Kansas City Baseball Vault

The Royals have clinched the AL Central, but the rough September has raised some questions.

We brought up some of those concerns and discussed how this year's team is different from last year's.
But we didn't want to dwell on the negatives, because this Royals team has a lot going for it. So we compared last year's offense to this year's. We raved about roster flexibility and safety nets in case of injury.

And we also talked about why not having home field advantage for the ALCS isn't something to panic about.

Recorded 9/29/15

Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to [email protected].

This week, we talked about the demotion of Greg Holland and its impact on the bullpen plus the game of musical chairs taking place with the pitching staff. Appropriately, we recorded during a particularly disastrous Jeremy Guthrie start...

Then we talked about Alex Rios's hot streak, Kendrys Morales's huge Sunday, and the depth of the Royals' lineup this year.

After a break, we checked in on the playoff standings and the potential matchups ahead, including some of the weaknesses the other teams have that make them less scary.

Recorded 9/22/15

Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to [email protected].

This week on the Vault we took a look at some of the key players on this Royals team. We discussed the breakout seasons of Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain, as well as talked about the performances of Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura lately.

Then we discussed other AL contenders, taking a look at which teams might be the toughest matchups in October and compared a few records - in one-run games, at home, on the road, etc. - to make our choice.

Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to [email protected].

With Retro Night coming up this weekend, we dipped into the archives to bring you three interviews with some former Kansas City Royals.

First, we talked with Buddy Biancalana, shortstop for the 1985 World Series championship team. He talked about getting into the zone, using fear as a motivator, and his World Series experience.

Then, we talked with Greg Pryor, also from that 1985 team. He talked about the memorable experience of Game 6 and winning Game 7, his favorite coaches throughout the years, and some wild baseball days he was a part of, like Disco Demolition Night, and the Pine Tar Game.

Finally, we talked with Royals Hall of Famer Freddie Patek. Patek discussed the seasons he enjoyed most, making it as a smaller player, grooming Frank White, and playing tough all the time.

Note: These interviews were recorded in the summer of 2012. Which makes one of Patek's responses very interesting.

Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to [email protected].

Manager Brian Poldberg talks about the Chasers victory over Memphis, Cheslor Cuthbert's maturing and being named BA Best AAA Managing prospect.

Cuthbert discusses his big HR tonight for Omaha and getting his timing back after sitting quite a few games in KC.

Well, the Royals found themselves in the middle of the diamond in a scrum again, this time trading words with Toronto over the weekend.

As a result, the Royals are wearing the "bad boy" tag again, after a couple months of no such incidents. Jeff and Mike talked about the fallout from that series and the perception - again - that the Royals are troublemakers.

Then we talked about the trading deadline and the teams that improved and what it means for the rest of the AL and the Royals, plus the matchups that might best benefit the Royals.

Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to [email protected].

Vance Wilson, manager of the NW Arkansas Naturals discusses today's Sean Manaea trade.