We packed the show with fantastic guests this week. It’s fitting that just after the All-Star Game in Kansas City, we had a crew of All-Stars on the Vault.

We led off with one of the men behind the weekend, Mayor Sly James. He covered the ways the city prepared for hosting the All-Star Game and what the city learned from it. He also talked a bit about what’s going on with the Royals – the Mayor knows his baseball.

George Toma also joined us, talking about his experience at this All-Star Game and getting the field ready. He praised Kauffman Stadium head groundskeeper Trevor Vance repeatedly, and if you saw the field for the events, you know why. He also talked about catching a pitch from Reggie Jackson and getting the crown mowed into center field.

Throughout the show, we had Curt Nelson, the director of the Royals Hall of Fame, right there in studio with us and he talked about how they got the stadium ready, tracking down Mark Trumbo‘s big bomb in the Home Run Derby and he also bantered with our final guest, the voice of Kauffman Stadium, Mike McCartney.

Mike was at the stadium helping prepare all week for the All-Star Game and also shared his experiences in dealing with three different networks and his own director. ESPN, MLB Network and Fox all had their own plans for their events and Mike played his role perfectly.

We were honored to have all four gentlemen on with us, and hope you enjoyed hearing from them.

We’ll be back next week with more discussion of Kansas City baseball, past, present and future on ESPN 1510 Thursday at 6 p.m. CST.

You can catch up on old episodes of the Kansas City Baseball Vault here on Kings of Kauffman. Episodes of the Royalman Report are available on the site as well.

Follow the Kansas City Baseball Vault on Twitter and Facebook for future programming updates. Also follow Kings of Kauffman for article updates, discussion and other information.

Tonight we continue an exciting new venture for Kings of Kauffman and its podcast, the Royalman Report.

Jeff Logan of the Kansas City Baseball Historical Society joins forces with us to form the Kansas City Baseball Vault on Kansas City’s ESPN 1510 AM from 6-7 p.m. every Thursday night. Listeners can tune into traditional radio or streaming live on 1510.com.

We have a huge show this week, packed with guests.

First, Mayor Sly James will talk with us about pulling off the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City, what it means for KC and everything involved with it.

We’ll also talk with Curt Nelson, the director of the Royals Hall of Fame. He’s the man who retrieved Mark Trumbo‘s rooftop shot in the Home Run Derby and also hosted thousands of guests during All-Star Weekend.

Nelson actually called our third guest, George Toma, to let him know that he’d been elected into the Royals Hall of Fame. We’ve talked with Mr. Toma before and it’s our pleasure to do so again.

Finally, we’ll speak with the voice of Kauffman Stadium, Mike McCartney about his role in making the All-Star Game a success.

Follow the Kansas City Baseball Vault on Twitter and Facebook for future programming updates. Also follow Kings of Kauffman for article updates, discussion and other information.

In our second show of All-Star Weekend, we find the Royalmen in the epicenter of All-Star Festivities right outside of the Power and Light District at The Flying Saucer. We started out show with a bit of a scare as we went on the air right as a bomb threat occurred.

Once that was cleared, we turned to happier topics such as what the All-Star festivities meant to Kansas City and Fan Fest. The first half of the show, Chris is joined by Rambling Morons cohorts Laurie Kunkel and Chris Atkins. The second half of the show focused on the Futures Game and the performances of Royals Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi and Yordano Ventura as well as the game’s MVP Nick Castellanos and the ridiculous speed of Billy Hamilton with reaction from Michael Engel and Troy Olsen.

Don’t forget the Royalman Report is on every Sunday at 7 and catch our new show, The Kansas City Baseball Vault on ESPN 1510 AM Thursday’s at 6.

You can listen below or download the mp3 directly.

The Royalman Report is hosted by Troy “Royalman” Olsen with co-host Michael Engel and features Chris “Fake Ned Yost” Kamler and 610 Sports blogger Jeff Herr and airs  live Sundays at 7 p.m. central time at RoyalmanReport.com as well as on Livestream.com/RoyalmanReport.

Subscribe via the RSS feed and get updates when new episodes are uploaded.

Stuck in a cubicle, on a road trip, or using your smartphone?  Stitcher is a multi-platform radio app that’s available on Apple products, Droid, Blackberry and other phones.  Find us here on Stitcher.

You can also subscribe via iTunes: JUST CLICK HERE (and iPad, iPhone, iTouch users can get the Livestream app here to watch live or archived shows).

Follow the Royalman Report on Twitter.  While you’re at it, track down Kings of Kauffman on Twitter as well.

Melky Cabrera - Dream Conqueror (Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak/USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE)

Here goes.

In my dream, it was the offseason, and 2011′s team was another stinker. However, the young talent that was slowly integrated over the past few months produced a 15-10 record in September and gave us all reason to believe. It seemed like the stars were beginning to align, and if a couple of pieces could fall into place, this town would have a winner.

The outfield situation was going to be a tricky one. Alex Gordon was a lock to stay in left field, but the other two outfield spots were something that GM Dayton Moore was going to have to wrestle with. The supposed Centerfielder of the future, Lorenzo Cain, hit .312 with 16 HR in Omaha. He was deemed ready to come up in 2012, so room needed to be made in order to let him blossom. Moore was going to have to trade either 27 year old Rightfielder Jeff Francoeur or the 26 year old who occupied Centerfield in 2011, Melky Cabrera. Now, neither one of these guys had deep roots in Kansas City, which is why Gordon wasn’t considered. They were both sort of picked up off the scrap heap in an attempt to squeeze some of the last remaining drops of talent out of their stirrups.

They both responded well, having revival years. Francoeur was a leader in the clubhouse, a fan favorite, and had his best year since 2007 when he hit .293 and won a Gold Glove. Cabrera, who brought with him four years of post-season experience with the Yankees and Braves, was sometimes thought to not be fully committed to the game. He found his groove though, and had an outstanding year. He led the Royals in hitting at .305, had over 200 hits, drove in 87 runs and played solid defense. When laid out on paper, the two were very comparable, and it would be tough to decide to get rid of one of them.

Ideally, this would have been the point in my dream where I wake up and realize that the Royals just decide to keep them both, bring up Lorenzo Cain, and have four solid outfielders on their big league roster. But no…the dream continued.

In November, the decision was made – like a long, drawn out Ryan Seacrest American Idol delivery, Jeff Francoeur………….was safe. Melky Cabrera would be traded to the San Francisco Giants. Kansas City fans shrugged, thinking it was sort of a toss up anyway. Despite Cabrera’s offensive numbers being better, and him having more upside that Francoeur, Frenchy’s rocket arm in the outfield and ability to mentor all of the young talent was what ultimately kept him in Royal Blue.

In return for Cabrera, the Royals would receive minor league pitching prospect Ryan Verdugo and Giants starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. For Royals fans, a cliff’s notes version of Sanchez’s career seemed to brew excitement. He’d thrown a no-hitter in 2009, won a World Series in 2010. We needed starting pitching, and this guy was a proven starter for a great team.

Again, my dream gave hints of misery, because it also told me that Sanchez had been injured for much of the 2011 season. Although he started out as the #2 starter, he had struggled mightily. Was he healthy now? A closer look saw many struggles in earlier years as well. ERAs over 5.00, three straight losing records, a league leader in walks allowed and HR per 9 innings. Scary stuff.

In My Dream, Jonathan Sanchez was a Royal (Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE)

Still, he was now a Royal and Melky was gone. Shipped off to the West Coast to most likely revert back to his un-productive self and never to be heard from again. Surely, this Jonathan Sanchez would be the new-found savior that would mold the pitching staff together to carry the Royals to glory in 2012. It was deemed to be “Our Time”.

In my dream, Sanchez took the hill for his Royals debut in Los Angeles for the third game of the year. He bent, but did not break, giving up 2 earned runs in 5 innings of work. He left with a 5-2 lead and the bullpen helped deliver him the win. Welcome to the Royals – we’re happy to have you. In the same game, I gazed upon our new phenom centerfielder. He went 0-3 with a walk, seeing his average slip under .100 for the young season. Growing pains, I thought to myself…

Then, just a couple of days later in a dark, empty, rain-soaked Oakland Coliseum, I watched the young Cain track down a long fly ball and make a great catch. Then, as I shook my head in horror, I watched him limp off the field, apparently ruining everything below the waist. My dream told me that we wouldn’t seem him again until after the All-Star break. We’d be left to fill the all-important centerfield gap with the likes of Jarrod Dyson, Mitch Maier, and Jason Bourgeois.

This transitioned into the frightening montage portion of the dream – as I tried to wake up and shake off this disaster, I watched the worst case scenario play out. Sanchez lost his control, and apparently all ability to pitch as he was repeatedly shelled on the mound. He had lapses in judgment, walked as many as 7 batters in one game (in only 4 2/3 innings), and gave up run, after run, after run. The Royals would only win two more of the games that he started during the first half of the season – he would not factor in the decision. Calls for him to be sent to the bullpen, sent to Omaha, sent to Mars were constant. Whenever he’d take the mound – even if he showed small flashes of talent – the fans were up in arms. When the dust settled in early July, he’d be 1-5 with an ERA of 6.75. He’d have 43 BB to 34 Ks. Not possible…

Meanwhile, out in San Fran, Melky Cabrera turned into some sort of cyborg-strength hitting machine. His consistency was breathtaking as his average only dipped momentarily below .300 early in the season. His average hovered around the .350-.370 mark and by the All-Star game, he was one of the most popular players in the National League. His team was fighting for first place in the NL West, and he had settled into playing left field. By mid-season, he found himself leading the majors in hits with 119 and was second only to Andrew McCutchen in Batting Average at .353.

The trade had gone horribly wrong. Nobody could have seen this coming…right?

While Sanchez feared for his professional life, Cabrera would be voted in as a starter in the All-Star Game. Deservedly so, he’d be returning to his short-term home that had dealt him away. It was a good story for Melky, but a tough pill to swallow for Royals fans. As my dream slowed down, it was suddenly All-Star time. The scene was grand and the festivities were countless. Kansas City cleaned up nicely and put on it’s best face for the baseball world. There was some sort of strange incident at the Home Run Derby, but it wasn’t worth remembering. That part of my dream was a little foggy.

When the game started, I was disappointed to only see one Royals player on the roster. I was also bummed to find myself watching it from my living room, but oh well. Melky got a nice round of applause from the Royals fans, who held nothing against him. When he came up to bat in the first inning, he had to face Justin Verlander. He calmly stroked a single to left. I’m telling you, he was like a mechanical hitting robot. His hit started a rally in which the National League would eventually bat around and score 5 runs off of one of the best pitchers in baseball. Clearly a dream – this would never happen…

In the top of the 4th, Melky came up for his third at-bat and drilled a 2-run bomb into the home bullpen. The Royals’ bullpen. He flashed his famous Melk-Smile as he trotted around the bases, having put his team up 8-0 over the American League. After the home run, an injured and miked-up Matt Kemp was featured, telling Melky, “You can hit…you can hit”. He was replaced in the 5th inning, capping a great inaugural All-Star performance.

As the final nail-in-the-coffin in my dream, Melky was awarded the All-Star Game MVP award. Through broken English, he hugged his maternal family, and repeatedly thanked the fans. Then, he climbed into his brand new 2013 Camaro convertible that was parked on the infield, and peeled out, throwing up two fingers as he barreled right through the Centerfield wall and flew away into the night.

I awoke in a cold sweat. It couldn’t be real…could it? There’s no way that this has actually happened. I’m going to go check the Active Roster…

Everything went great, unless your name was Justin Verlander or Matt Harrison.

The Melkman Delivered. Photo Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE

The National League used two big innings to roll over the AL 8-0, including a five run first inning off of Verlander that included a bases loaded triple by Pablo Sandoval. Harrison started the fourth inning and got two quick outs, but Rafael Furcal hit a soft liner down the right field line that Jose Bautista wasn’t positioned well enough to get to quickly enough and a Matt Holliday single brought in another run. Then Melky Cabrera put a ball into the left field bullpen (for old time’s sake) and made it 8-0.

The AL had some opportunities. In the bottom of the fifth, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli had consecutive one-out singles and Asdrubal walked to load the bases after a ground out by Curtis Granderson, but Ian Kinsler flew out to left field.

The next inning, Mike Trout singled to lead off against R.A. Dickey and promptly stole second base. Mark Trumbo struck out but Paul Konerko was hit by a pitch to put two on for Miguel Cabrera with Billy Butler stepping into the on deck circle. Cabrera grounded into a double play to end the rally, though and the AL left more runners on.

The AL never threatened again.

Melky Cabrera won the MVP by going 2-3 with two runs scored and two driven in and the game’s only homer. Of course, this was his first game in Kauffman Stadium since being traded away to the Giants last winter. It stings just a bit to see him win the MVP Award, but fans were generally appreciative of his All-Star season to this point.

Billy. Photo Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE

Billy Butler got the loudest support as Kansas City’s only All-Star player in the game. Royals fans really embraced him, giving a loud ovation and the look on his face was one of appreciation and humility. Chipper Jones, in his only appearance in Kansas City and last All-Star Game, didn’t even get as loud a response from the crowd.

Butler has always been a reluctant vocal leader despite being the most productive hitter on the team over the last few years. When Robinson Cano stepped to the plate, he was met with some leftover boos from Monday’s Home Run Derby, but also with chants of “Bil-ly But-ler”. Butler’s first steps into the on deck circle in the sixth met with an eruption of cheers.

Fans lived and died with each pitch, and in both of his at bats, Butler got to two strikes and fouled a pitch off. The relief felt by the crowd was palpable. Those kind of moments of fandom don’t come along often.

As a game, it really wasn’t much of a contest. Even though MLB says “it counts”, the game is still an exhibition and you’re still looking for moments. Maybe tonight won’t be like Bo Jackson‘s homer in Anaheim or Cal Ripken‘s homer in his last All-Star Game, but for Kansas City, the thought of about 40,000 people rising together to cheer Billy Butler will be a memorable moment.

This video demonstrates his abilities nicely:

In 1987, Bo hit 22 homers. In 1988, he hit 25.

Bo knows baseball.

At the break in 1989, he had 21 already. He’d stolen 23 bases. Fans made him the top vote-getter. He was a phenom.

As if the legend wasn’t big enough, he built on it by his performance in the game. In the first inning, the National League had already scored twice and had runners on second and third with two outs. Pedro Guerrero hit a flair to left-center, but Bo tracked it down to end the inning.

Then he hit the second pitch from Rick Reuschel about three or four miles – okay not that far, but it was a blast to straight away center. Tony LaRussa had put him at leadoff to get the team started right away. Wade Boggs followed with a homer of his own and a memorable All-Star Game was underway. Vin Scully’s call was fantastic. “Bo Jackson says ‘Hello!’ … He almost hit that out of the state.” President Ronald Reagan was calling the first inning with Scully and suggested that Reagan could fly back to Washington on Bo’s blast.

Bo got another run home by grounding to shortstop with one out and runners on first and third, but he ran it out and kept the inning going while Ruben Sierra scored. Jackson then stole second, becoming the first player to homer and steal a base in an All-Star Game. The throw got away and he advanced to third (though he was stranded).

He singled in his third at bat but was again stranded and struck out in his final at bat (against Mark Davis in an interesting blending of Royals names).

Bo’s efforts helped lead the AL to a 5-3 win and Jackson was the first (and so far only) Royal to be the MVP of the All-Star Game.

After the break, Bo added 11 more homers and finished 1989 with 32 and looked a developing superstar. He added 28 homers in 1990, cut his strike outs and looked to be developing as a player.

Of course, the rest of the story is known by about everyone. Bo injured his hip playing in the NFL and ended up released by the Royals before the 1991 season. He only played 183 games from 1992 to 1994 and was never the same. He’s one of the biggest “what if” players in sports history.

Old memories, meet the new park. (Photo Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE)

The All-Star Game is at the K for the first time in 39 years. As a 25-year-old, I wasn’t even in existence when the Royals were last in the postseason, let alone for the All-Star Game. Therefore, I can’t even remember a big MLB event at the K. To add insult to injury, I haven’t been to a Royals game since I was roughly 10. I haven’t lived in Kansas City since I was three.

And now I don’t get to be there for the biggest event at the K in 27 years.

It’s not easy being a long-distance fan of any team. You wait patiently for the team to come to your city, if only to see all these guys you’ve heard about. You dish out money to watch the games however you can, and then MLB blacks out games seemingly based on randomly-determined boundaries at times. Other Twitter fans or bloggers attend games, are special guests, meet players, or have at least spent significant time at the home games in the past. But it’s not always like that.

In my lifetime, I think I’ve been to two games at the K. Otherwise, I’ve been to roughly 15 Royals games in Minneapolis and Atlanta. And so, I wanted to attend the All-Star Game, especially since I don’t know when the next big event will take place at the K. But life has other plans, and it doesn’t always work the way you hope.

At this time of year, however, we Royals fans get to finally cheer for something. Like booing Robinson Cano on Monday night or having what many media members called the best crowd that they’d ever seen at a Futures Game, Kansas City fans are baseball fans. They love their Chiefs and their Tigers/Jayhawks/Wildcats/others, but they’re big baseball fans. The World Series in 1985 and the general success of the teams of that era ensured that the city was inundated with baseball fans of all ages. And they’re still around. They’re still baseball fans.

The only problem is that there hasn’t been very much to cheer for.

Well, this is the time to cheer. I already drive around with Royals tags on my car and frequently wear Royals gear, but this is the time we can be even more proud. As long-distance fans, we all get the questions about why in the world we would root for the Royals. I can’t count how many times I get that when other fans realize I bleed Royal blue. But that’s the biggest challenge of all. We’re separated from our team and our stadium, but we’re still fans.

So, this goes out to all the long-distance Royals fans that couldn’t get to Kansas City for the All-Star events or that can’t get to games at the K. It’s to all of you that don’t get to see everyone in person or meet the players you watch and read about. Enjoy the All-Star Game tonight. For once, the K will be on national television. Fox is required to show a game in Kansas City. And it’s all the best playing in the stadium we love. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see the Royals themselves, but, just like the Home Run Derby, it’s the excitement of big baseball in a beautiful big park. It’s baseball in Kansas City.

Have heart, long-distance fans. This is a huge event for Kansas City. It may even rejuvenate the fan presence for games. And, most importantly, it holds us over until the next big event at the K.

Just hope we don’t have to wait another 27 years.

George Brett

In 1978, Brett was two years removed from his first batting title and the key bat in the Royals lineup. At the All-Star break, he was hitting .319/.366/.500 with just four homers, but 28 doubles. In 303 plate appearances, he’d struck out 13 times. Total.

He started the game at third base, batting second behind Rod Carew. Vida Blue was the National League starter.

The AL jumped on Blue right away. Carew led off with a triple and Brett drove him in with a double to left-center. He moved to third on a groundout and scored on a sac fly. In his second time at the plate, Carew had just tripled again off Blue and Brett hit a fly ball to deep left-center and drove him in again.

Steve Rogers faced Brett his third time up but Brett singled. A groundout concluded Brett’s day in his fourth at bat. The final line was 2-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Not too bad.

In 1983, Brett again got the start at third base after starting the year off on a tear. He had missed three weeks in June, but his .364/.447/.701 line with 14 homers was enough to get the votes. He’d been back in action for about a week before the All-Star break, just in time to take part.

Brett came up in the first with the bases loaded after a single, walk and error put Carew, Fred Lynn and Jim Rice on base. Brett hit a sacrifice fly to get Carew home. In the third inning, Brett followed a Rice homer off Atlee Hammaker with a triple. He scored on a single by Dave Winfield.

He fouled out and struck out his next two times up, but doubled of Lee Smith in his last at bat and scored. The day ended with Brett going 2-4 with a double, triple, two runs scored and the RBI sac fly.

Neither game earned Brett MVP honors, but he was a key figure in both games. Brett never won an All-Star MVP award. That would go to another Royal…

Prince Fielder. Credit: Scott Rovak/USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE

In doing so, he’s the second player to win the contest twice (Ken Griffey Jr.) and the first to win in both leagues after winning in 2009 while with the Milwaukee Brewers.

He got on a roll in the final round, blasting eight homers with just one out and finishing with a 12-homer round and beating out Jose Bautista. Fielder hit a total of 39 homers inside Kauffman Stadium and landed a few in the fountains. His longest homer was estimated at 476 feet, one of the longest shots in the stadium’s history.

Mark Trumbo also stood out with massive power all night, including a shot that landed on the Royals Hall of Fame. Trumbo nearly made it to the finals, but after tying Bautista, lost a “swing off”.

Robinson Cano, who was met with a chorus of boos from the Kansas City crowd after snubbing Billy Butler (after saying he’d choose a Royal for the squad) finished with zero home runs in the first round after winning last year’s derby.

Carlos Beltran was the only National Leaguer to survive the first round. The former Royal still hit 12 homers in the second round, but Trumbo, Bautista and Fielder all surpassed his count.

In the end, both sides ended up accumulating a good chunk of change to charity. Homers hit with the “golden ball” contributed $18,000 to charity and State Farm donated $3,000 for each non-gold homer. It added up to $615,000.

There are a number of factors in play here:

1) Billy Butler is having a career year while leading the team with 16 homers. He’s displaying the power that fans have expected to see from him for years now (even if they sometimes confuse homers as the only means of having power from time to time).

2) Kansas City fans have taken to Billy Butler. His unofficial nickname (recognized by ESPN, Baseball-Reference and even video games) is “Country Breakfast” and originated on Twitter on a fateful July night last year.

3) Robinson Cano said on two occasions that he’d take a player from Kansas City, the host. Twice. Then he didn’t.

4) Royals fans have always been less than accommodating to Yankees and their fans. Not in an antagonizing way, so much, but in the kind of way that has roots in the rivalry from the late-70s and has also been influenced by the widening gap in payrolls in baseball. New York is the biggest market of big markets. Kansas City is the complete opposite.

Had Cano said nothing about taking a Royal, there wouldn’t be nearly as much vitriol in his direction. Some may have been upset, some may have booed anyway. But there wouldn’t be nearly as many without Cano’s earlier declarations.

In the end, it’s not a very big deal. It’s an exhibition spun off of another exhibition. Nobody has incentives in their contract for the Home Run Derby. It’s fun to watch and impressive to see the massive shots and it would have been nice to see Billy Butler taking some hacks, but ultimately, it’s not the end of the world.

It still stings though. The Royals had multiple players who could have been All-Stars – maybe they weren’t all slam dunk options, but they had the chance. Instead, Butler was the lone representative and worthy of being in the Derby as well.

It’s not even about Mark Trumbo or Prince Fielder or Jose Bautista being selected over Butler. ESPN tried to make that the narrative, but nobody’s saying that that trio shouldn’t be involved. KC fans weren’t upset that any of that group was selected, just that they were selected after Cano said he was going to choose a Royal.

We’re a passionate bunch in Kansas City and in those small moments when we have some kind of spotlight on us (the 2003 mirage, Zack Greinke‘s Cy Young season in 2009, All-Star Weekend), we put all of our chips in the middle of the table. We’re all in. There aren’t as many of us as the mid-80s, but the folks who are still around care. And when we’re spurned, we’re not going to be thrilled about it. I told Ricky Keeler of FanSided’s Yankees site Yanks Go Yard that it’s like “being everyone’s doormat for two decades, then getting snubbed in [our] house.”

Does it really matter? Is Cano going to lose sleep over being booed? Is Butler going to be scarred for being looked over? Doubtful in all cases, but the level of confusion about why fans were booing shouldn’t be confusing at all.

We were honored to be a part of the Baseball Prospectus event on Sunday afternoon.

The Royalman Report came to you from the historic Gem Theater in the Jazz district at 18th and Vine in a panel format. Included with us was Craig Brown from Royals Review and took questions from attendees related to the ideal pitching staff, David Glass, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery and more.

It was a very special moment and we’re appreciative of the Joe Hamrahi and the Baseball Prospectus guys for inviting us to take part and also want to thank Bob Kendrick from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for taking time out of his busy schedule to help us set it up at the Gem, as well.

Don’t forget the Royalman Report is on every Sunday at 7 and catch our new show, The Kansas City Baseball Vault on ESPN 1510 AM Thursday’s at 6.

You can listen below or download the mp3 directly.

The Royalman Report is hosted by Troy “Royalman” Olsen with co-host Michael Engel and features Chris “Fake Ned Yost” Kamler and 610 Sports blogger Jeff Herr and airs  live Sundays at 7 p.m. central time at RoyalmanReport.com as well as on Livestream.com/RoyalmanReport.

Subscribe via the RSS feed and get updates when new episodes are uploaded.

Stuck in a cubicle, on a road trip, or using your smartphone?  Stitcher is a multi-platform radio app that’s available on Apple products, Droid, Blackberry and other phones.  Find us here on Stitcher.

You can also subscribe via iTunes: JUST CLICK HERE (and iPad, iPhone, iTouch users can get the Livestream app here to watch live or archived shows).

Follow the Royalman Report on Twitter.  While you’re at it, track down Kings of Kauffman on Twitter as well.

After Ian Desmond decided to skip the All-Star Game to rest a nagging oblique injury, Michael Bourn was added to the National League roster to represent Atlanta. Then Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins announced that he’d miss the game as well due to “loose bodies” in his knee that may require surgery. Stanton was due to perform in the Home Run Derby on Monday as well but will miss that as well. Bryce Harper was added to fill his spot in the game and Andrew McCutchen will swing for the fences in his place in the Derby.

Both Bourn and Harper finished behind Cardinal David Freese in the fan’s Final Vote after Chipper Jones had been taken off the ballot and added to the NL roster to replace Matt Kemp. Aaron Hill of Arizona is the only player from the Final Vote who hasn’t been added to the team’s roster.

Jake Peavy was added to the American League roster after C.J. Wilson was scratched due to a blister.

Matt Holliday was added to the NL team after a death in the family made Yadier Molina unavailable for the game, as well.

In other news, Justin Verlander is being reported as the American League’s starter on Tuesday. He’s sitting on a 2.58 ERA and 128/30 K/BB ratio in 132.2 innings for Detroit.

Within an outstanding atmosphere and a few sprinkles of rain (which helped bring the temperature down into reasonable territory, as opposed to the triple digits the Midwest has been tormented by recently), fans were able to faces to names as the best minor league talent was putting on a show at Kauffman Stadium.

The field at the K during the Futures Game, shot by @scottweiters

The Royals fans gave warm welcomes to their three representatives. Jake Odorizzi and Yordano Ventura (who will reportedly be promoted to Double A) started the game for Team USA and the World Team respectively while Wil Myers started in right field. All three gained large ovations when they were announced, with Myers getting the largest.

Once the game started, Odorizzi made one mistake to Jurickson Profar, who took a high fastball into the right field corner and over the wall for a homer, but Odorizzi struck out Diamondbacks pr0spect Alfredo Marte to finish the inning. Ventura dispatched the US team with little incident, inducing three groundouts in a perfect inning. In the Futures Game, pitchers don’t go more than an inning, so the Royals duo of pitchers were in and out quickly.

Wil Myers batted third for George Brett‘s USA team and received a standing ovation in his first at bat. He grounded out to third, but it was close at first. Myers played the whole game, moving to center field halfway through the game. He drove in three and went 2-4 with two singles and a sacrifice fly. He made every play in the outfield that he had a shot at, but didn’t make quick reads in center, so he has more to get used to in that spot. He didn’t look lost, just not as comfortable as he did in right.

The World team jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the Profar homer and a two-run homer by Jae-Hoon Ha of the Cubs. They added the fourth in the third inning but only one more all day.

The US team got on the board after Billy Hamilton drove a ball to deep center that got over Ha’s head, which was dangerous with Hamilton’s speed – he ended up with a two run triple and flew around the basepaths in the process. Kelton Wong of the Cardinals hit a one-out chopped back to Chris Reed of the Dodgers who looked Hamilton back and made a bad throw to first which let Wong get over to third after driving in the run. Myers grounded out to second to tie the score.

The runs just piled up after that for the US team. In the sixth inning, they put up nine runs, including a three run bomb to center by game MVP Nick Castellanos of the Tigers. Ariel Pena was hit hard repeatedly in the inning and gave up eight runs and only retired Myers, who hit a sacrifice fly to drive in a run.

Manny Machado was impressive in the game. On the US side, the Orioles prospect doubled off the left field wall and made a couple of leaping catches at shortstop. Mike Olt from the Rangers system had a deep drive for a double as well.

The game wasn’t really close, but it was an entertaining event regardless and attendance was better than most other Futures Games. Many were Royals fans there to see Myers and company, but they were treated to the elite of the minor leagues – and a lot of offense.

Bonus – I wanted to share this gif of a foul ball that Myers just missed during the game that broke the camera behind home plate (simply click the image):

Wil Myers fouls one off ... of the camera.

A-O!

The Royals had three players represent the hometown team, John Mayberry, Cookie Rojas and Amos Otis. Otis received the third most votes among American League players and earned a start. Mayberry filled in as the starting first baseman after Dick Allen was hurt and couldn’t play.

Mayberry was deserving anyhow, with a .300/.439/.539 line and 20 homers and 80 RBI. Otis had a .287/.350/.496 line with 19 homers.

Mayberry ended the first inning with a ground out, but when Otis came up in the second inning, he already had Reggie Jackson on second base after a leadoff double. He singled towards second base and drove in the American League’s only run.

Despite the scoring problems of the AL, Otis and Mayberry did their part. In his second at bat Mayberry walked in the bottom of the third, then doubled to right-center to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but he was stranded there. In his last at bat, he grounded out against Tom Seaver (but hey, he moved Rojas to second after a walk).

Otis added to his RBI single with another in the fourth inning and stole second with Bobby Murcer at bat. He left the game after Carlton Fisk and Brooks Robinson stranded him on second.

Big John.

Mayberry slowed down in the second half, finishing with a .287/.417/.478 line and ending with 26 homers and 100 RBI. Otis finished at .300/.368/.484 and 26 homers and 93 RBI.

Maybe the two Royals didn’t have flashy, superstar kind of games, but they had solid ones, contributed to their side and did so on their own field. All three Royals in the 1973 All-Star Game ended up in the Royals Hall of Fame. That adds up to a special event and one worth noting.

Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Royals take center stage this weekend and here is a quick guide for you the visitors. Photo Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

Outside of fan fest we hope that you get a chance to check out our fine city which includes going to the Power & Light District downtown, check out the college basketball experience. See the Plaza and Westport in addition to checking out any of the fine places to eat.

Sunday you’ll want to check out the futures game where you can check out the best young talent in the game and stay for the celebrity softball game following. Monday is the annual AL/NL workout day at the K before the homerun derby.

On Tuesday night, baseball looks to Kansas City and it’s our time to shine. If you’re going to the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, here’s a quick primer on Kauffman Stadium. Gone is the grass that used to be around the fountains in the outfield. After renovations, outfield seating had been expanded to include more great seats.

If you want familiarize yourself with the franchise’s history (which I strongly suggest that you do) visit the Royals Hall of Fame located in leftfield. After the tour in rightfield we’ve got Rivals, a sportsbar that you can cool down with food and drinks.

Mike McCarthy is the silky smooth voice of Kauffman Stadium and you’ll be hearing him all night long. Before hearing anything you’ll probably notice crown vision in centerfield aka the big crown video board. It’s one of the biggest video boards in the country and can be seen no matter where you are (unless you’re in the outfield experience somewhere which is a tad harder)

Between innings we’ve got a few things that might not be done in other ballparks so they might be KC-centric. Our in-game race features the hot dog derby where three contestants start from the RF bullpen and end in front of the Royals/AL dugout dressed as Ketchup, Mustard and Relish.

Sluggerrr and his mascot buddies will also be at the K for the All-Star Game. Photo Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

Over the last five seasons or so more teams have added in-stadium cheerleaders if you will and we’re no different. We call our ladies the K Crew and they will hopefully be leading you to root on the AL, sing the 7^th inning stretch plus will be around the stadium should you have any questions.

Sluggerrr will be another friendly face as he plays host to his other mascot friends over the weekend. We like out lion and consider him the king of the jungle when it comes to others in MLB, so be on the lookout for him being active from interacting or shooting off t-shirts/hot dogs.

A second in-game feature occurs after the top of the sixth inning when Garth Brooks “Friends in Low Places” plays, featuring a video of Brooks in a Royals jersey. Many KC fans will sway and sing along. If you don’t know the words they are displayed on screen. Honestly, the song might be a bit tired but many seem to still enjoy it when it plays at the stadium.

I highly suggest that during the game you take advantage of the concourses and walk around the stadium to check out the view from behind the fountains in the outfield. The K is known for its outfield fountain display and you should check out the view if you’ve never been to our beautiful stadium.

While walking around you’ll notice that we’ve got a little bit of everything in terms of food selection. Of course the stadium had the ballpark essentials and being KC we’ve got BBQ covered. However, if you want other options we’ve got that covered with out of market food. May we suggest that you enjoy a local brew of Boulevard from right here in Kansas City.

Another food option is the .390 Bar & Grill located on the lodge level of the K which is an AC option should you decide to get out of the heat. 390 is a celebrated number for us as our HOF’r George Brett came close to Ted Williams 400 batting average. One last thing to experience in the stadium is the outfield experience which has several kid friendly things, such as the little K, carousal, face painting and a few other options.

Following the game, another tradition features the song “Kansas City”. When the Royals win at Kauffman Stadium (which hasn’t been as often as we want), you’ll hear the Beatles Kansas City playing the team off. On the flipside, after a loss Wilbert Harrison’s slower version is played.

I think that covers pretty much everything that a first-time visitor will be experiencing at Kauffman Stadium. We hope that you like the experience and find our fans to be courteous and welcoming. Hopefully, we’ll see you back in October soon (one of these years) for a playoff series against our Boys in Blue.

Bret Saberhagen. Incidentally, this was my favorite Topps card design growing up.

Saberhagen set the tone early, starting for the American League All-Stars and going three shutout innings in a game that didn’t see a score until the top of the 13^th.

1987 was Saberhagen’s first All-Star game as he started to build an impressive resume as a young starter for the Royals. He’d already won the Cy Young Award in 1985 and followed that up with a World Series MVP award as well. He’d add another All-Star appearance in 1990, another Cy Young Award in 1989 (as well as a Gold Glove) and threw a no-hitter in 1991.

In  the first half of 1987, Saberhagen pitched 149.2 innings, including 11 complete games (3 shutouts) in 18 starts. His ERA stood at 2.47 by the time the All-Star Game came around. With a 15-3 record, he was worthy of the starting spot in the exhibition.

Eric Davis lead off against Saberhagen with a groundout to short. Ryne Sandberg grounded out as well, this time to third. The only hit Saberhagen gave up was to Andre Dawson who doubled down the left field line, but was stranded after another groundout, this time by Mike Schmidt.

Not bad.

In the second inning, Will Clark led off with a pop out to first and Daryl Strawberry and Gary Carter both grounded out, Strawberry to second, Carter to shortstop.

By this point, Saberhagen and National League starter Mike Scott were going inning for inning and Saberhagen stepped to the mound with the game still scoreless. Ozzie Smith lined out to left and Scott was pulled for pinch-hitter Tony Gwynn who grounded out to short. Eric Davis grounded out for a second time against Saberhagen to end the inning and end Saberhagen’s outing.

The final line was three innings, one hit and seven ground outs.

Saberhagen’s final numbers looked fine, but he had rough patches the rest of the 1987 season. His first start after the break was rough. He made it through 3.1 innings against Cleveland on July 20, giving up six runs and he had more rough starts in the second half (2^nd half stats), finishing with a 3.36 ERA in 257 innings. He still had four complete games in the second half and added a shutout.

So I started looking back, year by year, at old All-Star games to see how the Royals have done in the past and I came up with ten notable performances. Five of those stand out as very good, but here, I want to glance at five that were solid, though maybe lacking in impact of the game or in Royals history. The All-Star Game is where some stars shine brighter and it’s always great to see your team’s representative(s) doing well on that stage.

1972 – Cookie Rojas

Rojas was coming off of an All-Star year in 1971 where he’d hit .300 and appeared in his first All-Star Game as a Royal. In 1972, he was a reserve and entered the game in the top of the eighth inning. Pinch-hitting for Rod Carew and with Carlton Fisk on first, Rojas homered to left to put the American League up 3-2.

He looked primed to be named the MVP of the game, but Wilbur Wood came in for the bottom of the ninth and gave up a tying run and the National League won in the bottom of the tenth.

Rojas went on to play in two more All-Star Games in 1973 and 1974 in the latter stages of his baseball career.

1990 – Bret Saberhagen

Bret Saberhagen.

Saberhagen was coming off of a Cy Young season in 1989 and made the All-Star team in 1990 with a 2.98 ERA in 121 innings.

He threw two perfect innings, facing Chris Sabo, Mike Scioscia and Barry Bonds in the first inning, striking out Scioscia. In his second inning of work, Saberhagen got flyouts from Shawon Dunston, Lenny Dykstra and Ryne Sandberg. In the following inning, Julio Franco drove in two to break a 0-0 tie and Saberhagen ended up being the pitcher of record and the first Royal to be named the winner of an All-Star Game.

The honor came with a price – Saberhagen made only three more starts in 1990 due to ligament damage in his right elbow. He made his first post-ASG start on July 15 but didn’t resurface until September.

1986 – Frank White

Frank White.

In 1986, the All-Star Game was in the Astrodome, and for the second time ever, featured a Royals manager as Dick Howser led the American League squad after winning the World Series in 1985.

George Brett was selected as a reserve, but due to injury didn’t play in the game.

That left White as the only Royal to represent the World Champion Royals. Earlier in the game, Lou Whitaker, the starting second baseman for the AL, had homered off of Dwight Gooden. White replaced him in the seventh inning and hit a homer of his own off of Mike Scott. White got another at bat in the ninth but flied out against Mike Krukow.

White was an All-Star five times, but 1986 was his final selection. The home run was his only hit as an All-Star in seven at bats.

2009 – Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke in the 2009 All-Star Game. Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

2009 was a special year. The Royals started out 18-11 and were three games up in the AL Central in early May. While that success eventually faded, Zack Greinke made every fifth day an event.

Greinke started the year by giving up just four earned runs in his first 60 innings pitched en route to one of the best pitching seasons in Royals history. As the All-Star Game approached, it looked like Greinke could be the game’s starter in St. Louis but Roy Halladay started instead.

Nonetheless, when Greinke’s turn came up, he flashed the same brilliance he’d shown in the regular season.

He only threw one inning, and it’s difficult to judge an All-Star Game performance on just one inning, but he started out by inducing a weak foul out from Raul Ibanez to third on the first pitch then striking out David Wright on a 1-2 pitch (looking) and finishing off a perfect inning by getting Shane Victorino on a 1-2 pitch on his own for a second strikeout.

Greinke of course went on to win the AL Cy Young Award after 229.1 innings with a 2.16 ERA.

1995 – Kevin Appier

Kevin Appier.

Despite being one of the best pitchers in the 1990s, this was Kevin Appier’s only All-Star selection. Despite surpassing a 100 ERA+ every year from 1990 to 1997, and being the best candidate for the 1993 Cy Young Award, Appier never got the recognition he deserved.

In 1995, he made his one shot count.

Appier had a 3.04 ERA in 121 innings going into the All-Star Game and came into the game after Randy Johnson started for the AL and dominated. In the third inning, he retired Barry Larkin, struck out Vinnie Castilla and finished off Craig Biggio, then continued into the fourth, mowing down Lenny Dykstra, Tony Gwynn and Barry Bonds. That’s four Hall of Famers (or deserving Hall of Famers) and two of the best of the early 90s in that group, and Appier cut them all down in order.

Every batter but Castilla grounded out, in Appier’s impressive showing.

Appier faded a bit as the season wore on, finishing with 201.1 innings and a 3.89 ERA, but he was still one of the best starters that year.

These are performances worth pointing out, but I’ve decided on five performances by Royals in the All-Star Game that stand out even better.

July 10, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; USA outfielders Matthew Szczur (4) , Bryce Harper (middle) and Wil Myers (right) celebrate after the 2011 Futures Game at Chase Field. USA won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

In today’s know-everything-first, savior-in-the-making, prospect pleasure land, people tend to over-hype everything. Media allows us access to high school football games (a lot of them), little league games, college sports, and so on. On the Internet, we can get analysis and scouting reports on children—read that line again and let it sink in. Think of Bryce Harper, the phenom of the moment. According to ESPN, Baseball America, the Washington Nationals, and Under Armor (he endorses them), Harper is the second coming of Babe Ruth or Willie Mays. According to Fangraphs, he’s hitting .274/.348/.471, which is exceptional for a 19-year-old.

My point, and I’d say it’s a point of criticism, is that we go to extremes with our perspective on players … especially prospects. Until they reach the majors, they are a relative unknown, which helps create our extreme views. We knew less about Harper the player before he got to the majors so that gave us the license to create the fantasy Bryce Harper in our imagination. And fantasy Bryce Harper is phenomenal, perhaps to an unobtainable degree.

If Harper stays the player he is today and finishes his career with the same slash line as right now, he will have been a relative disappointment. He will not have walked on water, leapt tall buildings, solved the debt crisis, and rolled back prices all while creating sweet catch phrases like “That’s a clown question, bro.” Even though his numbers so far this season would equal a pretty good major league player over the course of 15 seasons, it won’t be good enough.

Harper may live up to his hype. The media loves to help players reach it by exaggerating every small things they do as if no one has ever done it before (Remember when Harper hustled around the bases on a popout and ESPN gushed as if no one had ever ran out a popout? Boy, that was terrific journalism). But it takes a lot to get there. He’ll have to be a superstar, nothing else will suffice because people have already created the player they want him to be.

This all came to my mind while I was watching the Omaha Storm Chasers game this morning on MiLB.tv. I wanted to see Jake Odorizzi pitch; I watch most of his starts. The broadcasters mentioned that he would start the Futures Game, but they also talked about another guy who started in the Futures Game something like a decade ago: Josh Fields. Fields is playing for the Albuquerque Isotopes now so Odorizzi pitched against him on Monday.

As Fields, a guy with great promise in his day and plenty of major league opportunities, dug in, I thought to myself: Look at the contrast here. One guy’s star has faded another’s is shining bright. No one knew that Fields would bust at the big league level, but fewer people back then were paying attention to the minor league level. Fields was coming up just as fans started raising expectations on top prospects.

Today, we pin hopes to players in the minor leagues more so than ever. Many Royals blogs and news outlets reported Bubba Starling’s big day on Monday, hitting the first two homeruns of his professional career. Harper and Mike Trout are two of the biggest names in baseball and have been since they were in the low minors. We see these bits of news on rookie ball players like Starling, or Harper when he was down there, and let it fuel our hopeful frenzy. Oddly, when Bubba went 0-5 the other night, no one said much but when he hit two homeruns in one game, we started clearing a spot on our mantels next to Jesus and John McClain (Doesn’t everyone’s mantle have John McClain from Die Hard on it?).

I’ll admit, it’s fun to be hopeful. I spent all this morning looking up stuff about Bubba and dreaming of he, Wil Myers, and Alex Gordon in the outfield. But to do so without critical thought is not fair to the player, the team, or yourself as a fan. Gordon felt the pressure that comes with people pinning their hopes to him. Everyone knew he’d be the next George Brett. Everyone knew he’d be great. And for a long time, he wasn’t, and fans were mad at him for it. Was our disappointment his fault? No. It was ours. We created the fantasy Alex Gordon, and he folded under the pressure of trying to be that thing.

I notice this more as I think about the All-Star Futures Game. The Royals have three young players in it: Odorizzi, Myers, and Yordano Ventura. I’ve already given my thoughts on Myers (good and bad). I know very little about Ventura. So, I’ll give you my thoughts on Odorizzi, and more importantly, I’ll try to do it in a realistic way.

Feb 29, 2012; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (49) poses for a picture during the Royals photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

I’ve seen most of his starts this year, and I’m excited like everyone else. To me, his greatest weapon is his fastball. He commands it well, especially up in the zone as an outpitch. If I’m excited about one aspect of his game, it’s that he can use his fastball effectively, something that not too many Royals starters have. He’s poised on the mound and consistent. Sometimes his breaking pitches get a little wild, and they don’t have the type of hard-breaking, late movement associated with aces like Justin Verlander and Felix Hernandez. But they’re pretty good.

Here’s what scares me about Odorizzi: he gives up a lot of hits. He’s given up 52 hits in 47.2 innings at Omaha this season. When I watch him, he’s always pitching with guys on base. He’s always pitching out of jams. He usually gets out of them because he can strike guys out, which makes his ERA look fine. It’s 2.83 in Omaha, but his opponent’s BA is .274. But it’s far from a guarantee that he’ll be able to do that against top-flight talent in the majors.

That’s why I’m excited to see him in the Futures Game. I want to see him get tested against the best hitters in the minors. I want to see him have a few guys on with nobody out and see if he can work out of that jam. In the majors, he’ll face tough hitters like Miguel Cabrera with runners on base, not random Albuquerque Isotopes players … well … like Josh Fields

It’s easy to look at Odorizzi and become unreasonably excited. From that comes unreasonable expectations and unreasonable disappointment. It makes more sense to be realistically optimistic and contextually open-minded than to hang our hopes and dreams on a kid, and then rip the kid for not delivering.

We’re all gearing up for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, so we started out by discussing some of the things Chris and I saw on the FanFest media tour Thursday morning, including some comments from Royals publicist Toby Cook as well as Hall of Famer George Brett, the ambassador for this year’s All-Star Game.

We continued by talking with the Kansas City representative in the All-Star Game the first time the event was in Kansas City. Bud Daley was a pitcher for the Kansas City A’s and was the lone All-Star representative in 1960 when the game was held in Municipal Stadium. He talked about his reception from the fans and facing down Vada Pinson, Ken Boyer and Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda and Roberto Clemente.

We also talked with Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, about their events over the weekend. He has a lot going on and mentioned that players like Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Tony Gwynn and others will be in town at various NLBM events.

The show finished up by going around the minors and looking at a few players recent performances including Chris Dwyer, Yordano Ventura and Bubba Starling.

We’ll be back next week with more discussion of Kansas City baseball, past, present and future on ESPN 1510 Thursday at 6 p.m. CST.

You can catch up on old episodes of the Kansas City Baseball Vault here on Kings of Kauffman. Episodes of the Royalman Report are available on the site as well.

Follow the Kansas City Baseball Vault on Twitter and Facebook for future programming updates. Also follow Kings of Kauffman for article updates, discussion and other information.

Sportslogos.net

The huge-scoreboard, multi-fountained stadium opened in 1973 and also hosted the All-Star Game. The new stadium and its baseball event inspired the fans to vote Amos Otis as a starter (and third leading AL vote-getter) and John Mayberry landed in the starting lineup after Dick Allen was injured. Cookie Rojas also made it into the game.

Otis had 20 homers by the All-Star Break that year and 111 hits overall. Mayberry had 20 as well but had also reached base 180 times with 97 hits and 83 walks by July 24th. Rojas was in his third consecutive All-Star Game and fourth of five in his career.

Other stars included Hall of Famers Brooks Robinson, Billy Williams, Johnny Bench, Willie Stargell, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Bert Blyleven, Nolan Ryan, Rollie Fingers, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays (in his final All-Star Game). Ron Santo was in the game and will be inducted in 2012.

Others included Joe Torre, Thurman Munson, Ted Simmons, Bobby Bonds, Davey Johnson and some guy named Pete Rose.

Non-players Sparky Anderson, Dick Williams, Whitey Herzog, and Nestor Chylak were involved in the game as well, all of whom are now in the Hall of Fame.

Bobby Bonds hit a two run homer in the fifth inning and was named the game’s MVP but the big blast came off the bat of Johnny Bench, who drove a ball to deep left estimated at 480 feet and considered the longest homer in Royals/Kauffman Stadium history.

Those Royals All-Stars finished with respectable numbers – though Rojas was showing signs of aging. Mayberry and Otis were well on their way to becoming Royals Hall of Famers.

Royals 1973 All-Stars, rest of season:

Video has been posted online of a feature about the game:

Check out the threads on Ewing Kauffman.

The NL won 7-1 and it wasn’t really much of a contest after the middle innings. Rick Wise, the NL starter, got the win while Blyleven took the loss.

That's a big baseball. Photo: Chris Kamler

Major League Baseball opened the doors to its annual FanFest to Kansas City media on Thursday. FanFest is an annual event in the host city and with the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City, Bartle Hall was chosen as the site of the event. The general public can attend starting Friday, July 6 and it runs through July 10.

What’s in store this year are many attractions and activities for just about anyone. There’s a special spot for kids to do arts and crafts or some simple hitting off of a batting tee. There are pitching machines for big kids and adults and even fielding practice. Also featured are speed pitch booths to tell you how fast you can throw and an attraction sponsored by Taco Bell where you can “steal a base, steal a taco”. Participants can select a baserunner (I chose Alex Gordon) and re-enact a stolen base attempt. You react when the pitcher starts to deliver the ball, run down a baseline and slide into a base (with a mat in front) and if you’re safe, you win a taco.

I gave it a try:

There are numerous photo booths where you can pose as if you’re making a game winning catch, showing up on a baseball card, or even by the world’s largest baseball.

If you’re not really after a lot of the carnival-type games, there are various vendors selling memorabilia and an All-Star merchandise store to browse through, plus various booths set up with information about baseball.

What really jumps out are the exhibits.

Cooperstown in your backyard. Photo: Chris Kamler

The National Baseball Hall of Fame has various artifacts, including a World Series trophy and the infamous Pine Tar Bat swung by George Brett in 1983. Other jerseys and items are on display after making the voyage from Cooperstown. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum has a large exhibit as well, featuring replica jerseys of Negro League players inducted into the Hall of Fame and other such things. There’s an authentic game-worn uniform of Jackie Robinson‘s famous #42 that you can see, but it wasn’t in the case on the tour.

Another interesting exhibit is shared every year at All-Star FanFest. To tribute the host city, MLB highlights their team’s history. There’s a timeline, photos, and even a facsimile team photo with life-size cutouts where you can stand in and look like part of the team.

Jerseys in waiting. Photo: Chris Kamler.

MLB has set up an area called the Clubhouse, designed for Q&A sessions with All-Stars of this year and the past, as well as other players. Alex Gordon is planned to participate in one such session, but won’t be the only one. 2012 All-Star jerseys hang as if ready to be worn inside the Clubhouse. Right outside of that is a dugout where there will be kids games (like at the Little K) and a mascot Home Run Derby.

MLB.com and the MLB Network have booths set up and will be reporting and broadcasting from FanFest throughout the weekend.

I imagine you’ll have to wait a bit for the autograph lines, but if you’re the type to collect them, it should be worth it. Current and former All-Stars will sign autographs and Bo Jackson might end up being the biggest draw, as he’s announced he’ll be there on Saturday.

Best of all, once you’ve purchased a ticket (or received it with your All-Star Game strip), all of the exhibits and attractions are included in the price of the ticket. Concessions and merchandise are available for purchase.

More information about FanFest is located on the MLB.com All-Star Game site.

Tonight we continue an exciting new venture for Kings of Kauffman and its podcast, the Royalman Report.

Jeff Logan of the Kansas City Baseball Historical Society joins forces with us to form the Kansas City Baseball Vault on Kansas City’s ESPN 1510 AM from 6-7 p.m. every Thursday night. Listeners can tune into traditional radio or streaming live on 1510.com.

There is a ton of stuff going on in Kansas City right now and for obvious reasons. The 2012 MLB All-Star Game is just around the corner and Kansas City is the center of it all.

Tonight, we’ll talk to Bob Kendrick, the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum about events at the museum for All-Star weekend (including the Baseball Prospectus/Royalman Report event on July 8). Bob is always a joy to talk to and he should share a story or two about the Monarchs while we have him on.

We’ll also talk with Bud Daley, the A’s All-Star in 1960 when the game was held at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City.

Finally, we’ll have some audio from the media tour of FanFest at the Kansas City Convention Center from earlier on Thursday morning that features Hall of Famer and 13 time All-Star George Brett.

Just like last week, we plan to have a trivia question and a giveaway, so be sure to listen in. Last week, listeners won free ticket packages to go see the Kansas City T-Bones. You like winning things, right? That trivia question can happen any time, so you have to listen to be ready.

Follow the Kansas City Baseball Vault on Twitter and Facebook for future programming updates. Also follow Kings of Kauffman for article updates, discussion and other information.

While the game is on Tuesday, that whole weekend is packed with events and attractions for out-of-towners. If you’re coming to Kansas City for the first time or if you’re going to be staying in the city for the full All-Star festivities, there’s plenty to see along with baseball-related events.

Baseball, of course, is the main reason Kansas City will be hopping, so let’s start there with what you should look for.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and American Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine via Wikimedia Commons

Your first stop in that case should be the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Located in the historic 18th & Vine district, the NLBM contains artifacts, clippings, information and exhibits that chronicle the history of the Negro Leagues. The exhibits share a timeline of world events that coincide with baseball, providing a narrative of our nation’s progress toward integration in society and in the national pastime. The design of the museum is symbolic, with the appropriately named Field of Legends which features full size statues of Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and the famous Satchel Paige and can only be reached after you’ve taken the full journey. (You can check on events at the NLBM during the All-Star Break here.)

While you’re there, the American Jazz Museum is in the same building, sharing the great American art form and features Charlie Parker, Count Basie and others. President Clinton’s saxophone is on display too.

If you’re still in the mood for some sports history but want to grab a bite to eat, Chappell’s Sports Bar and Museum has everything you want. Football helmets, autographed baseballs and other memorabilia are all over the place there, while other items, like the gloves from the film Rocky, are on display as well.

View of the KC skyline from the Liberty Memorial via Wikimedia Commons

If you’re still in an historic mood, another must-see is the Liberty Memorial and the World War I museum. It’s the official national WWI museum and an impressive structure in its own right, but if you walk to the top, you also get a view of the Kansas City skyline, including Crown Center and Union Station nearby.

After all of that, you’re probably getting hungry, and you should try to get into one of the famed barbecue joints Alan talked about previously. Arthur Bryant’s, Gates and Oklahoma Joe’s battle for Kansas City barbecue supremacy, while Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue  also puts up its own solid case. You really can’t go wrong.

There’s famous fried chicken from Stroud’s or Niecie’s, Hereford House if you’re after a steak, or Blanc for gourmet burgers.

Many of these restaurants and others can be found in the various districts of Kansas City. The Plaza features shopping and dining options as well as a plethora of fountains (and you’ll see a LOT of fountains – only Paris has more). Westport has all sorts of bars to stop by, including Kelly’s Westport Inn, the oldest in the city, Harry’s Bar and Tables for fine cocktails and McCoy’s which doubles as a restaurant and brewery (get the Ginger Shandy and thank me later). More nightlife can be found in the Power and Light District, as well.  You could also stop by the Crossroads Art District which has a good selection of watering holes as well as various galleries (and First Fridays showcases artwork each month in the area and happens to correspond to All-Star weekend).

Of course if you’re just looking to make up your own meals, the City Market features a large farmer’s market surrounded by shops and restaurants. Just walking by, smells of spices and fresh produce beckon while carts selling homemade fudge and other treats wait for you to give in.

City Market via Wikimedia Commons

Other great attractions include the Kansas City Zoo, Lego Land at Crown Center, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Federal Reserve (always an interesting tour), Worlds of Fun, and up north various casinos if you’re feeling lucky.

And if you happen to need a break from baseball and want to see other athletic competition, Sporting KC hosts Houston on July 7th at Livestrong Park.

Last and definitely not least is the Boulevard Brewery. Boulevard brews all sorts of styles but their signature is Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat and you’ll find it at any bar in the city. If you’re the type to partake in an adult beverage, give it a try. There are also various cab companies in Kansas City as well and the Kansas City Strip, a trolley that takes you from one bar district to another (don’t drink and drive!).

That’s just a sample of things to do in Kansas City if you’re visiting for the All-Star break. By no means is that the full list of places to go, to eat, to explore. To do that, you’d have to spend more than just the All-Star break in town. You can check out VisitKC.com for more information.

Let me explain.  A South Carolina resident who visits Kansas City and orders Pulled Pork with mustard BBQ sauce, hash, and Brunswick Stew (South Carolina & Georgia specialties) will be disappointed at almost any restaurant.  A Kansas City tourist visiting Texas’ BBQ Mecca in Lockhart who orders hickory smoked ribs will no doubt think Texans have no idea how to make barbeque.  A Texan looking for tender mesquite smoked brisket and pinto beans in Memphis will come up empty handed.  Someone from Memphis looking for dry rub…  well, you get the picture.  BBQ means different things to different people and you need to understand the specialty of each area if you want the best experience during your visit.

A few of the All Stars of Kansas City BBQ

There is a variety of great BBQ in Kansas City and no doubt you can find a few local restaurants that can smoke brisket with the best of the Texas Que joints, there are a few places with noteworthy pulled pork, and you might find some dry rub someplace, but I recommend you try a different approach.  When in Rome, do as the Romans.  If you’re in Kansas City for an All Star visit, let go of your BBQ inhibitions and indulge in the local specialty.  You absolutely must try the ribs.

Your first stop has to be the original Arthur Bryants at 17^th and Brooklyn just a few blocks from the Negro Leagues Museum, one of John Madden’s favorite haunts, and the restaurant Calvin Trillin of the New Yorker famously called, “possibly the single best restaurant in the world.”  The sandwiches of beef or ham or sausage are magnificent huge stacks of smoky meat, but don’t be swayed.  The big thick long or short end ribs are the stuff that dreams are made of.  So get in line, grab a plate, and be ready to order through the window while you watch the king-of-all-ribs chopped and wrapped in old school butcher paper.  Be sure to get a side of fresh cut fries.  And don’t forget to try the oh-so-vinegary original sauce, which is a bit of an acquired taste, but a must have for all visitors. No other restaurant has contributed more to the BBQ legacy of Kansas City than this one.

Another very popular heavy-weight of Kansas City BBQ is Oklahoma Joes, located in the sweetest smelling gas station on earth at 47^th and Mission Rd.  Named after the smoker the owners used in the American Royal BBQ competitions over 20 years ago, their ribs are the equal of Arthur Bryants and a proud representative of a KC tradition.  Be prepared to wait in a long line, I promise you won’t be the only fans checking out Oklahoma Joes during All Star week.

If you are unable to travel far from the stadium during your All Star visit, consider checking out LC’s BBQ at 5800 Blue Parkway.  With a 93% approval rating on Roadfood.com and 91% on Urbanspoon.com, this place is a little off the beaten path, but well worth the trouble to hunt it down.  With mismatched tables and styrofoam boxes for plates, LC’s defines the expression “greasy spoon.”  Their spoons may be greasy, but their BBQ pit is a little bit of heaven.

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, you’ll want to try Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ at any of four locations complete with table clothes and actual waiters rather than a serving counter.  How many BBQ joints have you visited that are highly rated by Zagat’s?  In addition to the awesome ribs, you must try the delicious cheesy corn bake, and my favorite hickory pit beans.  Just be sure you’re prepared for a little sticker shock when the bill arrives, Jack Stack is a tiny bit pricier than it’s downscale cousins in KC.

It would be virtually impossible to name all the great BBQ ribs in Kansas City in one short article, but I’ll at least mention a few of my honorable mention locations:  Gate’s BBQ (my Dad’s personal favorite), BB’s Lawnside BBQ (check out the made from scratch raisin and vanilla bread pudding drizzled with sweet bourbon sauce – yummy!), Rosedale BBQ (my son’s favorite BBQ sauce), and Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ (the successor to the legendary Jake’s Eat It and Beat It BBQ).  One thing I can tell you for certain, no matter which one you choose, you’re sure to have an All Star BBQ experience.

Whether that aspect is good or not for the game isn’t what I’m worried about, but with a fan’s perspective, the All-Star Game still matters, but not always for the game itself. It’s an event. There are days of build up within a city (and if you’re in the Kansas City area, you know this by now) as the focus of the baseball world lands on them.

Yes, interleague play brings teams into town that would normally never play in Kansas City unless there was a World Series matchup. In the 1980s, when Mike Schmidt ambled up to the plate at then-Royals Stadium, it was his first time swinging about in Kansas City. The All-Star game used to be a chance to showcase both leagues and match them up when they otherwise wouldn’t. That aspect has faded with the changes in the game. Free agency further blurs the lines between the leagues, in 2013, there will be an interleague play going on all season long and eventually, the designated hitter will exist within both leagues.

Regardless, that doesn’t take away some of the mystique of the All-Star Game.

The NFL’s Pro Bowl is awful. There isn’t any defense. Teams play under entirely different rules, and now, in an effort to keep it relevant, much less interesting, the league has it before the Super Bowl ends the NFL season (rather than after as in the past which made it meaningless) and had to get a promise from players to make it competitive. The NBA isn’t too far off with its game, and it resembles an AND1 Tour more than a smooth game of strategy and competitiveness. The NHL has a great skills competition but the game doesn’t draw the attention the others do.

But baseball holds some of that magic still. Players lined up along the baseline in their own uniforms, weird matchups you’ve never seen. In the past, it was the first time many National League hitting stars would face star American League pitchers.

Chipper Jones. Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Some of those unique matchups will still happen year to year, but exhibitions like the All-Star Game also give a city a chance to see players they’ve never seen in person too. While some of the pool of NL stars has passed through Kauffman Stadium in the past, many haven’t, and many of those who haven’t are big names who would bring a special buzz to the evening.

These are the players the Royals have played in the past who’ll be in the All-Star Game on July 10 but who’ve never played at Kauffman Stadium:

• Chipper Jones
• Stephen Strasburg
• Joey Votto
• Craig Kimbrel
• Jose Altuve
• Andrew McCutchen
• Joel Hanrahan
• Ian Desmond
• Ernesto Frieri (who’s eligible in the Final Vote for a spot on the AL side)

Not too bad, huh? The Royals faced Strasburg before he had Tommy John surgery, but it was in Washington. There’s a chance that, even for just an inning, Kansas City natives could see the phenom on the mound for the first time.

Chipper Jones was just named to the NL side and in his last season, he makes his first trip to Kauffman. This is a player who’ll end up in the Hall of Fame stepping onto our grass. Sure, fans all over the country have seen Jones on ESPN, TBS, in the playoffs, the World Series, in other All-Star Games. But they’ve never seen him at Kauffman Stadium.

But how about one step further. Here are those players who have never faced the Royals at all and never at Kauffman:

• Bryce Harper*
• Yu Darvish*
• Mike Trout
• Aroldis Chapman
• David Wright
• Buster Posey
• Pablo Sandoval
• Cole Hamels
• Giancarlo Stanton
• Matt Kemp (who won’t be in the game but will be in the Home Run Derby)

*eligible for the Final Vote

Bryce Harper. Bro. Photo Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE

Look at that list. Harper and Trout are two players who might be chasing 3000 hits in 20 years and hitting the Hall of Fame in 25. Wright has been one of the most consistent hitters since he’s been in the league, Stanton is a mythic beast of a slugger who’s already busted a couple of scoreboards this year with home runs and Darvish and Chapman aren’t far removed from the international baseball headlines while their performance matches the hype.

That’s a solid collection of talent that’s on display for the first time ever at Kauffman Stadium.

Maybe we’ve all seen them on TV and the internet. Maybe even on the road. But this is right here in the Royals backyard. There will be stirring in the bullpen and 40,000 heads turning to see who it is. A batter will go back to the dugout and the crowd will wait to see if perhaps this is their first look at Bryce Harper in person (assuming he wins the Final Vote).

To me, that’s still pretty special.

The former Royals first baseman and a standout in the 1980 World Series looked poised for success until addiction became his downfall.

Author Gregory Jordan has published an account of Aikens’s journey through the peaks and valleys of his life before, during and after his time in prison with unflinching honesty. Aikens told his story of addiction, freedom and redemption, warts and all.

Kings of Kauffman has three copies to give to our loyal readers.

If you want to get yourself a copy, it’s very simple to become eligible:

Tweet @KingsofKauffman or comment on our Facebook page with your choice of the winner and total number of home runs hit in the 2012 Home Run Derby on  July 9. In the event of a tie, the closest to the estimated longest home run hit (in feet) will determine a winner.

The deadline to submit your prediction is midnight central time Sunday night, July 8.

While you’re already there, how about a like on Facebook and a follow on Twitter? If you already follow @KingsofKauffman and like our Facebook page, great!

You can also listen to Aikens tell part of his story on the Royalman Report from January.

But even in Kauffman Stadium, he’ll just be a spectator in the Home Run Derby on Monday night.

Captain Robinson Cano selected Mark Trumbo of the Angels, Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays and Fielder of the Tigers to join him on the field. It’s hard to argue too hard against any of those choices. Bautista has been a home run machine over the last few years, Trumbo was runner up in the Rookie of the Year vote last season and tied with Mike Moustakas in 2010 for the minor league lead in homers. Fielder has been an MVP candidate multiple times and in a full season, his low mark for homers is 28. Butler’s career high is 21.

That doesn’t stop Butler from being qualified and it doesn’t stop fans from being upset with Cano’s selections. Butler’s numbers justify a spot in the competition. Cano said last month that he would pick a Royal to be in the competition and after Butler was named as a reserve on the AL team it was expected that he’d take part in the derby in front of the hometown crowd.

I wouldn’t blame anyone for booing Cano during such an exhibition.

In the end it may not matter at all. Cano could have been pushed by Major League Baseball to go with someone else as a means of marketing the HR Derby. Maybe it was just lip service to answer a question in the diplomatic way. Would Cano say “no, I’m not taking a Royal”? Doubtful.

Some (like Sam Mellinger) had expressed concern that the different approach to a home run derby would mess with Butler’s swing for the rest of the year. Bobby Abreu entered the 2005 Home Run Derby with 18 homers and won. He only hit 6 the rest of the way and some suggested that he wasn’t making the good contact he was earlier in the year and blamed the derby. I’m not sure if that’s a big concern, because it didn’t give Cano problems last year or most other past winners. Abreu turned 31 years old in 2005 – his slow second half could just as easily be attributed to age. The Derby ended up as a nice excuse, though.

At any rate, Butler will be sitting in the grass at Kauffman Stadium a week from tonight, watching four other American League sluggers deposit baseballs in the fountains and the outfield concourse and threaten the Royals Hall of Fame in left field. He’ll start out on the bench on Tuesday and wait for a shot to get into the game.

Ron Washington should do everything he can to get Butler into the game. All-Star managers aren’t obligated to get every player in to the game, though they typically try. In the case of the hometown selection, it’s a good idea to try to get him in for an at bat and probably two. Royals fans are used to seeing their team overlooked. It’s flyover country, the team hasn’t been a winner very often and in some years, the good players just haven’t been that good. The last time the Royals had two all-stars was 2003. Nearly a decade of expecting just one player to represent Kansas City.

This year, it’s different. Butler is hitting well. He’s recognized as one of the best young hitters in baseball. He’ll get his chance to soak in the applause of the locals.

It just won’t be during the derby.

While Chris Kamler was hanging out in 100 degree heat watching little league and Jeff Herr was on assignment, Troy Olsen and Mike Engel had an afternoon discussion about the Royals weekend problems and their bipolar play lately.

They covered the Billy Butler all star announcement, guessed at his odds in the Home Run Derby and talked about other All Star selections.

The plight of Jonathan Sanchez came up as well, and they agreed that he’s been about as bad as possible since coming to the Royals.

Things wrapped up by talking about upcoming all star events and there’s an interview that Mike did with Craig Brown (@RoyalsAuthority) of Royals Review (formerly Royals Authority) to talk about the Royals blogosphere, Royals in contention and the fans’ reactions and the Baseball Prospectus event.

Tickets to the BP event are still available http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=17278

Don’t forget the Royalman Report is on every Sunday at 7 and catch our new show, The Kansas City Baseball Vault on ESPN 1510 AM Thursday’s at 6.

You can listen below or download the mp3 directly.

The Royalman Report is hosted by Troy “Royalman” Olsen with co-host Michael Engel and features Chris “Fake Ned Yost” Kamler and 610 Sports blogger Jeff Herr and airs  live Sundays at 7 p.m. central time at RoyalmanReport.com as well as on Livestream.com/RoyalmanReport.

Subscribe via the RSS feed and get updates when new episodes are uploaded.

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Billy Butler being congratulated after a homer. More are on the way. Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The American League set most of its roster for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game on Sunday and the Royals were hopeful to get multiple players into the game at Kauffman Stadium.

They only got one, but it’s the deserving Billy Butler, who has a .297/.365/.516 line with 16 homers and 48 RBI through Saturday. It’s his first All-Star selection but he’s had multiple solid years since becoming a regular in the Royals lineup. I looked at his power surge this year and its place in first-half Royals lore. There’s a chance that Robinson Cano might select him for the Home Run Derby in front of the hometown fans.

Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar have had solid years in positions with solid competition and missed the cut. Paul looked at their cases to make the All-Star team yesterday. Jonathan Broxton had a chance to be the representative with 20 saves and a 2.05 ERA. Instead, Broxton is part of the Final Vote and could still be voted in.

 Alcides Escobar – Shortstop

Alcides Escobar is a coin flip to represent the Royals in the All-Star Game. Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

 The Case For: Don’t look now, but Alcides Escobar is currently hitting .316 and sporting a .355 on-base percentage. Those numbers place him first and third among American League shortstops, respectively. He ranks third with his .779 OPS, second with 19 doubles, and third with 12 stolen bases. He batted .349 in June with a .477 slugging percentage. In short, he’s been raking.

 And all this comes from a guy who was brought to the Royals in the Zack Greinke trade as a defensive specialist with a lot to learn on offense. Well, Escobar has learned all right. His confidence at the plate is palpable, and this incarnation of Escobar in no way resembles the timid, distrusting batter we saw at the beginning of the 2011 season.

 And Escobar never stopped being an elite defender. He possesses excellent range, and despite a somewhat pedestrian fielding percentage, he currently ranks second among AL shortstops with 128 putouts and is tied for third with 53 double plays. He also has been regularly featured on Sportscenter’s Top Plays, which is about as impactful for his chances of making the All-Star team as every statistic I’ve cited in the previous two paragraphs combined.

 The Case Against: I don’t feel entirely comfortable nit-picking Escobar since he has been so fantastic this year. The only quibble I can summon is that Escobar lacks power, having hit only two home runs on the season.

 Also, since the less productive Derek Jeter is a lock to make the team, Escobar could get squeezed behind a power bat like Asdrubal Cabrera or, gulp, a nepotistic selection such as Ron Washington’s own Elvis Andrus.

 The bottom line is that Escobar deserves the honor. He can only hope that politics don’t interfere with the correct decision.

 Odds of Making Team: 51%. If you’ll notice, the combined percentage odds I’ve divvied out to these three players total out to 126%. That figure reflects my 26% certainty that the Royals will get a second All-Star selection for the first time since Mike Sweeney and Mike MacDougal were honored in 2003.

 My Pick: He’s tentatively in, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get shafted by Ron Washington.

Mike Moustakas – Third Baseman

2012 isn't likely the year for Mike Moustakas to represent the Royals at the All-Star game. Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

The Case For: Moustakas ranks 3^rd among American League third basemen with an .803 OPS, 3^rd in homers with 13, and 4^th in doubles with his 17. He has also displayed surprisingly world class defense at third base. Moustakas leads all AL third basemen with 23 double plays started, which is seven more than pursuers Brett Lawrie and Miguel Cabrera. He also ranks second in assists and second in fielding percentage. By almost any metric, he has been an elite defender this season.

On top of his league rankings, Moustakas has arguably been the best all-round Royal this season. He currently sits second on the team in home runs, RBI, and OPS, and is third on the team with 17 doubles.

Adrian Beltre and Miguel Cabrera seem like locks at this point. But Moustakas has a legitimate case to make this team as the back-up to the back-up third baseman.

The Case Against: Moustakas’ mid-.260’s batting average doesn’t jump off the page. Furthermore, as good as his defense has been, ultimately the reality is that the All-Star game is more about offense than defense. The guys with impressive counting numbers are more likely to get the nod. And offensively, it would be difficult to argue that Moustakas deserves to make the team over teammate Billy Butler.

He is young and still improving, and will no doubt get his opportunity to play on the big stage in his blossoming career. But for guys who are neck and neck in quality like Butler and Moustakas, the player with the longer track record of success should get the nod.  Butler simply deserves to be recognized as the best player on the Royals. Moustakas’ best chance would be if the Royals garner two roster spots.

Odds of Making Team: 10%

My Pick: Moustakas will make plenty of All-Star teams, but it’s not going to happen in 2012.

Billy Butler – Designated Hitter

Billy Butler might be swinging for the fences in the home run derby next week. Jesse Johnson-US PRESSWIRE

The Case For: Butler leads the Royals in home runs, runs batted in, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS. Oh, and he’s currently second on the team in batting average. He’s been the most consistent Royal for several years now, and is coming into his own as bona fide superstar. We’re roughly halfway through the season, and Butler is on pace to shatter his career highs in home runs and slugging percentage.

As much as I hate to jinx Butler’s power surge through the season’s first half, I nonetheless feel compelled to mention that Billy (16 HR’s through 76 games) has made himself into a legitimate threat to surpass Steve Balboni’s infamously embarrassing club home run record of 38.

Plus, Butler owns the third best OPS among qualifying designated hitters, trailing only Boston’s David Ortiz and Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion. Chicago’s Adam Dunn is running neck and neck with Butler, but he has several teammates (Paul Konerko, Chris Sale, Alex Rios come to mind) at least as deserving of a spot. Because every team needs to represented, the quota on White Sox all-star candidates probably doesn’t run four-deep.

The way I see it, the All-Star game is the perfect opportunity to carry three designated hitters, since most of the non-starters at the game won’t figure to get more than one at-bat anyway.

Bonus: Butler would become a natural candidate for the home run derby if he was named to the squad. If Saturday’s bomb against the Twins is any indication, he could put on quite a show.

The Case Against: Butler must get tired of hearing this, but no conversation regarding his talents is complete until the obligatory mention that he doesn’t play defense. When he’s competing for a roster spot with defensive stalwarts Moustakas and Escobar, that fact simply has to be taken into account.

Odds of Making Team: 65%

My Pick: He’s in.

Playing for the U.S. team will be Jake Odorizzi and Wil Myers. Most Royals fans should recognize the names of two of the organization’s top prospects. (more…)