Greetings Brethren:

At least the bar has not been set too high on the submission of writings to From The Bullpen this season, so, even if this is not entertaining, I think I am OK, for just getting it written and published. Skipper, come back, we miss you!

Standings for week ending June 10:

Clearly there is still a long ways to go and there is still a race.  To climb from 9th to first might be a bit much, but the top half and even a money position is not out of the question (unless you actually look at my team.)  I like the Highlanders chances, but there is clearly going to be a race to the finish.  The Scotsmen are not going to run away with it.

Top Ten Hitters:

Is anyone else surprised to see 4 National League shortstops in the Top 10?  What happened to all the outfielders?  Of the top ten only 2 are outfielders and that is if you count Sheffield as an outfielder as he is playing as much first base and DH, I believe.

Top Ten Pitchers:

That 28th Round acorn, sure stands out for the Chiefs.  Beckett in the 11th was an absolute steal.

Random thoughts:   I really don’t have any other kind of thoughts.  Writing of this edition was delayed by the fact that this week I am applying to become a District Court Judge.  The application form has taken me literally hours and hours to write. They wanted to know everything about me, including my third grade teacher.  So when you guys get contacted by the KBI, please say nice things. Not sure it was a good thing to list fantasy baseball as a hobby...the connotations might not be all that good. (Just kidding) In any event, it is a complete long-shot, but who knows, maybe next time you see me, you will be obligated to bow and genuflect appropriately.

Yesterday was the 18th anniversary of one of my all-time favorite games, that I think I have written about before.......the 23-22 game at Wrigley field Phillies over Cubs....50 hits, 109 at bats, Mike Schmidt hits two homes including the game winner and Dave Kingman hits 3 for the losing Cubs.

Took the family to the Royals game Friday night...was treated to a win over the Marlins. My boy Gil Meche on the mound for the home town team.  He has been a pleasant surprise.  3.00 ERA.  Has a losing record, mostly because the Royals never score any runs for him.  Maybe Dayton Moore does know what he is doing.  The Royals still have problems galore, but are showing signs of improvement.  Most importantly it looks like Alex Gordon may becoming out of a season-long slump.

We here in KC have been taking solace in the comparisons between Gordan and Mike Schmidt’s first full season in the majors: 1973 Schmidt played in 132 games, had 367 at bats; hit .196, with a .324 OBP, 18 Home runs, 52 RBI, with 136 strikeouts.  So there is hope for Gordan yet.  It looks like the Royals are giving no consideration to sending him to Omaha to pick things up.  In part that is due to the fact that they have no other viable option at 3rd base. 

All that having been said, I am fearful that the Royals are in the process of screwing up Billy Butler.  Enjoy him in Omaha.  He does not really look like a baseball player and watching him go after a ball in the outfield earlier this season was painful, but the boy can rake.

“Pardon the Interruption” on ESPN is possibly the best sport show on television.  Plenty of folks hate Tony Kornheiser on Monday Night Football, but on this show he is very good and Michael Wilbon may be the most reasonable and rational sports commentators around. I don’t often get home early enough to see it, but when I do, I really enjoy it. Other than that ESPN is going down hill.  Too much NFL in the off season...too much Yankees and Red Sox and way too much Barry Bonds.  I am trying to like Eric Young on Baseball tonight, but having a hard time. Orel Hershiser is great, however.

I truly have enjoyed the Message Board Banter of late.  Even the political stuff.  We are an eclectic bunch for sure.......it is not often that we have references to Franklin Pierce and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain...that is part of the reason I enjoy this so much.  Say hello to Ernie for me.  See you all in Detroit.  ( I would tell you to watch out for the Blues, but I don’t believe it myself.  Too many holes and not enough available hole fillers)

McBlunder