Opening Slay

George Bell. Tuffy Rhodes. And, now, Dmitri Young. What do these three men have in common? They are the only players to have ever launched three homeruns on Opening Day. What team did two of those players achieve this amazing accomplishment against? That's right; you're very own Kansas City Royals!

The Royals and their fans started the year with hope and optimism, just like every other club. Granted, the hopes weren't grand: avoid 100 losses again and watch some youngsters improve and build confidence. Reality, though, was quickly and harshly shoved down our throats.

Our Opening Day starter was neither young nor particularly effective. I had faint hope that Jose Lima would harness some fire against the team who once dumped him like a crazy girlfriend. He started off quickly, striking out two in the early going. But "Lima Time, Part Two," was about as enjoyable as most Hollywood sequels. He went on to allow six hits, five runs and three homeruns in just three innings pitched en route to an 11-2 loss to the mediocre Detroit Tigers. All this in a ballpark that is supposed to favor pitchers and stifle offense.

Which is exactly the effect it had on Royals batters. Of course, young hurler Jeremy Bonderman had something to do with that, as well. Bonderman had a very solid outing, striking out seven while walking only two in seven innings pitched. He was helped out by a young and swing-happy team, though. Rookie second baseman Ruben Gotay seemingly swung at every single pitch offered to him, eschewing the plate discipline that helped him earn his starting job, and seemed to personify the term "rookie jitters". Fellow rookie and infield mate Mark Teahen seemed to be able to make some contact, but wasn't able to "him 'em where they ain't," going hitless in four tries. (Interestingly, Teahen is only the third Royal to start in his major league debut, joining Michael Tucker in 1995 and Joe Zdeb in 1977. Hopefully he goes on to a more distinguished career than the others.) And off-season acquisition/stop-gap Terrence Long put on a show of offensive futility, going 0-4 and leaving five men on base in his Royals debut.

On the bright side, leadoff man David DeJesus had a couple of hits and an RBI, Angel Berroa had a hit and a walk in four plate appearances, and new DH Calvin Pickering hit an impressive homerun, portending great things to come. Additionally, Matt "Beer League" Stairs got on base three times in his four trips to bat.

"Bright" didn't seem to appropriately describe the Kansas City bullpen. Each pitcher gave up at least one run, apparently in an attempt to sympathize with Lima. Rule 5 pick Andy Sisco was the only pitcher who didn't allow a hit, but made up for it with two walks. Shawn Camp didn't walk anyone, but gave up a couple of hits and was the victim of a Teahen error.

So, things didn't start out too well this year for the Royals. But a season isn't made on Opening Day. After entering his name in the record books, George Bell went on to have poor year at the plate. Tuffy Rhodes wasn't even able to stick on a major league roster. And one would have thought that last year would have been a rousing success after coming back to win in the bottom of the ninth with homers by Mendy Lopez and Carlos Beltran. So, maybe the Royals can reverse their fortunes this year. I doubt it, but there's still hope.