Roster Almost Set
As it relates to this blog, I anticipated there’d be a dramatic shift from the offseason to the regular season in that I’d quickly go from having nothing to write about to having too much to write about. However, I didn’t think the change would be quite this dramatic. For example, last night I attended a very THX-1138-esque confusing (yet rewarding) training session at Hammons Field to prepare for the 11,000-person chaos that’ll ensue this weekend when the St. Louis Cardinals come to town. The rewarding part was meeting an incredibly beautiful girl, and setting up a “date” to see the Missouri State baseball Bears in action on Friday night. Not only is she gorgeous, but she’s also a baseball fan, meaning I’m in complete shock I could meet (and get the phone number of) a girl who seems too good to be true. Anyway, I’m not going to write about my experience last night at Hammons; that story might be better saved for Monday. I’m sure the insanity of 11,000 drunk and confused Cardinals fans will make for quite the weekend recap.
As far as tonight goes, the word on the street is that the Royals are very close to announcing their 25-man roster, and that we could know who made the team and who didn’t by tomorrow. As a result, another word on the street is that the FREE CALVIN PICKERING! movement may have actually worked. Allard Baird, reportedly bothered that Ken Harvey’s continued to display a terrible approach at home plate, is supposedly leaning towards sending him to Triple-A Omaha to have him work on his plate discipline and keeping Pickering as the team’s designated hitter. Keep in mind that nothing’s official yet, but this has to be considered good news. As soon as I know what they’ve decided, I’ll make sure to inform you all on this blog.
Pitching Update
Kevin Appier’s leaning towards retirement, and I can’t say I blame him. If anyone’s ever “left it all on the field,” it’s Appier. He was one of the finest pitchers of his generation, but he’s only throwing in the mid-80s on a good day, so it’s time for him to go.
Denny Bautista’s performance against the Padres will probably be enough to win him the fifth starter’s spot in the minds of the Royals brass, but it still isn’t enough for me. He’s now walked ten guys against 18 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings, peripheral statistics that just don’t convince me that he’s suddenly found his control and won’t tank in games that count. I still think Mike Wood’s the better choice for the present time. By the way, one has to wonder why the Royals are willing to put Bautista (who hasn’t seen Triple-A) in the starting rotation, especially when they’re so reluctant to stick Mark Teahen, who’s already seen Triple-A, in the majors because of concerns over how he’d handle it mentally. It seems that if there are any mental states that they need to be concerned about, it’s Bautista’s.
Music to write by:
Train: When I Look To The Sky
AC/DC: Shook Me All Night Long
JoJo: Leave (Get Out)
Aerosmith: Cryin’
Seether f. Amy Lee: Broken
Bush: Glycerine