Royals in big need of immediate boost to save Muser's job

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Getting Tony Muser fired is the last thing in the world Chuck Knoblauch wants in his first season in Kansas City. <br><br>Nevertheless, in a roundabout, unwitting way, that might

Saturday, March 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Getting Tony Muser fired is the last thing in the world Chuck Knoblauch wants in his first season in Kansas City.

Nevertheless, in a roundabout, unwitting way, that might be exactly what the Royals' new leadoff hitter does.

Referring mainly to Knoblauch, who is being counted on to give a listless offense an immediate boost, general manager Allard Baird says, ``We feel we've done some things to put us in a position to win more games. This team cannot tolerate a bad start.''

In other words, anything like the faltering getaway that led to club-record 97-loss seasons in 1999 and 2001 will almost certainly mean the end of a managerial run that many critics say has lasted too long already.

Bucky Dent, hired this year to manage Triple-A Omaha, had better rent in Nebraska and not buy.

``Whatever happens, happens,'' said Muser, who is 107 games below .500 in 4 1/2 seasons.

``We're going to match up as best we can, then we're going to go out and have some fun and try to win some games and that's the way I'm looking at it,'' Muser said.

Without doubt, leadoff was a major problem last year. Muser tried eight different guys and the Royals still had an AL-worst .318 on-base percentage.

But to the detriment of Muser's prospects for continued employment, the Royals' starting pitching could once again be so ineffective no leadoff hitter can help.

It is basically the same staff that gave up more walks (576) and home runs (209) than any other AL team but Texas.

Not one starter has an overall winning record in the major leagues. Jeff Suppan, who draws the opening day assignment against Minnesota, was 10-14 with a 4.37 ERA last year and that was good enough to be the Royals' pitcher of the year.

Dan Reichert, a right-hander, moved all the way up from middle relief to No. 2 starter with a good spring. But he's only 18-22 lifetime.

Then there's Paul Byrd, 31, who was 6-6 after coming over from Philadelphia in June and is 35-35 overall.

Then there's left-hander Darrell May, who was 32-31 the past four years in Japan and 2-2 in 1995-96 in brief stints with Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Anaheim. The Royals tried hard to hide their disappointment as May struggled all spring with a fastball that was almost indistinguishable from his changeup.

``He's still adjusting to a new league, a new country,'' Muser said.

The final week of spring training was spent trying to cull a fifth starter from between Chad Durbin (9-16, 4.93 last year) and 22-year-old Chris George (4-8, 5.59), who mixed a couple of good outings with some poor ones.

Waiting in the bullpen, perhaps ready to win the job by default, was Blake Stein (7-8, 4.74 with one save).

``We don't have a lot of Cy Youngs on our staff,'' Muser said.

Another key to Muser's fate is closer Roberto Hernandez, a notoriously slow starter whose own confidence never seems to waver. The 11-year veteran was 5-6 with an ERA of 4.12 last year while converting 28 of 34 save opportunities.

``I think my confidence comes from going through this,'' he said. ``Having ups and downs and being able to come out of those ups and downs and still going out there and competing.''

Knoblauch, who missed the next-to-last week of spring training because of the death of his father, looks good in left field. The former New York Yankee infielder signed a one-year free agent contract and is also being asked to provide clubhouse leadership on a team that often seemed comfortable with mediocrity.

Another newcomer, right fielder Michael Tucker, could also help the offense.

At first base once again will be Mike Sweeney. Next to George Brett, he's the best hitter in team history. His worst season in the past three was a .304 average with 99 RBIs.

In addition, center fielder Carlos Bentran, who batted .306 with 101 RBIs last year, could be ready to become an All-Star.

``The key to our success will be doing the little things right, playing good defense, cutting down on the other team's on-base percentage and raising our own on-base percentage,'' Muser said.

The Royals have not had a winning April in 12 years. Their streak of seven consecutive losing seasons is second in the AL only to Detroit. A year ago, they set a major league record with 20 straight one-run road losses.

It's essentially the same team.