Brian Bannister is a Smart Guy - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Maybe if this whole pitching thing doesn't work out for Royals starter Brian Bannister, he can move upstairs within the organization and help Dayton Moore put together a winning team in Kansas City again.

Bannister recently did an interview with MLBTradeRumors.com, and showed a level of intelligence about the game of baseball we don't generally hear from the players. In fact, he sounded more like a general manager than anything else.

MLBTR: What's the most misunderstood aspect of succeeding in baseball by typical fans, sportswriters, and announcers?

Bannister: There are two things that make baseball unique from other sports. One, baseball is a game of skill that is accentuated by the physical tools of the person performing those skills. Most people superficially judge a position player solely on size, strength, and speed, when his eyesight, balance, rhythm, hand-eye coordination, and mental makeup are much more influential factors in his future success. It is when a player embodies all of these qualities that we get our superstars and hall-of-famers. I would much rather face a hitter with "80" power and "80" speed but bad strike zone discipline than one with no power and a .400+ OBP. Over the course of time, the hitter with the .400+ OBP is going to hurt me much, much more, especially if he is surrounded by other good hitters.

The interview goes on from there, and Bannister answers every question with the same well-informed type of response. It's an interesting read, and one I suggest you take time out to make.

Also, if you're reading this, Brian, ever consider starting a blog? I'd certainly rather read what you have to say about baseball than Curt Schilling.