And We're Off

Unbelievably, this year's opening day roster has a lot of exciting storylines for the Royals fan.

-- I don't understand why Mark Teahen is starting the season with the Big Club when the plan all along was to bring up him midseason. Seems to me the Royals decided they didn't have any other good options after Truby went down, and they (rightfully) wouldn't entrust McEwing or Hocking with the job, even for a week. I still wish they'd have found a stopgap for a few months to give him some additional AAA exposure and limit his service time, but I'll have to admit, its a hell of a lot more exciting than the prospect of watching Chris Truby or (insert replacement-level veteran) play.

-- On the other hand, the Royals made no better decision this spring than to start Ruben Gotay at 2nd base. The guy seems to be ready - his mental approach to hitting is strong and his willingness to work on his defense (or so the official line goes) show the makings of a major leaguer. I think he's going to be everything we all thought Carlos Febles was going to be, without the pressure of being a top prospect.

-- Calvin Pickering - we're all looking forward to seeing what you can do. I don't know if you'll amount to much, but the team would have been crazy to not give you the nod after your incredible 2004. But you'd better hit, and hit quickly, because I'm sure Tony Pena, despite his words to the contrary, would prefer to have Ken Harvey on his team.

-- Jimmy Gobble - if you can't strikeout at least 5/6 per 9 in AAA, you're done as a major league pitching prospect. Please do it.

Congratulations to...Emil Brown.

I know virtually nothing about the guy, and I don't have high hopes for him. But I can just imagine how it must feel for someone who has toiled away in the minor leagues for the 11 years to make the major league roster out of spring training, even if it is with the Royals.

In fact, I would love to see a reality TV show that traced the lives of several minor league baseball players. I think its a compelling story that is largely misunderstood by the majority of Americans, who think of all professional athletes as wealthy, spoiled miscreants. The vast majority of professional athletes (in all sports) don't make it very far and struggle from paycheck to paycheck like everyone else.

Sourpussness from....who else, Ken Harvey.

“It's a business decision,” he said. “I'll just have to do what I can do.”

Ken, its a baseball decision. The facts couldn't be any clearer.

...

So, what's the over/under on the number of games played before a major roster shakeup? I'll say 45.