Overheard at Kauffman Stadium last night: "Maybe the Royals could boost their offense by signing whoever's leading the Japanese league in home runs. Oh, wait a second. That's Craig Brazell."
Overheard at Kauffman Stadium last night, part 2 (just before the start of the first game, when there were several people in the stands): "Geez, it looks like there was a bomb threat."
Read in my e-mail inbox this morning: "I thought we were supposed to be better? This is as bad as 2004."
From what I can tell, former Royal Aaron Guiel was/is/maybe leading Japan in home runss, but, yes, it's fair to say the shine is off that 6-2 start.
Some people blame the defense, the offense, the pitching, Tony Pena, Trey Hillman, plenty of blame to go around.
You know who I blame?
Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke.
Yep. I blame Banny and Greinke. If they could pitch every game, instead of needing to rest for five days, the Royals might be something like 20-2.
With losing two last night, the Royals have matched their longest losing streak from last year and are poised to challenge some of Buddy Bell's most impressive slides.
I really thought this year was going to be a little different, and think I still do, just that this is as bad as it's going to be all year.
But what do you guys think? Still optimistic? Nobody expected any titles this year, so whatever, but it's not a good sign when a team can't go one month without losing seven in a rown.
The biggest problem here is clearly the offense, averaging a steady 3.2 runs per game, on pace for 515.
There are a million different ways to illustrate just how bad the Royals' offense has been, but here's one you probably haven't heard: Mark Teahen has hit third since the fifth game of the year and has four RBIs. You know who else has four RBIs? Arizona's Brandon Webb, who has two hits in 10 at bats and is also, you know, a pitcher.
Then again, as a friend points out, Webb is hitting in a better lineup.
Anyway, all this is sort of a long way of asking you guys at what point will you start asking for Barry Bonds? I think it'd be a bad move, and I also don't think it will happen for a list of reasons, but he's out there, track record and baggage and all, and would certainly add some pop to the Royals' lineup.
I e-mailed a Royals fan of mine, a guy who HATES Bonds, and here's what he said:
"Bonds just more or less stays to himself. Plus, I still remember Barry dressing up as Paula Abdul which means he will at least give a token effort to get along with his teammates (editor's note: it does?)...Barry would surely help attendance which means (more money) in the future."
What do you guys think? You're not that desperate yet, are you?
I recently changed investment advisors. As I told my new guy, "I feel much more confident having YOU lose money for me than the previous guy."
Dayton Moore ain't Allard Baird. Trey Hillman ain't Tony Muser or Buddy Bell. You're starting from a better, smarter place. And let's remember, this is a cross-country road trip this baseball season, not a trip to the 7-11 for smokes.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are hot right now, but how hot will they be in a month, even a week? Give it time, know we're moving in the right direction, and realize that over the course of the season there will be ups and downs and that we, as Royals fans, will always assume the good thing is about to explode, and the bad thing is here to stay. It really ain't, but only positive conditioning will allow us to change that mindset.
chucketal