Around the Kingdom: Nori Aoki, Tony Gonzalez, Jack Sock, and Sporting KC

The Royals continued their series against the Indians with an uninspired 7-3 loss in which neither the offense or defense played well. The Royals will need to make a 2nd half charge if they are to make the playoffs. Such hopes depend on getting more production from the offense.

The disappointing Nori Aoki is currently on the disabled list. When he returns, it will create something of a logjam in the outfield after the team acquired Raul Ibanez in his absence.

This year’s World Cup again set viewship records across the United States. Sporting KC wonders if they can once again parlay this quadrennial enthusiasm into a marketing bump for the team—-especially since the World Cup helped Sporting players Graham Zusi and Matt Besler raise their profile as world-class players.

In other sports news, Blue Valley North grad Jack Sock captured the doubles title at Wimbledon.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Kings of Kauffman – David Hill writes that the Royals will need to make a decision soon on Nori Aoki:

"In order for Nori Aoki to get consistent playing time at the major league level, Ibanez would likely need to prove that he is, indeed, the shell of himself that he appeared to be with the Angels."

The Hardball Times – Diane Firstman calls the Royals the “Anti-Three True Outcomes” team:

"You’ll also notice that few, if any, teams have been able to win even at a .550 clip without having a nine-percent homer-plus-walk rate. These Royals need only look at similarly walk and homer-challenged teams to realize their chances of a winning season are poor"

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Arrowhead Addict – Ben Nielsen points out four potential roster cuts the Chiefs might keep their eye on
CBSsports.com – ex-Chiefs great Tony Gonzalez writes about the unfair system facing Saints TE Jimmy Graham in his quest for a new contract:

"In the NBA, if you average 20 points and 10 rebounds, you will get a blockbuster deal no matter what position you play. In baseball, if you hit .300 or earn a Gold Glove, you’ll be flying private jets for the rest of your life. I can think of a few terms to describe what’s going on in the NFL like “backward,” “lack of common sense” or “behind the times” but the one that makes the most sense is “discrimination.” Salaries should be set based on production and contributions, not positions.p"

SPORTING KC

Kansas City Star – Sporting KC hopes to use World Cup bump to boost marketing:

"“I want to challenge the casual fans that watch the World Cup to start watching MLS,”[Matt] Besler said during his appearance on “SportsCenter” on Thursday morning. “Pick a team and start following us — because the quality is high.”"

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mls/sporting-kc/article676002.html#storylink=cpy

TENNIS

Kansas City Star – Blue Valley North grad Jack Sock captures Wimbledon Men’s Double Title:

"What made the victory even more impressive was the fact that Sock, now 21 years old, and Pospisil, a 24-year-old from Vernon, British Columbia, were playing as a team for the first time in this tournament. And Saturday’s match was their first on Centre Court at Wimbledon, the most famous tennis venue in the world."

There you have it KC fans—the news Around the Kingdom.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/tennis/article676335.html#storylink=cpy

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