2009 Kansas City Royals season
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Royals
' 2009 season
began on April 7 with a game against the Chicago White Sox
at U. S. Cellular Field, which Chicago won. On April 10, the Royals hosted the New York Yankees
in the first game at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium
for the Royals' home opener. Interleague opponents included the St. Louis Cardinals
, Arizona Diamondbacks
, Cincinnati Reds
, Houston Astros
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
.
The Royals looked to improve on their 2008
record of 75–87 and sought their first playoff appearance since 1985, as manager Trey Hillman
returned for his second season with Kansas City. The Royals' payroll for the 2009 season was $70.5 million, approximately 25 percent higher than their 2008 payroll (and 21st in the major leagues).
There was much optimism for the Royals heading into the season, with some experts saying they had the potential reach the postseason. After a strong start and 18–11 record, the Royals suffered several losing streaks and fell back to a losing record, finishing with a dismal 65-97 record.
and hitting coach Mike Barnett were not retained on Trey Hillman's coaching staff. In October 2008, the Royals hired Kevin Seitzer
as the team's new hitting coach and John Gibbons
as bench coach. Seitzer served as the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks
in 2008, and Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
for five seasons. Both were dismissed from their respective teams before the 2007 season was completed. Dave Owen
, the team's bench coach from 2008, will be the third base coach. Bob McClure
(pitching), Rusty Kuntz
(first base), and John Mizerock
(bullpen) were all retained to complete the six-man staff.
, the Royals entered the Winter Meetings
not seeking to add another big free agent acquisition like in years past (Gil Meche
in 2007 and José Guillén
in 2008). Through trades, Kansas City sought to acquire relief pitching, a middle infielder, and a starting pitcher. The Royals pursued both RHP Kyle Farnsworth
and RHP Brandon Lyon
, and signed Farnsworth to a two-year contract. The Royals also signed LHP Horacio Ramírez
, who was previously with the team in 2008, and RHP Doug Waechter
.
The Royals were also one of the final four teams that were in talks with SS Rafael Furcal
. The acquisition of Furcal would have resulted in the Royals moving SS Mike Aviles
to second base. Furcal played with the Atlanta Braves
, where Royals general manager Dayton Moore
worked prior to joining the Royals' front office. Reports said that Kansas City was maneuvering to clear payroll so that they could sign Furcal, or sign Orlando Cabrera
, who was in the Royals' backup plan. Kansas City bowed out of talks with Furcal after they could not work around their payroll.
The Boston Globe
reported that the Royals had "serious discussions" concerning a trade of RHP Zack Greinke
to the Atlanta Braves for OF Jeff Francoeur
. Reports about Kansas City's purported interest in Francoeur also surfaced weeks before the Winter Meetings but there had been no concrete evidence that the Royals pursued such a deal. Dayton Moore quickly denied the report. Moore showed a reluctance to trade Greinke or outfielders Mark Teahen
and David DeJesus
, all of whom were attached to rumors throughout the off-season.
In October, the Royals acquired 1B Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins
in exchange for SP Leo Núñez
.
In November, the Royals acquired CF Coco Crisp
from the Boston Red Sox
in exchange for RP Ramón Ramírez.
In December, the Royals did not tender contracts to OF Joey Gathright
, LHP John Bale, RHP Jairo Cuevas
, and 2B Jason Smith. Bale was later re-signed on a one-year deal,
In January, the Royals agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract with RHP Zack Greinke
.
was originally scheduled for April 6 but was postponed due to snow
forecasts in the Chicago
area. The game was rescheduled for April 7, which was originally an off-day for both teams. The Royals lost the first game of the season after Kyle Farnsworth
gave up a game-losing, three-run homer to Chicago's Jim Thome
. After losing the first game to Chicago, the Royals won two of three games against Chicago to open the series. The Royals played the New York Yankees
on April 10 at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium
for their home opener. It was the first game of a three game series. Kansas City lost the first two games and trailed late in the 8th inning of the third game before Brayan Peña
scored a game-tying RBI double and then scored the go-ahead run on Alberto Callaspo
's RBI single. Peña is the team's third-string catcher and was listed as designated hitter for the day. The Royals would hold on to the 6–4 lead for their third win on the season.
On April 17 the Royals began a three-game series with the Texas Rangers
and eventually won two of them. On that day, 3B Alex Gordon
was placed on the disabled list
and was ruled out for at least two months after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. Despite the bad news, the Royals beat the Rangers 12–3 in the opening game of the series. In the second game against the Rangers (on April 18), RHP Zack Greinke
recorded his first career shut-out and extended his scoreless inning streak to 34. The streak dated back to the 2008 Kansas City Royals season
. This brought Greinke's statistics to three wins in three starts and an 0.00 ERA
, the best in the American League
at the time. Texas' Kevin Millwood
, who started for the Rangers, had the American League
's second lowest ERA entering the game with a 0.64 ERA. The Royals entered the third game of the series against Texas looking for their first series sweep of the season. After trailing 5–3 in the bottom of the eighth, the Rangers tied the game at 5 by the ninth inning after Royals set up pitchers Ron Mahay
and Jamie Wright
allowed two runs. Texas' Michael Young hit a game-winning leadoff home run off of reliever Kyle Farnsworth
's second pitch of the inning. The loss brought Kansas City down to a three-way tie for first place in the American League Central with Detroit
and Chicago
. Royals manager Trey Hillman
kept closer Joakim Soria
in the bullpen for the entire series instead reasoning that he didn't want Soria to be used for more than one inning in the third game. RHP Brian Bannister
was recalled from Triple-A Omaha
to pitch for Kansas City on April 22 and replaced both the injured Doug Waechter
, who was placed on the DL, and the struggling Horacio Ramírez
in the pitching rotation. Bannister and Jamie Wright
pitched eight shut-out innings before closer Joakim Soria
returned from an eight day hiatus to close out the 2–0 victory. Soria battled injuries for most of the month.
Zack Greinke
's scoreless innings streak ended at 38 when an unearned run was scored after an errant throw by Mike Aviles
in a 6–1 Royals victory over the Detroit Tigers
. The run was unearned so Greinke's ERA stayed at 0.00 and his record improved to 4-0 on the season. The game was also Greinke's second complete game
of the season. Greinke was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated
s May 4, 2009 issue (Volume 110, Issue 18) for a cover story by Joe Posnanski
called "The Best Pitcher in Baseball." Greinke is the first Royals player to appear on the magazine cover since pitcher David Cone
on April 5, 1993 for the magazine's baseball preview. The last Kansas City player to appear in an in-season cover was back on June 12, 1989 when SI featured outfielder Bo Jackson
.
The team won three of four games against the Toronto Blue Jays
, who entered the series with baseball's best record. On April 29 Zack Greinke
was the first pitcher of the season to record his fifth win and allowed only two runs to the Blue Jays in an 11–3 victory. This brought his ERA for the season from 0.00 to 0.50. By finishing with a 12-10 record for the month, the Royals registered their first winning April since 2003 when they began the season with a 16-7 record.
The Royals entered the month of May in sole-possession of first place in the American League Central
. They traveled to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
to play the Minnesota Twins
in a three game series to start off the month. The series was hotly contested with the Royals scoring 22 runs and the Twins scoring 19 and several lead changes. The second game of the series was decided in 11 innings. In the third game, the Royals were no-hit by Scott Baker through six innings before an offensive but then suddenly unleashed an offensive flurry in the seventh, scoring five runs to roar ahead and hold on for a stunning 7–5 victory. Zack Greinke
threw his third complete game in a 3–0 shutout of the White Sox on May 4 and improved his record to 6-0 on the year with a 0.40 ERA. Greinke lost his first game of the season to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
on May 9 in a 1–0 loss. Greinke pitched a complete game and his ERA rose to 0.51.
Joakim Soria
continued to battle injuries to his shoulder and his appearances were limited in the early part of May. He was placed on the disabled list
and Sidney Ponson
was sent to the bullpen in exchange for Luke Hochevar
being called up from Triple-A Omaha. In his first appearance of the season, Hochevar lasted only two innings and allowed eight runs in a 12–3 loss to the Oakland Athletics
. Entering the game, Kansas City's team ERA led the American League
, but took a hit with Hochevar's performance. By the beginning of the fifth inning, Oakland led the game 12–0 and the Royals never recovered and dropped their fourth consecutive game. The Royals lost all five games of their road trip against the Angels and Athletics after sweeping their four game homestand against the White Sox and Mariners.
Zack Greinke
's eighth start of the season was delayed by two and half hours of rainfall, but the Royals still won the game 8–1 against the Baltimore Orioles
. The game was held at Kauffman Stadium
and had a sell-out crowd of 38,353 along with many other games in the season selling out for Greinke's starts. The Royals split their four game home series against the Orioles.
On May 19 Kansas City trailed Cleveland 5–2 entering the ninth inning but accomplished their biggest comeback victory of the season. After two consecutive home runs by Mike Jacobs and Mark Teahen
, the Royals rallied to a 6–5 victory after a sacrifice fly by Willie Bloomquist
brought David DeJesus
home for the winning run.
Kansas City began Interleague play
against their crossstate rival St. Louis Cardinals
. After losing the first two games of the series by scores of 5–0, the Royals fell to a 21-22 record and under the .500 mark for the first time since April 11 when they were 2-3. After optioning three players (Mike Aviles
, Luke Hochevar
, and Robinson Tejeda
) to the inactive roster, Kansas City won the final game 3–2 and regained a .500 record on the season.
By the end of the month, the Royals began to slip from the top of their division standings in the American League Central
, especially following a three-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox
left the team with a 23–27 record. An 11–17 record in May dropped the Royals down to fourth place in the division.
on June 2, but continued to flounder, dropping all three games. They lost their eighth game in a row on June 5 at Toronto
, but broke the losing streak the next day thanks to a strong performance from Luke Hochevar
. In the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
held on June 9 the Royals selected RHP Aaron Crow
with the 12th overall selection. Crow attended the University of Missouri
, was born in nearby Topeka
, Kansas, and was a longtime Royals fan prior to being selected with the team. That same day, the Royals' defense and bullpen allowed eight unanswered runs to the Indians
in an 8–4 loss. The loss dropped the Royals to fifth place in the American League Central
.
, shared with Ian Kinsler
(Texas Rangers
).
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
' 2009 season
2009 Major League Baseball season
The 2009 Major League Baseball season began on Sunday, April 5, 2009 with the Atlanta Braves defeating the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies 4–1. The regular season ended on October 6, extended two days for a one-game playoff between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins to...
began on April 7 with a game against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
at U. S. Cellular Field, which Chicago won. On April 10, the Royals hosted the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the first game at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
for the Royals' home opener. Interleague opponents included the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
.
The Royals looked to improve on their 2008
2008 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals' 2008 season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.The team looked to improve upon its record of...
record of 75–87 and sought their first playoff appearance since 1985, as manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
returned for his second season with Kansas City. The Royals' payroll for the 2009 season was $70.5 million, approximately 25 percent higher than their 2008 payroll (and 21st in the major leagues).
There was much optimism for the Royals heading into the season, with some experts saying they had the potential reach the postseason. After a strong start and 18–11 record, the Royals suffered several losing streaks and fell back to a losing record, finishing with a dismal 65-97 record.
Coaching staff changes
Following the 2008 season, third base coach Luis SilverioLuis Silverio
Luis Pascual Silverio is a Major League Baseball coach. In November 2010, he was appointed first-base, outfield and baserunning coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League....
and hitting coach Mike Barnett were not retained on Trey Hillman's coaching staff. In October 2008, the Royals hired Kevin Seitzer
Kevin Seitzer
Kevin Lee Seitzer is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.-Career:...
as the team's new hitting coach and John Gibbons
John Gibbons
John Michael Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball from 2004 to 2008...
as bench coach. Seitzer served as the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in 2008, and Gibbons was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for five seasons. Both were dismissed from their respective teams before the 2007 season was completed. Dave Owen
Dave Owen
Dave Owen , is a former professional baseball player who played infielder in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. He got the game-winning RBI game during the The Sandberg Game. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington and played for the...
, the team's bench coach from 2008, will be the third base coach. Bob McClure
Bob McClure
Robert Craig McClure is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and pitching coach, most recently for the Kansas City Royals, with whom he began his major league career in 1975.-Kansas City Royals:...
(pitching), Rusty Kuntz
Rusty Kuntz
Russell Jay "Rusty" Kuntz is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder. He is an alumnus of California State University, Stanislaus....
(first base), and John Mizerock
John Mizerock
John Joseph Mizerock was a backup catcher for the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. He was the eighth overall pick in the 1979 draft.Since retiring as a player he has served as an interim manager and coach for the Kansas City Royals, and as a manager in the minor leagues.Mizerock managed...
(bullpen) were all retained to complete the six-man staff.
Winter meetings
After the acquisitions of Mike Jacobs and Coco CrispCoco Crisp
Covelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
, the Royals entered the Winter Meetings
Winter meetings
The Baseball Winter Meetings are an annual event, held each December, attended by representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball organizations, more than 160 minor league baseball teams, various league offices, companies associated with baseball and guests from international baseball-playing...
not seeking to add another big free agent acquisition like in years past (Gil Meche
Gil Meche
Gilbert Allen Meche is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Shoulder and back problems caused the former first round pick to retire in at just 32 years old.-Early years:...
in 2007 and José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
in 2008). Through trades, Kansas City sought to acquire relief pitching, a middle infielder, and a starting pitcher. The Royals pursued both RHP Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
and RHP Brandon Lyon
Brandon Lyon
Brandon James Lyon is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. He throws a 4-seam fastball, 12-6 curveball, slider, and changeup.-Toronto Blue Jays:...
, and signed Farnsworth to a two-year contract. The Royals also signed LHP Horacio Ramírez
Horacio Ramírez
Horacio Ramírez is a Major League Baseball pitcher. His parents emigrated from Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico.-Career:...
, who was previously with the team in 2008, and RHP Doug Waechter
Doug Waechter
Douglas Michael Waechter is a former American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball. He graduated from Northeast High School and was then drafted by the Devil Rays in the 3rd round of the 1999 Major League...
.
The Royals were also one of the final four teams that were in talks with SS Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
. The acquisition of Furcal would have resulted in the Royals moving SS Mike Aviles
Mike Aviles
Michael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
to second base. Furcal played with the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, where Royals general manager Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore is the general manager of the Kansas City Royals. He succeeded Allard Baird.-Childhood and education:Born February 17th, 1967, in Wichita, Kansas, Moore grew up a Royals fan. He claims to have watched the 1985 World Series in Kansas City from I-70...
worked prior to joining the Royals' front office. Reports said that Kansas City was maneuvering to clear payroll so that they could sign Furcal, or sign Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Cabrera
Orlando Luis Cabrera, nicknamed "O-Cab" and "The OC", is a Colombian-American baseball infielder.He won a World Series championship in 2004 with the Boston Red Sox. He has played for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins,...
, who was in the Royals' backup plan. Kansas City bowed out of talks with Furcal after they could not work around their payroll.
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
reported that the Royals had "serious discussions" concerning a trade of RHP Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
to the Atlanta Braves for OF Jeff Francoeur
Jeff Francoeur
Jeffrey Braden Francoeur , nicknamed "Frenchy", is a Major League Baseball right fielder who now plays for the Kansas City Royals. Francoeur is known for a strong throwing arm.-Minor league career:...
. Reports about Kansas City's purported interest in Francoeur also surfaced weeks before the Winter Meetings but there had been no concrete evidence that the Royals pursued such a deal. Dayton Moore quickly denied the report. Moore showed a reluctance to trade Greinke or outfielders Mark Teahen
Mark Teahen
Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
and David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
, all of whom were attached to rumors throughout the off-season.
Roster moves
Kansas City entered the 2008–2009 off-season with 15 players eligible for arbitration.In October, the Royals acquired 1B Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in exchange for SP Leo Núñez
Leo Núñez
Juan Carlos Oviedo ) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Miami Marlins as the team's closer. He bats and throws right-handed.-Playing career:...
.
In November, the Royals acquired CF Coco Crisp
Coco Crisp
Covelli Loyce "Coco" Crisp is an American professional baseball center fielder. Crisp is a switch-hitter and throws right-handed...
from the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in exchange for RP Ramón Ramírez.
In December, the Royals did not tender contracts to OF Joey Gathright
Joey Gathright
Joey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-Early life:...
, LHP John Bale, RHP Jairo Cuevas
Jairo Cuevas
Kids-4Jairo Joel Cuevas is a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.Cuevas was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves on March 20, . Cuevas began his professional career in , playing at the rookie level. In his first season, he had a 2-3 record to got with a 2.77 ERA...
, and 2B Jason Smith. Bale was later re-signed on a one-year deal,
In January, the Royals agreed to a four-year, $38 million contract with RHP Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
.
April
The Royals' season opener against the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
was originally scheduled for April 6 but was postponed due to snow
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation within the Earth's atmosphere in the form of crystalline water ice, consisting of a multitude of snowflakes that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material. It has an open and therefore soft structure, unless packed by...
forecasts in the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area. The game was rescheduled for April 7, which was originally an off-day for both teams. The Royals lost the first game of the season after Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
gave up a game-losing, three-run homer to Chicago's Jim Thome
Jim Thome
James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
. After losing the first game to Chicago, the Royals won two of three games against Chicago to open the series. The Royals played the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
on April 10 at the newly renovated Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
for their home opener. It was the first game of a three game series. Kansas City lost the first two games and trailed late in the 8th inning of the third game before Brayan Peña
Brayan Peña
Brayan Eduardo Peña is a catcher for the Kansas City Royals.-Early years:Peña was a member of the Cuban National 18 and under team as a youth. He graduated from Espa Julio Trigo Junior College in Costa Rica...
scored a game-tying RBI double and then scored the go-ahead run on Alberto Callaspo
Alberto Callaspo
Alberto José Callaspo is a baseball second baseman and third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Career:Callaspo was originally signed by the then-Anaheim Angels in , playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of Dominican Summer League...
's RBI single. Peña is the team's third-string catcher and was listed as designated hitter for the day. The Royals would hold on to the 6–4 lead for their third win on the season.
On April 17 the Royals began a three-game series with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
and eventually won two of them. On that day, 3B Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon
Alex Jonathan Gordon is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Kansas City Royals.-Early years:...
was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and was ruled out for at least two months after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. Despite the bad news, the Royals beat the Rangers 12–3 in the opening game of the series. In the second game against the Rangers (on April 18), RHP Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
recorded his first career shut-out and extended his scoreless inning streak to 34. The streak dated back to the 2008 Kansas City Royals season
2008 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals' 2008 season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.The team looked to improve upon its record of...
. This brought Greinke's statistics to three wins in three starts and an 0.00 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, the best in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
at the time. Texas' Kevin Millwood
Kevin Millwood
Kevin Austin Millwood is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles and Colorado Rockies.-Personal life:Millwood graduated from Bessemer City High School in North Carolina...
, who started for the Rangers, had the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
's second lowest ERA entering the game with a 0.64 ERA. The Royals entered the third game of the series against Texas looking for their first series sweep of the season. After trailing 5–3 in the bottom of the eighth, the Rangers tied the game at 5 by the ninth inning after Royals set up pitchers Ron Mahay
Ron Mahay
Ronald Matthew Mahay is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins....
and Jamie Wright
Jamie Wright
Jamie Wright is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who plays for the HC Sierre of the National League B in Switzerland...
allowed two runs. Texas' Michael Young hit a game-winning leadoff home run off of reliever Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth
Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...
's second pitch of the inning. The loss brought Kansas City down to a three-way tie for first place in the American League Central with Detroit
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Chicago
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Royals manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
kept closer Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
in the bullpen for the entire series instead reasoning that he didn't want Soria to be used for more than one inning in the third game. RHP Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
was recalled from Triple-A Omaha
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
to pitch for Kansas City on April 22 and replaced both the injured Doug Waechter
Doug Waechter
Douglas Michael Waechter is a former American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball. He graduated from Northeast High School and was then drafted by the Devil Rays in the 3rd round of the 1999 Major League...
, who was placed on the DL, and the struggling Horacio Ramírez
Horacio Ramírez
Horacio Ramírez is a Major League Baseball pitcher. His parents emigrated from Jalostotitlan, Jalisco, Mexico.-Career:...
in the pitching rotation. Bannister and Jamie Wright
Jamie Wright
Jamie Wright is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who plays for the HC Sierre of the National League B in Switzerland...
pitched eight shut-out innings before closer Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
returned from an eight day hiatus to close out the 2–0 victory. Soria battled injuries for most of the month.
Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
's scoreless innings streak ended at 38 when an unearned run was scored after an errant throw by Mike Aviles
Mike Aviles
Michael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
in a 6–1 Royals victory over the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. The run was unearned so Greinke's ERA stayed at 0.00 and his record improved to 4-0 on the season. The game was also Greinke's second complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
of the season. Greinke was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
s May 4, 2009 issue (Volume 110, Issue 18) for a cover story by Joe Posnanski
Joe Posnanski
Joe Posnanski is an American journalist and senior columnist for Sports Illustrated and former columnist for the The Kansas City Star. He writes extensively on his personal site, Joe Blogs and his SI blog Curiously Long Posts.-Journalism:Posnanski began his journalism career as a multi-use...
called "The Best Pitcher in Baseball." Greinke is the first Royals player to appear on the magazine cover since pitcher David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
on April 5, 1993 for the magazine's baseball preview. The last Kansas City player to appear in an in-season cover was back on June 12, 1989 when SI featured outfielder Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
.
The team won three of four games against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, who entered the series with baseball's best record. On April 29 Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
was the first pitcher of the season to record his fifth win and allowed only two runs to the Blue Jays in an 11–3 victory. This brought his ERA for the season from 0.00 to 0.50. By finishing with a 12-10 record for the month, the Royals registered their first winning April since 2003 when they began the season with a 16-7 record.
May
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
. They traveled to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
to play the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in a three game series to start off the month. The series was hotly contested with the Royals scoring 22 runs and the Twins scoring 19 and several lead changes. The second game of the series was decided in 11 innings. In the third game, the Royals were no-hit by Scott Baker through six innings before an offensive but then suddenly unleashed an offensive flurry in the seventh, scoring five runs to roar ahead and hold on for a stunning 7–5 victory. Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
threw his third complete game in a 3–0 shutout of the White Sox on May 4 and improved his record to 6-0 on the year with a 0.40 ERA. Greinke lost his first game of the season to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on May 9 in a 1–0 loss. Greinke pitched a complete game and his ERA rose to 0.51.
Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
continued to battle injuries to his shoulder and his appearances were limited in the early part of May. He was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and Sidney Ponson
Sidney Ponson
Sidney Alton Ponson is a Major League pitcher who is currently a free agent. According to the Atlantic League website Ponson was placed on the "Retired" list as of June 18, 2010. Ponson stands at 6'1" tall and weighs 260 pounds. He throws right-handed...
was sent to the bullpen in exchange for Luke Hochevar
Luke Hochevar
Luke Anthony Hochevar is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals organization of Major League Baseball. He is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee.He throws and bats right-handed.-High school:...
being called up from Triple-A Omaha. In his first appearance of the season, Hochevar lasted only two innings and allowed eight runs in a 12–3 loss to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. Entering the game, Kansas City's team ERA led the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, but took a hit with Hochevar's performance. By the beginning of the fifth inning, Oakland led the game 12–0 and the Royals never recovered and dropped their fourth consecutive game. The Royals lost all five games of their road trip against the Angels and Athletics after sweeping their four game homestand against the White Sox and Mariners.
Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
's eighth start of the season was delayed by two and half hours of rainfall, but the Royals still won the game 8–1 against the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. The game was held at Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
and had a sell-out crowd of 38,353 along with many other games in the season selling out for Greinke's starts. The Royals split their four game home series against the Orioles.
On May 19 Kansas City trailed Cleveland 5–2 entering the ninth inning but accomplished their biggest comeback victory of the season. After two consecutive home runs by Mike Jacobs and Mark Teahen
Mark Teahen
Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
, the Royals rallied to a 6–5 victory after a sacrifice fly by Willie Bloomquist
Willie Bloomquist
William Paul Bloomquist is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery positions, during his MLB career....
brought David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
home for the winning run.
Kansas City began Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
against their crossstate rival St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. After losing the first two games of the series by scores of 5–0, the Royals fell to a 21-22 record and under the .500 mark for the first time since April 11 when they were 2-3. After optioning three players (Mike Aviles
Mike Aviles
Michael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
, Luke Hochevar
Luke Hochevar
Luke Anthony Hochevar is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals organization of Major League Baseball. He is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee.He throws and bats right-handed.-High school:...
, and Robinson Tejeda
Robinson Tejeda
Robinson Garcia Tejeda is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
) to the inactive roster, Kansas City won the final game 3–2 and regained a .500 record on the season.
By the end of the month, the Royals began to slip from the top of their division standings in the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
, especially following a three-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
left the team with a 23–27 record. An 11–17 record in May dropped the Royals down to fourth place in the division.
June
Looking to rebound from a sub-par month of May, the Royals began June with a three-game series at Tampa BayTampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
on June 2, but continued to flounder, dropping all three games. They lost their eighth game in a row on June 5 at Toronto
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, but broke the losing streak the next day thanks to a strong performance from Luke Hochevar
Luke Hochevar
Luke Anthony Hochevar is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals organization of Major League Baseball. He is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee.He throws and bats right-handed.-High school:...
. In the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft
2009 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City.The drafting order is as follows:-First-round selections:Key-Supplemental first-round selections:From Baseball America...
held on June 9 the Royals selected RHP Aaron Crow
Aaron Crow
Aaron J. Crow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
with the 12th overall selection. Crow attended the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, was born in nearby Topeka
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
, Kansas, and was a longtime Royals fan prior to being selected with the team. That same day, the Royals' defense and bullpen allowed eight unanswered runs to the Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in an 8–4 loss. The loss dropped the Royals to fifth place in the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
.
Roster
| 2009 Kansas City Royals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders Outfielders |
Manager Coaches (bench) (first base) (pitching) (bullpen) (third base) (hitting) |
|||||||
Game log
| 2009 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
|---|
Player of the week
April 13–19: Zack GreinkeZack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
, shared with Ian Kinsler
Ian Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
(Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
).