Royals Greinke surprised by Kauffman greeting - Page 2

Mr. Laz · 06-14-2012, 12:06 PM

Greinke surprised by Kauffman greeting

June 14, 2012
If there was ever a doubt about just how nice Kansas City Royals fans can be, their treatment of Zack Greinke is Exhibit A.

Greinke, you'll recall, turned his shoulder on the Royals and the city in 2010, pronounced himself too good to be stuck with such a loser organization, and demanded a trade.

Greinke, bridges burned and nuked, got his wish and the Royals shuffled him off to Milwaukee along with Yuni Betancourt for Jeremy Jeffress, Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Jake Odorizzi.

Fast forward to Tuesday night: Greinke, as a Brewer, returned to Kauffman Stadium for the first time since shunning Kansas City and was greeted with ... mostly cheers.

In fact, the predominant sentiment among talk-show callers and in newspaper comments sections suggests Royals fans would take Greinke back in a heartbeat.

Even Greinke seemed amazed at the forgiving nature of Royals fans.

"It's nice because I was pretty rude on the way out," he said after giving up just one run in seven innings against his former team Tuesday. "I felt like I had to (be rude) in order to get out. But I didn't want to have to be the bad guy. I felt like I had to be.

"But I liked it here. Like I said, the fans were great. I don't know (why) so many of them come to the games when they've been bad for so long. But it's pretty impressive. I think they're like beating five or six teams in the American League (in attendance), and some teams are really good, and Kansas City's outdrawing them.

"So that just shows you how, for all that they've been through, to still come out is pretty cool."

These days, Greinke admits he does have some regrets for burning bridges on his way out of Kansas City.

"But I felt like I had to do it," he said. "I felt like the only way would be to force myself out. I don't think anyone would have been able to trade me if I played like this great guy. And so I had to give them motivation to do it."

Now, though, because Greinke will be a free-agent after this season, Royals fans are fantasizing that the team could sign Greinke back.

Those dreams were fueled even more a month ago when George Brett revealed that he had attempted to buy Greinke's condo near the Plaza but was told Greinke would not sell.

Greinke said Tuesday night that no one should read anything into that.

"No, that has nothing to do with anything," Greinke said. "Sorry to break it to everyone. I got a two-year lease (from a renter), so it was like, 'Might as well rent it out.' And when I got married, it was our first home, so my wife doesn't really want to get rid of it, either."

As far as signing back with the Royals next year, Greinke did suggest anything is possible.

"I mean, maybe," he said. "But I'm still with the Brewers. I like playing in Milwaukee. And, the guys here are great. The organization's great. And the city is good. Coming back to Kansas City, though, I mean the city is really nice, too."

Of course, the big question would be: Are the Royals now competitive enough to be attractive to Greinke?

"I don't know," he said. "Some of those guys are pretty good hitters, though. A lot of power, it seems like. I don't know if their power numbers have been really good, but you know it when you're facing them; you can't really make a mistake, or else they can do some damage."

So the Royals are getting better in Greinke's mind?

"Offense-wise, yea, they are," he said. "Defense-wise, I don't know. I know they got Escobar and Cain and some more defensive-minded guys. … Pitching is probably about the same. Bullpen looks good now. I felt like (the relievers) were pretty good when I was there, too, the last couple years.

"It might be better now. I think they have like, maybe the best bullpen in baseball. I'm not positive about that. They all throw all pretty hard.

"But I'm with the Brewers right now. Happy to be with them."

Codered · 06-15-2012, 07:14 AM

I just don't see any way this match happens again. Price, past feelings, and nearly every team will probably show interest gives me little to no hope we see Zach return to KC.

**gblowfish** · 06-15-2012, 09:42 AM

Greinke's wifey is hot!

**Predarat** · 06-15-2012, 10:35 AM

Good that he lost but did not pitch bad, good WHIP and decent ERA.

sedated · 06-15-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Greinke's wifey is hot!

Former Cowboys cheerleader IIRC

Captain Obvious · 06-15-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Predarat

Good that he lost but did not pitch bad, good WHIP and decent ERA.

He didn't get the loss for that game.

tomahawk kid · 06-15-2012, 02:35 PM

Heard from a fairly reliable source that the chances of Grienke returning to KC are roughly the same as me winning the lottery.

Codered · 06-15-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Heard from a fairly reliable source that the chances of Grienke returning to KC are roughly the same as me winning the lottery.

I expect there is zero chance that Greinke is back.

tomahawk kid · 06-15-2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codered

I expect there is zero chance that Greinke is back.

This was within the context of "even if he wanted to".

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-15-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codered

I just don't see any way this match happens again. Price, past feelings, and nearly every team will probably show interest gives me little to no hope we see Zach return to KC.

Agreed. I've heard $100-$125 mill thrown around. There's no way we pay that and I fine with not paying it for a guy that quit once already. Yes I understand why he wanted out but what happens after we pay him that kind of money and we aren't exactly what he thinks we should be and he gets twingy again. No thanks imo.

Deberg_1990 · 06-15-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

Agreed. I've heard $100-$125 mill thrown around. There's no way we pay that and I fine with not paying it for a guy that quit once already. Yes I understand why he wanted out but what happens after we pay him that kind of money and we aren't exactly what he thinks we should be and he gets twingy again. No thanks imo.

yea, i guess i wouldnt mind seeing him come back, but hes not. Royals just wont spend that kind of jack.

Honestly, hes got great stuff, but hes a mental midget at times. He wasnt even that good in the playoffs last year.

duncan_idaho · 06-15-2012, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Heard from a fairly reliable source that the chances of Grienke returning to KC are roughly the same as me winning the lottery.

I heard the same from a good friend - who had a off-record conversation with Dayton Moore about it.

As far as Greinke's contract... I just don't see it surpassing that of Matt Cain (made this point on the Scout forum earlier today). Cain is the same age, more durable, has been more consistently better (though he had yet to reach Greinke's 2009 heights until this year) and isn't a borderline nutcase.

Cain's contract is the most expensive ever awarded to a RHP. I just can't see a similar but more risky talent getting the same amount, even on the open market - and especially when Greinke won't have the Yankees, Red Sox, etc. bidding on him.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 06-15-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

yea, i guess i wouldnt mind seeing him come back, but hes not. Royals just wont spend that kind of jack.

Honestly, hes got great stuff, but hes a mental midget at times. He wasnt even that good in the playoffs last year.

Agree completely with your second line. If he were more "stable" I'd be all for it but he's not. He's high risk imo... not because of his ability but because of his mental makeup. I don't even think the Royals SHOULD spend that kind of jack on him. Let someone else take the risk.

TLO · 06-23-2014, 11:36 AM

How will he be received tonight?

Fish · 06-23-2014, 11:42 AM

I liked Zach. But he was an unstable dick most of the time. I don't think he's the type of person that could ever be personable in the same way as other athletes, because of his mental issues.

KCUnited · 06-23-2014, 11:45 AM

Dr Facebook Fever??

I was at that game and I believe Gordon leadoff with a HR against him.

06-14-2012, 12:06 PM
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Greinke surprised by Kauffman greeting Greinke surprised by Kauffman greeting June 14, 2012 If there was ever a doubt about just how nice Kansas City Royals fans can be, their treatment of Zack Greinke is Exhibit A. Greinke, you'll recall, turned his shoulder on the Royals and the city in 2010, pronounced himself too good to be stuck with such a loser organization, and demanded a trade. Greinke, bridges burned and nuked, got his wish and the Royals shuffled him off to Milwaukee along with Yuni Betancourt for Jeremy Jeffress, Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Jake Odorizzi. Fast forward to Tuesday night: Greinke, as a Brewer, returned to Kauffman Stadium for the first time since shunning Kansas City and was greeted with ... mostly cheers. In fact, the predominant sentiment among talk-show callers and in newspaper comments sections suggests Royals fans would take Greinke back in a heartbeat. Even Greinke seemed amazed at the forgiving nature of Royals fans. "It's nice because I was pretty rude on the way out," he said after giving up just one run in seven innings against his former team Tuesday. "I felt like I had to (be rude) in order to get out. But I didn't want to have to be the bad guy. I felt like I had to be. "But I liked it here. Like I said, the fans were great. I don't know (why) so many of them come to the games when they've been bad for so long. But it's pretty impressive. I think they're like beating five or six teams in the American League (in attendance), and some teams are really good, and Kansas City's outdrawing them. "So that just shows you how, for all that they've been through, to still come out is pretty cool." These days, Greinke admits he does have some regrets for burning bridges on his way out of Kansas City. "But I felt like I had to do it," he said. "I felt like the only way would be to force myself out. I don't think anyone would have been able to trade me if I played like this great guy. And so I had to give them motivation to do it." Now, though, because Greinke will be a free-agent after this season, Royals fans are fantasizing that the team could sign Greinke back. Those dreams were fueled even more a month ago when George Brett revealed that he had attempted to buy Greinke's condo near the Plaza but was told Greinke would not sell. Greinke said Tuesday night that no one should read anything into that. "No, that has nothing to do with anything," Greinke said. "Sorry to break it to everyone. I got a two-year lease (from a renter), so it was like, 'Might as well rent it out.' And when I got married, it was our first home, so my wife doesn't really want to get rid of it, either." As far as signing back with the Royals next year, Greinke did suggest anything is possible. "I mean, maybe," he said. "But I'm still with the Brewers. I like playing in Milwaukee. And, the guys here are great. The organization's great. And the city is good. Coming back to Kansas City, though, I mean the city is really nice, too." Of course, the big question would be: Are the Royals now competitive enough to be attractive to Greinke? "I don't know," he said. "Some of those guys are pretty good hitters, though. A lot of power, it seems like. I don't know if their power numbers have been really good, but you know it when you're facing them; you can't really make a mistake, or else they can do some damage." So the Royals are getting better in Greinke's mind? "Offense-wise, yea, they are," he said. "Defense-wise, I don't know. I know they got Escobar and Cain and some more defensive-minded guys. … Pitching is probably about the same. Bullpen looks good now. I felt like (the relievers) were pretty good when I was there, too, the last couple years. "It might be better now. I think they have like, maybe the best bullpen in baseball. I'm not positive about that. They all throw all pretty hard. "But I'm with the Brewers right now. Happy to be with them."
Posts: 95,626

06-15-2012, 07:14 AM	#16
Codered Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Casino cash: $8888190	I just don't see any way this match happens again. Price, past feelings, and nearly every team will probably show interest gives me little to no hope we see Zach return to KC.
Posts: 761

06-15-2012, 09:42 AM	#17
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17596178 VARSITY	Greinke's wifey is hot!
Posts: 40,843

06-15-2012, 10:35 AM	#18
Predarat Run Chiefs fans, run!! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nashville, TN Casino cash: $9973863	Good that he lost but did not pitch bad, good WHIP and decent ERA.
Posts: 10,776

06-15-2012, 02:35 PM	#21
tomahawk kid Drunk in the Neighborhood Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Beating the War Drums Casino cash: $10001837	Heard from a fairly reliable source that the chances of Grienke returning to KC are roughly the same as me winning the lottery.
Posts: 5,974

06-23-2014, 11:36 AM	#28
TLO Life is changing.. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Missouri Casino cash: $1444900	How will he be received tonight?
Posts: 39,240

06-23-2014, 11:42 AM	#29
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $1808919	I liked Zach. But he was an unstable dick most of the time. I don't think he's the type of person that could ever be personable in the same way as other athletes, because of his mental issues. __________________
Posts: 47,756

06-23-2014, 11:45 AM	#30
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1818244	Dr Facebook Fever?? I was at that game and I believe Gordon leadoff with a HR against him.
Posts: 34,191