Even to us faithful, we now know GMDM is an idiot.

Well, he was smart enough to pick up Mendoza and smart enough to give him 25 starts, even if it was by accident. I guess I don't see why he wouldn't see the value in what Mendoza gave him last year or see his performance this month as proof he's a very good option.

Hey has anyone seen the Spring Training Royals hats yet?

Trying to be play devil's advocate here, but Hoch cant pitch out of the stretch and falls apart when guys get on base - not exactly the perfect bullpen guy.

Mendoza is better, but his versatility is kind of his downfall.

I like them.

He had to fight his way into the lineup last year. Maybe that's what he does best?

Actual 2013 Slogan: TBD

That is perfect.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly. Mendoza is an excellent long reliever and spot starter. He is probably also more adapt than Hoch with an irregular pitching schedule.

Hoch sucks. He should be replaced by Mendoza or any other pitcher. Don't care who. Just say no to Hoch

It's funny that we even have to continue to discuss an historically bad starting pitcher. Hoch is obviously a statistical abomination, and, to me, he doesn't even pass the eye test. His stuff can be a tick above average, but he lacks a true out pitch. I firmly believe that his breaking stuff isn't plus, and I've always held this view.

Does someone have a list or would like to tell me how long we have control/contract of our main players (Frenchy not included)?

Controll through (year listed counts as year with team)

Perez - 2019
Hosmer - 2017
Getz - who cares/Giovotella 2019
Escobar - 2017
Moustakas - 2017
Gordon -2016
Cain - 2018
Francoeur - 2013
Butler - 2015

Shields - 2014
Guthrie - 2015
Santana - 2013
Davis - 2016
Hochevar - 2013/Chen - 2013

Holland - 2017
Herrerra - 2018
Crow - 2016
Collins - 2017
Danny Duffy - 2017
Felipe Paulino - 2014

Tickets went on sale today. I got 4 for St. Louis and 4 for Tigers on my BD.
This is the first time I've bought Royals tickets in advance in about five years.

And I bought both sets after Mother's Day, so I have expectations....

I knew you would have the answer! Thanks.

So if I order a Moustakas jersey, I should have a few years to wear it barring a trade of some sort?

I know it's like day 2 of camp or something, but has anybody heard anything positive or negative from Surprise?

Duffy threw 18 pitches off the mound the other day.
Ned thinks Hoch could win 15-18 games this year.
Francouer has one of the best RF arms in the history of the game according to Dayton.

Where did Hoch end up on the grit metric last year?

Ned is ****ing delusional.

Hoch is Kyle Davies Version 2.0.

Frenchy sucks like a hoover. I'd rather see Dyson in center and Cain in RF.

I rarely agree with KK, but Mendoza should start as our 5th starter. That guy is a bulldog and extremely under-rated.

Shocking that 2/3 of the "positives" are about players the fans loathe. Why do the Royals feel the need to "sell" Hoch and Francoeur to us if they are already such good players?

I went down there for the workout today. Update coming soon!

Sorry for the crappy photos....I only had my cell phone with me today. :(

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...0216131338.jpg

Let me preface this story by saying I have never been so close to Major Leaguers in my life. I didn't know if the Royals would be practicing today or even what time, but I went down there about 1 pm and they were all there. Maybe a hundred or so Royals fans as well.

So here is my little story of the day. The Royals were using 4 fields, with players going between them either walking or on golf carts. At one time a golf cart carrying Butler, Hosmer, Escobar, Moose and Perez passed by me. I figured it seemed smart to carry the load of our best players together and make those like Frenchy, Getz and Dyson get the extra work of walking.

Batting practiced looked pretty slow and no one was crushing it. Lorenzo Cain was pretty vocal. He looks way bigger than his height/weight stats.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...inanddyson.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...tlerhosmer.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...randhosmer.jpg

Didn't see much pitching work today, unless it was already done. Only saw Herrera, Adcock and a few other no name guys.

At some point, Alex Gordon hurt his hand in the batting cage and seemed slightly pissed coming off the field but I doubt it is anything serious.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g..._5/corners.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/corners2.jpg

Autographs are not allowed to be asked for until the until workout is completed. I myself feel very silly being an adult and asking for autographs but I see I am the minority on that as 50 year old men seemingly push their way past children and get what they obviously think is their's.

Butler signed everything handed to him but made some rather sour facial expressions and looked bothered by most of the situation. Hosmer really is the lovable young kid his teammates say he is. Signing autographs for everyone, chatting it up with people and getting down on his knees to take tons of pictures with kids.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...hosmerauto.jpg

Finally a crowd of onlookers completely surrounds the gate to the cart path as none other than George Brett is about to come down. This "chaotic crowd" is a mass of maybe 30-40 people (half of which are kids). Brett, seeing this massive "annoyance", decides he should speed up his pace and trying walking to the locker rooms as fast as he can. He gives a half hearted effort while speed walking to sign two balls before flailing he arms out to the sides and yelling for everyone to "give me some room!" Frenchy is standing next to me watching all this and says to me, "Man, look at ole Brett over there just throwing a tantrum!" Laughing with that "lovable" Frenchy smirk. I wish to God Francouer wasn't such a shitstain of a ball player because he really has a personality you don't see in Major Leaguers. He, like Hosmer, took time to chat and sign whatever was there, laughing and making jokes throughout. Too bad he just can't hit the curve!

Most people, besides a few young ones, totally ignore Yost walking by. As he comes down the path, he say to one of the other coaches, "Can't wait to have a little Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey whiskey." I agree Yost, and I will probably be having many come June when you have ****ed this season over with some of your shitbrained moves and a continued rotation that features Luke Hochevar. I would also love to see more bunting this year!!!



After being continued to be blown away about how awesome this is, barring in mind I have only ever been to about 10-15 MLB games in my life and never have ever been that close to a MLB ballplayer, I decided I must waited for the last to leave, because there was one player I had yet to see pass by...

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...salvyperez.jpg

Brett is just doing his ted Williams impersonation.

like a muther*****in BAUCE!

You should have asked George to tell you the story about when he shit himself at the Bellagio....

Hoch 15-18 wins? Impossible to comprehend.

No offense lew, but I always pictured you as a 6'7" black guy who wasn't neccesarily overweight, but was a weekend BBQ binder away from it.

http://i.imgur.com/A46JK.gif

How many more of Yost's "predictions" does he have to be proven wrong on before it's obvious he doesn't know shit?

Thanks for sharing lewdog. Salvy looks like he's ready to give you a right cross if you mess with him.

ha ha!!

i was thinking the exact same thing!!!

(nice work lewd!!!!!)

Haha that was the internet persona I just ruined!? Well shit....this sucks.

I consider myself a Manlet, although next to Perez's mass you probably can't tell!

He was super polite, told me no problem to get a picture. I also didn't know how much English he understood so I gestured click of the camera as I asked! LMAO

Another day of workouts. Got there later than I wanted and missed all the pitchers again.

But met most of the boys!





http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0385.jpg

George Brett giving some "tips."

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0387.jpg

Slavy still beasting and blowing kisses to his coaches.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0392.jpg

HOF'er ready to come off the field. Maybe today he won't be an ass?

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0394.jpg

HOF'er walking as fast as he can and telling one fan "No one gives a **** if you get an autograph!"

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0391.jpg

Lead Head Ned

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0388.jpg

Corralled a Moose! Glistening like bacon in the Arizona sun.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0389.jpg

Country Breakfast!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...5/DSCN0390.jpg

Easily the nicest of the bunch.


Another nice day at the fields. Only two I couldn't get to was Escobar as he bolted to the lockers and I missed him. I saw Gordon earlier then lost track of him. I was there just asking for pictures and no autographs and had a much better reception than those seeking signatures. Moose politely asked if he could sign for all the kids first before others. Hosmer stood there about 8 seconds with that grin on his face as my girlfriend couldn't get the camera to work.

For a kid from small town Montana who has never been around famous people, I will never forget getting to meet these guys. What an amazing experience and they haven't even started playing games down here yet!

Perez or moose might be the redass on the team. Hosmer loves tequilla and polo shirts.

Cain apparently has a hand injury.

on a side note I just left the Negro league museum. was a great experience. very cool place. got to talk to the president while I was there.

Good pics.

Great pics of Mike Aviles, lew. Didn't know he was back with us.

Lorenzo Brokaki is fool's gold. Mother****, this is yet another reason that the Myers trade was dumb as ****.

I am seriously considering taking a couple weeks of leave to go visit them in AZ. :hmmm:

Lew,

You're awesome.

You managed to keep the same face in every picture.

I bet you're a helluva poker player.

I expect the Royals to lead the Cactus league in Homeruns again. How long until Shields starts rubbing his elbow.

so, George Brett is an asshole? Heh.

Shocking.

he was at a charity golf event/reception here in Pitt about 10-15 years ago. my m.i.l. was a main coordinator of the event. after the tourny and just after the dinner (complimentary booze for the celebrities), georgie was asked to sign a baseball (for me), apparently he grumbles after being pampered like a king too.


i kinda feel sorry for that rich bastard.

said nobody. ever.

Haha, are you saying I resemble Aviles?!

There was about 30 people at the workouts today. If I didn't work I would go every morning. Many of the games they play are during the day too, which really blows because I can't miss work.

Today was just awesome though meeting all those guys. It is probably just the small town Montana kid in me (who never meets "famous" people), but that was an epic day by my standards!

You make it here....beers on me!

LMAO

I wondered what ****ing comment you would have. But yes, I tried my best to not mess up. You only get one take!

Puh-puh-puh-puh-puh-puh poker face.

Well instead of your imagination of my face, you now know my real one to jerk it to!

I sing a little Gaga and you talk about me stroking it.

Neg repped.

I kinda think lew looks like greg holland

Anyone know how serious Cain's injury is?

Doesn't sound too serious but they removed him from batting practice today because of it. Sounds like some soreness on the top of his hand. Hope this dude can stay healthy....so far that seems to be a work in progress. We can't afford Dyson out there a good portion of the season :facepalm:

Thanks, and thanks for the updates!!!

Like a twin.

I'm gonna be in Surprise in mid March. I've never been before. By then they'll have a full compliment of games. Will there be photo/autograph opportunities before/after games?

"I can do it!!!"

Cool story about the new Royals Billboards on I-35 in KC:

http://www.kansascity.com/2013/02/14...ake-pitch.html

BroCain

As lame as I think "Come to Play" is, the board is awesome.

This is my first year here so I am not quite sure. I was told that going to the morning workouts the day of games is the best option but again you have to guess when/what days they will be there. Someone said some of the players will sign a bit after the game but many head right to the locker room.

Here are the over/under's in Vegas

AL East
Toronto 86 1/2
New York 86 1/2
Tampa Bay 86
Boston 79 1/2
Baltimore 76 1/2

AL Central
Detroit 90
Chi 80 1/2
KC 79
Cle 77 1/2
Minn 64 1/2

AL West
LAA 89 1/2
Tex 87
Oak 83
Sea 76 1/2
Hou 59 1/2

That looks about right. If Jack Harry is right (and that would be a first), his call of 87 wins would edge out the two teams in the AL East who didn't win the division.

Our resident Orioles fan is going to flip his lid at that projection.

Have you seen their rotation???!!!

No/ ChiefsandO'sfan

ROFL

How many ribs is Adam Jones going to smash>

It looks like Billy has slimmed down a bit in that picture with Lew.

At least he'll learn what pythag theory is.

Billy Butler is always going to carry lots of fat, he is also never hurt.

He will dispute the Vegas odds with some tweet from someone nobody has ever ****ing heard of.

87 wins for the Royals? He's finally gone senile.

Vegas had them at 69 last year how did that work out?

I put 500 on the over easy money.

I'm sorry for your impending loss...

You let me know when the orange birds consistently win on a yearly basis.

Sun dogs ass.

A rather disgustingly ugly dog, at that.

I'm going to Vegas for the NASCAR Race next month...will be putting some future bets down.

OK, I'm a little steamed at the Royals Promotions Wanks again.

This year they're doing the "KC Royals Salute the KC A's" again.

Why???? WTF????? How many times to we have to "salute" these bastards???

Look, Charlie Finley held KC for ransom, told this town to go F itself, moved the team to OAKLAND in the middle of the Chiefs-Raiders AFL rivalry. Then, when KC got the Royals, it was OAKLAND that pushed the Royals down like bullies every year until 1976, when the Royals finally got over the hump.

Not only that, but Finley pulled the team out of here right before they hit their stride as a dynasty in the early 1970s. They were our biggest rival before the Yankees, because they kept us from getting to the playoffs for many years.

So why the HELL do we want to honor these assholes?


I looked at the Milwaukee Brewers site. Do you think they honor the Atlanta Braves? The Braves left Milwaukee for Atlanta. No. I looked at the Seattle Mariners Site. Do you think they honor the Milwaukee Brewers? The Seattle Pilots left Seattle to become the Brewers in Milwaukee. No. Do you think the New York Mets honor the San Francisco Giants for leaving New York? No.

So WTF is with the Royals????? God, these PR wanks are clueless. We might as well have "Kiss the Yankees Ass" night. Tobey Cook: Get to work!

It's Battered Franchise Syndrome, George.

:clap:

The 2012 Orioles were one of the luckiest teams in the history of baseball. They broke a 104-year old record on 1-run winning percentage. CNNSI.com has a pretty decent article on it now.

Is it their time yet?