Royalties & Cardinalate

While Brad was enjoying a beautiful day at the K and enjoying an old school 2-1 game in which Zach Grienke was baffling the M's, the masses at Busch Stadium were enduring an old school blue-ballin'. I was not there. But I watched the game later and when Albert Pujols came up in the ninth with the bases loaded and 1 out in a 6-5 game (following an intentional walk!) I was stoked. Then, 1 pitch and game over. Walking Larry Walker really did make sense in that situation since it was runners on second and third, but how deflating for Phat to not come through. Mark Mulder's second consecutive poor start is also deflating and it was his inability to make quality pitches with two outs that burned him. But, hey, Yadier Molina (1-for-19) got a hit ... and Reggie Sanders and Jimmy Edmonds are rollin', though Scott Rolen is not (sub-.150). But Rolen has been hitting the ball hard, so no reason for concern - yet . . . I am now fascinated with Bill Pulsipher. He reflects on his depression and going through the Generation K phenomena (with Izzy and Paul Wilson) and everything else in a lengthy, intimate ESPN feature . . . On another note, Steve Kline has told the Post-Dispatch's Rick Hummel that he is miserable in Baltimore and is not even enjoying going to the ballpark. Bummer.

I'm at the ballpark today, making my debut in the press box. The skies are pristine and the park looks great. Calvin Pickering is in the lineup and Zack Greinke is on the hill. Should be a great afternoon.

Buck O'Neil has the run of the joint, as well he should. Buck waltzed through the gate onto the field and took position behind the batting cage as the Mariners took batting practice. For several minutes, he held court as players, bat boys and everyone else stopped by to shake his hand. If I live to be 90-something, I wouldn't mind being like Buck O'Neil. Wouldn't mind that at all.

If I am still around in 2065, I promise to still be blogging the Royals. Of course, there is probably a better chance that I'll be around in 60 years then there is of the Royals remaining in Kansas City that long.

The press box is about what you would expect. You kind of lose the ballpark atmosphere. It's like being at the office, to tell you the truth, except there is the added advantage of a ballgame unfolding before you. It's a nice vantage point to watch the action.

I'll be blogging here and there over at my KC Star Web site. Stop by and drop me a line. No news to report from here, except that the Royals called up Joe McEwing to take the place of the disabled Mark Teahen.