Good morning loyal readers!
I haven't blogged in three years. I have never blogged about the Royals. Today, however, I feel the urge to do both. Why? The Royals, the freaking Kansas City Royals, are going to be playing in the Major League Baseball Playoffs for the first time in my life.
Below is my rambling, possibly incoherent account of being a Royals fan from 1985-2014.
I was born in November, 1985. I always thought that I was sort of "good luck" for the Royals since the year I was conceived, the Royals won it all. Later in life, I realized a lot of people were born in '85, and some were even born before the Royals won the World Series - which had me contemplating my importance to the championship run. Regardless, I know my parents went to a World Series game in '85, so I felt like I could say I was there. There's a pennant of the WS game in my parents basement. The pennant always served as a reminder to me as a kid that the Royals were good once. But that always seemed like a dream.
The Royals of the past, the glory day Royals, were just that to me, a dream. I remember my dad telling me stories about the Royals he knew and grew to love. He would tell me about Amos Otis gliding through the outfield to make an impossible catch look easy. About Big John Mayberry hitting towering home runs to right field. About Willie Wilson making stand up triples look easy. He talked about Frank White's slick fielding. He told me about Kevin Seitzer and the intensity he played with.
Most of all he talked about George Brett. George became my hero as a young kid. I have a fairly large George Brett baseball card collection. That being said, I can't say I remember ever seeing George play, although I'm sure I did. Regardless, I feel like I did through the stories from my dad. When I was a young kid playing little league baseball I remember my dad telling me that when George struck out (yes he did sometimes, just like me), you could see his eyes follow the ball into the catchers mitt. For whatever reason that image has stuck with me the most through the years. Even when George failed, he kept his eye on the prize. George above everyone else, seemed almost mythical to me. A fictional hero like Hercules or something.
The glory days for the Royals in my lifetime were much different. There were bright spots sure. I saw pitchers like Kevin Appier, Zack Greinke, Jose 'Joe Pink' Rosado (he was good!), Yordano Ventura. I saw hitters like Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran, Mike Sweeney, Jermaine Dye, Rual Ibanez, Billy Butler, Alex Gordon. That list is actually pretty depressing as I write it. I'm probably forgetting some players, but that's the list... that's who I remember being good from my youth.
Much more-so I remember going to games and seeing guys that stunk; absolutely stunk. I remember trying to be excited about guys like Chilli Davis, Jay Bell, Jeff King, Scott Elarton. I remember Tony Muser and Buddy Bell. Tony Pena Sr and Jr. I remember way more bad players and bad baseball than I should. I've forgotten much more.
For the reasons above, most of my memories at the K are non-baseball related. As I think back about it, I mostly remember wooden spoons and frosty malts, fireworks, nachos, learning how to eat peanuts and sunflower seeds. I remember meeting Buck O'Neil and getting him the sign my KC Monarchs hat. I've got a couple of foul balls in my basement - I don't remember who hit them - no one remarkable.
All of this being said, I kept going, cheering, watching, and reading about the Royals.
I even wrote a letter to Royals GM Allard Baird after the 2003 Season in which the Royals had a winning season for the first time in my conscious lifetime. I thanked him for giving me hope that the Royals would finally win a world series, that it was my dream and that I thought he was making it come true. Allard called me one Thursday morning at home when I was in high school (it was late arrival day; I wasn't skipping school). We talked for 10-15 minutes. This was the height of my life as a Royals fan. I had genuine hope.
That off-season he signed Juan Gonzalez and the Royals promptly lost 100 games.
I became a disgruntled fan somewhere between that season and today. The Royals traded away star after star. Manager after manager got fired. The Royals were a laughing stock. I became more aware of statistics and numbers and realized the Royals and I fundamentally disagreed on what made a good baseball player and team. I watched fans boo Mike Sweeney and Billy Butler.
Last night I watched the Royals clinch at least a Wild Card berth for the 2014 Playoffs. I'm still not sure how good the Royals are, but I guess I don't care. I don't think much of Mike Moustakas and I think Eric Hosmer would be that guy in the bar that hits on your wife in front of you. I think Ned Yost is a jackass. My favorite player, Billy Butler is a pariah in KC these days, despite all he's done for this team and city.
But they have great pitching and defense. I get excited every time Wade "Wild Card" Davis and Greg "the Hammer" Holland come in. I like cheering for Bill "the thrill". Maybe they have just enough offense. Despite all their flaws, they are exciting at least.
I hope this is the beginning of something for the Royals; the start, not the destination. Whatever the outcome, whatever the future; I will be cheering, watching, and reading.
Let's go Royals!
