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From the Sidelines: What could have been, and unfortunately what will be

Sports reporter

Imagine an outfield of Carlos Beltran, Johnny Damon, and Jermaine Dye.

Sound like part of an all-star lineup? Well, it could have been the 2005 outfield for the Kansas City Royals.

In fact, if not for small markets, deep pockets, and no revenue sharing, those three could have been bashing balls and running down would-be doubles for the past seven years in those nice royal blue and white uniforms.

Instead they are doing just that for the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox respectively.

OK, so Damon and Beltran play the same position, but I think they could have found room for both of them.

As of Monday, the big three had a combined .295 batting average, 42 home runs, 172 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases. Yes, Beltran is down in all categories, but he is still having a solid year.

Now look at the current Royals outfielders. Chip Ambres, David DeJesus, Emil Brown, Terrance Long, Matt Diaz, Shane Costa, and Eli Marrero, have all played outfield for the 38-73 Royals.

The seven combined are hitting just .270, with 30 home runs, 166 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases.

Not too far off the big three you say. Well, just remember that is only three guys, not to mention they would have some back ups who would be putting up a few numbers when they needed a day off.

Also, having three guys who hit like they do gives a team more roster space to fill other holes.

Now let's look at the infield. Mike Sweeney on first is great. Well, for about 133 games per year that is. Sweeney has landed on the DL at least once for the past four years. The only reason he is still a Royal is because of a special clause in his contract.

Four years ago it said if the Royals finished above .500 in the next three years, the contract would automatically extend until 2007. If they didn't it would expire in 2004.

That was a brilliant contract for Sweeney. It makes it look like he cares, but he knew there was no way the Royals would finish above .500.

Well, until 2003, that is. The Royals had a seven game division lead at the all-star break, only to blow it and finish in third place. Problem for Sweeney is, they still finished 83-79, causing him to call KC home for at least another four years.

The star is hitting .309 with 17 home runs, and 59 RBIs in just 327 at-bats. Imagine what he'd be hitting if the other three were in the lineup and the Royals stood in first place.

Short stop Angel Berroa won the 2003 Rookie of the Year Award, and his hitting .258 with seven home runs, and 30 RBIs. But his four stolen bases are well below his career average.

He too could benefit from a winning atmosphere, with evidence of his ROY campaign.

Mark Teahan has been solid for the Royals at third base, and looks to be a future star. But former Royal Joe Randa loves KC and put up solid numbers at 3B. His last two years with the Royals (2003-04) he averaged 12 home runs and 64 RBIs. KC couldn't afford The Joker (because he always has a smile on his face, even when he's batting) and lost him to free agency.

Had they been able to keep him, Teahan could have moved to second to make room for Randa.

The young John Buck has struggled at catcher, but shown some signs of potential, and could become the best Royals catcher since Mike Mcfarlane in the late '90s.

As for pitching, well the Royals have a lot of it (they've used 21 pitchers this year) but it's just plain awful (5.56 team ERA).

Paul Byrd won 17 games for KC in 2002, but now he's flying high for the Anaheim (I refuse to call them Los Angeles of Anaheim no matter what their real name is) Angels.

So, while the team's pitching is terrible, and pretty much has been for years, let's look at a what-could-have-been 2005 lineup that could have at least made up for that inflated ERA.

(Although free agency and large markets make this nearly impossible, it's still fun to imagine. Stats are as of Monday, with the last season each player was a member of the Royals in parentheses.)

1. Johnny Damon (2000), LF, .341 BA, 8 home runs, 53 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.

2. Angel Berroa (current), SS, .258-7-30-4.

3. Carlos Beltran (2004), CF, .270-13-59-8.

4. Mike Sweeney (current), 1B, .309-17-59-2.

5. Jermaine Dye (2001), RF, .268-21-60-8.

6. Matt Stairs (current), DH, .263-11-44-1.

7. Joe Randa (2004), 3B, .280-13-50-0.

8. Mark Teahan, (current), 2B, .249-3-31-5.

9. John Buck (current), C, .228-7-31-1.

That lineup could have done some damage, but with the paltry budget of the Royals, if they had that lineup they wouldn't have been able to afford a pitching staff.

Even if youngsters like Teahan, Buck, and current second baseman Ruben Gotay blossom into stars, Royals fans will probably have to watch them do so in another uniform.

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