THE UNIVERSITY TRAIL KANSAN
8B SPORTS
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19 2007
Sun Oct 28
YONDER MOUNTAIN
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A
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Wed October 31
GOGOL
BORDELLO
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Thu Sept 27
SHOOTER
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Thu Oct 11
TOOTS & THE
MAYTALS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wed Oct.17
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Sat Oct 27
YONDER
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MLB
Royals 3, White Sox 2
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Gil Meche throws against Chicago White Sox's Darin Erstad in the second inning of a baseball game on Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gil Mchee picked up his ninth victory Tuesday night, but he could have a whole lot more if he got any run support this season.
Mache scattered four hits over seven innings, and Billy Butler drove in two runs as the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2.
Mche (9-12) has a 2.90 ERA over his past eight starts, and has not allowed more than three runs in any of them. But he is just 2-3 over that stretch, and the Royals have scored only 10 runs while he was on the mound in his 12 defeats.
"I think you could conservatively say he could have won 16 to 17 games the way he's pitched," Royals manager Buddy Bell said. "We got three runs in the first and
that's all we needed. I felt like were on the edge all night long and kind of held on."
The right-hander, who the Royals signed to a five-year, $55 million contract during the off-season, has worked 202 innings to become the first Kansas City pitcher to surpass the 200-inning mark since left-hander Darrell May logged 210 innings in 2003.
"It's something I've never done," Meche said. "To come in here with a big contract and establish myself as a good pitcher who eats up a lot of innings and give us a chance to win, for the most part I've done that all year. I've been real pleased."
Mche gave up two runs, one earned, while striking out five and walking two.
"We get three runs off the bat and it let me go out there and relax a little," Meche said.
Royals hopeful for new season Team improves on last season's record of 100 losses
》 COMMENTARY
There is always next year. That seems to be a common saying for the Kansas City Royals.
BY ERICA JOHNSON
KANSAN SPORTS COLUMNIST
EJOHNSON@KANSAN.COM
Former Royals manager Tony Pena always tried to stagnate the phrase each year while he was with the organization. In 2003 he almost did. At least this year, like 2003, it does not have to include 100 losses.
For the first time in four years, the Royals will not lose more than 100 games and still have a chance to finish fourth in the AL Central above the Chicago White Sox. That's far better than the cellar, where they have been almost exclusively since 2003.
As every team does in the off-season, the Royals want to bring in new faces and get rid of some of the current ones. In other words, they are going to find the free agent past his prime ... aka another Reggie Sanders.
Sanders is making $5 million this year and has only played 24 games because he has spent most of the season on the DL. Alex Gordon, Mark Teahen or John Buck would like to make that kind of cash, considering they have played the whole season and have actually contributed to the relative success
Then there is the "captain" Mike
One decision I questioned at the beginning of this season was the signing of pitcher Gil Meche. I could not understand why Kansas City gave him so much money when he wasn't well known. But even though he has a losing record of 8-12, he is probably the top startling pitcher for the Royals and will be even better the next couple of years if he can get the run support that has been lacking this year.
Sweeney. He made only $11 million this year and did not play half of the games. Just think of all the Teahams the Royals could have if they had not paid Sweeney so much during the past five years. Granted, in his prime with the Royals he put up numbers that deserved that kind of check. In 2000 he hit .333 with 29 homers and had 144 RBIs. But since then things haven't been the same. Injury after injury has seemed to haunt Sweeney ever since he signed his big contract in 2002.
It's up this year and even though he has been a fan-favorite around the Kansas City area for the past nine years, I think it is time for everyone to let him go. The Royals have young players who have made a big impact in their lineup already, including Billy Butler.
The 21-year-old has made a case for why he should be the first baseman and clean up hitter for the Royals in the years to come. Let's
just hope that the Royals' personnel does not let up and bring in young players again like they have in previous years.
Rookie Brian Bannister has been a bright spot for the Royals with his 12-8 record and is ninth in the AL with a 3.39 earned run average. If he can avoid the sophomore slump the Royals will have a good one-two starting rotation of Meche and Bannister.
In a few more years, the Royals will probably be able to contend for the AL championship. Nevertheless, for now, I can just hope in the future they make 16 million different decisions. There is always next year.
PITCHERS OF THE FUTURE
— Edited by Amelia Freidline
NFL
Chiefs keep positive attitude despite 0-2 start to season
MCAT | DAT | OAT | PCAT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping history repeats itself.
The Chiefs are 0-2, scoring a mere 13 points in losses at Chicago and Houston. Kansas City began last season 0-2, while scoring 16 points, but rebounded to win nine of its final 14 games to earn a wild card playoff berth.
"There are 10 teams that are 0-2 right now."Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said Tuesday. "Of the
10 teams 0-2, five of them were playoff teams last year. We happen to be one of those five. But there is no need to panic. We're going keep doing what we have to do. We'll get better."
Kansas City ranks 31st out of 32 NFL teams in points per game. It's 28th in total yards, 27th in rushing yards, 24th in passing yardage and 30th in third down efficiency.
But Edwards insists the offense's confidence is not wavering.
"They need some success, like anybody in life." Edwards said.
not plays. It's not play calls. It's being successful on the football field;' He said, "We've had some success on moving the ball at times. We haven't had enough success scoring. That's the problem. If you don't score, you don't gain a lot of confidence."
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The Chiefs play the Minnesota Vikings (1-1) Sunday in their home opener. The Vikings defense ranks third in the NFL in points per game, holding Atlanta and Detroit to 23 points.
"You gain confidence by being successful. That's what gains confidence. It's not talking about it. It's
Kansas City has committed six trophies in their first two games.
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