With Casey recently pledging his allegiance to the Kansas City Royals I figured he should know about the American League team from the "Show-Me" state (and no Casey and Brandon it doesn't mean that). The state of Missouri got the nickname "Show-Me" from Willard Van Diver for residents self-deprecating stubbornness and devotion to simple common sense.I figured I would focus on a quartet of players who once donned Seattle Mariners uniforms since the Royals will be hosting a brief 2 game series with the team from the Emerald City beginning today at 4:10 pm pacific time.
First up is Catcher Miguel Olivo who spent portions of the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the Mariners. In his short stay with the M's Olivo hit just .176 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI and 39 runs scored in 104 games. Olivo is a career .241 hitter with 72 home runs and a .988 fielding percentage over 8 seasons with 5 different teams (Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins and the Royals). He's been with KC since the 2008 season.
Outfielder Jose Guillen has been with the Royals also since the beginning of the 2008 season when he was signed as a free agent. The sometimes volatile personality of Guillen (see his suspension by the Angels in late September of 2004) doesn't seem to be a problem....so far. Guillen spent only one season with the Mariners in 2007, a year in which he had one of his best seasons batting .290 with 23 home runs and 99 RBI, he also added 9 outfield assists. Guillen is a career .273 hitter with 189 home runs over 13 seasons with 9 different teams (Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Anaheim Angels, Washington Nationals, Seattle and KC).
The 3rd party to join the Royals by way of Seattle, also in 2008 was pitcher Horacio Ramirez. Ramirez spent the 2007 season with the Mariners and had a nightmare of a season going 8-7 with a mammoth 7.16 ERA. Ramirez is currently sporting an 8.18 ERA for the Royals after doing well last season in 15 games for them. Kansas City is Ramirez's 4th major league team (Atlanta Braves, Seattle, Chicago White Sox and KC), he had most of his success with the Braves from 2003-2006 when he went 30-22 with a 4.13 ERA. Ramirez has a career 39-34 record and 4.65 ERA.
Last but not least ultra utility man Willie Bloomquist. Willie had spent his entire major league career with the Mariners up until this year. While with Seattle Bloomquist played everywhere except catcher and pitcher. Bloomquist isn't spectacular in any one area but he has always been solid at the plate with a career .327 on base average and .267 batting average. His biggest asset is his ability to play almost any position which is very valuable for any team. In his time with Seattle Bloomquist never was an everyday player as evidenced by him never getting more than 251 at bats in a season but this year he may give the Royals no choice but to find a spot for him. So far this year Bloomquist is hitting .378 in 44 at bats with a .463 on base average, 10 runs scored and 4 stolen bases.
I hope this gives Casey some insight into his new favorite team so when he watches them he doesn't shout things like "Great catch by the left fielder!!" and "That number 8 is sure good!", he can say "Free Willie!" sorry I mean "Go Willie!" or "Bloomer just crushed that split finger fastball"
Outfielder Jose Guillen has been with the Royals also since the beginning of the 2008 season when he was signed as a free agent. The sometimes volatile personality of Guillen (see his suspension by the Angels in late September of 2004) doesn't seem to be a problem....so far. Guillen spent only one season with the Mariners in 2007, a year in which he had one of his best seasons batting .290 with 23 home runs and 99 RBI, he also added 9 outfield assists. Guillen is a career .273 hitter with 189 home runs over 13 seasons with 9 different teams (Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, Anaheim Angels, Washington Nationals, Seattle and KC).
The 3rd party to join the Royals by way of Seattle, also in 2008 was pitcher Horacio Ramirez. Ramirez spent the 2007 season with the Mariners and had a nightmare of a season going 8-7 with a mammoth 7.16 ERA. Ramirez is currently sporting an 8.18 ERA for the Royals after doing well last season in 15 games for them. Kansas City is Ramirez's 4th major league team (Atlanta Braves, Seattle, Chicago White Sox and KC), he had most of his success with the Braves from 2003-2006 when he went 30-22 with a 4.13 ERA. Ramirez has a career 39-34 record and 4.65 ERA.
Last but not least ultra utility man Willie Bloomquist. Willie had spent his entire major league career with the Mariners up until this year. While with Seattle Bloomquist played everywhere except catcher and pitcher. Bloomquist isn't spectacular in any one area but he has always been solid at the plate with a career .327 on base average and .267 batting average. His biggest asset is his ability to play almost any position which is very valuable for any team. In his time with Seattle Bloomquist never was an everyday player as evidenced by him never getting more than 251 at bats in a season but this year he may give the Royals no choice but to find a spot for him. So far this year Bloomquist is hitting .378 in 44 at bats with a .463 on base average, 10 runs scored and 4 stolen bases.
I hope this gives Casey some insight into his new favorite team so when he watches them he doesn't shout things like "Great catch by the left fielder!!" and "That number 8 is sure good!", he can say "Free Willie!" sorry I mean "Go Willie!" or "Bloomer just crushed that split finger fastball"
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