Kings of Kauffman » Torii Hunter

Storm Chasers Receive Rings in Surprise

Mike Vamosi — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:00:07 +0000

Last season the Omaha Storm Chasers captured the Pacific Coast League title, which was the first league championship for the franchise since 1990. It was also the first time playing in the postseason since 1999.

The 2011 Omaha Storm Chasers received their PCL championship rings this week, photo courtesy of Ethan Bryan

Several current Kansas City Royals played in Omaha and received their PCL championship rings earlier this week from general manager Dayton Moore and Storm Chasers GM Marty Cordaro. Nine players from Omaha’s roster made the big leagues last year, but that didn’t stop the team from bringing home the title.

Celebrating minor league success during spring training has become a common thing since 2008. Last spring they honored Northwest Arkansas’s title and of course the triple-A squad from last year. The Naturals have been in the postseason three times in the last six seasons (2006, ’09, ’10). Idaho Falls won divisional titles in back-to-back seasons of 2006 and ’07 and Burlington in 2008.

Six players played on all three of those championship teams: Ryan Eigsti, Johnny Giavotella, Mike Moustakas, Clint Robinson, Danny Duffy and Brandon Sisk. Ex-Royal Jeff Suppan wasn’t at the ceremony due to him starting for the San Diego Padres.

For long-time manager Mike Jirschele, it was the first time of tasting postseason success after two first round losses in 1995 and ‘96 for the then Omaha Royals.

Hopefully the next step for Kansas City is the success that the current nucleus of the team translates to success in the major leagues. Other franchises have seen rewards once highly rated talent reached the parent club such as the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins to name a few. Albert Belle, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Charles Nagy helped the mid-90′s were part of the Indians young that meshed with the teams veterans. After the 2002 season the tribe again aquired young talent such as Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner.

Minnesota who was had a great run of success got things going with a roster which included home grown talent such as Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, A.J. Pierzynski, Doug Mientkiewicz and Johan Santana to name a few.

For myself and I’m sure many of you who bleed blue, you’re glad to see the importance Moore has put in bringing players up level-by-level since he took the job. The confidence that this group has by winning together without a doubt has fans believing that this coming season might actually be “Our Time”.

Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur: Mining For Gold

Michael Engel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:28:33 +0000

Finalists for the American League Gold Glove Awards were announced today and Royals outfielders are well-represented.

Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur are both finalists for their respective positions. Unlike in years past, this season, awards will be handed out for specific outfield positions. Previously, an entire pool of outfielders would be selected for the three outfield Gold Glove Awards, usually resulting in three center fielders taking the honors. This year, the change allows Gordon and Francoeur to have a shot.

Gordon was named a finalist along with Tampa’s Sam Fuld and New York’s Brett Gardner, while Francoeur was named a finalist and has to fend off Baltimore’s Nick Markakis and the Angels Torii Hunter.

What are their chances? Well, it depends on how you look at it.

(more…)

The Best of the Worst?

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:58:41 +0000

Billy Butler was just named as the Les Milgram Player of the Year for the Royals. It was well-deserved, too, as Billy hit .318/.388/.469 this season – definitely his best season yet – at the ripe young age of 24.* It wasn’t even particularly close, either, though David Dejesus might’ve made it competitive had he not injured his thumb. Mike just had a great rundown of Billy’s season, and you should check it out if you haven’t yet.

*He and guys like Madison Bumgarner make me feel like I’ve accomplished nothing in the same span of time as they have done so much.

Butler was definitely the best overall player the Royals could show this season (with nods to Soria and Dejesus as runners-up) and he seems to have locked down a position for years to come, barring a big trade. But, as is often said, being the best player on a team like the Royals doesn’t exactly bring a lot of necessary attention.

So, I started wondering. How does Billy’s year stack up against the best players on other clubs? The results might surprise you.

(more…)

Royals Lose, I Hate Joe Morgan

Michael Engel — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:08:55 +0000

You know, it’s funny. I looked all over the field and checked both rosters and didn’t see Joey Votto on either team on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, and yet, that’s all Jon Miller and Joe Morgan seemed to talk about.

In between the chatter, there was (technically) a baseball game, though the Royals must have been told the wrong time and date because they didn’t show up.
(more…)

Royals Rewind: 5/31-6/6

Michael Engel — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:52:36 +0000

The Royals started strong but fizzled out in their brief four-game series at Fenway Park, taking the first two games easily, but scoring only one run in the remaining two. Would the Boston hangover hit Kansas City again, sending them spiraling towards a prolonged losing streak like in years past? Would the Royals bats wake up after being put to sleep by Clay Bucholz and Jon Lester?

Well let’s just go take a look-see, eh?
(more…)