Sunday Night Baseball

You might be thinking there is an error on your Royals calender which says that the boys in blue will be playing tonight Sunday, July 4th at 8:15.  However, you would be mistaken because for the first time since June 16, 1996 your KC Royals will be taking part in ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.  After a 14 year hiatus we're back showcasing our #2 starter Anthony Lerew and surprisingly in 14 years not much has changed.  Basically, the best we can do is point to 2003 as the only thing resembling a successful season during our 14 year ban from ESPN Sunday Night games.  Let's take a look back a see who's the 1996 version of today's Royals squad....

The 1996 Jason Kendall:  I actually wish we had the 1996 Jason Kendall, it has been so long ago that it was Kendall's rookie year the last time we were on ESPN SNB.  The starting catcher in '96 for KC was Mike Macfarlane and he was very un-Kendall like that year with an OPS of .838, 19HRS in 419PA and gunned down 39% of would be base stealers.  So the better comparison would be to the '96 back-up Sal Fasano who put up on OPS of .626 which is much closer to Kendall's .640.  Yes, Jason you are this year's Sal Fasano, only you catch way more games.

The 1996 Willie Bloomquist:  Bip Roberts is a very easy comparison to Willie, no power, a little speed, plays multiple positions, nearing the end of an undistinguished career and probably occupying a roster spot best suited for someone much younger.  Willie you are the 2010 Bip Roberts, in 2024 I will probably think about your name in the same way I'm trying to picture Bip on the 1996 team, the image just isn't there.

The 1996 Scott Posednik:  Tom Goodwin - SPOT ON.  No power, decent average, steals a lot of bases but also gets thrown out way too much and despite the speed can't play CF.  But based on that speed they will always have a home.

The 1996 Zach Greinke:  Kevin Appier, just a great Royal name and one fans won't forget because he was one of the few bright spots in some pretty pathetic rotations.

The 1996 Bruce Chen:  Doug Linton. Who? Yeah, this is probably pretty hard on Bruce Chen and it appears that the PBR might soon have to write a formal apology to Mr. Chen but I hope I forget the name of Bruce Chen just as easily as I have the name Doug Linton, sorry.

Who is this year's Jose Offerman, Michael Tucker, Tim Belcher, Joe Vitiello, Craig Paqette...?  If you've got any suggestions pass them on and enjoy Sunday Night Baseball, because it really doesn't come around that often.