Game 35 - 5/9/2008

Orioles 7, Royals 4

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 15-20
Expected Record 13-22
Runs Scored 124
Runs Allowed 157
Projected Record 70-92
Pythagorean Record 63-99
Pythagorean Winning% 0.384

Let's go get 'em

Game 34 - 5/8/2008

Orioles 4, Royals 1

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 15-19
Expected Record 13-21
Runs Scored 120
Runs Allowed 150
Projected Record 72-90
Pythagorean Record 64-98
Pythagorean Winning% 0.39

Let's go get 'em

Game 33 - 5/7/2008

Angels 4, Royals 9

I'm beginning to think that this Royals team is actually blessed. Consider how terrible the offense has been, and yet they are still within 3 games of .500 and only 2.5 games out of first place. This is a tight division and if it remains that way, this could be a very exciting year.

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 15-18
Expected Record 13-20

Runs Scored 119
Runs Allowed 146
Projected Record 74-88
Pythagorean Record 65-97
Pythagorean Winning% 0.399

Let's go get 'em

Game 32 - 5/6/2008

Angels 5, Royals 3

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 14-18
Expected Record 12-20
Runs Scored 110
Runs Allowed 142
Projected Record 71-91
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.375

Let's go get 'em

Game 31 - 5/5/2008

Angels 4, Royals 0

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 14-17
Expected Record 12-19
Runs Scored 107
Runs Allowed 137
Projected Record 74-88
Pythagorean Record 62-100
Pythagorean Winning% 0.378

Let's go get 'em

Game 30 - 5/4/2008

Royals 2, Indians 0

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 14-16
Expected Record 12-18
Runs Scored 107
Runs Allowed 133
Projected Record 76-86
Pythagorean Record 64-98
Pythagorean Winning% 0.392

Let's go get 'em

Game 29 - 5/3/2008

Royals 4, Indians 2

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 13-16
Expected Record 11-18
Runs Scored 105
Runs Allowed 133
Projected Record 73-89
Pythagorean Record 63-99
Pythagorean Winning% 0.383

Let's go get 'em

Game 28 - 5/1/2008

Question: Where the hell did all that offense go???

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 12-16
Expected Record 10-18
Runs Scored 101
Runs Allowed 131
Projected Record 70-92
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.372

Let's go get 'em

Game 27 - 4/30/2008

Royals 9, Rangers 11

The Royals' offense is finally starting to produce runs after struggling for much of this young season. They've scored a season-high 9 runs in two straight games.

While scoring 9 should be good enough for a win, it wasn't last night. Brian Bannister, who had looked dominant in earlier starts, struggled mightily. He gave up 7 runs while throwing 90 pitches in 3 innings.

I've always worried about Banny. He's a very intelligent pitcher who gets by on location and trickery. He doesn't not have overpowering stuff. We can only hope that he has more tricks in his bag.


The Hill Climb
Actual Record 12-15
Expected Record 10-17
Runs Scored 100
Runs Allowed 129
Projected Record 72-90
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.375

Let's go get 'em

Game 26 - 4/29/2008

Royals 9, Rangers 5

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 12-14
Expected Record 10-16
Runs Scored 91
Runs Allowed 118
Projected Record 75-87
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.372

Let's go get 'em

Game 25 - 4/27/2008

Blue Jays 5, Royals 2

Even with the loss today, the Blue Jay series was much better for the Royals. They finally broke their losing streak, and played better all-around baseball. The Central Division is still a tight race from top to bottom, and almost one month into the season, the Royals still find themselves right in the middle of the race. Any Royals fan should be happy with that.

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 11-14
Expected Record 9-16
Runs Scored 82
Runs Allowed 113
Projected Record 72-90
Pythagorean Record 56-106
Pythagorean Winning% 0.344

Let's go get 'em

Game 24 - 4/26/2008

Blue Jays 1, Royals 2

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 11-13
Expected Record 8-16
Runs Scored 80
Runs Allowed 108
Projected Record 75-87
Pythagorean Record 58-104
Pythagorean Winning% 0.354

Let's go get 'em

Game 23 - 4/25/2008

Blue Jays 4, Royals 8

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 10-13
Expected Record 8-15
Runs Scored 78
Runs Allowed 107
Projected Record 71-91
Pythagorean Record 57-105
Pythagorean Winning% 0.347

Let's go get 'em

Game 22 - 4/24/2008

Indians 2, Royals 0

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-13
Expected Record 7-15
Runs Scored 70
Runs Allowed 103
Projected Record 67-95
Pythagorean Record 52-110
Pythagorean Winning% 0.315

Let's go get 'em

610 vs. 810 in 1,098 words

I’m in a bad mood, and no, it doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that the Royals have been outscored 22-3 in just 12 innings against the Indians.

My sour disposition has more to do with how I enjoy (or tolerate) Royals games.

Let’s start with some history. In 2003, the Royals had a red hot start and were in contention throughout most of the season. There was much hope and optimism for the 2004 season, but alas the Royals relapsed into another 100 loss season. 2004 was the final year of their radio broadcast contract with media conglomerate Entercom.

Meanwhile, local media company Union Broadcasting was building its empire. Starting with a small signal sports talk station, Union “grew up” in 1999 by acquiring monster signal 810 AM and moving its sports talk station to that frequency, becoming Sports Radio 810 WHB.

By 2003, WHB was the most listened to station in Kansas City. Entercom tried to grab a piece of that listenership by converting its beloved 61 Country to 610 Sports. Try as they might, 610 still couldn’t compete with 810. As country music lovers left 610, its ratings plummeted and Entercom found that competing with WHB is much harder than they anticipated.

To deliver the radio wars knockout blow, and in anticipation of an improved Royals team, Union made a huge bid for the Royals radio rights. The Royals listened. WHB’s signal is one of the most powerful in the country, but the FCC requires the signal to be reduced at sunset. Union wanted to carry the Royals on WHB, but the Royals were concerned with the reduced nighttime signal. Union agreed to simulcast night games on its struggling all music FM station, 97.3.

With the agreement in place, the Royals had a new radio home on WHB.

On the TV side, the Royals decided to create their own television network called RSTN. The goal was to increase the number of televised games and to create a new revenue stream for the Royals. It was obvious that the television broadcasts were run on a shoestring budget. Poor camera angles, sloppy graphics, and no chance to see any high definition games made for a frustrating viewing experience.

To make matters worse, the Royals forced its fans to endure the wrath of Bob Davis on the television broadcasts. I’ve said it before, and I will continue to ride this horse. Bob Davis is by far the worst baseball broadcaster on the planet. Davis has been a broadcaster for the Kansas Jayhawks for years, and he’s great for those basketball and football games. But for baseball, not so much. Davis is loud, gruff, and simply does not know how to call a baseball game. His voice inflection causes high blood pressure. I can’t even imagine how many times I’ve heard Davis describe a “blast to right field!!!!!!” that is then caught by the second baseman. Also, if you listen to Davis, try to count how many times he says “out there.”

But I digress.

Suffice it to say that the television broadcasts on RSTN left much to be desired. Fortunately, the vast majority of games (at least for me) are taken in via radio, not television.

Radio is always there. Whether I’m sitting on the deck, mowing the lawn, painting a bedroom, I can always hear the Royals. My entire life has been accompanied by the Royals on radio.

It’s with that life-long devotion that I write about Royals broadcasting today.

Between 2005 and 2007, WHB created a first class broadcast for the Royals. They produced their own pre- and post-games shows that featured some great former Royals players. Freddie Patek, Brian MacRae, Jeff Montgomery, Mike Boddiker and others joined baseball fanatic Soren Petro for these pre- and post-games shows. They featured great commentary and analysis.

The game broadcasts themselves were a joy to listen to. WHB’s strong signal ensured that the Royals games would come in loud and clear in most areas. In spots where WHB’s night-time signal was difficult to receive, the FM signal produced a clear broadcast for all areas.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Denny Matthews did what he’s done since the Royals inception. His smooth delivery matched well with his partner Ryan Lefebvre who came into his own as a fine broadcaster. Together, their wry humor was a joy to listen to.

After the 2007 season, the radio broadcast rights were back up for bid. Over the previous three seasons, WHB found that the broadcasts did not produce the kind of revenue they had hoped for when they acquired the radio rights. Their proposal reflected that.

Entercom, desperate to boost 610’s fledgling ratings, also bid for the radio rights. After many negotiations, the Royals selected Entercom.

The decision is most definitely based solely on money. According to some sources, the Entercom proposal was only a couple hundred thousand dollars more than WHB’s. WHB hoped that their powerful signal combined with outstanding production would be enough to put them over the top. It wasn’t.

The Royals also dismantled it television network, and turned the television broadcasts over the Fox Sports Net. In turn, FSN created FSN Kansas City, hired Joel Goldberg and Ryan Lefebvre (luring him away from radio), agreed to broadcast select games in HD, and created an enjoyable, high quality broadcast.

With Ryan Lefebvre leaving the radio booth, Entercom hired Steve Stewart presumably to replace Lefebvre. Royals fans rejoice! It seemed Bob Davis’ days as a Royals broadcaster were over.

Then, the bombshell. Davis moved from television to the radio booth to serve as Matthews’ partner. Can somebody please explain why Stewart was hired?

All of this leads to my bad mood today.

So far this season, I’ve tried to listen to the Royals in my car, in my garage, on my deck, and as I mowed my lawn. In all cases, the static on 610 has been unbearable.

I subscribe to the Game Day Audio package on mlb.com, so I have been able to listen to the games as a webcast, but even then, Bob Davis’ scowl has caused me much heartache. (Play this game: while listening to Davis, imagine him saying “goddamn it!” after every sentence. He just sounds so angry when he talks.)

So after enjoying such high quality radio broadcasts for the past three years, I now have to deal with poor broadcast signals and terrible broadcasters. All of this for what? Less than the minimum salary of one player?

And so tonight, the Royals are losing 9-6 and I cannot listen to it.

Perhaps it’s best.

Game 21 - 4/23/2008

Indians 9, Royals 6

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-12
Expected Record 7-14
Runs Scored 70
Runs Allowed 101
Projected Record 70-92
Pythagorean Record 53-109
Pythagorean Winning% 0.324

Let's go get 'em

Game 20 - 4/22/2008

Indians 15, Royals 1

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-11
Expected Record 7-13
Runs Scored 64
Runs Allowed 92
Projected Record 73-89
Pythagorean Record 53-109
Pythagorean Winning% 0.326

Let's go get 'em

Game 19 - 4/20/2008

Royals 1, A's 7

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-10
Expected Record 8-11
Runs Scored 63
Runs Allowed 77
Projected Record 77-85
Pythagorean Record 65-97
Pythagorean Winning% 0.4

Let's go get 'em

Game 18 - 4/19/2008

Royals 5, A's 6

So much for that Bannister/Greinke magic.

Nomo is gone. It was nice to see him get another chance, but he was shelled and the Royals aren't going to put up with such a poor performance (unless your name is Pena or Guillen).

I'm anxious to see Hochevar's start today, but I will be on a plane to Pheonix for a conference. I'll miss today's game, and updates to the site may be slow this week.



The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-9
Expected Record 8-10
Runs Scored 62
Runs Allowed 70
Projected Record 81-81
Pythagorean Record 72-90
Pythagorean Winning% 0.439

Let's go get 'em

Game 17 - 4/18/2008

Royals 2, A's 13

Ouch!



The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-8
Expected Record 8-9
Runs Scored 57
Runs Allowed 64
Projected Record 86-76
Pythagorean Record 72-90
Pythagorean Winning% 0.442

Let's go get 'em