To Rule in Kansas City

[petrel]

I agree, it's too early to panic. But good teams don't start 1-7....

--Pet

[CatKnight]

ragecage: The odds are they will. The Royals just aren't THIS bad.

Imgran: Defense and lineup check. Catcher check. It was just bad die rolls.

gosensgo: Yep. Depth is nice...but it's one of the things the Royals are actually pretty good at. I may have to consider a mass salary dump though...the numbers are getting pretty serious. I can only hope they're somewhat misleading.

Mays has 0 HR for the year, and 672 lifetime.

petrel: Nope...
*******

Late April 1972

I'm not sure why I thought he could help, but I decided to look up that James kid who preached to me last year about stats. I drove to Lawrence, Kansas to track him and his SABR buddies down.

I received some strange, almost frightened looks when I asked around the university campus. Finally the registrar pointed me to the mountain (steep hill really) overlooking the town.

It was a surprisingly rough drive. Beyond downtown Lawrence (what there was of it) the road towards said hill deteriorated alarmingly as if untended for years or even decades. Finally I pulled to the side of the road, locked my car and began walking. Rugged going even on foot, with the 'road' now filled with jagged cracks in the hard packed earth. Some animal moved in the nearby brush, snorting. Overhead two birds began circling me slowly.

Finally I came to a lone building at the top of the hill. Wood, and though obviously this was new construction the blue paint was already peeling. On the door read a simple plaque:

SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN BASEBALL RESEARCH
Ye who seek knowledge may enter.
***
Know thyself.

Odd. I knocked on the door and a man dressed in a gold frilled white robe answered, arms folded. "Your business?" he asked, blocking the door.

"I was told I could find Bill James here? He se..."

"He is here."

"May I speak with him?"

"What is your name?"

I told him. He told me to wait, then slammed the door in my face.

The noon sun beat heavily on me. I wiped my forehead, wishing I'd brought some water. It would be a long walk back to my...

The door opened. "Enter, friend."

He led me across the blessedly cool, dimly lit entrance hallway. To the right what I took to be the house's sitting/living room was filled with books on shelves, tables and even floor as if someone had ransacked a library in there. Down a flight of stairs to the basement.

Next to a pool of water created by a leaky water heater lay a young man, prostrate. For a second I thought him dead or sleeping, but as I stepped onto the cool concrete floor his eyes snapped open. Another man in white robes walked out of the shadows and stood next to him.

"Ask your question," he said.

So I told him about the Royals' dismal start. "I think this is just a slump. How can I...?"

The young man whispered something. The one in robes bent to hear, then looked at me.

"Slumps and streaks are not statistically verifiable," he snarled.

"Nonetheless, I think we're better than 1-7."

Again the young one whispered, again the other listened. "Your pythagorean projection is 29-125," he intoned.

"Yes, but I just said..."

"OPS is a fair measure of offensive potential!" the robed man shouted after another consultation. "However even better is ((OBPx2)+SLG)/4!"

"But..."

"Forsake the use of the GWRBI, for it is a false statistic!"
*******

Kansas City (1-7) (6th, -5g) at Los Angeles (6-2) (1st-T)

19: Splittorff can't get out of the 6th, though until then he does well enough. Robinson leads our offense with both RBI on a homer. Angels 5-2
LP: Splittorff (0-3), HR: Robinson (3)

20: We nickel and dime each other until the 11th. Soderholm gets our 1 RBI singling home Kelly. Angels 3-2 (11)
LP: York (1-1)

21: Actually a pretty good game: They led 2-0? Tied it. 4-2? We tied it again. York loses it in the 7th and this time we can't do anything. Angels 5-4
LP: York (1-2), HR: Cardenal (2)
*******

We had a day off. Willie Mays (acting through Bert as captain/player rep) had a players' only meeting. I don't know what was said, but hopefully it'll do some good. This is also the beginning of Jose Cardenal's platoon idea: He'll sit out until after the 1st in favor of Mays.
*******

Cleveland (3-7) (6th, -4.5g) at Kansas City (1-10) (6th, -8g)

23: Splittorff gives us 8 solid innings. Kelly tied it at 3 with a three run blast, then we inched ahead: Thompson scored 2 runs, Soderholm had 2 RBI. Royals 6-3
WP: Splittorff (1-3), SV: Fingers (1), HR: Kelly (2)

24: Nine runs in the second doom the Indians, though our pitchers make an effort to let them back in the game. Kelly has 2 HR, 6 RBI, while Thompson has 1 and 3. Royals 15-6
WP: Torrez (1-2), HR: Torre (1), Thompson (2), Kelly 2 (4)

25: This time it's a five run seventh that cuts down all resistance. Thompson hits another homer. His BA is up to .292. Blyleven gives us 8.2 very strong innings. Royals 7-2
WP: Blyleven (1-2), HR: Thompson (3)
*******

We needed that series badly. The Kansas City Star has stopped writing nasty things in their sports editorials. Of course, the schedulers don't make it any easier.
*******

Kansas City (4-10) (6th, -7g) at Baltimore (7-7) (3rd, -3g)

26: Yes! Is it too soon to hope Mays' speech has done it? Another big offensive game: Andrews and Robinson get 3 RBI each. Dierker's still struggling and gives up 3 HR, but Drago saves his bacon over 3.1 IP. Royals 10-5
WP: Dierker (1-1), SV: Fingers (2), HR: Andrews (1)

27: Trailing 2-0, our offense comes alive late as Baltimore pitching falters. Royals 7-2
WP: Splittorff (2-3), SV: Wright (1), HR: Torre (2), Piniella (1)

28: Well, perhaps two sweeps was too much to hope for. I'm still proud of our offense, who scored 3 in the ninth in an attempted comeback. Orioles 7-4
LP: Torrez (1-3)
*******

Now for what I hope is an easy series...though I don't know. They're looking pretty good so far.
*******

Seattle (8-9) (3rd-T, -4g) at Kansas City (6-11) (6th, -6g)

29: And this, children, is why you don't count your chickens. We led 8-7 going into the 9th, when Seattle tears York and Wright apart. Pilots 13-9
LP: York (1-3), HR: Torre 2 (4)

30: Soderholm's 3 run blast gives us a lead the Pilots can't overcome, though they make an effort. Dierker gives us 7.2 IP, though he tires at the end. Royals 5-4
WP: Dierker (2-1), SV: Fingers (3), HR: Soderholm (1)

5/1: A good pitchers duel as Bill Butler (filling in for Splittorff) lasts 8.2 IP. Cardenal, Russell and Thompson get our RBIs. Royals 3-1
WP: Butler (1-0), SV: Fingers (4)
*******

On May 2, an off day, the Brewers lose to Boston 8-2 and we move into 5th place!

[CatKnight]

May 3, 1972

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Boston          15    6   --
Detroit         13    7    1.5
Baltimore       10   10    4.5
Washington       9   12    6
New York         7   14    8
Cleveland        6   13    8

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         14    6   --
Los Angeles     12    8    2
Minnesota       11   10    3.5
Seattle          9   11    5
Kansas City      8   12    6 
Milwaukee        8   13    6.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         16    5   --
St. Louis       14    5    1
New York        11    9    4.5
Pittsburgh       8   13    8
Philadelphia     7   13    8.5
Montreal         6   14    9.5

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
Houston         13    8   --
Los Angeles     11    8    1
Cincinnati      10   10    2.5
San Francisco   10   12    3.5
Atlanta          8   12    4.5
San Diego        8   13    5

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Willie Crawford (LAA) .392, Ed Kranepool (SEA) .388
HR: Boog Powell (BAL) 8, Sal Bando (OAK) 8
RBI: Sal Bando (OAK) 24, Graig Nettles (MIN) 21
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 15, Mickey Rivers (LAA) 11

Wins: Jim Lonborg (BOS) 5, Two tied with 4
ERA: Denny McLain (DET) 1.76, Jim Hardin (BAL) 1.80
Strikeouts: Ray Culp (BOS) 32, Two tied with 29
Saves: Tug McGraw (BOS) 5, Bob Miller (MIN) 5

National League Leaders
Average: Wes Parker (LAD) .405, Roberto Clemente (PIT) .400
HR: Bobby Bonds (SFG) 7, Four tied with 6
RBI: Andre Thornton (CHC) 25, Two tied with 21
Steals: Freddie Patek (PIT) 8, Five tied with 6

Wins: Four tied with 4
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 1.13, Nelson Briles (STL) 1.36
Strikeouts: Jim Merritt (CIN) 40, Two tied with 38
Saves: Sal Campisi (ATL) 5, Jose Pena (CIN) 5

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Mike Andrews .359 (5th)
HR: Joe Torre, Pat Kelly 4
RBI: Bill Robinson 16
Steals: Bill Robinson, Bill Russell 2

Wins: Larry Dierker, Paul Splittorff 2
ERA: Paul Splittorff 5.28
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 27 (7th-T)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 4 (3rd-T)
*******

Major Injuries (All stats for 1971)

March:
DET-LF Wayne Redmond (73/74) [26] (.325 3-19 2) - 6 months
NYM-SP Nolan Ryan (93) [25] (2-5 4.15 0) - 5 months
OAK-C Gene Tenace (93/96) [25] (.230 16-79 1) - 3 months
SFG-LF Bob Taylor (68/71) [28] (.300 0-3 0 in 10 AB) - 2 months
STL-RP Jim Ellis (60/63) [27] (Last played ML 1967) - 6 months

April:
BAL-1B Boog Powell (90) [30] (.313 38-94 2) - 3 months
NYM-3B Rich Rollins (73/74) [34] (.227 12-37 1) - 4 months
NYY-RP John Cumberland (73/86) [24] (Last played ML 1970) - 8 months
NYY-SS Ron Hansen (67) [34] (.271 10-46 1 for White Sox) - 7 months
NYY-2B Len Boehmer (64/67) [30] (.214 0-0 0 in 14 AB) - 8 months
OAK-SP George Lauzerique (62/65) [24] (Last played ML 1970) - 3 months
PIT-RP Bill Landis (71/72) [29] (9-12 5.88 1 SV for Red Sox) - 3 months
SDP-CF Nate Colbert (87/91) [26] (.304 21-77 7) - 3 months
SEA-RF Al Yates (68/71) [26] (.667 0-0 0 in 3 AB) - 3 months
*******

Trades (All stats for 1971)

SEA-PHI: RP Ramon del Santos (67/70) [23] (minor leaguer)
SEA-PHI: RP John Morris (78/79) [30] (5-7 5.21 6 SV)
SEA-PHI: SP Wayne Twitchell (79/81) [24] (1-1 6.50 0)

PHI-SEA: SS Don Money (87) [24] (.241 11-58 5 SB)
PHI-SEA: RP Fred Lasher (69/71) [30] (2-6 4.48 2 SV)
*******

Milestones (All stats for 1971)

CHC-SP Joe Niekro (90) [27] pitched a No Hitter vs Houston! (17-14 3.48 4 CG)
CHC-LF Billy Williams (92) [33]: 2000 hits (.293 13-65 2 SB)
STL-SP Bob Gibson (93) [36]: 200 wins. (15-14 3.74 6 CG)
BAL-3B Brooks Robinson (78) [34]: 1000 runs (.277 14-82 0)
SEA-1B Ed Kranepool (82) [27]: 27g Hitting Streak (.328 22-102 1)
CHC-3B Ron Santo (94) [32]: 2000 hits (.302 31-123 0)
*******

Notable Retirements

None
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) for once is not in serious danger of being demoted to Omaha. He's batting .262 3-13 0 SB with .380 OBP and .477 SLG. He's now the #2 hitter in the KC lineup. He's allowed no errors so far this year, and only 1 since 1970.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) is struggling out of the gate. In 3 games pitched (0 starts) he has a 10.45 ERA in 10.1 IP, DICE 9.00, BAA .341. He's now the #5 / mopup starter for the Reds.

The Emu (?, Oakland) has been brought to D-ball. Apparently he's batting .273 0-2 with 1 SB in 3 games played. Apparently all he has to do is make contact, bat in beak, and let the ball fall, because he usually beats out the throw from startled catchers. A fan favorite, Coos Bay baseball nearly always sells out now just to watch the bird try to play.

[Imgran]

*blink* I just realized that that interesting catcher you got was *the* Joe Torre. And he's a co-leader of your team in dingers

Cool. Way cool.

LOL@ Bill James reference.

Great to see Thump (my spontaneous nickname for Wil Thompson) putting some good wood on the ball too. Tolja he'd hit this year. Had some experience with the type in Mogul. I think we all have

Once had a player I found a FA in a random players game named Hunter McDaniels. I knew he was gonna be good, the only question is how in the world he was a FA. He was 17, a CF and already had 75 contact and 75 Eye. Pretty irresistable, right? I had a pretty weak team nucleus and a good Farm rating and that's a level of talent at which players usually start performing well enough to do their developing in the majors if you give them playing time so I threw 'im up into the majors thinking he'd develop really quickly and I'd have this teenage stud.

Well, let's just say it didn't work like I thought it would. He flat out sucked for half a year and then I sent him down to the minors. AI wanted him in Rookie ball, I figured no way in **** so I stapled him in AAA where he put up amazing numbers. Tried him again at age 18 and 19, same result even though Contact and Eye were now somewhere in the 80's. Wasn't until age 21 that he started turning it on, and that regardless of what his tools told me he could have done much earlier. He wound up my every day RF, since his defensive tools were somewhat behind his offense, and he went on to live up to his potential and then some. -- I think he amassed 2500 hits and was a consistent 1.200 OPS guy throughout his prime. Wasn't until about age 38 that he had a nasty leg injury and began to decline. And as if there was any doubt... yeah, he made the Hall.

[Imgran]

SEA-PHI: RP Ramon del Santos (67/70) [23] (minor leaguer)
SEA-PHI: RP John Morris (78/79) [30] (5-7 5.21 6 SV)
SEA-PHI: SP Wayne Twitchell (79/81) [24] (1-1 6.50 0)

PHI-SEA: SS Don Money (87) [24] (.241 11-58 5 SB)
PHI-SEA: RP Fred Lasher (69/71) [30] (2-6 4.48 2 SV)

Pending info about contracts, that's a pretty dang solid trade. Not wild about Seattle dealing away even more pitching, but those pitchers were underperforming and a good quality shortstop is Money in the bank.

[SrMeowMeow]

Your dynasty continues to be the best I've ever seen.

Now that the flattery is out of the way...how do I get a player of me created?

[CatKnight]

Imgran:"Thump" still isn't up to potential, but he's definitely showing signs of improvement. The entire offense started slow, so hopefully by May 31 we'll have an idea what he's gonna do this year.

Yep, that's 'the' Joe Torre...and he's pretty good.

As for the trade...in principle I'd say Seattle won. It's solid. However. they also have an 82 starting at SS, and an 85/91 SS joining Money on the bench. Hmm.

SrMeowMeow: Thanks Well, remind me (or I'll remind you) towards the end of this season when we see how the teams are doing, and I'll try to get you in over the winter.
*******

May 2, 1971

A little unfinished business.

First, the Pirates opened at Three Rivers Stadium before a capacity crowd. Because of eight or so games being ripped off the schedule this would be a one game homestand.

Despite a late inning comeback, the Cardinals' Bob Gibson outduelled Steve Blass. Sparky Lyle relieved for Blass, but gave up 2 runs in one inning work. The Cardinals won, 7-5.

In fact, it wouldn't be until a week later, on April 17, that the Pirates finally won at home in their fourth attempt outlasting the Cubs 5-3.
*******

The Milwaukee Brewers lost their inaugural game 4-1 to Los Angeles as Clyde Wright pitched 7.2 innings. Their home opener two days later would be marred by a near riot.

Milwaukee County Stadium hosted games for the past several years, nickel and diming until 1970 and 71 when they hosted 20 games both seasons. This time the matter was reversed: Their Brewers would play 'at home' 59 times, and visit Comiskey Park 19 more.

Further, the Comiskey schedule was designed for insult: No weekends, no big name teams:

May 17-19: vs Seattle
May 24-26: vs Washington
June 20-23: vs Kansas City (4)
July 19-21: vs Seattle
August 16-18: vs Seattle
September 6-8: vs Cleveland

City and state police tried to break up a demonstration that turned violent, with shoving and arguing. Finally they used tear gas. This ended all resistance, but more peaceful protests continued through the month.

In their home opener Milwaukee hosted Minnesota. A big inning led by 1B Bob Spence, coupled with SP Wilbur Wood's dominating pitching, led them to victory 8-2.
*******

With so many radical changes to our roster due to shuffling people around, we had to send over a hundred thousand scorecards back for reprinting. For those 'keeping score,' here's how it stands:


C Joe Torre (.278 4-11 0)
C Ellie Rodriguez (.167 0-1 0)

*Demoted: Jerry Grote is now in A, Buck Martinez in B*

1B Will Thompson (.262 3-13 0)
1B Mike Fiore (.600 0-1 0)

2B Mike Andrews (.359 1-7 0)
3B Jim Ray Hart (.091 0-0 0) (DL)
3B Eric Soderholm (.288 1-8 0)
SS Frank White (New callup)
IF Chico Salmon (.154 0-0 0)
SS Frank Duffy (.500 0-0 0)

*Demoted: SS Bill Russell (.187 0-0 0) is in A trying to straighten out his bat*
*When Hart comes back, Soderholm will probably go down so he gets playing time*

LF Jose Cardenal (.245 2-9 1) *taking Kelly's place as part of platoon*
CF Willie Mays (.308 0-7 1)
RF Bill Robinson (.333 3-16 2)
OF Pat Kelly (.329 4-15 1)
OF Lou Piniella (.533 1-3 0)

S1 Larry Dierker (2-1 5.76 0)
S2 Bert Blyleven (1-2 5.45 0)
S3 Paul Splittorff (2-3 5.28 0)
S4 Mike Torrez (1-3 6.04 0)
MU Wally Bunker (New callup)

CL Rollie Fingers (0-0 1.74 4 SV) *put him back at closer midmonth, and it seems to work*
SU Mike Hedlund (0-1 0.00 0)
SR Dick Drago (0-0 7.50 0)
SR Lance Clemons (New callup)
MR Bill Butler (1-0 2.31 0)
LR Steve Busby (New callup)

*Demoted: Jim York (1-3 12.27 0) - might come back later in the season, but I wanted to give Clemons and Busby some ML playing time. Ken Wright (0-0 5.11 1 SV) - Ditto.

[gosensgo101]

If anyone ever needs a defensive catcher or 1st baseman lemme know.

[CatKnight]

gosensgo: Again, remind me towards the end of the season and we'll see who might need what.
*******

Early May 1972

Andy called today to report that Royals Stadium was now only two months behind schedule... but gaining rapidly. Apparently firing one contractor and bringing in the workers who built our Academy helped a great deal. "No one's messing with Dale and I anymore!" he finished triumphantly.

"How does Marcie feel about you two working so closely together?" I asked, for through my open door I could see her typing furiously. I'd bought her an electric typewriter over the off season and it simply couldn't keep up.

"Marcie? Oh, she's cool."

"Maybe you should talk to her. She seems jealous."

"Yeah, babes dig me."

She might dig you a grave, I thought. "Andy..." No, no point in trying to counsel him. "Good job."

"Thanks, boss!"
*******

While reading up on an electronics show that took place in Chicago, I saw something very odd:

And so it begins...

Due for release in September, this is the Magnavox Odyssey, and it lets you play games on your TV. A pure luxury item for folks with too much time on their hands. Who's going to want this when it's cheaper (and healthier) to play outside with your friends, or boardgames with the family?

Magnavox Commercial from 1973
*******

After a day off we fly to Los Angeles to take on the high flying Angels.
*******

Kansas City (8-12) (5th, -6g) at Los Angeles (12-8) (2nd, -2g)

3: We each score 1 in the 2nd, then 1 in the 4th. A bases loaded walk and two run error gives us the lead in the ninth. Robinson, Mays, Cardenal and Soderholm all get 2 hits. Royals 6-2
WP: Torrez (2-3)

4: Again the offense hits hard, scoring 5 in the fifth to put it away. Our pitching is still just good enough. Royals 8-4
WP: Dierker (3-1), HR: Soderholm (2)

5: We led 6-5 entering the bottom of the ninth, but Drago struggled wasting a 3 RBI performance by Joe Torre. Angels 7-6
LP: Drago (0-1), HR: Torre (5), Soderholm (3)
*******

Oakland's on a hot streak and have won six straight, so we lose ground. Seattle's lost 6 straight and we pass them into fourth place. Another day off, then to Minnesota.
*******

Kansas City (10-13) (4th, -7.5g) at Minnesota (12-12) (3rd, -6g)

7: Splittorff gets our first CG, while the offense goes for overkill easily blowing Al Fitzmorris out of the water. Torre and Andrews are the only batters who DON'T get RBIs. Royals 10-0
WP: Splittorff (3-3)(CG)

8: Fingers loses it in his second inning of relief letting the Twins tie the series. Cardenal goes 2 for 3 with 2 RBI. Twins 3-2 (10)
LP: Fingers (0-1)

9: Blyleven, Lance Clemons and Drago all struggle badly. Our offense tries, with Robinson going 2 for 3 with 4 RBI, but just can't quite get it done. Twins 9-7
LP: Drago (0-2), HR: Robinson (4)
*******

Ugh. We can't afford to lose series if we're going to make a run on this pennant. Oakland's extended their lead. They're now 20-7, 8-2 in the last 10.

Kevin travelled with the Pilots to Kansas City, but he remains quiet and unwilling to tell me what's going on. There've been no more strange trades, other than his new found fondness for shortstops, so maybe everything's okay in Seattle after all.

I asked him about Boeing's involvement, especially with their Apollo contract due to terminate in the next few years. "Boeing's committed to Seattle," he replied sounding much like a PR agent.

Hm...
*******

Seattle (10-17) (6th, -10g) at Kansas City (11-15) (4th, -8.5g)

10: We score 6 in the first and 6 in the sixth, annihilating SP Sean Long for 10 ER in 5.1 IP. Not much more needs to be said. Thompson and Cardenal both get 2 homers. Royals 15-6
WP: Splittorff (4-3), HR: Thompson 2 (5), Soderholm (4), Cardenal 2 (4), Mays (1)

11: Seattle touches up Torrez. We score 3 in the first, but can't hold on. Pilots 6-3
LP: Torrez (2-4), HR: Torre (6), Andrews (2)

12: Dierker pitches a 4 hitter, which is good for our offense takes the day off. Torre does go 3 for 4 with an RBI. Royals 3-1
WP: Dierker (4-1)(CG)
*******

Hart comes back into the lineup, though if he doesn't get his average up fast he may lose his spot. Hart's batting .091 in 11 AB. Soderholm, who goes to A-Omaha so he doesn't stagnate on the bench, went .297 4-16 0 and was certainly proving his worth to the team.
*******

Kansas City (13-16) (4th, -8.5g) at Washington (12-18) (6th, -9g)

13: A real slugfest, with the Senators constantly striving to catch us..just not quite. Hart's return is worth a double in 3 AB. Mays and Thompson both get 3 RBI. Royals 8-7
WP: Blyleven (2-2), SV: Drago (1), HR: Thompson (6), Mays (2)

14: A big 7th inning led by Joe Torre's 2 RBI double puts us ahead for good. Splittorff and Drago combine for a solid pitching performance. Royals 5-2
WP: Splittorff (5-3), SV: Drago (2)

15: Hart and Thompson both homer in the 10th to give us the win. Torrez pitched 9 great innings before yielding to Fingers. Royals 5-2 (10)
WP: Torrez (3-4), SV: Fingers (5), HR: Thompson 2 (8), Hart (1)

16: We complete the sweep as Dierker gives us our third straight strong pitching game, and our offense mows them down led by Torre (2 for 5, 3 RBI) Royals 8-3
WP: Dierker (5-1), HR: Kelly (5)
*******

Of course, Oakland's on another hot streak and has won 6 straight, so we gain no ground...but we're now tied for 2nd entering late May!
*******

Standings

AL West
Oakland (26-8)
Kansas City (17-16) (8.5)
Los Angeles (17-16) (8.5)
Minnesota (15-18) (10.5)
Seattle (14-19) (11.5)
Milwaukee (13-21) (13)

ALE: Boston (23-11), Baltimore (-4.5g), Detroit (-5.5g)
NLE: Chicago (26-8), St. Louis (-1.5g), New York (-10.5g)
NLW: Los Angeles (20-11), Houston (-1.5g), Cincinnati (-5g)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Look out Oakland! The Royals have fought their way back to second place!

Nice work digging out of that hole. Hopefully you can keep it up and chase down the A's.

[Coach Owens]

I think Thompson gets all the credit!

[thegreatbambino]

Hey Cat I would just like to say that of all the dynasties this is my favorite. I have been reading beginning without an account and I hope at the end of the season I could create my own guy for your dynasty

[ragecage]

See I knew he would climb back, its only May fellas, plenty of time to rebound from 1-7.

[Coach Owens]

See I knew he would climb back, its only May fellas, plenty of time to rebound from 1-7.

Of course there is with Thompson on his roster!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I gotta say, Coach:

About time he starts playing to his potential!