The Royals Hall of Fame opens on July 17.  Royals photographer Chris Vleisides passed on a few photos as the construction enters the final stages.  Here's a sneak peek:

The photo below is a protective case that holds a giant number 5.  Construction workers were busy taking this covering off of the case.  We didn't stick around to see the final product, which is a plexiglass number 5 for George Brett.  It will house 3,154 baseballs, one for every hit in Brett's career.

 

Next you see a panel about Municipal Stadium.  Royals Hall of Fame director Curt Nelson and his team spent many hours researching Kansas City baseball history for the text and graphics that fill these panels.

Fans of all ages will soon be enjoying the Royals Hall of Fame.  Be sure to stop by on or after July 17, or see the Hall of Fame article in Issue 4 of Royals Gameday Magazine, which goes on sale July 17.

Not the same Sox

Manager Trey Hillman says this is not even close to the same team they played a little over a month ago.  "Everything is falling into place for them right now, not too many serious injuries, good pitching, extremely hot hitting, solid defense, a good bullpen, put it all together and you have quite a hot team. We need to very careful this series, it could get out of hand quickly, we are going to have to play good solid baseball, and make as few mistakes as possible." 

Round 2 for Mr. Chen

Trey Hillman seems to be very excited about his recently called up left handed pitcher, Bruce Chen.  "He is fearless out there, fastballs in and out, change ups to righties and lefties, he'll run one in on you with only a 87 mph fastball, it's impressive," said Hillman.  "If he works both sides of the plate, stays in control with his command, and mixes his pitches like we know he can, his contributions to the team should be great."

The Royals Hall of Fame Classic is coming up on July 17.  A team of Royals greats, led by Willie Wilson, will take on a team of former MLB stars headlined by Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins.

Don't miss your chance to bid on a few unique auction items for the event.  You (or someone of your choice) could be the honorary first or third base coach or a bat boy/bat girl for the event!  The package includes the opportunity to be on the field for the Hall of Fame Classic plus the chance to participate in pre and post game activities with the players, including a special reception on July 16.  For the kids (12 and up) there is a chance to be the honorary bat boy/bat girl at the game.  You will be instructed by the bat boys from the 1985 World Series team!

Bid today at royals.com!

http://royals.auction.mlb.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=33308339&cgrfnbr=36815

7:10 game tonight at Kauffman Stadium...come on out to watch the White Sox and Royals!  Friday night is Buck Night plus the Independence Weekend Fireworks Spectacular.  Here's your Kansas City lineup:

DeJesus - LF

Bloomquist - SS

Butler - 1B

Guillen - RF

Teahen - 3B

Olivo - C

Jacobs - DH

Callaspo - 2B

Maier - CF

Chen - P

Homecoming for Buck

It has been said by manager Trey Hillman that catcher John Buck could be back much sooner then later.  "He is doing very well down there in Omaha, catching nine innings without any difficulties, now we're looking for Buck to catch in back-to-back days," said Hillman.  "By the end of the week or the early part of next, we should see John Buck back with the club, but we still have to wait and see." On another Royals catcher update, starting catcher Miguel Olivo was suspended for one game by Major League Baseball for what was deemed an animated argument with an umpire last Saturday in Pittsburgh.  He will serve his suspension today against the Minnesota Twins.

Sorry Mike

On a more somber note, one week from now, Royals shortstop Mike Aviles will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right elbow.  "Typically 9-12 months is the recovery time for an injury like this, we are going to be very cautious with Mike, and make sure we do this the right way," said Hillman.   

DeJesus - LF

Bloomquist - RF

Butler - 1B

Guillen - DH

Teahen - 3B

Callaspo - 2B

B. Pena - C

Hernandez - SS

Maier - CF

Meche - P

The 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" speech is this Saturday, July 4.  The Royals are joining Major League Baseball in the fight against ALS or "Lou Gehrig's Disease."  Each MLB team that is at home on July 4 will host a reading of Gehrig's farewell speech and all players will wear a "4♦ALS" patch in support of the cause.  Representatives from the ALS Association, ALS TDI, MDA's Augie's Quest and Project A.L.S. will be on hand at Kauffman Stadium.  

Royals Hall of Famers George Brett, Dennis Leonard, Frank White and Willie Wilson are taking part in the special reading of Lou Gehrig's speech.  Dennis and Willie stopped by the office today to record their lines.  Here are some exclusive pictures!  Special thanks to Royals associates Ben Aken, Senior Director of Community Relations, and Chris DeRuyscher, Director of Event Presentation and Production, for their work on the video project.

To learn more about on the "4♦ALS" cause including opportunities to support the fight against ALS, please visit MLB.com.

Hochevar soaring to new heights

Many reporters were asking manager Trey Hillman what to make of all the fly ball outs by starting pitcher Luke Hochevar, who is primarily a ground ball specialist.  "Yeah, their sure were a lot of fly ball outs last night, what can I say, he's locating all his pitches better, is really what it is.  It is very encouraging to see as a manager, he's progressing and becoming more of a pitcher and less of a thrower, it happens at some point to most through maturity and development." 

How's everyone doing?

If it was up to Jose Guillen, he would be in the starting line-up tonight against the Minnesota Twins, but it's not and he isn't.  The good news is however, they both agree that in a pinch, Guillen's services are available if need be.  So look for a well rested Jose Guillen in the later innings of the game to help out if needed, if not he is expected to be ready to start tomorrow against Glen Perkins and the Twins (1:10 pm).  Gil Meche had a very successful throwing session yesterday before the game, allaying any fears he or the coaching staff might have about his lack of velocity and consistency.  He is on track and scheduled to pitch tomorrow against Minnesota.   John Buck has been doing quite well with his rehab assignment, throwing the ball and batting without too much discomfort.  "There have been no setbacks to this point, John is moving along very well," says Hillman.

DeJesus - LF

Bloomquist - RF

Butler - 1B

Jacobs - DH

Teahen - 3B

Callaspo - 2B

Olivo - C

Maier - CF

T. Pena, Jr. - SS

Bannister - P

The halter top is back - on July 4, the first 10,000 ladies will receive a Royals Halter Top, while the first 10,000 males will receive a Royals Classic Ringer Tee.  Saturday's game starts at 12:10.  Buy your tickets today!

Royals' greats George Brett and Willie Wilson recently sat down to discuss their memories of past Halter Top Days.  Here's the video:

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5213029