World Series. His coach recruited a bunch of California kids, including Bernero, and unleashed them.
"We pretty much dominated the Midwest," Bernero said.
Bernero, a right-handed pitcher, also played at Sacramento City Junior College in California and Armstrong Athletic State in Savannah, Ga. Small colleges, but they led to a big-league career.
Now, at 29, Bernero has 146 Major League games behind him and stands at the shadowy entrance of the Royals bullpen. He's in a group of other lesser-known pitchers including Joel Peralta, Juan Cedeno, David Elder, Joe Nelson et al.
"I think we're all kind of in the same boat, so to speak," Bernero said. "We all have things to offer."
Bernero can offer an effective changeup.
"His changeup is outstanding," said pitching coach Bob McClure, "but everything comes off the location of the fastball. You stay with the changeup and eventually it's going to get hit."
Bernero also throws a slider and a forkball. Yep, he calls it a forkball, not a split-finger.
"The forkball has a wider grip and tumbles," he explained. "The split is more like a fastball and doesn't have such a big break."
Bernero has pitched for the Detroit Tigers and the Colorado Rockies -- where he met up with McClure -- and has 34 starts among his 146 games. His career record is 10-26 with a 5.87 ERA.
He began last season with the Atlanta Braves and worked 36 times in relief, going 4-3 with a 6.51 ERA before being optioned to Triple-A Richmond.
In the Minors, Bernero was primarily a starter with a 30-30 record in seven years.
"Adam gives us some depth," manager Buddy Bell said. "Whether he breaks with the team or goes to Omaha, I don't know."

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Notes: Few seats open on KC bench

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:18:00 +0000

02/21/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The squeeze for seats on the Royals bench will be tight this spring.
Manager Buddy Bell said he plans to go with 12 pitchers, leaving just four spots for reserves.
Matt Stairs is a lock because he'll be a frequently used designated hitter, first baseman and outfielder. One spot will be filled by a catcher, Paul Bako.
An infielder will be needed and Esteban German is considered the favorite, but Joe McEwing also covets the role.
A fourth outfield spot apparently will be a battle between Chip Ambres and Aaron Guiel.
"We had 12 pitchers last year," Bell said. "That's pretty typical. The Angels were the only team that didn't have 12 last year, at least the only one I can think of."
Gotay goes high: Ruben Gotay, the surprise winner of the second-base job last spring, checked in from Puerto Rico.
Gotay had a busy winter, batting .269 in 40 games for Carolina in the Puerto Rican League. He had 39 hits and drew 32 walks for an on-base percentage of .407.
Moving into the Caribbean Series, Gotay hit .368 (7-for-19) in five games. The team was 2-4 and finished third behind champion Venezuela.
Gotay believes he improved his range at second base.
"I think I'm getting pretty good at it," he said.
He's booked to play second base this season at Triple-A Omaha.
Huber checks in: First baseman Justin Huber, who has the longest commute to camp, arrived from Australia.
"I have four months off for the first time so I'm keen to get going," he said.
Huber will play with the Aussie team in the World Baseball Classic in a bracket against Italy, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
Although the first full-squad workout isn't until Friday, almost everyone has reported. Two regulars were among the missing: Mike Sweeney and Reggie Sanders.
Extra innings: Before the Cactus League season gets started, the Royals will play some intrasquad innings to give their pitchers some work.
They'll have a full-blown game on Feb. 28 at Surprise Stadium. Then, on March 1, they'll play about half a game at the complex.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Notes: Trimmer Sweeney feels good

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:17:00 +0000

02/22/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Camp Royal is officially open. The captain has arrived.
Mike Sweeney cruised into the clubhouse on Wednesday morning, dispensing smiles and hugs all around.
There was less of him to spread around, however, since Sweeney has lost some weight.
"I'm at 220 or 222 [pounds]," he said. "Last spring, I checked in at 238, so I'm down about 15 pounds."
Sweeney employed a personal trainer in California and went on a special diet.
He believes that a lighter weight will lessen the possibility of the back sprains that have dogged him in recent seasons.
Joining the other position players in batting practice, Sweeney cracked a succession of line drives and cleared the fence a few times.
"A triple," he announced as a line drive headed toward right-center field. A triple? Sweeney hasn't hit one of those since 2003.
Well, maybe with that lighter weight, he'll get one this season.
"I'm back to being my own self," he said with a smile.
Back -- get it?
Four to start: Even though the Royals will be picking out five starters for their rotation, the season will begin with just four.
That's because there are three open dates scheduled in the first two weeks of the schedule.
"We don't need the fifth until the 14th of April," manager Buddy Bell said.
That could temporarily alter his plans to open the season with a 12-pitcher staff. The Royals could go with 11 pitchers and an extra bench player for two weeks.
"I don't know how we'll handle that," Bell said. "I don't know if we'll take an extra position player or keep it at 12."
Left-hander Mark Redman is the probable starter for the Cactus League opener on March 2 against the Texas Rangers.
Stairs steps: Even though Matt Stairs played 15 games in the outfield last season (with 12 starts in right field), that's an unlikely scenario this year.
This time, he's really supposed to be the backup player he was signed to be before the 2004 season. In other words, he should be filling in as the designated hitter with a few turns at first base.
"I see him playing the outfield very little, if any," Bell said. "Of course, Matty comes to camp a lot of the time like this, but he ends up playing a lot."
Stairs played 127 games last year and 126 in 2004.
"He's a guy that'll help us win some games," Bell said.
Not sighted: With Sweeney's arrival, the only 40-man roster absentees were outfielder Reggie Sanders and infielder Esteban German. They're not required to be in camp until Friday for the first full-squad workout.
Also missing was third baseman Alex Gordon, a non-roster invitee who was the Royals' first-round draft choice last year.
The reporting date is Thursday.
Elvis is a-building: Catcher John Buck is encouraged by right-hander Runelvys Hernandez.
"I caught his first bullpen [session]," Buck said. "The last time I caught him was his last outing of the season. His ball was heavier in the bullpen than in the season. Whatever was hurting him last season was definitely gone."
Quotable: "Did you ever see a weak gorilla?" -- Sweeney, picking up a banana for a post-workout snack

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Carter goes deep for the RBI program

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:16:00 +0000

02/23/2006
KANSAS CITY -- Joe Carter watched the video with the other 200 people in attendance at the eighth annual RBI First Pitch Luncheon. In it, Carter was launching the final pitch in the 1993 World Series into the left-field seats for a game- and World Series-winning home run.
At the conclusion of the video, Carter, who said it was the nine millionth time he's watched it, jumped into the arms of his jubilant teammates. When it was over, he turned to the crowd and said, "You have to have hope to have success. The RBI program provides hope to kids in the inner city."
Carter was the guest speaker at the luncheon at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, to raise support for the RBI (Reviving Baseball in the Inner City) program.
RBI is a national program of Major League Baseball provided locally by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City in partnership with the Royals, Kansas City Parks and Recreation and KPRS-FM. The program enables young players, who otherwise could not afford these activities, to enjoy a high-quality sports program and premiere youth development Boys & Girls Clubs programs.
"No matter how much success you have, there is always someone who helps you achieve that success," Carter said. "As I was running around the bases, I was thinking about my first coach, Mr. Galemore. I thought about Frank Moore Sr. I thought about all the people who were instrumental in building me into a baseball player.
"I lived my life for those people, and I never forget them. That's what we're doing here today."
Carter noted that it was appropriate that he would be a speaker for the RBI program. He was known for driving in runs in his career. He finished his career with 1,445 RBIs and drove in more than 100 runs in a season 10 times.
"I was known for RBIs," he said. "When they came out with the Hank Aaron Award for the leading RBI guy in each league, I won the first one. My license plate says 'RBI.' I should be here for the RBI program."
Anthony Dickson, the director of the RBI program in Kansas City, has set lofty goals for this summer. After reaching 1,000 kids for the first time in the history of the program last summer, Dickson and his board have set a goal of 1,300 for 2006.
"I partner with schools, with churches, with all the mom-and-pop organizations to get them excited about the program," Dickson said. "When you have a product, the dollars start coming. We just keep doing things to educate the people about the program."
Dickson has done amazing things since coming on board in 1999, when he had a list with 50 kids' names on it. This year, the goal is to field 86 teams on which those 1,300 kids will play.
"When I started, my goal was 500 kids," Dickson said. "We were successful and we just kept growing the program."
Carter also encouraged the youth in attendance to dream, and not worry about failure. He related a story from when he was 7 years old at the conclusion of his Little League summer season.
"I was confident that I would be a Major League Baseball player," he said. "We had our summer banquet with 700 kids. The speaker said, 'If one of you makes it out of here to Major League Baseball, you are the lucky one.' I stood up and looked around the room at all those kids. Then I said, 'All you guys can go home now, because it's going to be me.' I believed it. It took a lot of hard work."
Which made that magical moment in 1993 worth it.
"The biggest moment I got out of hitting that home run was not running the bases," he said. "The biggest thrill was watching a tape of every angle that CBS had of that home run. To see my teammates' and the fans' reaction, that's what I remember most.
"Dreams do come true. I know, because at 7 years old, I was sitting outside my father's gas station and it was the bottom of the ninth. There were two strikes with the bases loaded in the seventh game of the World Series. I hit a home run to win the World Series. You know, [in 1993] there were two guys on and it was Game 6. But it still counts."
And dreams still do come true, thanks to programs like RBI.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Notes: Dessens is Royals' middle man

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:15:00 +0000

02/23/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The back of the bullpen is packed with Ambiorix Burgos, Andrew Sisco and Mike MacDougal.
The rotation is stacked with eight or nine guys.
In between is -- Elmer Dessens.
It's somewhat fitting that Dessens sits alone most mornings in the Royals clubhouse. He's really the only guy with a job as a middle reliever in hand.
Dessens was signed as a free agent, after pitching last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, strictly to provide a long man in the bullpen.
"It's OK. I like to start more, but I can be a starter or a reliever. It depends what my role is," he said.
Last year, Dessens made 28 appearances, including seven starts, for the Dodgers. He was a rotation regular for the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks for four years before morphing into a middle man who occasionally started.
"That was key for him -- his versatility, being able to start and being able to give you quality innings in relief," assistant general manager Muzzy Jackson said. "It saves these other guys -- you don't have to use them too early in the game too often."
As camp goes along, Dessens will be joined by those who don't make the rotation or up-and-coming relievers. The list is long.
Dessens, 35, from Hermosillo, Mexico, has demonstrated what has carried him through nine Major League seasons and two in Japan.
"He's kept his sinker low and located his slider on both sides," catcher John Buck said. "Whatever I read about him, he's fit to a tee."
Full house: Outfielder Reggie Sanders and infielder Esteban German checked in Thursday. That made it 40-for-40 on the winter roster.
Also moving in was non-roster third baseman Alex Gordon.
No, he wasn't back in his hometown of Lincoln, Neb., collecting on that big Powerball payoff.
"I bought gas there once, though," he said.
Gordon won his personal lottery last September, signing for $4 million after being the No. 2 overall pick in June's First-Year Player Draft.
The first full-squad workout will be held at 9:30 a.m. MT on Friday at the Surprise complex.
Mound bound: Left-hander Bobby Madritsch is still throwing long toss from about 150 feet as he recovers from offseason arm surgery. He's scheduled to throw from the mound next week.
Legends game: The 20th annual Legends Charity Baseball Game is scheduled for Sunday at Surprise Stadium.
Hall of Famer Bob Feller is to appear. Ex-Royals include Bob Boone, Russ McGinnis, Ken Phelps and Steve Scarsone.
An Arizona Diamondbacks home run-hitting contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT, followed by a celebrity game at 2 p.m.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Shoulder sound, Bautista back on track

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:09:00 +0000

02/23/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- There's no doubt where right-hander Denny Bautista ranks in the mind of catcher John Buck.
"He's got the most exciting arm in camp," Buck said.
That's scintillating stuff for the Royals as they search for five starting pitchers.
Bautista, 25, leaped into the rotation last spring. His first start was a dazzler; he held the Angels to one run in eight innings. He struck out eight and retired 14 straight batters.
"They didn't have no idea," then-manager Tony Pena said accurately.
But Bautista would make just six more starts, leaving the mound in the third inning May 11 at Toronto with shoulder tendinitis. He didn't pitch for the Royals again the rest of the season.
"It never happened. You know, when I was ready to throw and they talked to me and they said, 'OK, we know you're ready but we have to send you to the instructional league,' " he said.
"And I worked hard down there."
Mixed in with his Arizona stay were six injury rehabilitation appearances for Triple-A Omaha. By September, he was ready to pitch for the Royals. But the club decided to be cautious.
"They said, 'We're not going anywhere, so we're not going to use you. We want you for next year,' " Bautista said.
Over the winter, Bautista pitched for Estrellas in the Dominican League. Enduring a slow getaway, he finished 2-4 with a 4.26 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 38 innings.
"I just felt great," he said. "My last outing I was throwing a no-hitter until the eighth inning. And they got one hit."
So far in Surprise, Bautista has kept his well-advertised sinkerball low.
"There's late movement and the ball just gets a second wind -- vooooosh! " Buck said.
Bautista, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, was plucked from the Baltimore Orioles on June 21, 2004, in exchange for reliever Jason Grimsley. That came just three days before the influx of other young players -- Buck, Mark Teahen, Mike Wood -- in the Carlos Beltran deal.
After Bautista posted a 2.53 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings for Double-A Wichita, the Royals thought they had a steal. When he broke camp last year as a starter, they were sure of it.
Then came the shoulder tendinitis.
"It's like something is going on and you don't know what happened," Bautista said.
Manager Buddy Bell remembered the lingering problem.
"There were certain pitches that he threw that kept tweaking it," Bell said. "We changed his arm slot, too, which I don't think helped. His arm was dragging and his arm speed wasn't there."
That's all behind him, Bautista insisted.
"I'd have to say I'm ready right now because I'm feeling so strong in my shoulder. My arm speed is good so everything is fine," he said.
Bell indicated that if Bautista did not make the Royals rotation, he'd probably be sent off to Omaha so he could be a starter instead of working out of the Kansas City bullpen.
It's early but, to hear Bautista, he's ready for April.
"I've got my curveball back and I'm throwing my slider and I've got everything in the zone right now," he said.
"I could go out there for a game right now. My shoulder doesn't hurt anymore."

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Royals searching for talent down under

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:08:00 +0000

02/24/2006
MELBOURNE, Australia -- The Royals front office is searching all corners of the globe in an effort to make sure no stone is left unturned in Kansas City's quest to return as American League Central contenders.
Royals president and part-owner Dan Glass, general manager Allard Baird, and Baird's special assistant Louie Medina appointed Kansas City's first Australian scout during a ground-breaking excursion to Melbourne, Australia -- the home of first baseman Justin Huber, who made his Major League debut with the Royals in 2005.
The Royals power brokers hope that the installation of 1996 Atlanta Olympics Australian second baseman Matthew Sheldon-Collins as their newest scout will unearth more Australian talent down under -- and all things going to plan, have them playing in royal blue.
"We hope so, that's our goal," Baird said.
Baird was the prime mover in acquiring Huber in a trade from the New York Mets for infielder Jose Bautista in July, 2004.
With first basemen Mike Sweeney and Ken Harvey sidelined by injury in 2005, Huber got his Major League callup and hit .218 in 78 at-bats to close the season. He was also instrumental in showing his employers around his hometown during their January excursion.
"It was more than worth it just to see the country and hang out with Justin," Glass said.
However, Glass did a whole lot more than hang out. Huber introduced Glass, Baird and Medina to eight prospective candidates before they settled on Sheldon-Collins.
"It was very productive," Glass said hours before the 17-hour flight home from the whirlwind six-day tour of Melbourne.
During the southern project, Glass and Baird appeared on Melbourne radio and at the junior national championships being held outside Melbourne.
"It's not only the acquisition of players, it's promoting the game," Baird said.
Glass said the club will invest in junior baseball and promotion of the game in Australia.
"Putting back into the sport like the Royals organization is doing can only help our sport," Huber said.
Glass echoed Huber's wish for the growth of the game Down Under.
"We have a responsibility to not just take players away from the country. We have the responsibility to give back so that people learn about the sport and respect it," Glass said.
With the appointment of Sheldon-Collins, the Royals now have access to more than 50,000 Australian players -- a baseball hotbed that had gone unnoticed in Kansas City until its acquisition of Huber.
Australia won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and will compete in Pool D of the World Baseball Classic against the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Italy.
Huber will be Australia's biggest name at the Classic. Sheldon-Collins, who had overlooked previous approaches from Major League clubs, said the relationship with the Royals will be a win-win situation for Australian baseball and the Royals.
"These guys really have Australian baseball at heart," Sheldon-Collins said. "It's an easy fit that way. I have values on Australian players and the way they should be approached and treated."
While operating as the Royals' Australian scout, Sheldon-Collins will continue in his role as his Australian state's baseball institute head coach.
Sheldon-Collins's coaching position will give the Royals a head-start in identifying future stars. He said an average of five of his students had signed with Major League clubs in each of his 10 years as head coach.
Chances are, a few future signings will belong with the Royals.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Notes: Royals set tone in full workout

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:07:00 +0000

02/24/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Blue skies, a new cast of characters, good health and happiness.
That was the scene as the Royals held their first full-squad workout of Spring Training on Friday.
"It was the best first day of 2006," captain Mike Sweeney said.
Oh, did we mention dry humor?
"No, but it was a good day, a good overall day," Sweeney said. "Guys got their feet wet. And we're seeing our pitchers get their arms healthy. They're going to be the key to our success this year."
This is Sweeney's 11th season of Major League camp with the Royals.
For left-hander Mark Redman it was his sixth spring club in the last six years. He liked the atmosphere.
"Very upbeat, real exciting," Redman said. "I think a lot of guys are happy with the organizational moves, the direction it's taken. Not only the good athletes they brought in, but the camaraderie is good, too. We all fit the same type -- all easy going, no big heads and that's real key."
Manager Buddy Bell presided over an uncharacteristically long one-hour team meeting, then trailed 59 campers onto the Surprise Recreation Campus Field.
"Our goal is to be a playoff team," Bell said. "Everyone has to have a goal and that's what it is. In Spring Training, you're all pretty much in the same position. Some of it is reality, some of it is not."
When you're coming off a 106-loss season, the playoffs are big order.
"I think it can be a realistic goal," Bell insisted.
After the workout, Bell touched on some 2005 spots that were cause for optimism.
"Other than the 19-game losing streak, we actually played pretty well and after we got there, they kind of grew up a little bit," he said.
Bell sees more run scoring and a better defense to go along with a strong bullpen. So finding a rotation that can grind out innings -- and victories -- is essential.
"The bullpen is looking pretty good. That's why we need to get some pretty good innings out of the rotation and use the bullpen right," he said.
Extra games: The need to give the starters enough work has prompted the Royals to schedule three "B" games against the Texas Rangers.
The games will be March 6, 12 and 15 at 10 a.m. MT at the Surprise complex. Also scheduled are simulated games on March 9 and 10.
Harvey on hand: First baseman Ken Harvey, who recently underwent surgery on his left Achilles tendon, checked in and watched part of the workout.
"I just got out of the boot," he said. "It's good to just move around."
Harvey, who has a Minor League contract, won't be ready to play until June.
Quotable: "It's easy to see already the impact our new acquisitions are going to make. The way [Mark] Grudzielanek turns a double play is amazing." -- Sweeney, after Friday's first full-squad workout

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Grud, Mientkiewicz spell defense in KC

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:06:00 +0000

02/24/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Buddy Bell's memory was transported back to St. Ignatius School in Cincinnati.
"Sister Mary Ann, she'd be happy with me. She's the teacher I had in the third grade," Bell said.
"She'd be proud of me because I can spell."
Bell, who grew up to be manager of the Kansas City Royals, never expected this kind of spelling test, though.
Grudzielanek. Mientkiewicz.
You don't even have to be spelling-challenged to stumble over those 12-letter names that will appear on the Royals lineup card this season. Mark Grudzielanek is the second baseman, Doug Mientkiewicz is the first baseman.
What nationality is reflected in this alphabetic soup?
"Polish," Mientkiewicz said. "And I'm a little upset that this World Baseball Classic doesn't have a Polish team."
By any name, these new Royals are counted upon to seal up the right side of the infield.
"For at least six months," Mientkiewicz said.
Grudzielanek, 35, and Mientkiewicz, 31, are well aware they are stand-ins until younger players at second (Andres Blanco, Ruben Gotay or Donnie Murphy) and first (Justin Huber) are ready.
Mientkiewicz allows slugger Mike Sweeney to be stashed in the designated hitter role and Matt Stairs to be a backup first baseman and designated hitter. Grudzielanek replaces the six-pack used last year at second base.
The new guys can hit, but it's defense that attracted the Royals.
Mientkiewicz was a Gold Glove winner for the Minnesota Twins.
"I have to do things to separate me from the big boppers of the world," he said. "I've hit .300 twice in this league and I've always been known for my glove. It's something you can't shake, but it's also a compliment because I take pride in catching the ball."
Grudzielanek, in his only season with the St. Louis Cardinals, last year led Major League second basemen with 108 double plays.
"There's nothing better than a double play. It's a rally-killer, an inning-ending play that can really catapult, give you a positive motivation to go into that next inning," he said.
A strong arm -- he played shortstop for the Montreal Expos and Los Angeles Dodgers -- enables him to get the ball to first base quickly and to go deep for outfield relays. He's also known for hanging tough on the pivot, willing to take a hit to complete the double play.
"There's not enough guys like him in the big leagues anymore," Mientkiewicz said. "The guys that play the game the right way, that grind it out day-in and day-out. They don't make excuses, they just want to win."
For his part, Grudzielanek anticipates Mientkiewicz digging out throws for him and the younger flingers, third baseman Mark Teahen and shortstop Angel Berroa.
"That's huge because you don't think about it. I know that through the years I've had somebody who could catch the ball like Derrek Lee and there were other guys who had a little trouble," Grudzielanek said.
Despite his raw talent, he needed some expert help early in his career.
"A few years into Montreal I hooked up with Bucky Dent. He taught me an awful lot and locked me in defensively with your footwork, my angles on the field that you never even hear about," Grudzielanek said.
"I worked with him in the offseason and he cut my errors 70 percent."
Mientkiewicz is known for his side-to-side footwork and his ability to dive and jump back up. Get it over to first base and he'll usually catch it.
For the New York Mets last season, Mientkiewicz was limited to just 87 games because of somewhat odd injuries.
"I popped my hamstring in the on-deck circle of all places. I just bent over in my little stretch routine and felt something snap. ... Then breaking up a double play, I got a knee in my back that cost me a lot of time," he said.
As workouts begin, the prospects are for Grudzielanek, who's right-handed, to bat in the order's second slot behind David DeJesus. Mientkiewicz, who throws right but bats left, figures to be in the lower half.
"I'm a good gap-to-gap hitter," Grudzielanek said. "They play me to the right side because the majority of my balls go over there. I don't get aggressive. I try to wait on the ball a little bit to recognize the pitch a little better. I can hit my hole pretty well."
However, Mientkiewicz also could fit in the No. 2 hole. He's a good contact hitter who also draws a lot of walks.
"I enjoyed hitting in the 2-hole ... I'm not scared to bunt guys over. I love hittin'-and-runnin'. With a guy on first base, I use the hole," he said. "When I get in the middle of the lineup, I get too power conscious."
Wherever Mientkiewicz and Grudzielanek bat, they'll be on that lineup card somewhere.
Now Bell must spell the 12-letter names.
"He can go short, too," Grudzielanek said. "He can just go Grud. Or just G with a straight line all the way across."
That's sort of the approach that Mientkiewicz's wife Jodi takes when she writes a check. Like M---squiggle---squiggle.
"I don't fault her for it. It's not a very fun name to spell all the time," Mientkiewicz said.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/

Notes: Gordon remains hot topic

b2blog@gmail.com (David) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:05:00 +0000

02/25/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The e-mails keep arriving at MLB.com.
Where will Alex Gordon open the season? At what position? How's he doing in Spring Training?
"It's nuts," Gordon said Saturday. "There are so many Nebraska-crazed fans. That's all they think about. I guess there's nothing else to do."
Gordon, who collected $4 million as the No. 2 choice overall in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, is one of the University of Nebraska's prized products. He was the third baseman on the Cornhuskers' College World Series team and batted .372.
The questions keep pouring in.
"They should be asking Buddy Bell that," Gordon said.
So far Gordon has played strictly at third base -- there have been just two workouts since his arrival. He's likely to open the season with Double-A Wichita.
"I kind of get the feeling that might happen, but I'm not 100 percent sure," he said.
Gordon has a special assignment Sunday, representing the Royals in a home run-hitting contest against the Texas Rangers. It'll take place about 1 p.m. MT before a celebrity game at Surprise Stadium.
He'll be joined by outfielder Chad Allen and first baseman Chris Richard, also non-roster players. Allen, who last played in the Majors for the Rangers, has 14 career homers (all for the Minnesota Twins).
Richard has 34 Major League homers, including 13 in 2001 and 15 in 2002 for the Baltimore Orioles.
"I'm just there as motivation for him," Allen said, nodding at Gordon. "They brought in an old guy to steady him."
Gordon, in his first pro exposure, had two home runs in the Arizona Fall League.
Catcher Paul Phillips promised to wear a Nebraska Huskers shirt and smuggle the school fight song onto the field.
"I'll have it on my ringtone in my cellphone and when he comes up, I'll turn it on," Phillips said. "I told him I'd bring something to make him smile."
The Rangers will send Kevin Mench, Ian Gac and Adam Hyzdu into the contest.
Dozen sign: Pitcher Zack Greinke and third basemen Mark Teahen were among 12 players who have signed 2006 contracts, the Royals announced Saturday.
The others are infielders Esteban German, Alex Sanchez, Donnie Murphy, Ruben Gotay and Andres Blanco; outfielder Chip Ambres, and pitchers Brian Bass, Juan Cedeno, Leo Nunez and Joel Peralta.
Terms were not disclosed.
Lights, camera ... Teahen, one of the players featured in the team's current advertising campaign, has been making more commercials this week.
What's ahead -- a film career?
"A few directors have called me but I want to make sure it's the right role," Teahen joked.
Falling from cycle: During batting practice at Saturday's FanFest in Surprise, Mike Sweeney recalled his near-miss with hitting for the cycle several years ago.
He needed a triple in his last at-bat, plugged the gap in right-center and then was stopped halfway to third by coach Rich Dauer. Sweeney retreated to second base.
"We were ahead by about five runs so I asked Richie, 'What's the matter?' I told him I needed a triple for the cycle. He said, 'Oh, gosh, my bad.' "
That leaves George Brett as the Royals' last cyclist. He had a single, double, triple and homer on July 25, 1990, at Toronto.
It's been accomplished just six times in team history, twice each by Brett and Frank White and once each by John Mayberry and Fred Patek.

Source: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/