Spring Training
Traditionally I am not a baseball blogger. I follow several of them online and with twitter, but I tend to leave the analysis to them! That being said, I do want to make a few points in an effort to get through to the casual fan. Today Spring Training starts, it is the first day for pitchers and catchers to report, so I think today is a good day to devote a blog to the team.
I have been seriously following the Royals for probably the last 4 years and semi-casually for a few years before that. I was a season ticket holder for 2 long years (a total of 70+ games). So believe me when I say that this season might be one of the most exciting/scary seasons in memory.
When I say that I mean that no one is expecting the Royals to field a winner. With the lowest payroll in the league going into 2011, no one I mean no one thinks this team is going to win. In fact there have already been countless blogs on the subject and if you have read even a few of them then this post might not be for you. I want to talk directly to the casual fan, the cynical fan, that guy at the office that insists on going to ball games, but still talks sh*t on the team.
Listen, the Royals might not set the world on fire this season, but what will happen is we are going to see some of the most hyped prospects in the league finally make it up to the bigs and show our proud city what they can do.
I remember the first time Alex Gordon got called up from the minors, he was touted as the second coming, the next George Brett. I also remember that he came up in his first major league at bat and struck out with bases loaded. I think collectively the entire Kansas City area let out a massive sigh. We are still waiting for him to catch up to all that hype. Alex will be our everyday left fielder, maybe he will finally forget the pressure and just play baseball with style.
So Gordon is the perfect example of a prospect that doesn’t pay off 100% (though in his defense, he is still in the majors and will play everyday), so I am not saying that all the prospects will get called up and win a world series this year, but I can say that some of them will definitely get called up in an otherwise unforgettable season and show our fair city what they are made of without the pressure of winning.
Maybe just maybe that will translate into something great, maybe we will compete, scare a few teams, earn a place at the table of some big name free agents next season, you never know. I guess what I am saying is that if you want to come to the K this summer, don’t come and fuss when we don’t win (we will sometimes). Take a deeper look at the player, look at (shutter!) advance stats, maybe even take some time to figure out their strengths and weaknesses in the minors and compare those actions to the majors.
Doing so might just make the potentially sad season bearable. I know I am taking this approach, trying to keep positive about the coming year.
In closing, I just hope that Jason Kendall doesn’t start at Catcher all year. we need to see Pena and May get some reps. And because they have already played with a lot of the minor pitchers that will probably be up hurling.
So look for me on opening day. Cara has never been and I am looking forward to letting her see what the K is like in a playoff-type atmosphere (Sadly opening day is the only sell out that seems like something is at stake!).
I like the Royals a lot, but on this Valentine’s Day my heart is with Cara. Can’t wait to marry her this summer. I hope to see you all at the K when we get back from our honeymoon!
