The Pickering Parade, 2006
Last year, back at our old site, we introduced a feature called The Pickering Parade. The idea was to mock and scorn teams which made the most foolish and short-sighted personnel decisions. The feature was named after Calvin Pickering, who was dumped by the Royals after 31 plate appearances so that the Royals could play 37-year old Matt Stairs at first base.
The Royals, bless their hearts, are back to lead off the feature this year. Justin Huber is a 23-year old first baseman/DH who slugged .570 at AA Wichita and .540 at AAA Omaha last year. Back at Omaha this spring, he had slugged .603 in 23 games, with a .427 on-base percentage, to boot. On May 3, when Mike Sweeney had to be placed on the DL, the Royals decided that maybe this kid was worth a look.
Mind you, I said a look. Not an extended look, not an opportunity, just a look. Huber got to make his 2006 Royals debut that night, getting one at-bat. Ok, so he was just getting his feet wet. Ok, just a toe wet. Ok, he got to see the ocean from a distance. He didn't play again until the 7th, when he started, going 1-2 with a walk and a stolen base. That must have made a real positive impression, because he got to play again. Five days later. On May 12, Huber went 1-3 with a double. Apparently the Royals expected him to go 5-for-3, because the next night he was back on the bench, getting in for one at-bat. But be patient, Justin, another chance is right around the corner. And down the block. And through six stoplights, across a set of railroad tracks, and past an abandoned warehouse. Huber didn't get back into a game until May 18, when he went 0-3 against Cliff Lee.
Oh-for-three? That's enought out of you, young man. Back to Omaha with you. After all, when you are a 10-30 team, there isn't any room to be messing around with someone who might have a future. Not when Doug Mientkiewicz is around to play first base.
What a hopelessly inept franchise. I really don't believe that there is a single competent person in this entire organization, this Glass House Gang. The teams' marketing slogan this year is, Your Team, Your Town. I have nothing personal against the city of Kansas City, but I'm damned glad it's not mine.
The Royals, bless their hearts, are back to lead off the feature this year. Justin Huber is a 23-year old first baseman/DH who slugged .570 at AA Wichita and .540 at AAA Omaha last year. Back at Omaha this spring, he had slugged .603 in 23 games, with a .427 on-base percentage, to boot. On May 3, when Mike Sweeney had to be placed on the DL, the Royals decided that maybe this kid was worth a look.
Mind you, I said a look. Not an extended look, not an opportunity, just a look. Huber got to make his 2006 Royals debut that night, getting one at-bat. Ok, so he was just getting his feet wet. Ok, just a toe wet. Ok, he got to see the ocean from a distance. He didn't play again until the 7th, when he started, going 1-2 with a walk and a stolen base. That must have made a real positive impression, because he got to play again. Five days later. On May 12, Huber went 1-3 with a double. Apparently the Royals expected him to go 5-for-3, because the next night he was back on the bench, getting in for one at-bat. But be patient, Justin, another chance is right around the corner. And down the block. And through six stoplights, across a set of railroad tracks, and past an abandoned warehouse. Huber didn't get back into a game until May 18, when he went 0-3 against Cliff Lee.
Oh-for-three? That's enought out of you, young man. Back to Omaha with you. After all, when you are a 10-30 team, there isn't any room to be messing around with someone who might have a future. Not when Doug Mientkiewicz is around to play first base.
What a hopelessly inept franchise. I really don't believe that there is a single competent person in this entire organization, this Glass House Gang. The teams' marketing slogan this year is, Your Team, Your Town. I have nothing personal against the city of Kansas City, but I'm damned glad it's not mine.
posted by Jim at
9:36 PM
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