Historically Speaking: Guess Who's Back

I've said it before, but the quickness with which these weeks blow by never ceases to amaze me. The Royals return to action this evening with a three-game home series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Post-break lineup moves for Kansas City include optioning Tony Pena, Jr. for assignment, sending Mitch Maier to Omaha, recalling Alex Gordon, activating Yuniesky Betancourt, and a possible recall of Sir Sidney Ponson, pending further assessment of Gil Meche's back. Tonight's starters at the K are James Shields for the Rays and Brian Bannister for the home team.

Tomorrow night's 6:10 start pits Scott Kazmir against Zack Greinke, and there will be a few special guests in attendance. So dust off your gear and let's go Royals.

Your daily dump of history, after the jump.

* Today in 1902, Baltimore and St. Louis were slated to play a game of baseball. Baltimore, having only five players available, forfeited the game, and later forfeited their franchise, sending it back to the American League.

* The Brooklyn Dodger team that took the field today in 1954 was an historic roster, as it was the first ever to consist of mostly African-American players.

* New York Yankee Don Mattingly, on this day in 1987, hit a home run in a winning effort against the Texas Rangers, giving the slugger a long ball in seven consecutive games.

* Brazil and Italy got together for a World Cup final today in 1994. Brazil took the victory in a shootout, their fourth tournament win.

* The Minnesota Twins lost a 1-0 game to the Boston Red Sox in 1990, but they became the first club in Major League Baseball history to turn two triple plays in a contest.

And your Sports Illustrated quote of the day came from the mouth of...



...golf pro Derek Hardy, who, in 1982, was asked why he charged $1000 for a single lesson but #$140 for a series of 13. His answer: "If you expect a miracle, you should expect to pay for one."