Spring Training Trip 2007

[KC Royals Nation]

Just a short reminder to everyone:

I will be leaving Wednesday afternoon for Phoenix, Arizona to visit the Royals in Spring Training for the first time in two years. I am already packing, as I am incredibly excited in what looks to be the second most optimistic preseason in recent memory (aside from 2004).

Along with the game summaries and box scores, I will provide a short analysis of each game and each day. No, this isn't a blog, per se, but why not?

I will be traveling with my father, lelandinkc, my uncle, RoyalLoyal, another uncle, and a cousin. We will stay in a hotel about 30 minutes outside of Phoenix, and 30 minutes from Surprise.

Aside from baseball, just about everything a man could ever want will be available: a delicious brunch literally 200 feet from the hotel, excellent restaurants, warm weather, places to play catch, etc. Did I mention a water park - complete with a hot tub, swimming pool, and a water slide - is located immediately next door?

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to witnessing our guys in camp, and I would like to visit Minor League practices as well and maybe talk to a few of our Royals players. I promise to take pictures; hopefully I'll have them available on the site this weekend.

Can't wait - I'm pumped.

[dejesus9]

Have fun!!

[KC Royals Nation]

Today, we left Kansas City via Southwest Airlines (Yeah!) at approximately 4:00 P.M. I slept half the flight to Phoenix and arrived there at about 5:20 P.M. Western Time. It actually grew dark rather quickly, which prompted me to ask why parts of Arizona and Indiana do not change their time changing rules once a year.

Either way, we rented our Jeep and arrived at the fabolous hotel around early evening. As noted above, the hotel is located about 30 minutes outside of Phoenix, and another 30 minutes from Surprise. Our suite is incredibly nice, complete with two bathrooms and a deck. The weather here is also predictably fabolous - mid-80's temperatures and not a cloud in the sky.

This evening, we treated ourselves to a dinner at the resort. I decided to start my flavor habits simply, with a simple burger (the "CEO", to be precise) and onion rings. Hell, yeah. We then returned to our room around 9:00 and watched Borat: Cultural Learnings of America to Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. (<---I wouldn't have felt complete without typing the entire ridiculous title). Some parts were disturbingly hilarious...wouldn't let young kids go near it, though.

I'm looking forward to getting Bonds' autograph tomorrow at the game. I brought my Game of Shadows book and a couple fake syringes for him to autograph (no, I seriously did). That is also why I want to arrive early tomorrow. If I catch B.P. or get an autograph from Zack Greinke, I may just call my mission complete and return home tomorrow (or not). I'll be here through Sunday in case anyone was wondering.

Anyway, chime in with any comments or questions below. I'm sure you are dying to know how some website manager dude who happens to like the Royals is doing 2,000 miles away.

Looking forward to tomorrow's game (after the brunch, of course). More great weather coming then. Hope I don't see any cowboys carrying guns in any gas stations as well (there are no concealed carry laws in Arizona, and while I'm certainly not trying to get political here, it's at least a stark contrast to Missouri).

Take care, all. Chat witcha tomorrow.

[dejesus9]

Good luck getting Bonds to sign Game of Shadows.

[KC Royals Nation]

SIMULPOST!

Here's the daily synopsis of another Royals fan staying here in Arizona:

This morning, we arose around 9:00 and ate a bountiful brunch at the restaurant here at the resort. We then headed out around 11:00 for the game. We knew we would arrive early, and we certainly did.

I took several pictures inside and outside Surprise Stadium, but unfortunately I likely won't have those available here until Monday at the earliest. I'm very sorry. I'm giving the best detailed descriptions I can.

I watched Barry Zito warm up in the Giants bullpen for about ten minutes before checking out the concession stands and outfield scenery I had long missed. We scaled the outside of the stadium for awhile, saw a couple Texas Rangers hitting in the cages and walking off the field. Shortly thereafter, I went down and watched the Royals warm up. Teahen and Huber were playing long toss, and a few of the Royals were chatting/stretching over on the left field line. I also got Frank White's autograph (awesome!). I hope to get more autographs tomorrow and Saturday.

Jorge De La Rosa started for the Royals (as noted above), and actually looked quite solid despite falling behind a few hitters. De La Rosa has a knack for falling behind 3-0 and somehow battling back and not getting into *too much* trouble. That said, I don't believe he deserves to get an automatic 25-man roster spot. However, it's rather unfortunate that he is likely one of our top 11 or so pitchers at this point (not including Hochevar, who I don't believe is ready). It was difficult to tell how his stuff was working because our seats were well down the left-field line (but still in the front row).

Alex Gordon looked like a true major leaguer at the plate and in the field. The way he carried himself, worked the counts, covered 3rd base, etc. was truly that of a bona-fide Major Leaguer. He doesn't have a weakness. He turned an excellent double-play and made another leaping catch today, while compiling solid at-bats, going 3-for-4.

We were all quite surprised to see Mark Teahen manning center field today. Is this the first game he has played center this spring, or for that matter, ever in his professional career? While he made every play, he took some roundabout ways to some fly balls. One could definitely tell he was not a full-time center fielder.

Another Royals starter, Gary Busey (a.k.a. Brandon Duckworth) looked shaky, but actually struck out a few batters. He gave up a couple solo HR's and got into some trouble in two more innings. He's a classic AAA starter at this point (and possible fill-in for injuries that will likely occur during the season at some point). The batters

Mike Sweeney is such a fan-friendly guy...needless to say. He waved to me and talked to a few random Royals fans before the game, and unfortunately I couldn't stay after the game because I'm sure he was along the stands signing autographs. He hit a double and drove in three runs.

Guys....I realize this has become a rather cliche statement for a Royals fan in 2007, but Angel Berroa......*shakes head* in no way or form belongs on a Major League baseball team. Today, the classic Berroa shined himself once again, striking out twice, once looking and once swinging at a breaking ball low and away. He also "ole-ed" a simple ground ball two feet to his right. He didn't move, just stuck his glove out there, while the ball barely hit his glove. Unbelievable. I guarantee the opposing teams are shaking their heads and rolling their eyes when they see that the Royals have continued to trot this man out there day in and day out to milk a bad contract for all it's worth. I'm not trying to be negative here, but Berroa must go. I know that 99% of Royals fans are in agreement here.

On a more positive note, the Royals' young bats continue to thrive this spring, as the Royals never rarely struggled to score runs. I'm not worried about our lineup at all this season. If our starters can keep us in the games, I believe we have a capable enough bullpen to help us win more close ones. Winning the close games and playing competitively against teams in our division will be the key to having a good year.

I'm looking forward to returning to the ballgame tomorrow, as the Royals take on the Mariners in Peoria.

*Edit* I'll add a few more notes from the day here, considering the trip involves more than simply baseball games.

This evening, we picked up my uncle at the airport immediately after the game, returned to the resort, and dined at the wonderful McDonalds, before buying a couple six-packs and returning to the swimming pool and hot tubs for about 1 1/2 hours.

As I am typing this, we are watching a Matt Damon movie. Three points in the trivia section for anyone who can guess the movie title (OK, maybe not).

Another update will be arriving tomorrow around this time!

[agordon4]

Great info Nation. Wish I could be there with you. I had the chance to meet Frank White 2 years ago at the 20 year reunion of the 85 Championship. Frank White is a true gentleman and a great person to get a chance to meet and talk to. He stood outside the K forever just talking with anyone that wanted to and signed every auto request that he was asked for. That night I also got to meet and talk with Sabes,Balboni,Leo,Sunberg,Wathan,Motley,Farr,Leibrant,Pryor,Shurholtz,Lee May and Mickey Cobb. Monty was also there that weekend and he came out as well.

Good Luck with the rest of your trip and have fun!

[dejesus9]

Did you get Bonds to sign the book?

[ror1fan]

Yeah how great was it to Bonds sig?

[KC Royals Nation]

Yesterday, I landed another big fish before the game - I got Alex Gordon's autograph! And I have promised to send the baseball to agordon7, a prolific contributor to the forum and popular linker as well. If you haven't met him, do so in the New Members forum. The forum will hopefully begin opening up very soon.

Here are a few game notes:

- Gil Meche looked very good early on. However, he got progressively worse and his control was struggling by the third inning. He walked a guy on 4 pitches and walked another in the 4th. He was clearly reeling in his final 10 minutes or so, and was leaving flat fastballs over the plate for the D-Backs "B-Team" player to slam. He was pulled in the middle of the 4th in a very disappointing outing overall. However, I wouldn't read too much into his struggles considering a) it's only one start and b) it was abnormally hot, even in Arizona (about 95 degrees at game time).

Nonetheless, I did my darndest to stay out of the sun - I spent virtually the entire game away from our seats in left-field, which were in direct sunlight. In fact, I spend most of the game standing with my father behind the home plate stands (in the walkway standing). It was here that I encountered Royals lefty Odalis Perez, who my 8-year old cousin asked for an autograph. He was talking to a few other Royals players who I didn't recognize. They might have been part of Minor League camp.

Anyway, a few more notes:

- Billy Butler is an absolute king at the plate. He would dominate big-league pitching, period.

- Mark Teahen continues to look slightly lost in the outfield. He missed his cutoff man today in a hurried throw, but no runners advanced, luckily.

- Jason LaRue looks very confident at the plate. Good plate coverage.

- Alex Gonzalez looks lost in the infield. He dropped a simple fly ball at third base today.

- Mike Sweeney looks extremely confident in pre-game warmups and at the plate.

- It's a darn shame that I wasn't able to see DeJesus play this weekend. He's out with a stomach virus, and I wanted to see him make good contact and provide the catalyst role that he always does so well.

- Reggie Sanders continues to prove that he's not a clutch player. Pitchers continue to expose his weaknesses of chasing high fastballs and getting him to pop up on 2 strikes.

- Props to anyone who can provide more information on this Gabe DeHeyos guy. He worked a 1-2-3 4th inning in relief of Gil Meche, not allowing a run with a runner on 1st and 3rd the entire inning.

- Peralta and Ray looked good once again, despite Peralta giving up a 2-run jack. The fastballs were both in the low 90's, and they were hitting their spots quite well.

By the way, here is a good third-party scouting report on several Royals players in Spring Training, straight from 2006 Pitch Royals Blog of the Year - RoyalsReview.

www.royalsreview.com/story/2007/3/16/115053/286

RoyalsReview is actually registered over here at Nation as well. We're still waiting on your first post here, my man!

[KC Royals Nation]

The Royals looked flat on all cylinders Friday at a very hot ballpark in Peoria, "Illinois".

My father and I arrived at the ballgame a little late, due to an unenclosed and unanticipated health problem along the way from yours truly (I'm fine, don't worry.)

We arrived at the ballpark to the tune of a 1-0 Royals deficit, and Raul Ibanez quickly tagged a vulnerable Bannister for a 3-run shot. We then strolled around the vendors and souvenir shops for awhile before settling for a seat behind home plate.

The game view was excellent, but, dare I say it, the complex was nowhere near as nice as Surprise. The people weren't nearly as friendly, either.

The Royals played their B-squad in the field Friday, and it definitely showed. Billy Butler continued to make it difficult for the Royals not to promote him directly to the MLB level by stroking two doubles to the wall, driving in two runs. Beyond that, though, it was a vast wasteland. Tupman, Gonzalez, and Gathright, in particular, looked vulnerable at the plate, each collecting strikeouts. Perhaps most notably (and in RoyalLoyal's direct words), Angel Berroa continued to perform his darndest to ensure that he doesn't make the Big-League squad.

As he checked his swing for what appeared to be strike three, the umpire called the pitch a ball and Berroa took three steps toward the Royals dugout. Then, the umpire deferred to the first base coach, who signaled that he did, in fact, swing. After Berroa began his slow, dreadful trek back to the Royals dugout. Incredible.

Beyond Billy-B, it was a very bland day for the Royals' offense at Peoria. However, the pitching beyond Bannister actually looked quite good.

However, Bannister got tagged. It's really just that simple. No strikeouts and 7 hits allowed in 3 2/3 innings.

Soria pitched three very strong innings, working ahead of most hitters, throwing a brilliant 12-6 curve, and showing MLB demeanor and confidence on the mound. This guy is going to do great things for us this year, I just know it.

Dotel worked the 5th inning, hitting 94 and allowing 1 walk and notching 1 strikeout.

[KC Royals Nation]

Besides a few botched jokes, I think the summaries turned out pretty well.

We returned last night on the airplane to Kansas City. We were relatively tired by the time we returned, but with our condo and some great dining (Mexican and Lebanese restaurants), mixed in with some swimming pool/hot-tub action, we served ourselves considerably well on the vacation.

The weather was beautiful, and we were all blown away by how well they maintain their environment around them ("gardens" of desert plants, cacti, etc.). It actually makes me rather disappointed that large portions of Kansas City are strewn with garbage alongside the roads. They maintain their environment so much better in Arizona.

Everyone should definitely read the "scouting" analysis over at Royals Review (provided a couple posts above). My sentiments exactly. The pitching was rather shaky, especially from the borderline guys like Bannister and Ray. Our young studs (Butler, Gordon) continue to rake the ball just like I read about in the papers.

Everyone feel free to provide your own comments and analysis below!

And also....Barry Bonds did not sign autographs that day. So no Game of Shadows autograph for me. I wonder how much that would have sold for on E-Bay? And Bonds almost always signs autographs, what's the deal?

[ror1fan]

"And Bonds almost always signs autographs, what's the deal?"

He looked at you and was scared by your massive muscles