Not surprisingly Clint Robinson will begin the 2012 season in AAA for the Omaha Storm Chasers. His hitting is major league ready but their is once again no room in Kansas City for him with Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler filling the First Base and DH roles.
Buck O’Neil would have been 100 years old today…
Mike Sweeney is a very beloved guy in Royals history. He was one of the “nice guys” in the game and the Kansas City fans embraced him during his years in Kansas City. His career is really one of those “What could’ve been…” stories however. Injuries plagued much of his career keeping him from becoming the superstar he was capable of being.
Sweeney put up what you could argue was the greatest season ever by a Royal at the plate. He batted .333 with 29 home runs and an amazing 144 RBI. He was one of the few players in recent history to were a “C” on his jersey every game representing “Captain.”
He bounced around a couple places after the Royals but never had any more great seasons for anyone else. One of his many injuries relegated him to strictly being a DH, determinately diminishing his value. In spring of 2011 he came back to the Royals to retire in a very cool act. He will always be a rare bright spot in a very dark era for the Kansas City Royals.
Michael Young once again is closing in on 200 hits. He hasn’t reached that milestone since 2007, his fifth straight year at the time. In spring training this year the Rangers were trying to trade Young because they really didn’t have a spot for him. Come opening day he was in the lineup and the Rangers should be endlessly glad he was.
He has had what may be the best year of his already impressive career. He is currently just one RBI short of his career high and is tied for his career high in average at .331. His .331 is currently a couple points behind Adrian Gonzalez for the American League lead. He is an essential part of the team going to the playoffs. He has played three different positions on the team as well. He has been a DH about half the time this year and spent about the rest of his time at first, second and third base.
He is a cornerstone of the Rangers franchise and hopefully he can lead his team to a World Series title in 2011.
A Hair Off Square 