White wants Royals talk freshened up, ’85 is … well, getting old
Royals iconic second baseman Frank White flashes his 1985 World Series ring.
It was October 27th, 1985 and Bret Saberhagen had carved apart hitters in a complete-game shutout. He was barely old enough to drink and just one day after becoming a father, he became a World Series MVP. Manning third base was George Brett, who hit .370 in the series. He would retire as one of just four hitters to reach 3,000 hits and 300 home runs while hitting .300 in a career (Stan Musial, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays). The stars and storylines were unavoidable as the Kansas City Royals became the first expansion team to win the Commissioner’s Trophy, and the only team to do so after trailing 3-1, topping the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Dane Iorg was the unexpected hero with the biggest hit in the series. He drove in a pair of runs to end Game 6 after batting just .223 throughout the regular season.
Frank White was the slick fielding second baseman. His eight gold gloves can attest to that, but he doesn‘t want us to discuss them. He dazzled his way into five All-Star games and was the first at his position to bat cleanup in a World Series – and hit a long ball, too. But if he had his choice, we would keep mum on that too. White said it’s been far long enough that Kansas City Royals fans have discussed the 1985 Championship and the stars from that era. “You never forget the World Series,“ White said at the 2010 Royals Caravan at Coyote‘s Adobe Café on Jan. 17. “That was 25 years ago and everybody’s still talking about it. We want to get people talking about (today’s) players.”
Billy Butler wouldn't talk about his number from last year, only that he needs to play better. Did you see his number last year? I feel a little worried for AL pitching.
Zack Greinke winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 gave KC fans a place to start. Billy Butler, the Royals player of the year last season is another. The young first baseman put up eye-popping numbers in his third year (.301 BA, 21 HR, 51 doubles and 93 RBI), especially considering there wasn’t much production in the lineup around him.
“I’m not here to talk about myself. It’s a team game and obviously we lost 98 games last year so I need to be better as well,” he said. That should worry American League pitchers, especially with the addition of Scott Podsednik at the top of the lineup. The signing was overlooked by the media, but the outfielder practically lives in scoring position. He boasted an on-base percentage of .353 and 30 stolen bases for the White Sox a year ago. Butler explained Podsednik‘s presence simply: “The more guys who get on base, the more chances you have to drive in runs.”
The new centerfielder, along with the off-season additions of Chris Getz and Josh Fields will create new competition in Spring Training. “The team lost some power (in trading away Mark Teahen) and gained some speed,“ White said. “The key is how (our guys) develop.“
Outfielder Mitch Maier, a former first-round pick, saw action in 123 games in 2009. The Royals have several options for the three outfield spots, with two of them seemingly locked up – David DeJesus in left and Podsednik in center. That leaves a group of Maier, Fields, and Brian Anderson among contenders for right. “I’m going to try to win a starting job. It’s a good problem (for the team) to have. It will bring out the best in all of us,” Maier said. Fields, also a third baseman, is likely to give Alex Gordon a fight at third, after another disappointing for the player who was so celebrated as an amateur. Getz will push heavy-hitting, but light-fielding Alberto Callaspo for the job at second base.
Maier admitted poor defense from the Royals in 2009 doomed the team on several occasions, but no matter who’s positioned around the diamond, every fifth day belongs to the kid named Greinke. “It’s awesome to play behind Zack,” Maier said. “He had an unbelievable season, but we have some other guys who have pitched really well. I like playing behind Gil (Meche), too.”
Former Royals slugger John Mayberry signs autographs for a couple little girls.
Frank White wasn’t the only Royals icon on hand. John Mayberry, who hit 255 career home runs, said he enjoys being “remembered as a pretty decent ball-player” and went to say he likes the 2010 Royals chances to play at least a handful more than 162 games. “Well, if nobody gets hurt and (guys) have some good years, I think we have a good chance for the playoffs.” That kind of turnaround would surely help White’s hopes of a new Royals baseball conversation. “You never forget the World Series,” he said. “We want this era to make Kansas City baseball their own.”
As I close, this seems like an appropriate time for my official stance on Don Denkinger, the umpire notoriously known as the guy who blew a call at first base, leading to the Royals beating the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series: It was a terrible time to miss a call, and it was blatantly wrong, but it just extended the game. It can be likened to Matt Holliday’s missed catch in the 2009 playoffs. Following the blunders, the Cardinals still had chances to finish both games, and neither series was over after those losses. In the 1985 World Series, St. Louis scored the fewest runs (13) of any team in a seven-game series, while batting just .185 – second worst all time. Now that it’s out the way, let’s hope that’s the last time we talk about the 1985 series like it’s in the present tense.
(If you missed Allen Vaughan‘s coverage from the Cardinals Caravan, check it out here. Share your thoughts below with a comment or email me at Brett@TAGSGF.com.)
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