Comments on: One Intense Royals Preview, Part I

By: Craig Scholes

Craig Scholes — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:09:51 +0000

I have been saying the same thing about Gathright for a year and a half, he is my favorite Royal, I only wish I had came up with the poor mans Ichiro. I have seen the video where he jumps over a car like infinity times.

By: Tim Lacy

Tim Lacy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:45:40 +0000

By the way, is your “proudly powered” statement below a joke?! I just noticed this disturbing little link. – TL

By: Tim Lacy

Tim Lacy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:44:46 +0000

Joe,

When will Part II make its appearance? I ask because I think the Royals will win enough games to be 5 over .500. The key is pitching because I think Hillman’s small-ball strategy will take a lot of offensive pressure off the players. In sum, they’ll score more because they actually have a small-ball plan to score—a plan Buddy, God bless him, never seemed to have. It’s paradox, I know, but these million-dollar bodies still need something to soothe their minds—to politely paraphrase Crash from Bull Durham.

- Tim

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 04:47:20 +0000

I’m assuming Chris is joking with his comment, but the Gold Glove seemed more like a career achievement award or a recognition of how difficult it is to play that many games with so few errors.
However, the stats guys seem to think Grudz has pretty much the worst SS range in MLB and players with lesser range tend to make fewer errors (except for Derek Jeter who manages quite a few while also managing to let every other ball through the infield. Actually Jeter’s fielding brings up another player who should be starting for the Royals, Joey Gathright. It would have happened to SS far superior to Jeter, but watching Gathright continually chopping the ball to Jeter and then watching everybody’s favorite – or at least Peter King’s – player just laugh each time because he had no play was probably the highlight of last season.)
German’s stats tanked during the second half of last season, but I would have liked to see any other member of the Royals do better in his situation. Clearly undervalued by Bell who tried to play him only in times of great necessity – which on the Royals is two out of three days – German had to constantly play different positions, different spots in the order, and unlike Bell’s favorites, any single bad game could put him on the bench for a week or two until calamity struck again.
Is it any surprise that German doesn’t look like a great fielder and has trouble keeping his OPS up in those circumstances? During the first month of the season when he was playing pretty regularly, German was the Royals best hitter. He has spectacular plate discipline and good speed on the bases. It would be surprising if he failed to contribute on most MLB teams, but to be continually pushed aside on a team as offensively-challenged as the Royals is a real tragedy.
Hillman is the most exciting development for the Royals in a long time, and considering his former experience, it would seem possible that German and Gathright will get their shots.
Also, for those of us who have been posting in favor of German on the Star’s message board for ages, having someone with Bill James’ pedigree place his voice in our camp is a truly wonderful occurrence.

By: Tim Lacy

Tim Lacy — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:49:36 +0000

Grudzielanek plays because of acceptable stats, but more for his leadership and experience. The Royals need this but, yes, it’s too bad he’s blocking the chance for German. …I love German’s stats, but I can’t vouch for his leadership and experience. Perseverance, yes, for his time spent in the minors, but not the other two intangibles. – TL

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:08:49 +0000

Bench Grud??!! Bench Grud!!?? Are you crazy?? The guy has a Gold Glove!! Don’t you know anything about baseball?? The only factors worthy of determining a players value are Gold Gloves and All-Star appearances!!

By: Jeff P.

Jeff P. — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:41:41 +0000

I wish they would bench Grudz and give German a chance to play everyday. But I wanted to see Huber play everyday last year and that didnt happen either.

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:42:19 +0000

In my book this spring I argued that the time had come that Esteban German had to play. In my view, it just is no longer sensible to suggest that Mark Grudzielanek is a better player than German. If the only way they can play German is to bench Grudzielanek, then. . .bench Grudzielanek.
Obviously you are closer to the team than I am, so I’m not dismissing the possibility that you could have it right.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:30:46 +0000

I actually like Piano Man. It reminds me of being the drunkest I’ve ever been (in a good way).

By: Greg P.

Greg P. — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:00:31 +0000

PS – how come the date/time stamp is 5 hours ahead of where I am?