Royals Sweep White Sox

KCBOOMER · 04-04-2003, 10:40 AM

For the first time since 1979 the Royals have opened the year 3-0. With all the good teams the Royals have had in the past I was surprised to find this out.

Yesterdays keys were ubelievable timely hitting with two outs. All the Royals runs scored after two were out. The biggest at bat might have been in the bottom of the eighth with the Sox leading 6-5. The Royals had two on with two out when Desi Relaford worked Tom Gordon for a walk. Billy Koch came in and gave up a two run single to Ken Harvey and a three run homer to Brent Mayne.

Obviously, the Royals are not better than the White Sox but for a few days KC gets to bask in the glow of success and act like a baseball town. The Royals seem to be playing with great enthusiasm. Pena actually seems to be doing some things that are against his nature. First, he seems to be willing to protect his young pitchers arms but not overworking them. He also has getting looking to work the count a little bit. Some of the guys haven't got the message on this yet (see Angel Berroa) but it is a good sign.

As for the White Sox they have some problems, Now no team is as bad as it looks when its losing but this series showed two glaring problems. First, they just aren't very good defensively. They had four errors yesterday and should have been charged with more. Second the relief pitching looks very weak. Koch, in particular, looked dreadful in his only appearance. His ERA is infinity. Seems like a number of smart guys pointed out last year that the Sox were making a mistake in trading Foulke for Koch. Okay, three games isn't much of a sample, but I think these two problems portend trouble for the SouthSiders.

As for Royals fans, get a grip. When your leading hitter is Brent Mayne you have to suspect you got lucky. Ken Harvey has looked like a very good DH, though. He doesn't elevate the ball when he hits it, but he does hit it hard. Berroa was sensational at shortstop but doesn't look like he is going to hit a lick. MacDougal looks he a closer potential with his 100mph heater, but we will see.

Anyway the Royals have shown enough to make me suspect they might win 72 games this year.

Wolf Hopper · 04-04-2003, 10:54 AM

Didn't the Tampa Bay Devil Rays open up last year by going 3-0?

JamesI · 04-04-2003, 11:01 AM

MAybe the White Sox aren't as good as the hype.

rcartman28 · 04-04-2003, 12:02 PM

Nice to see Koch in mid-season form already.....

good for the Royals. A wonderful ballpark deserves to have at team that is at least respectable, even if it only lasts 3 games....

gyb13 · 04-04-2003, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
Didn't the Tampa Bay Devil Rays open up last year by going 3-0?

yeah, they swept the Tigers

Craig S. · 04-04-2003, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rcartman28
Nice to see Koch in mid-season form already.....

I had a big smile on my face while watching him blow another one. Most overrated closer in the game.

TimmyB · 04-04-2003, 02:14 PM

I don't expect to see KC at the top of the standings for much longer, but, that said, I never expected to see them at the top at ANY time this season.

I've said it before, the fans of KC are getting much less than they deserve.

The ChiSox? Small sample size, but, I think the weaknesses exposed in this first series will be their undoing down the line.

Ytown Tribe fan · 04-04-2003, 02:39 PM

Wasn't the Tribe something like 11-1 early last season?

These two titans clash this weekend in KC.

gyb13 · 04-04-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ytown Tribe fan
Wasn't the Tribe something like 11-1 early last season?

yup, then went 2-15 over their next seventeen

Ytown Tribe fan · 04-05-2003, 10:13 AM

TRIBE SURRENDERS!!!

I love watching a young team. Last night, it looked like Chuck Finley on the mound. He drove Tribe fans nuts last year by cruising along like he was Christy Mathewson, then giving up a 5-spot, then pitching three more shutout innings.

Maybe it's the Royals. All I know is, when he lost it, he really lost it in a hurry.

Young pitchers -- young PLAYERS - will drive you nuts. Already, Brandon Phillips looks like he needs another year at Buffalo, but hell -- they ALL do.

04-04-2003, 10:40 AM	#1
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	Rpyals Sweep White Sox For the first time since 1979 the Royals have opened the year 3-0. With all the good teams the Royals have had in the past I was surprised to find this out. Yesterdays keys were ubelievable timely hitting with two outs. All the Royals runs scored after two were out. The biggest at bat might have been in the bottom of the eighth with the Sox leading 6-5. The Royals had two on with two out when Desi Relaford worked Tom Gordon for a walk. Billy Koch came in and gave up a two run single to Ken Harvey and a three run homer to Brent Mayne. Obviously, the Royals are not better than the White Sox but for a few days KC gets to bask in the glow of success and act like a baseball town. The Royals seem to be playing with great enthusiasm. Pena actually seems to be doing some things that are against his nature. First, he seems to be willing to protect his young pitchers arms but not overworking them. He also has getting looking to work the count a little bit. Some of the guys haven't got the message on this yet (see Angel Berroa) but it is a good sign. As for the White Sox they have some problems, Now no team is as bad as it looks when its losing but this series showed two glaring problems. First, they just aren't very good defensively. They had four errors yesterday and should have been charged with more. Second the relief pitching looks very weak. Koch, in particular, looked dreadful in his only appearance. His ERA is infinity. Seems like a number of smart guys pointed out last year that the Sox were making a mistake in trading Foulke for Koch. Okay, three games isn't much of a sample, but I think these two problems portend trouble for the SouthSiders. As for Royals fans, get a grip. When your leading hitter is Brent Mayne you have to suspect you got lucky. Ken Harvey has looked like a very good DH, though. He doesn't elevate the ball when he hits it, but he does hit it hard. Berroa was sensational at shortstop but doesn't look like he is going to hit a lick. MacDougal looks he a closer potential with his 100mph heater, but we will see. Anyway the Royals have shown enough to make me suspect they might win 72 games this year. __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

04-04-2003, 10:54 AM	#2
Wolf Hopper NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 6,191	Didn't the Tampa Bay Devil Rays open up last year by going 3-0? __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator POSTING TIP FOR THE DAY: When composing a post, think about what you would say if the intended recipient was an individual who was actually sitting just two feet in front of you, in person, rather than just some far away and anonymous audience who only can identify you as text on a PC screen - - and then write your post in that manner. It makes for remarkable and sincere discourse.

04-04-2003, 12:02 PM	#4
rcartman28 NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hudson, WI Posts: 1,408	Nice to see Koch in mid-season form already..... good for the Royals. A wonderful ballpark deserves to have at team that is at least respectable, even if it only lasts 3 games.... __________________ I would have looked out for the water main. But that's just me..... Brett Favre

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04-04-2003, 11:01 AM	#3
JamesI Netshrine Vacuum Cleaner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Potsdam, N.Y. Posts: 3,723	MAybe the White Sox aren't as good as the hype.

04-04-2003, 02:14 PM	#7
TimmyB NetShrine's Magic 8-Ball Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Where the cops speak slow and the air is nice Posts: 2,591	I don't expect to see KC at the top of the standings for much longer, but, that said, I never expected to see them at the top at ANY time this season. I've said it before, the fans of KC are getting much less than they deserve. The ChiSox? Small sample size, but, I think the weaknesses exposed in this first series will be their undoing down the line.

04-04-2003, 02:39 PM	#8
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	Wasn't the Tribe something like 11-1 early last season? These two titans clash this weekend in KC.

04-05-2003, 10:13 AM	#10
Ytown Tribe fan Guest Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Scrappers territory Posts: 2,515	TRIBE SURRENDERS!!! I love watching a young team. Last night, it looked like Chuck Finley on the mound. He drove Tribe fans nuts last year by cruising along like he was Christy Mathewson, then giving up a 5-spot, then pitching three more shutout innings. Maybe it's the Royals. All I know is, when he lost it, he really lost it in a hurry. Young pitchers -- young PLAYERS - will drive you nuts. Already, Brandon Phillips looks like he needs another year at Buffalo, but hell -- they ALL do.

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