Just wrapped a pretty good two day run at Kauffman around 8:00 pm Monday night. Started off Sunday heading out to the open practice at 2:30 with the wife and kids, we met up with a friend and his family and got great seats right behind the third base dugout, about even with the bag. Nice and close to Alex Gordon, who looked pretty smooth in fielding practice. The Royals started rotating through the batting cage and Sweeney looked good (which I'd expect). Gordon looked GREAT - he hit a couple of absolute BOMBS. One thing my buddy and I both noticed and commented on was that Tony Pena, Jr. had a really smooth swing going, and he was hitting some hard line drives around the field. Maybe Dayton Moore saw something click last year in Atlanta......we left excited for opening day.
Monday morning - I had to work until 11:00, then met up with my buddy and got the stadium right around noon. By the time we got there, the lots were already filling up with tailgaters. Nice to see such excitement around the Royals this year. Opening day is always a big deal....but this year, there seems to be just a little more buzz than usual. With Gordon on the big league roster, Greinke coming back strong from his issues, a new ace pitching for us, and the Red Sox in town.....we knew it was going to be a heck of a day.
I expected Meche to look shaky for an inning or two, and in the first....he didn't look all that good. But after that - WOW. Six strikeouts. Went deep in the game. Only walked one. I thought that's what we'd see out of Schilling....but....the Royals were all over him, and he only lasted four innings. If Meche has that kind of game in about 70% of his starts, then he truly is peaking and is ready to be a top-notch pitcher in this league.
Alex Gordon couldn't manage a hit...but you've got to think he was a bit nervous - being the savior of a franchise and all. Just the fact that he's on the field makes you feel better about the direction of this team, though - and his hits will come. I still say he's the AL Rookie of the Year this season.
Oh....and remember what I said about Pena at the open practice??? Well...that swing carried over to Monday as he ripped two very hard-hit triples. He's got great speed, looked really smooth in the field...and best of all - HE'S NOT BERROA.
It's only one game, but I think we saw a bit of foreshadowing today.....the Royals are moving in the right direction, and we're ready to relinquish our yearly position as the league laughing stock. KC is on the way back to being a respected franchise, and it's going to be one hell of a ride.
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