Thursday, April 16, 2009
So here’s the thing about the Royals. They can pitch. Yes, they can pitch really, really well.
Starting pitchers Gil Meche, Zack Greinke and Kyle Davies comprise the best starting trio in the American League Central, perhaps one of the best in the American League. Closer Joakim Soria is a force of nature. Kansas City hasn’t seen an athlete this dominant since Priest Holmes in his prime.
But here’s another thing about the Royals. They can’t hit. At least, not very well.
And this is where Mike Jacobs comes in. Here’s what you need to know about Jacobs. He’s a California guy. He wears his hair spiked upwards -- sorta like Guile from Street Fighter. He has a patterned tattoo on his arm. And he can crush.
After struggling in the Royals’ opening series last week against the White Sox, Jacobs found his stroke in the first homestand of the season. He hit .389 with two home runs, three doubles and four RBIs. And on Wednesday afternoon against the Indians, he hit a 429-foot Ruthian blast to center field. The ball struck the side of the cement base that sits at the bottom of the Crown Vision scoreboard. And I have to admit, I felt sorry for the cement base.
Jacobs said he wasn’t worried about his slow start. It was, after all, only three games.
“People shouldn’t put too much into just not getting a couple of hits the first couple of games, and panicking that somebody’s swing is not where it should be,” Jacobs said on Wednesday. “We don’t put too much stock into so hopefully other people won’t as well.”
Of course, Jacobs strikes out a lot. He struck out 119 times last season as a Florida Marlin. Of course, he also hit 32 homeruns.
And here’s another thing about the Royals. Did you know that the record for home runs in a season by a Kansas City Royal is 36? Steve Balboni hit 36 home runs in 1985. It could be one of the most embarrassing records in all of sports. Think about it like this: The Royals survived the Steroid Era with nobody hitting more than 36 home runs. Well, at least we know that the Royals were clean. At least, we hope so.
So yes, Jacobs will strike out a lot. But he will also crush home runs into the orbit around Kauffman Stadium. And did I mention that he’s donating $500 to Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City for every dinger he swats? What a guy, huh?
Yes, I don’t believe the Royals have had a player with this much raw power since Bo Jackson. Listen Balboni, you’re time is up.
NBA Playoff Predictions
The NBA playoffs begin this weekend, and for the third consecutive year, a former Jayhawk has a good chance at earning a ring. Paul Pierce and Scot Pollard won a title with the Celtics last year, and Jacque Vaughn was backup on the Spurs championship team in 2007.
This year, Darnell Jackson’s Cavaliers should take home the title. If they can beat the Lakers, of course. Drew Gooden and Mario Chalmers will also be making playoff cameos as well. Gooden with the Spurs and Chalmers with the Heat. The Morning Brew would love to take the Lakers, but nobody is stopping the Cavs this year. Cavaliers over Lakers in six games.
— — Edited by Realle Roth
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