Who are those guys?

In case you've so far been focusing on either your local team or your fantasy team, you might have missed something interesting: the Kansas City Royals are off to their best start since 2004, going 4-2, including a sweep of the Tigers.  Now, even though the internet is international, it's pretty clear so far that most of our readers are from the east coast (though we've had hits from Tennessee, Texas, and even England).  So I'm guessing that most of us are not that familiar with the boys in blue.  Consequently, here are five things everyone should know about this year's Royals.

1. Starting 3B Alex Gordon finished his first MLB season in 2007 with a .725 OPS, but failed to get a single vote for Rookie of the Year.  He's hitting 7th in the lineup, and is so far hitting .269 with 2 HR and 6 RBI.


2. The Royals will be returning to the powder blue uniforms beginning this Saturday 4/12.  ESPN's "Uni Watch" covered this one some time ago, calling it a half-hearted attempt at retro.
   


3. Closer Joakim Soria has three saves, 7 SO, and has given up only two hits and walked no one.  The only closer with a better record based on WHIP and saves is Mariano Rivera.  Nevertheless, he's still only owned by 82% of the owners in CBS Sportsline Fantasy baseball.  Buster Olney covered this interesting comparison on ESPN Sunday (subscription required).


4. New manager Trey Hillman led the Nippon Ham Fighters of the Japanese Pacific League to back-to-back pennants in 2006 and 2007.  Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy described him on XM Radio's "The Show" as someone who would "bring the best of Japanese Baseball" to America.
   


5. The top blog covering the Royals, Royals Review, is written by Will MacDonald, a PhD candidate in English at the University of Iowa specializing in 18th and 19th century literature.

Their hot start may not continue -- but I'm willing to bet they finish this season with a better record than 63-93.

Want to buy some sports memorabilia?

Make sure you check out the signatures on this one before you place your bid.  Top one is "Roger," bottom one is "Brian."  Current bid is $4000.

Morning juice

"Canseco, in New Book, Says He Introduced Rodriguez to Steroids Supplier."  So reads the headline in today's New York Times.  It goes on to state...

Although Canseco said that he did not see Rodriguez “do the deed,” he said that he hooked Rodriguez up with Max and “did everything but inject the guy myself.” Canseco has acknowledged that he despises Rodriguez, and he said he did not include Rodriguez in his first book because he worried that people would question his motives.

Right.  So here we go again.  I find it fascinating to note Canseco has the chutzpah to title his new book "Vindicated."  

The Golden Idol of Sizemore

Grady worship is not a new thing.  However, I think that it's gone to a either a new high or low, depending on whether or not you're a Tribe fan, with the anouncement that Sizemore's 2007 Gold Glove season will be recognized at the Jake (sorry, now Progressive Field) May 24 with a golden bobblehead.  Searching the internet, I can't find any other player so honored.  The closest I've been able to find for any active player is this gold based statue for Chien Ming Wang. Luckilly, I he's been able to keep a pretty level head despite the admitted rabidity of his female fandom. Hope this doesn't swell his head any more.