Bubba Starling, in order:
Grew into a local folk hero at Gardner-Edgerton High with stories of 500-foot home runs and windmill dunks and a man-against-boys football career.
Turned down a scholarship to play quarterback at Nebraska for the largest signing bonus in Royals history.
Failed in the minor leagues.
Told his parents he wanted to quit baseball.
Decided to keep playing, then got hurt.
Played well enough last year to be called up, but got hurt once more.
Played well enough to make the Triple-A All-Star Game this season.
Is now a big-leaguer.
STARLING, finally, will be at Kauffman Stadium this weekend. After eight years and 737 minor-league games he is expected to make his big-league debut on Friday night, at the age of 26, starting in centerfield some 35 miles from where he grew up.
For what must seem like forever, Starlings baseball career has been about questions and doubts. Now it is about opportunity.
I know hes ready, general manager Dayton Moore said. Hes done everything he can in the minor leagues to be prepared for this. So Im not really going to be concerned about anything. I just want him to come up here and enjoy playing in the major leagues.
Moore and his lieutenants believe Starling will make the Royals better now and in the future. He slashed .310/.358/.448 with nine stolen bases, 21 walks and 59 strikeouts in 72 games with Omaha.
In a phone conversation Thursday afternoon, Moore hinted the club may have promoted Starling a week or two earlier, but thought playing in the Triple A All-Star game was important for his development.
