In the midst of a 1-15 season in 1989, Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson came to the conclusion the only way Dallas would be competitive long-term is to make a blockbuster trade.

They did

They traded Herschel Walker for eight draft picks, six of which would be eventually used. Although there were a lot of other pieces involved in the deal – Dallas traded four of their own picks while Minnesota traded five players – these draft picks were used to fuel a dynasty.

Two of the picks were spent on Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson, two staples of those great teams. Additional picks were used to trade up for Russell Maryland, who was awesome in his early years.

Dallas won three Super Bowls in part because of that trade and Johnson's aggressive draft maneuvering.

While that trade will never be duplicated again, it's time for the Kansas City Royals to develop that mindset.

In an American League Central that features four more talented teams than the Royals, it's time to shake things up.

Trade Zack Greinke and Joakim Soria.

The Royals' two most popular and talented players, the trades would leave many fans disappointed.

However, it could also leave the Royals' cupboard stacked with young talent and within five years, the Royals could be a prime-time contending team.

ESPN recently ranked the Royals farm system. It ranked ninth, the highest in years.

Consider trading Greinke.

Greinke has one of the friendliest contracts in baseball and any team – not just the Yankees, Red Sox or Mets – could afford him. A team like Tampa Bay, Texas or Anaheim, who might be just one piece away from a title, might not hesitate to dish out four or even five solid prospects.

Soria, a top notch closer, could generate two to even three prospects.

While the six to eight prospects all wouldn't turn out, odds are that half of them would. And joining the highly ranked class already, the Royals could have the premier minor league system in baseball by making these two moves.

Or, the Royals could have more pieces to trade for more talent.

Like those Cowboys and the NFC East, the Royals are too far away from their American League Central rivals, let alone the beasts in the American League East.

Considering Greinke had his best season ever last year, the Royals still nearly lost 100 games. Will Greinke repeat a season like he's just had? As good as he was, it's unlikely.

Soria is one of the top three closers in baseball. But what is good about a closer if your team is not in the position to close?

Trading the cornerstones of the franchise would be a bitter pill to swallow. Initially.

But within five years, these two moves could fuel a true rebuilding movement for the Royals – the one we've been promised for eons.

Imagine having three or four different prospects come up each year during a three-year period like those Cowboys did with the NFL Draft?

Instead of just getting excited about the occasional Alex Gordon, Billy Butler or Greinke, the Royals could have three young players to look forward to each season.

Add to the fact the Royals would likely receive a very high draft pick by doing these trades, a powerhouse farm could be built overnight.

The word "could" appears a lot in what I just typed.

However, "could" is a lot better than "won't." And right now, the Royals are much closer to "won't."

BY ALAN HOSKINS, Contributor to The Kansan

For one weekend, players in the Jayhawk Baseball Conference were able to enjoy a dream – a dream of playing on a major league baseball field.

Called the “KJCCC All-Star Weekend at the K,” approximately 200 student athletes from 19 community colleges in Kansas took part in tryouts and played games at the Kansas City Royals’ famed Kauffman Stadium.

"It was really cool,” said Steve Burleson, the long-time head baseball coach at Kansas City Kansas Community College and President of the KJCCC Baseball Association who coordinated the All-Star Weekend.

“I think everyone was excited about the fact they got to play on a major league field. If you can’t create baseball dreams doing that, I’m not sure what it would take. Kauffman Stadium is absolutely beautiful, very striking and the Royals did an incredible job, all the way from the field crew to dollar day at the concession stand.”

Burleson said he was approached by Royals’ area scout Steve Gossett and then met with vice-president Steve Williams about hosting the event. An annual fall event, the All-Star Weekend had been held at Wichita in recent years after being alternated between sites in the East and West Divisions.

“Dayton Moore (Royals General Manager) played at Garden City so there was a touchstone there,” said Burleson, who said there was no hesitation in accepting the Royals’ offer which included no charge for the use of the facilities.

“There’s not a lot of things that will pass 19-0 but even the schools that had to travel six or seven hours voted for it.”

A two-day event, teams from the Eastern Conference took part in three-hour tryouts in the morning and then played 9 and 7-inning games on Friday with teams from the West following up with the same agenda on Saturday.

Teams were divided on the basis of last spring’s standings with the odd finishing teams (1-3-5-7-9) opposing the even numbered (2-4-6-8-10). “Each school was allowed to bring six players so each squad had approximately 30 players,” said Burleson.

Morning tryouts from 8:30-11:30 a.m. were open to all sophomores and selected freshmen with professional tools.

All players ran 60-yard dashes, the benchmark for speed for professional baseball; all pitchers threw from the mound and all position players swung the bat. In addition, infielders threw from the shortstop positions; outfielders fielded and threw from 275 feet; and catchers received pitches and threw to second base.

As host, KCKCC provided its athletic training staff directed by Rodney Christensen, its baseball staff of Burleson and assistants Matt Goldbeck and Damian Stambersky and its 35-man baseball squad for both days of the weekend.

“The players ran the gate, did the announcing, helped at every evaluation, shagged for the games and just did a great job and made it go,” said Burleson.

A two-year deal with the Royals, the All-Star Weekend will return to Kauffman Stadium again in 2010. “We’ll assess it after that,” said Burleson, who ended his term as president of the KJCCC Baseball Association. Mike Warren of Barton County is the new president.

Are you a big Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and/or Kansas Jayhawks fan?

If so, Maywood Community Church might be the place for you come Saturday, Oct. 10. The church will hold a bazaar and several items from sports legends will be available.

From our friend Alan Hoskins:

Baked goods, homemade jellies and jams, autographed memorabilia and countless bargains will up for grabs at Maywood Community Church’s annual Fall Bazaar and Garage Sale Saturday, Oct. 10.

Located at 11201 Parallel Parkway just west of Village West, the bazaar and sale will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with all proceeds going to missions.

A Country Store will be selling homemade pies, cakes, rolls, breads, cookies, candies, jellies and jams while the garage sale will have a little of everything – antiques, toys, tools, glassware, jewelry, linens, pots and pans, furniture and seasonal items.

A silent auction will feature such items as a basketball autographed by Kansas coach Bill Self, a baseball signed by several Royals Hall of Famers including Frank White and Amos Otis, an autographed photos of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, the book “Warpaths” signed by Chiefs’ Hall of Famers Len Dawson, Hank Stram, Jan Stenerud and Otis Taylor; a wood-carving of Maywood Church; and a home-made Dessert of the Month.

In addition, lunch will be available offering homemade soup, chili and pies along with hot dogs and nachos.