January 2009
Royals Spring Training Radio Schedule
The countdown clock at royals.com reads 13 days, 15 hours, 2 minutes (and ticking) until pitchers and catchers report to Surprise. Today, the Royals released their Spring Training radio schedule. 610 Sports in Kansas City will air 20 spring games, and all contests will be webcast on royals.com. Denny Matthews, Bob Davis, Steve Stewart, and Ryan Lefebvre will split the Spring play-by-play duties with Stewart handling the webcasts.
A subscription to MLB Gameday Audio is required for the webcasts.
The 2009 Spring Training radio broadcast schedule:
Wednesday February 25 @ Texas 2:05 p.m.
Thursday February 26 Texas 2:05 p.m.
Friday February 27 @ San Francisco 2:05 p.m.
Saturday February 28 San Diego 2:05 p.m.
Monday March 2 San Francisco 2:05 p.m.
Tuesday March 3 Cleveland 2:05 p.m.
Wednesday March 4 @ Texas 2:05 p.m.
Friday March 6 Texas 2:05 p.m.
Monday March 9 @ Chicago Cubs 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday March 11 Seattle 3:05 p.m.
Monday March 16 @ Chicago White Sox 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday March 18 Seattle 8:05 p.m.
Monday March 23 @ San Diego 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday March 24 Oakland 8:05 p.m.
Monday March 30 Chicago Cubs 3:05 p.m.
Tuesday March 31 @ Oakland 3:05 p.m.
Wednesday April 1 Colorado 3:05 p.m.
Thursday April 2 @ Texas 2:05 p.m.
Friday April 3 @ Texas (Frisco, TX) 7:05 p.m.
Saturday April 4 @ Texas (Arlington, TX) 1:05 p.m.
*All Times Central – Game Times Subject to Change
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DeJesus steps up to plate for Guadalupe Center
Zack Greinke wasn’t the only Royals player to have a big day today — outfielder David DeJesus made a connection with the Kansas City community, too.
DeJesus has made appearances at various community functions since his arrival in Kansas City in 2003. David and Royals Community Outreach Director Betty Kaegel have worked together in recent months to find a community cause for David to support on a regular basis. Guadalupe Centers, Inc., the longest continually operating organization serving Latinos in the United States found themselves in need of a spokesperson. They found a great one in number nine, who will help an organization founded in nineteen-nineteen celebrate its ninetieth anniversary!
Below left: David met with representatives of the Guadalupe Centers, Inc. Left to right – Cris Medina, Executive Director and CEO of GCI; Jacobo Prado, Mexico Consul; David DeJesus; Pedro Zamora, GCI Board President.
Below right: Royals staff members Toby Cook, Curt Nelson, Lora Grosshans, Megan Stock, Kim Burgess, Betty Kaegel, and Ben Aken were on hand to show their support for David.
Greinke inks four-year deal
Today the Royals signed ace right-hander Zack Greinke to a four-year contract through the 2012 season. Zack had a breakout season in 2008, finishing 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA and a career-high 183 strikeouts. His ERA was the lowest by a qualifying Royals pitcher since Kevin Appier posted a 3.40 ERA in 1997.
In an afternoon press conference, Zack described the contract as a ‘huge relief’ and said that he is very happy to be in K.C. for the long term. He’s pleased to have the contract talks out of the way for this season and several seasons to come. He also mentioned that he wouldn’t have agreed to this deal if he hadn’t seen a huge improvement in the direction of the team the past few seasons. Royals fans, it’s OK to be very excited by the direction this entire organization is headed.
General Manager Dayton Moore talked about what a great day this was for the Royals. He mentioned that his staff worked hard to get a deal in place and how the Royals have signed two of the best young pitchers in the game in Greinke and Joakim Soria to long term deals.
Check back later for a recap of a special event involving Royals outfielder David DeJesus.
Renovation Photos: The view from left
Our tour yesterday allowed us to see the field from several vantage points in left field. Here’s a glimpse:
Here’s what the field looks like from the old JumboTron platform, which is being transformed into an outdoor bar. Yes, you’re right behind the left field fountains and have an amazing view of the field! Now we turn to your left and take a look at CrownVision from our perch in left center.
Next we look at the field from inside the Royals Hall of Fame. What a view!
Finally, we step out into sections 104, 105, and 106, which are Outfield Box sections located in front of the Hall of Fame building.
Renovation Photos: Covering the terrain
Today was a beautiful today in Kansas City — sunny with temps topping 60 degrees. ATH joined Royals staff members on a tour of Kauffman Stadium. The renovations will bring more square footage, and that area has to be covered. We bring you pictures of concrete, the Little K, and the concourse flooring. We are just scratching the surface, so to speak, as we will have more pictures of the renovations tomorrow.
We start our photo tour near the right field gate (now known as Gate E, formerly known as Gate D). The new entryway is being built and fresh concrete was going in today in front of Rivals Sports Bar.
The warm weather allowed for concrete to be poured throughout the Outfield Experience.
These next two pictures are for the kids. Workers have begun the installation of turf at the new and expanded Little K!
We complete our ’surfaces’ post with a walk to View Level. On the left, you can see the concrete work on the third base side (now Gate B, formerly Gate A). This will be complemented by landscaping and prairie grass. Our final picture shows the new flooring on View Level. This surface will be utilized on concourses throughout Kauffman Stadium.
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Royals Caravan heads west
Right-handed pitchers Brian Bannister and Kyle Davies, broadcaster Steve Stewart, and Royals Hall of Famers Frank White and John Mayberry are touring western Kansas this week. Senior Director of Community Relations Ben Aken and Senior Director of Publicity Lora Grosshans (a Minneapolis, Kan. native) are traveling with the group. They sent us these photos.
Day one featured stops in Emporia, Topeka, and Lawrence. A family in Emporia wanted to have their baby signed. Here, Big John Mayberry places his autograph on the little one.
The day ended with a special visit to the KU-Texas A&M game at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. Brian Bannister caught up with a familiar face, Bob Davis, the voice of the Jayhawks and Royals baseball on the Royals Radio Network. Brian attended USC and loves his cardinal and gold, but he proudly sported KU blue as the Jayhawks cruised to a 20-point victory.
On Tuesday, the caravan rolled into Fort Riley, home of the U.S. Army’s First Infantry Division, also known as the Big Red One. Our crew demonstrated a tough guy pose as they stepped off the bus.
Inside the Post Exchange, it was all smiles as the Fort Riley FRG (Family Readiness Group) was presented a $25,000 check from Royals Charities. The donation to the Fort Riley Family Readiness Group will support the families of the 4,000 men and women from Fort Riley that were deployed to Iraq in October. Family Readiness Groups are organized to serve as an important source of inspiration, training and support for a unit’s family members during deployment.
Then, our group met with the troops and their families. RSS Feed (Subscribe to this blog)
On the left: Back row: Spc. Hernandez, Spc. Knox, Frank White, Cpt. Fultcher, Master Sgt. Sellers, John Mayberry, Sgt. Lee, Staff Sgt.
Schieble, Pvt. Doss, Sgt. Chisholm, Staff Sgt. Brooks, Kyle Davies.
Front Row: Maj. Hogan, Sgt. Castro, 1st Lt. Roshak, Spc. Henneberque, Spc. Nelson, Brian Bannister
Fox Sports Kansas City to air Royals specials
Fox Sports Kansas City will preview your 2009 Royals and recap the recent Fanfest, Awards Night and Caravan trips in two 30-minute specials airing throughout January and February.
The shows will recap the Royals offseason events and update fans on renovations at Kauffman Stadium. In addition, Fox Sports Kansas City will preview the 2009 season via interviews with Royals players, including the team’s offseason additions.
Fox Sports Kansas City’s Joel Goldberg hosts the shows, with contributions from Ryan Lefebvre and Frank White. Check your local listings!
Royals FanFest Specials on Fox Sports Kansas City (times central)
Friday, Jan. 23 at 10 p.m. (episode 1)
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 10 p.m. (episode 1)
Monday, Jan. 26 at 10 p.m. (episode 1)
Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. (episode 1)
Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 10:15 p.m. (episode 2) *K-State viewing areas only
Friday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. (episode 2)
Sunday, Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. (episode 2)
Monday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. (episode 2)
Thursday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. (episode 1)
Friday, Feb. 6 at 10 p.m. (episode 1)
Monday, Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. (episode 2)
FanFest Photos: Fan/Player Interaction
As we wrap up our FanFest photo coverage, we bring you photos of the players and Sluggerrr mingling with the people who make FanFest what it is…you, the fans!
Many fans smiled for the camera while sitting alongside their favorite Royals at the photo stage. Joakim and Kyle, say cheese!
The interactive displays were a hit with fans of all ages…current and former Royals were on hand with teaching tips for the next generation of ballplayers. John Buck advised fans on batting stances while Willie Wilson was a speed coach.
After participating in the activities, some gave Sluggerrr ‘four’ while others grabbed a hot dog and headed for the stadium seats.
The excitement of FanFest can be a bit taxing. Rest up Royals fans, full squad Spring Training workouts begin four weeks from tomorrow!
Buck, Gobble, Peralta under contract for 2009
Last night, the Royals inked left-hander Jimmy Gobble to a one-year contract, thereby avoiding arbitration. Today, catcher John Buck and right-handed reliever Joel Peralta (at left) reached terms with the club on one-year deals. Four arbitration eligible players remain unsigned: Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke, Mike Jacobs, and Mark Teahen. Teams and players are exchanging salary figures today. Arbitration hearings, if necessary, will start Feb. 1.
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FanFest Photos: Autographs
The autograph stages at FanFest are a hit with fans of all ages…hundreds lined up to get a signature from Royals heroes of the past (left), present (below left), and future (below right).
Fans bring a variety of items through the autograph lines. We saw one woman with a bowling ball (try carrying that around FanFest for a few hours!)…Royals players have been signing the ball for the last five years! Some items are easy to sign, while David DeJesus found out that a little more precision was needed to inscribe this stuffed animal.
Here’s Joakim Soria penning his John Hancock on a green and white Royals Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day hat. Maybe this fan is hoping that Joakim’s signature will bring them a little luck.
New Royal Coco Crisp received loud cheers from the fans, who were more than happy to add Coco’s signature to their collection.
Sometimes fans cherish the chance to welcome the newest players to Kansas City just as much as the signature.
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