One Shining Moment

The University of Kansas Jayhawks, 2008 National Champions

"Don't just wish for good things to happen. Make them happen."--Bill Self

Lights Out

The Devil wore a coat and a skull cap while he watched this one.

The Kansas City Royals made news with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers Thursday at Commerica Park. With the win, the Royals completed a three-game sweep and started the season with a perfect 3-0 record.

It's a little too late for an April Fool's Day joke.

The Royals for the first time since 2003, are in first place in the American League Central. Their early success would be easy to explain had they just stumbled and found these three wins under the Tigers' couch while they were away from home. The Royals earned these wins. And they looked rather impressive doing it. Thursday Kansas City's Zach Grienke pitched seven innings. He gave up six hits and struck out three. Mark Teahan and Alex Gordon both hit homers. Joakim Soria pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save. Two days ago, Kansas City's Gil Meche battled through six innings, giving up eight hits but only three runs. Tony Pena, Jr. hit a two-out, tie-breaking single in the 11th inning, breaking a 4-all tie. Soria pitched a scoreless 11th inning for the save. Royals 5, Tigers 4. One day ago, Kansas City's Brian Bannister (You'll know his name very soon. One of the most underrated young pitchers in the American League) pitched seven strong innings, giving up zero runs and just two hits. Billy Butler and Jose Guillen each had RBI doubles. Soria struck out the side in the ninth inning. Royals 4, Tigers 0.

Seeing a trend?

For the first three games of the year, the 2008 Royals are the early-90s Atlanta Braves. I kid you not. I'm writing this with a straight face. Not even a hint of a smirk. The top three starters in the Royals' pitching rotation have been effective, to say the least. Kansas City's pitching staff held the Tigers lineup (One predicted to be the best in baseball) to a .206 batting average with 24 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched. The Royals' offense hasn't been stellar, but it's been timely. The middle of the Royals' lineup of Gordon, Guillen, Butler and Teahan has been productive. Gordon's a rising star, Guillen hit 28 homers a year ago, Butler, with a sweet swing, has hit at every level and Teahan hit 31 doubles in 2006. Joey Gathwright, at the top of the lineup, is one of the fastest leadoff men in the American League (And he can jump over cars. Check the tape.) and Mark Grudzielanek is a protypical No. 2 hitter. The Royals also have received three great outings from Soria, their closer. The 23-year-old Soria has been lights out, collecting two saves and posting a 0.00 earned run average in three appearances.

This could be a fluke. Then again, it could be signs of things to come. The Royals could be pretenders playing the role of contenders. However, remember that confidence can take one a long way. Two of the Royals' biggest problems from a year ago, pitching and defense, have been their strengths this year.

The jury is still out. Nobody is ready to holler and throw their hands up just yet. And they shouldn't. Baseball is a 162-game marathon--so far from a race.

The Royals could be that woman in the club. You know, the one who initally looks like Cinderella and to everyone's horror, transforms into one of the step sisters when 3 a.m. hits and the lights come on?

No team has ever fooled a Major League Baseball schedule. There's three things you can count on: Death, taxes and knowing every baseball team is what it is at the end of the year. After 162 games, what you see is what you get and the truth will be told.

Right now the Royals are that woman. They're dancing in the middle of the floor. All eyes are on them. They're IT. The way they play is nothing short of beautiful. The veterans of the spot know the rules. They've seen this before. And they're all skeptical, waiting for the lights to come on. And it very well could happen. Then again, it shouldn't surprise anyone if they find themselves watching the Royals dance all night long.

--EOB.

A Celebration Of Life

1971-Present

"We're gonna keep marching on until we hear that freedom song. And if you think about turning back, I've got the shotgun on your back. And if you think about turning back, I've got the shotgun for your back."---Erykah Badu