Pete LaCock played for the Royals from 1977-1980, appearing in 452 Kansas City games at first base and the outfield. A left handed hitter, LaCock was originally selected in the 1st round of the draft by the Chicago Cubs (1970) and spent parts of nine seasons at the Big League level with Chicago and KC. LaCock is the son of famous Hollywood Squares host Peter Marshall and the nephew of well-known film actress Joanne Dru. He recently joined Dave O to talk about his childhood, including how he didn’t even play baseball until age 14, the decision between taking a full ride to play football at Ohio State or signing with the Cubs, his favorite memories of his times in KC and tons more! (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
J.J. Picollo is in his 9th full season with the Royals and second as the Assistant General Manager of Scouting & Player Development. Originally from the Atlanta Braves organization, where he served as the Director of Minor League Operations, Picollo is a former professional catcher (Yankees system) and a graduate of George Mason University. He recently joined Dave O to talk about SEVERAL “under the radar” prospects currently in the Royals organization but also, a profile of his life in baseball, from playing under Coach Dayton Moore at GMU to catching in the minor leagues, how he later became a scout with Atlanta and loads more. Extremely interesting chat for ANY baseball fan. (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Dusty Hughes pitched for Kansas City from 2009-2010, appearing in 65 games with a 4.09 ERA and 6.3 SO/9. Drafted by the Royals in the 11th round of the 2003 Draft (Delta State University), the 5-10 lefty also pitched for the Minnesota Twins during the 2011 campaign. Hughes recently joined Dave O to talk about the whole journey, from being selected and coming up through the Royals minor leagues to his times in KC and at his favorite off-field hotspot, Koyoto Sushi & Steak. A great interview with a man who deeply loves the Royals. (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Brandon Finnegan is in his second season at the Big League level after becoming the first player in baseball history to pitch in both the College World Series and MLB World Series in the same year. Drafted by the Royals with their 1st pick in the 2014 draft (17th overall), the 5-11 southpaw appeared in seven post-season games in 2014, including two during the Fall Classic. He became just the 5th player in MLB history to earn his first win in the playoffs (Game 2 of the ALDS). Brandon recently joined Dave O to discuss plenty of baseball but also shoes, tattoos, music and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Alex Luna was selected by the Royals in the 10th round (309th pick overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft out of UAB. A 6-5 right-hander, Luna fought through a case of mono this past spring to post a 3-3 record and 3.44 ERA. That came on the heels of a tremendous junior season in which Luna went 7-1 with an ERA of 1.76 en route to becoming a 2014 All-Conference USA Second Team selection. Luna’s 3.63 career ERA ranks 4th all-time at UAB. He recently joined Dave O to talk about having Tommy John surgery as a high school junior, fighting through his senior season at UAB with mono, how a big order of Royals hats are on their way to Huntsville, Alabama and lots more! (Photo Courtesy UAB SID)
Andre Davis was selected by the Royals in the 8th round (249th pick overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft yesterday out of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. A 6-6, 225 pound left handed pitcher, Davis was a 2015 First Team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer based on his work at first base (.364/6/39) and out of the bullpen (2-2, 2.28, 35 K/27.2 IP). Andre recently joined Dave O to talk about how he’d only thrown ONE INNING in college prior to this year, how he never in a million years thought being drafted as possible before this spring, how completely giddy he is to report to Surprise and tons more! (Photo Courtesy University of Arkansas Pine Bluff SID)
Anderson Miller was selected by the Royals in the 3rd round (98th pick overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft yesterday out of Western Kentucky University. The 6-3 lefty center fielder hit leadoff for WKU this season and was named a First-Team All-Conference selection after being at or near the top of the league in many categories, including home runs (12), walks (41) and on-base percentage (.419). Miller joined Dave O less than 24 hours after being selected to introduce himself to Royals Nation and talk about his excitement over joining the KC organization, potentially hitting up Trevor Vance to become a grounds crew intern, how an injury his freshman year of college ended up being a blessing and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Western Kentucky University SID)
Joey Markus was selected by the Royals in the 9th round (279th pick overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft yesterday out of Indian River State College (Fort Pierce, Florida). A 6-6, 230 pound southpaw, Markus is originally from DeLand, Florida and didn’t begin pitching until the last two years. Joey is beyond excited to become a Royal and recently joined Dave O to talk about the craziness of the last 24 hours – including no sleep – how the Royals first found him, how they’ve been his favorite team even before they drafted him and much more! (Photo Courtesy Joey Markus)
Tom Gamboa coached for the Royals from 2001-2003, including stints in both the bullpen and at first base. Currently the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets organization), Gamboa has over 40 years of experience in professional baseball but unfortunately, is often remembered for being the victim of an on-field attack by two “fans” at Comiskey Park on September 19th of 2002. Gamboa recently joined Dave O to talk VERY frankly about the attack and how it’s changed his life, how much he LOVED his times in Kansas City, many great stories about his minor league managing days and lots more! (Photo Courtesy Kansas City Royals)
Malcom Culver was drafted by the Royals in the 8th round of the 2008 June Amateur Draft and chose to sign with Kansas City over playing football and baseball at San Diego State. The winner of the Mike Sweeney Award this year, Culver has twice represented the Royals in the Arizona Fall League (2012 and 2013) and currently pitches for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals after trying his hand as an infielder in the Royals system from 2008-2010. Malcom recently joined Dave O and talked about choosing baseball over football, why the Royals moved him from the infield to the mound, a detailed description of his pitching arsenal and much more! (Photo Courtesy John Owen/Northwest Arkansas Naturals)