2003 Archives

September 25, 2003

Well, as things draw to a close, I'll say a couple of things. First, you have to hand it to the Twins. Winning 11 straight is an awfully good way to make sure you win the division. That being said, I think that they will be dismembered in the playoffs -- they're just not that good.

Second, take a look at the updated rookie page. I think it's Berroa, Teixeira, Matsui, Baldelli, Gerut in that order. I think Berroa should win. Even more so, though, I think Matsui shouldn't. He's not a bad player, but he's not all that good, either.

September 17, 2003

It was pointed out to me that Randa has far from flopped. In fact, he has hit .349 with 6 homers and 34 RBI over the last 40 days (August and September). When I wrote that, I was thinking of the error that he made that cost them the last Cleveland game in KC.

Sweeney, on the other hand, has been miserable down the stretch. Over the same period, he has hit .268 with only 2 homers and a slugging percentage under .350. So, I replace Randa on my veteran flop list with Sweeney.

The Sox must win the next two. Even if they do, though, the Twins are almost sure to win. Seven of their last nine games are against Detroit. Indeed, at this point, it is possible (even likely) that the Royals could win all 12 of their remaining games and still not win the division. Sigh.

On the plus side, however, Berroa's 5-5 yesterday (even with the error) opened some light between him and the other ROY candidates. He has been an absolute stud in the leadoff slot.

September 15, 2003

Posnanski's column was good yesterday. It is, truly, very infrequent for a young team to keep it up through a pennant race. I would point out, though, that it is the veterans -- Grimsley, Randa, Relaford -- who have most noticeably flopped. The younger players have generally kept up their level of performance.

September 14, 2003

Blah, blah, blah. When they got shut out by the first guy in 20 years to lose 20 games, that about sealed the deal. There are, of course, scenarios that result in them winning the division. Those are about as likely as me voting for W in next year's election. (I note, for the sake of clarity that, even if the Royals do somehow win it, I will NOT vote for the shrub. Eat my hat, maybe, but not that.)

September 11, 2003

Funny how typing in that date is now kind of chilling. I suppose it will always be that way . . .

It's hard to get too excited, as it only increased their chances to win by 2%, but it is awfully nice to see them not give up after being down 6-3 in the fifth. Note - Jason Grimsley did not pitch in the game. The Royals won. Hmmmm.

September 10, 2003

Four and a half games with 19 left is a lot to overcome. Not very likely. The other thing I think we have to acknowledge is that there is a growing risk that the team could actually finish under .500. That would be very demoralizing after this season.

September 9, 2003

Well, so far, so good on the master plan. Go Sox!

September 8, 2003

Another astonishing game from Abbott. Even so, the matching weekend sweeps from the Twins and Sox feel rather like a death knell. It doesn't look good for our heroes. Being three games behind not one, but two other teams with just 20 games remaining is not where you want to be. Nevertheless, anything can happen, especially with so many games left between the top teams. What we need to root for is for the Sox to beat up the Twins over the next ten days. Then, at least, the Royals would stand a chance of winning if they can beat the Sox at the very end of the season. It's not very likely, but it is something to hope for.

On the luck evening out point from a couple of days ago, the Royals are 3-4 over their last 7 games. During that span, they have outscored their opponents 29-24.

On a different note, I wanted to point out just HOW good Aaron Guiel has been. He has had one hell of a half season. I really just noticed when I saw that the double he hit in last night's game was his 26th. In only 80 games. And to go with 14 dingers. Wow. His line for the year is:

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
80	287	54	84	26	0	14	44	24	57	3	4	.293	.368	.530	.897

which projects to:

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
162	581	109	170	53	0	28	89	49	115	6	8	.293	.368	.530	.897

That is one heck of a lot of production. Who'd have thought that calling up Guiel was like getting half a year of Garret Anderson?

September 7, 2003

So, I won't comment on the unfairness of playing a Royals home game in Anaheim. At least, I won't comment much. Seems like they could have at least let the Royals have last at bats.

Also, when will Tony P. wake up and realize that the current iteration of Jason Grimsley sucks?

Past Archives:

Sept. 1-7

August 24-31

August 17-23

Recaps:

9/10: Royals 9, Indians 7

9/9: Indians 7, Royals 1

9/7: Royals 3, Angels 0

9/6: Angels 3, Royals 1

9/6: Angels 6, Royals 5

9/5: Royals 5, Angels 0