Judging the Royals

Games » Chicago White Sox

Lee Judge

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Whose bright idea was this? A doubleheader that starts at 6:10? Then both games go extra innings? With a power outage just for grins?

I talked with Chris Getz and Jason Kendall before the game and they were also wondering why they were starting a doubleheader so late. (Turns out it was for TV). After playing both extra-inning games, figuring out what to do when a bank of lights went out (they continued to play) and what seemed like 27 renditions of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”, everyone was walking out of the park after 1:00AM.

Factor in adrenaline (ball players have a hard time going right to sleep, which is why they often end up in places they shouldn’t be at times they shouldn’t be there) and the Royals got in bed at about 3:00AM this morning. With a day game today…Heck, might as well sleep over at the stadium. I brought a sleeping bag, but they wouldn’t let me stay.

Whatever happens today, remember everyone out there is way short on ZZZZs.

Alternate Yuniverse…

OK, I stole the ‘Yuniverse’ tag from Bob Dutton (see how I repay his kindness?). Where was I? Oh, yeah, Yuniesky Betancourt. Frank White said it best: Make up your mind about a player, refuse to reconsider and you’ll miss a player that improves.

Apparently, Yuni got in better shape in the off-season, hit the weights and devoted himself to the Power of Positive Thinking. (I made up that last one.) He still has holes in his game. Heck, he may have more holes in his game than the average miniature golf course, but he’s leading the team in home runs and RBIs. And a bunch of his hits have been clutch. After last night he has three Grand Slams this season. It’s also the third time this year he’s had a walk-off hit.

I know it drives some people crazy that Yuni is leading in points in this system, but don’t count his teammates among them. The ones I’ve talked to think it makes sense.

Speaking of holes…

Betancourt can be confounding because so much of what he does isn’t apparent in a box score. He makes a great play and it’s a 6-3. He takes a bad route, lets a ball that should be caught get through and it’s a hit. Last night he missed a tag on a throw from Jason Kendall that clearly beat the runner. Looking at one set of numbers; whether it’s a traditional box score, range ratings or a system like this, doesn’t tell you the whole story. You kinda have to watch and decide for yourself.

Mental Mistake…

Gregor Blanco overthrew the cutoff man and allowed Omar Vizquel to move into scoring position in the 4th inning. Omar didn’t score, but it’s the kind of fundamental mistake good teams don’t make and teams that are struggling can’t afford.

Professional advice…

Jason Kendall asked Chris Getz if he knew what I was doing. “He’s got the greatest job ever! Watching every game? Can you do it while you drink beer? I’d have a six pack, no, wait, a 12 pack right beside me!”

“If I do that, I’m asleep by the 6th inning.”

“OK, Red Bull and vodka.” Always nice to get advice from a professional athlete (and he didn’t seem to think about it a long time before coming up with that combination).

Outstanding plays…

Willie Bloomquist battled the sun all the way through a long run to catch a fly ball in the first inning and then picked up more points, along with Mike Aviles and Jason Kendall on an outstanding relay to nail a runner at the plate.

More later…

Game two of the doubleheader will be posted later today.