Joel Booked for First Show at the K Since '79

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January 20, 2018 LOCAL LOCAL Joel booked for first show at The K Joel booked for first show at The K since '79 since '79 Royals Hall of Famer Brett announces Sept. 21 Royals Hall of Famer Brett announces Sept. 21 concert concert January 19, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com January 19, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/billy-joel-will-perform-at- https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/billy-joel-will-perform-at- kauffman-stadium/c-264938422 kauffman-stadium/c-264938422 Billy Joel will play Kauffman For the first time in 39 years, Kauffman Stadium will host a Stadium, first concert there since 1979 concert not associated with a baseball game. January 19, 2018 By Timothy Finn/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/ent-columns- Royals legend George Brett made the announcement at a blogs/back-to-rockville/article195544729.html news conference inside Kauffman Stadium on Friday, Seven strange-but-true connections revealing that another legend, Billy Joel, will perform at The K on Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. between careers of George Brett and Billy Joel "When I was playing," Brett said, "there wasn't a single act that was bigger than Billy Joel. I'm really excited about this. January 19, 2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star This is going to be something." http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- petes-sake/article195572199.html Tickets will go on sale to the public starting Jan. 26 at 10 Billy Joel coming to Kauffman a.m. CT at royals.com/billyjoel. Stadium in September The most recent concert at Kauffman Stadium was in 1979 January 19, 2018 By Chris Oberholtz/KCTV5.com and featured REO Speedwagon. http://www.kctv5.com/story/37283943/billy-joel-coming-to- kauffman-stadium-in-september Joel, who has sold over 150 million records, is the third- Billy Joel to play Kauffman's first largest selling solo artist of all time. concert in 39 years The stage for the concert will be on the field in deep center January 19, 2018 KSHB.com beneath Kauffman Stadium's 84-by-104-foot scoreboard. https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kauffman-to-host- first-concert-in-39-years Dave Gerardi of Live Nation Entertainment, which is Never underestimate the influence of producing the event, joked that Royals groundskeeper Trevor the agents Vance, "Shouldn't be nervous. We'll have it all under control." January 19, 2018 By Lee Judge/LeeJudgeKC.wordpress.com After Brett finished speaking at the news conference, Toby https://leejudgekc.wordpress.com/2018/01/19/never- Cook, Royals vice president of publicity, shared some underestimate-the-influence-of-the-agents/ remarkable similarities and coincidences between Brett's career and Joel's:

NATIONAL • Brett started his pro career in 1971. Joel released his first album "Cold Spring Harbor" in 1971. Blue Jays land Grichuk from Cards • Brett made his Major League debut in 1973, the same year for 2 arms that Joel's first hit, "Piano Man," cracked the Billboard Top Right-hander Leone, pitching prospect Greene 100. headed to St. Louis for outfielder January 19, 2018 By Gregor Chisholm/MLB.com • Brett became the first Major Leaguer to win batting titles in https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-trade-for-of-randal- three different decades -- the 1970s, '80s and '90s. Joel had grichuk/c-265032622 No. 1 singles and albums in all three decades.

Musing on slow-moving market for • Brett retired in 1993. Joel released his last album of original Moose songs in 1993 ("River of Dreams"). Several factors could be cooling pursuit of free- • Brett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. agent 3B Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in January 19, 2018 By Mark Feinsand/MLB.com 1999. https://www.mlb.com/news/why-market-is-slow-moving-for- mike-moustakas/c-265050690 "And we'll both be at The K on September 21st," Brett said. MLB TRANSACTIONS Billy Joel will play Kauffman January 20, 2018 •.CBSSports.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions Stadium, first concert there since 1979 January 19, 2018 By Timothy Finn/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/ent-columns- 3. Brett made multiple All-Star teams and went to the blogs/back-to-rockville/article195544729.html playoffs from the late 1970s through the 1980s. Joel had multiple No. 1 singles and albums in the late 1970s and 80s, Billy Joel is coming back to Kansas City, but when he takes including “Glass Houses” in 1980, the year Brett hit .390 and center stage this time, he’ll be in centerfield at Kauffman won the AL MVP. Stadium. 4. Brett and the Royals won the World Series in 1985. Joel Friday morning, the Kansas City Royals and Live Nation released his “Greatest Hits, Volumes I and II” in 1985. announced that Joel will perform at the home of the 2015 World Champions on Sept. 21. Tickets go on sale Jan. 26. 5. Brett was the first major-league player to win batting titles Prices range from $49 to $149.50. in three different decades (1976, 1980, 1990). Joel had No. 1 singles and albums in those three decades. It will be the first concert at the stadium since September 1979, when then-Royals Stadium hosted a bill that comprised 6. Brett retired in 1993. Joel released his last album with Santana, REO Speedwagon, the Little River Band and Pat original songs, “River of Dreams,” in 1993. Travers. 7. Brett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. This is the fourth announced stadium show in Kansas City Joel was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in this year. The three others are at Arrowhead: Kenny Chesney 1999. on July 14, Taylor Swift on Sept. 8 and Ed Sheeran on Oct. Billy Joel coming to Kauffman 13. Stadium in September Joel’s most recent performance in Kansas City was in May January 19, 2018 By Chris Oberholtz/KCTV5.com 2015 at the Sprint Center. His previous performance was at http://www.kctv5.com/story/37283943/billy-joel-coming-to- Sprint Center in February 2010 when he shared the bill with kauffman-stadium-in-september Elton John. Billy Joel will be coming to Kansas City for a concert at Joel recently announced a show at Citizens Bank Park, home Kauffman Stadium. of the Philadelphia Phillies. According to that show’s ticket map, the stage is in deep centerfield, facing home plate. The concert will take place Friday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. This Twelve seated section fill the outfield, plus the sound booth. performance will be Joel’s first ever stadium appearance in Kansas City and the first concert at Kauffman Stadium in 39 Kauffman Stadium has hosted several post-game concerts years. over the years, including the Zac Brown Band during MLB All-Star Game festivities in 2012. Royals Stadium regularly Tickets start at $49.50 and go on sale to the general public hosted concerts in the 1970s, including the annual Summer Friday, Jan. 26, at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at Jams. royals.com/billyjoel.

Among the stars who performed: Kansas, the Steve Miller However, KCTV5 News is giving you the chance to win Band, Van Halen, the Climax Blues Band, Head East, Ted tickets before you can buy them! Watch KCTV5 News This Nugent, Fleetwood Mac, the Band, the Beach Boys, the Morning all next week at 6 a.m. and look for the daily code Allman Brothers, T. Rex and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. word. Two winners will be selected each day for a pair of Seven strange-but-true connections tickets each. between careers of George Brett and “Kauffman Stadium has hosted four World Series and an All- Billy Joel Star Game since its last concert in 1979,” Royals Senior Vice President of Business Operations Kevin Uhlich said. “We are January 19, 2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star extremely excited to once again bring live music back to our http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for- venue, and we can’t think of a better artist to do that than the petes-sake/article195572199.html ‘Piano Man’ himself, Billy Joel. This promises to be an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime concert." Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett was excited to reveal Friday that Billy Joel will be playing at Kauffman Stadium Kansas City Royals season ticket holders will have the later this year. opportunity to purchase tickets on Wednesday before the general public. “I have seen this man in concert before and I will be here on Sept. 21 as he is one of my all-time favorites,” Brett said Joel is one of the biggest concert draws in the world and Friday. continues this achievement with an impressive run of sold- out consecutive stadium shows and concert arenas. Oddly, the careers of Brett and Joel have many shared connections. Royals vice president of publicity Toby Cook Having sold 150 million records over the past quarter- shared these notes with The Star: century, scoring 33 consecutive Top 40 hits, Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected 1. George Brett started his professional baseball career in entertainers in history. Billings, Mont., in 1971. Billy Joel released his first album, “Cold Spring Harbor,” in 1971. The singer/songwriter/composer is the sixth best-selling recording artist of all time and the third best-selling solo 2. Brett made his Major League debut in 1973. Joel’s first artist. Billboard Top 100 release, “Piano Man,” hit in 1973. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected “Piano Man” for the player listens and starts swinging for the fences, it’s not preservation in the National Recording Registry for its unusual for that player to slump. For most players to hit “cultural, historic, and artistic significance.” home runs they have to pull the ball into a short corner of the Billy Joel to play Kauffman's first park and to pull the ball the player has to swing sooner and when a player swings sooner it’s easier for that player to get concert in 39 years fooled by a pitch. January 19, 2018 KSHB.com https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kauffman-to-host- Whether or not you buy the theory that an agent can get into first-concert-in-39-years a player’s head and make him slump, it’s an interesting idea. Obviously, the pitchers and defenders the player faces still Come fall, Billy Joel will play Kauffman Stadium's first matter, but if an agent convinces a player to alter his concert in 39 years, team officials and event organizers approach, that would have some kind of effect. announced Friday. If a player gets upset, he might call his agent The September 21 event will be the first time the ball field has served as a stage since an REO Speedwagon concert in Another time I had another guy who had been around the big 1979, back when the venue was still called Royals Stadium. leagues a while explain what might happen if a coach and a player get in an argument. The piano man played a baseball park across the state in 2017, packing Busch Stadium the same day last September. If the coach insists the player needs to do something and the player doesn’t want to, the player might call his agent to Live Nation, the company organizing the event, expects The complain about the coach. Then the agent calls the team GM K will hold between 35,000 and 40,000 fans for the concert. to complain about the coach and now the coach is the one in trouble. If a team has to choose between an expensive player "This is the type of concert that everyone will always on a multi-year contract and a relatively inexpensive coach remember. You will always remember that you were at Billy on a one-year deal, that might be an easy choice. Joel for the first concert in 39 years. We love to put together those big events in big venues that haven't been done before," And agents can influence how a team is managed. explained Dave Gerardi, the president of Live Nation Midwest. There are people who advocate using a team’s closer in the seventh inning if necessary, but if a manager makes a habit of The Royals had Hall of Famer George Brett make the doing that, the closer might call his agent and the agent might announcement Friday morning. The Royals pointed out call the GM. Closers get paid for saves and if the manager is several uncanny parallels between the careers of Brett and giving those saves to someone else, the closer and his agent Joel. For example, Brett earned batting titles in three decades. might not be happy. And Joel released number one songs in the same three decades: 70s, 80s and 90s. The same goes for getting starting pitchers wins.

"George retired in 1993. Joel's last original single was in If the starter has a lead the manager will probably do 1993. George was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in everything he can get to the starter through five innings so he 1999. Billy Joel was inducted into the rock 'n' roll Hall of can qualify for the win. Pull a starting pitcher with a lead Fame in 1999. Both are scheduled to be here on September after 4 2/3s innings and you might have a very unhappy 21," said Toby Cook, a Royals spokesman. starting pitcher and that unhappy starting pitcher might call his agent to complain. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, January 26, at 10 a.m. on the Royals website. Season ticket holders can buy Players get paid for the numbers they put up and managers tickets early, on Wednesday, January 24. who help those players achieve those numbers are popular. It’s easy to suggest managers use their closers in the seventh Cook said the Royals plan to hold two to three concerts per inning if you don’t have to deal with the consequences of that year at Kauffman Stadium over the next several years. decision. But big league managers who want to stay big Never underestimate the influence of league managers need to think about keeping their players and their players’ agents happy. the agents January 19, 2018 By Lee Do agents work for players or do players work for agents? Judge/LeeJudgeKC.wordpress.com https://leejudgekc.wordpress.com/2018/01/19/never- This comes up because the San Diego Padres have apparently underestimate-the-influence-of-the-agents/ made an offer to Eric Hosmer and Padres Executive Chairman Ron Fowler has been quoted by the San Diego Once upon a time a guy who had been around the big leagues Union-Tribune as saying this: a while suggested I pay attention to what certain players did during and right after a series in Los Angeles. I was told not “I think we were pretty creative in the way we put a contract to be surprised if those players performed poorly in LA and proposal together. We like it. I don’t know if Mr. Boras likes in the next series or two that followed. it, but that’s probably another story.”

When I asked why, here’s what I was told: The interesting thing about that quote is Fowler is talking about making an offer that appeals to Scott Boras, not Eric There are a lot of sports agents in LA and when ballplayers Hosmer. We think about teams making offers to players, but visit that city it’s not unusual for players to spend time with it might be the agents who are making the decisions. their agents. If those agents get into a player’s ear and tell him he could make more money if he hit more home runs and Bottom line: if you want to understand how big league additions of Grichuk, Diaz and Yangervis Solarte, most of baseball really works, never underestimate the influence of the starters remain. the agents. Instead of adding a big name this offseason, the Blue Jays are banking on a return to health as the primary way to improve. NATIONAL Full seasons from Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki and Devon Travis would certainly help, but if the injuries become a problem once again, at least Toronto is in a better position Blue Jays land Grichuk from Cards to handle them. for 2 arms Right-hander Leone, pitching prospect Greene The Blue Jays still have some flexibility to make additional moves, but the focus now shifts to the pitching staff. Toronto headed to St. Louis for outfielder remains in the market for a fifth starter, and following the January 19, 2018 By Gregor Chisholm/MLB.com departure of Leone, another piece in the bullpen could be https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-trade-for-of-randal- needed as well. grichuk/c-265032622 "I think at this point [it's] pitching," Atkins said. "If there's a The Blue Jays' potential Opening Day lineup received a little way to improve our position player roster, we'll look to do bit more clarity on Friday afternoon when Toronto acquired that. At this point that would mean subtraction, or other outfielder Randal Grichuk in a three-player trade with the players being optioned. We have a little bit of uncertainty Cardinals. around playing time for some of our players so we have to build as much depth as possible." Right-hander Dominic Leone and prospect Conner Greene were sent to St. Louis as part of the deal. It marks the second Musing on slow-moving market for move between these organizations this offseason, coming on Moose the heels of a December trade that saw infielder Aledmys Diaz join Toronto. Several factors could be cooling pursuit of free- agent 3B Grichuk immediately becomes the heavy favorite to replace January 19, 2018 By Mark Feinsand/MLB.com free agent Jose Bautista as the Blue Jays' starting right https://www.mlb.com/news/why-market-is-slow-moving-for- fielder. The 26-year-old is coming off a season in which he mike-moustakas/c-265050690 hit 22 home runs over 412 at-bats for the Cards. While nothing is guaranteed, Toronto envisions using him as an Mike Moustakas finished last season with 38 home runs, everyday player. setting a Royals franchise record. He entered the offseason with expectations of an exciting offseason filled with teams "I think he'll have the best chance of our group to take that eagerly vying for his services. position over for us in right field," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. "But the fact is, we have options and we'll Yet here we are in mid-January and the third baseman -- like have some balance. In today's game, asking someone to get many other prominent free agents -- remains unsigned. So 700 plate appearances is a lot. There are very few players where will Moustakas wind up? who are doing it day in and day out. So where that number ends up, we'll see, but I think he has the best chance at the There are a number of reasons why the market for the 29- outset to be the regular for us." year-old appears fairly limited: the trade market, the qualifying offer and the star-studded free-agent class Toronto's outfield appears somewhat set following the trade expected to hit the market next offseason. Not to mention the and the recent signing of Curtis Granderson. Grichuk is game is currently loaded with elite third basemen. expected to start in right field with Kevin Pillar in center and a platoon of Granderson and Steve Pearce in left. That Let's break down where things stand with Moose: scenario would leave Ezequiel Carrera without a job and the prospect duo of Anthony Alford and Teoscar Hernandez The trade market beginning the year at Triple-A Buffalo. The Giants were in the market for a third baseman this offseason, and while Moustakas was continually connected to Carrera recently avoided arbitration by signing a one-year San Francisco early in the offseason, general manager Bobby deal worth $1.9 million. He has spent the majority of the past Evans opted instead to acquire Evan Longoria from the Rays. two seasons as Toronto's fourth outfielder, but there's no longer a clear path to playing time now. He could be shopped The Cardinals have reportedly spent a lot of time trying to to fill a hole elsewhere or it's possible Carrera will stick as pry Josh Donaldson away from the Blue Jays, while several additional insurance during Spring Training. teams have been trying to deal for Orioles star Manny Machado. With names such as those floating around as "We have to stay open about all of the players on our roster," possibilities (no matter how remote), it makes sense that Atkins said when asked about a possible move. "If there's any teams would continue to exhaust those options before turning way to make our team better, more fluid, provide more to free agents such as Moustakas or Todd Frazier. versatility, we'll look to do that." The qualifying offer If Grichuk becomes the final piece of significance the Blue Moustakas rejected the Royals' qualifying offer, which would Jays add this offseason, the question will become whether have paid him $17.4 million in 2018 had he accepted. Given Toronto did enough to improve its offense. The Blue Jays the industry-wide expectations for his contract -- many, ranked last in the American League with 693 runs scored, including MLB.com's Jim Duquette, projected Moustakas to and while the team undeniably has more depth following the land a deal worth $80 million to $100 million over five or six years -- it was no surprise that he rejected the qualifying Moustakas the type of deal he may have envisioned when the offer. offseason began. MLB TRANSACTIONS The new rule changes regarding Draft-pick compensation January 20, 2018 •.CBSSports.com prevent any teams signing free agents from losing their first- http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions round Draft pick, but for some teams, bringing in a player such as Moustakas still comes at a hefty price. TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION The Yankees, as a team that exceeded the luxury tax threshold in 2017, would have to give up their second- and fifth-highest selections from the 2018 Draft as well as $1 million of their international bonus pool to sign Moustakas. Baltimore Signed to a Minor League So even if the third baseman decided to roll the dice and sign Eddie Gamboa a one-year deal, it's extremely unlikely that the Yanks -- who Orioles Contract don't have an established third baseman -- would give up two Draft picks and the bonus pool money to sign a player to a short-term contract. Los Angeles Donovan Signed to a Minor League Frazier and Eduardo Nunez, on the other hand, do not have Draft-pick compensation attached, making them far more Dodgers Solano Contract attractive options for the Yankees if they can sign either to a short-term deal.

Wait 'til next year … or the year after that Minnesota Jermaine Signed to a Minor League For teams looking to add a big-money third baseman, next Twins Curtis Contract year's free-agent market looks to be quite appealing. Both Machado and Donaldson are set to become free agents next offseason, while Nolan Arenado and Anthony Rendon are slated to hit the open market after the 2019 season. New York Kevin Outrighted to Minors Locking up the third-base spot with a player such as Mets McGowan Moustakas might not make sense for a club that is looking ahead at future free-agent classes, which could mean shorter- term offers for him.

One executive suggested that a team could get creative with Seattle Chasen Acquired Off Waivers From an offer, giving Moustakas a deal similar to the one the Mets Mariners Bradford from Mets, NY Mets gave Jay Bruce ($39 million over three years) with an opt-out clause after either the first or second year. That would give Moustakas an opportunity to hit the market again at age 30 or 31, though he would then be competing for contracts with the Texas Signed to a Minor League four previously mentioned stars. Curt Casali Rangers Contract Great expectations According to a source, teams expressed early interest in Moustakas but had second thoughts after hearing his asking price. The Angels had been frequently tagged as a potential Texas Signed to a Minor League destination for Moustakas, but Los Angeles moved quickly Adam Loewen (well, quickly for this market, anyway) and signed Zack Rangers Contract Cozart to a three-year, $38 million contract to fill its hole at third base.

"He's a solid player, but not a star," one general manager said. "When you see what Bruce got from the Mets, it's hard to see Moustakas getting more than that."

Despite Moustakas' power surge last year -- his 38 homers were 16 more than his previous career high -- he had an uninspiring .314 on-base percentage to raise his career OBP to .305. Although that .314 mark was the second highest of his career, his walk rate was down thanks to a .272 batting average that was 25 points higher than his lifetime average prior to 2017.

Bottom line A return to Kansas City seems possible, especially if the Royals are unable to successfully bring back Eric Hosmer. Aside from Kansas City, the Braves and Mets are two other logical candidates, though it's unlikely that either will give