Blair Stover

The Kansas City Royals’ minor league system is quite a number of years away from disseminating players around the diamond. But the presence of fill-in talent like Scott Podsednik can make the team better than they were last year especially if you consider the state of the American League Central division.

While a lot has been made of Scott Podsednik’s inferior defensive statistics, his speed and ability to bat lead off will improve what the Royals experienced the previous year. While he isnt the most proficient base stealer, he will draw more attention on the base paths – attention that will move away from pitching to David DeJesus.

So will this be the year the Royals can get over .500 and even contend? Many believe it is. The Royals haven’t won anything since 1985 and they haven’t been over .500 since 2003. The American League Central is balanced but Minnesota should have the edge this year. Its probably going to be another big year for Zack Greinke with the support of Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Joakim Soria.

The defense should be better with Chris Getz at second and Jason Kendall catching. Speed has arrived with Chris Getz. It’ll be a breakout year for Alex Gordon like Billy Butler in 2009, a career rebirth for Yuniesky Betancourt at shortstop and a David DeJesus season to get things going. .

Others are asking if Greinke can have another Cy Young-type season. That was definitely no fluke. His style and maturity have coincided with his natural talents and in-born baseball instincts so he will get better. He may not match his 2.16 ERA, but with more offensive help, Greinke could emerge as a 20-game winner. He’s a rare breed who only wants to play baseball and win. For more interesting stories, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.

Wondering whats new in Kansas City this February? Stay up to date by reading this short article that features big events you shouldnt miss!

On February 19, be sure to visit the American Royal Center for the Western Farm Show. This event features over 500 exhibitors occupying more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space. Youll see tractors and farm equipment, trailers, trucks, tools, seed, feed, buildings, chemicals, irrigation systems and other agribusiness products and services. The show starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. An adult ticket is $8 or just $5 if you have a discount coupon that you can get at any participating SouthWestern Association dealer and retailer. Admission is free for children 12 and under.

The Remodeling Show kicks off earlier at the same venue on February 12. This is Kansas City’s only consumer show dedicated to the remodeling and home improvement business. For over 20 years, hundreds of thousands of consumers attend the Remodeling Show to meet leading contractors, product suppliers and home service providers.

With an emphasis on quality, variety, and new products and services, this event is a melting pot for project-minded consumers who want to improve their homes and lifestyles. More than 300 exhibitors will be there with the latest products, services and ideas for transforming your house into your dream home. Admission is $8.50 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

Also on that date is the Metropolitan Lawn Garden Show. This is Kansas City’s top consumer show dedicated to the green industry. Featured products and services include landscaping, power equipment, statuary, lawn maintenance, water gardens, decks, seeds, plants and bulbs, patio furniture, mulch, bird houses and baths, trees, shrubbery, fountains, gazebos, fencing, driveways, stonework, pottery, garden tools, fertilizer, water garden accessories, and ornamental outdoor decor. For more interesting events, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.

Draft preparations were started in earnest by all 32 clubs. Now that the season has ended except for two remaining teams, the groundwork for free agency is already being established..

Some say its a watered-down version of free agency. One name that has appeared in circles at the Senior Bowl is Derrick Johnson. There were rumors during the season that the Kansas City Chiefs would move to trade the ex-first-round draft but that never occurred as he rode the pine all season instead.

Johnson maintained a nice attitude as a starter in the nickel package and created some big plays along the way, But none were bigger than the two interceptions he returned for touchdowns in the Chiefs season-ending 44-24 victory over Denver. Hes been called an underachiever in the past but none expected him to fall that far out of favor.

But what exactly will the Chiefs do with Johnson? That remains to be seen. He said at the end of the season that he wanted to meet with the front office to discuss his plans. If there wasn’t a starting spot moving forward, hes going to want out. However, Johnson, who is out of contract, doesnt have all the aces. Hes one of the players that will be trapped if there’s no extension of the collective bargaining agreement.

Kansas City might control his rights as a restricted free agent or maybe place the franchise or transition tag on him with hopes of moving him in a trade. That doesnt look too bad since it means hes headed to a team that wants him. Who knows what his value will be in a trade right now? Its fair to say the Chiefs didnt use it well it during the season. For more interesting stories, be sure to visit http://www.blairstover.com/.

Kansas City is Missouri’s largest and most populous city and the main city of the 15-county Kansas City Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the 29th largest metropolitan area in America with over 2 million people. When in Kansas City, be sure to check out these famous tourist attractions:

Worlds of Fun – offers family entertainment in over 175 acres of thrilling rides and great attractions. For roller coaster lovers, there’s the Boomerang, Timber Wolf, Spinning Dragons and Mamba which is considered one of the world’s top 25 roller coasters. Other popular attractions are Fury of the Nile and The Detonator, a ride that shoots riders up 200-foot towers. There are also plenty of kiddie rides too. Spend an entire day there with but remember to wear a good pair of walking shoes.

Kansas City Zoological Park – or the Kansas City Zoo is the 10th largest zoo in the USA and was named as one of America’s best zoos in 2008. This place is a must for nature lovers and attracts 700,000 people every year. It is divided into sections named after areas of the world from Africa to Australia. A guided train tour allows visitors to see the highlights of the park.

Historic Downtown Liberty – takes you back to a small town in mid-America that has 240 preserved homes and buildings built over a hundred years ago. Have your fill at different local, non-chain restaurants including a coffee bar in a book store, a restaurant in a former hardware store and an international restaurant. For shoppers and souvenir hunters, there are several shops that sell clothes, furniture, antiques, jewelry and flowers.

Choose your wild from tailgating before a Kansas City Chiefs game and seeing the Royals, to netting a fish or running a marathon. You’ll find it all in Kansas City, Missouri, that boasts of many sporting and recreational events for the young and old alike. Here are some things sports lovers shouldn’t miss:

The Kansas City Chiefs is a professional American football team and member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League. Originally called the Dallas Texans, the team was founded in 1960 by Lamar Hunt as a charter member of the American Football League. When the team moved to Kansas City in 1963, the Kansas City Chiefs was born.

From 1960 to 1969, the Chiefs became one of the most successful franchises in the American Football League (AFL). They won the league championship thrice and have the distinction of being the second AFL team (after the New York Jets) to defeat a National Football League club.

If you love baseball, the Kansas City Royals is a Major League Baseball team to watch. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium. The team has enjoyed  two World Series visits including a championship in 1985. The team derives its name from the American Royal, a livestock and horse show, and rodeo that has been held annually in Kansas City since 1899. The club was founded by Ewing Kauffman, a Kansas City businessman. Former US Senator Stuart Symington established the franchise when the previous major league team, the Athletics, relocated to Oakland, California.

Believe it or not, something big and exciting is always happening in Kansas City. This December, be sure to treat yourself to these great events that will most definitely warm your hearts.

“A Christmas Story: The Musical” – running till January 3, 2010, is the classic holiday stage play in an adaptation of the most beloved Christmas movie of all time. It tells the story of a naughty, bespectacled boy in small town America.

All Ralphie ever wanted was to have a BB-gun for Christmas despite repeated warnings of “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” Weeks before the big holiday, Ralphie and his friends encounter all sorts of trouble including run-ins with a yellow-eyed bully, a tongue frozen to a lamp post and a bar of soap in the mouth. This holiday tale captures the wonder of childhood with a wicked wit and a heart of gold. The play is staged at the Kansas City Repertory Theater, Spencer Theater located at 4949 Cherry Street Kansas City, Missouri.

Christmas in the Park – is one of Jackson County Parks and Recreation’s most celebrated events of the year that draws about 200,000 people. In this year’s drive-through event, 300,000 lights and 175 animated figures and splashes of Christmas color transform Longview Lake Park into an enchanting winter wonderland.

The event runs till December 25. Admission is free but donations are accepted and portions will be divided among 40 charities. Since it was first celebrated in 1988, Christmas in the Park has raised over $500,000.

Kansas City is my home, and is also the largest city in the state of Missouri.  It is approximately 250 miles west of St. Louis.  It is on the state line between Missouri and Kansas.  If you haven’t ever been here, I highly recommend you come at least once in your life.

Make sure you visit the Missouri side, as the Kansas side is mostly suburbs.  The Missouri side, on the other hand, boasts various points of interests.  Downtown is the main attraction.  It is a great place to visit, even if you’re only here on business for a day or two.

Right now, over 9 billion dollars in major improvements are under way.  At least 4.5 billion is going into downtown development.  It’s already full of eye catching architecture such as Mediterranean style buildings and beautiful fountains.  Our convention center houses one of the top ten largest ballrooms in the entire country.  It attracts ballroom dancers from all over the world.

Coming this winter, a performing arts center called The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is another exciting development to look forward to.  Downtown is not only a business hub, but it’s also a twenty four hour entertainment district.  We’re also proud of the Sprint Center, which holds almost twenty thousand guests for concerts and sporting events.

Additionally, there is a never ending list of museums, parks, and art galleries.  Come to Kansas City!

Here are some links to visit before you come:

http://www.visitkc.com/index.aspx

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501958-kansas_city_vacations-i

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/missouri/kansas-city

http://www.sprintcenter.com/