The Royals and I (Part Two)

Being a sport fan is an odd experience. You hinge your happiness, joy, and attitude on the doings of a 20 or 30 year-old’s ability to do something you are incapable of – throw a 98 mph strike at the outside corner; read the defense and throw a 35 yard pass at the perfect time, at the perfect speed to another player who did a bunch of other “perfects” to make it happen; make a split second decision to pass it to your teammate in the corner instead of trying to make a lay-up with a 7 foot behemoth attempting to block your attempt and then your teammates ability to catch and release at the perfect angle and speed to make the shot. It is no wonder that non-sports fans question the sanity of diehard fanatics.

With that said, many of us very clearly choose to put ourselves through this. Or sometimes, it chooses you. And, more often than not, it does not go perfect, your team does not win, and that pit in your stomach grows. The more fervent the fandom, the more painful the defeat – and the longer you feel that defeat. I call that “sports-depression.”

But the possibility of euphoria keeps us coming back. And if you are lucky, all of the defeats and disappointments are vindicated with that one game that will forever live in your heart and memory.

When I choose to be a Royals fan it was almost to avoid the cold reality of “sports-depression.” If you have no expectations of greatness, you have no real chance of letting your mood be dictated by the abilities, or inabilities, of the world’s greatest athletes. But, over the course of time my fandom grew (check last-years post for more info on that) and the Royals started to be competent, and then good, and now they are great. Back-to-Back American League Champions trying to push one step further than last year and win their first World Series since ’85. And watching your favorite team go to the Promised Land is even more rewarding when you genuinely enjoy the players on the team. Here’s the basics:

Lorenzo Cain:

            Pedigree: ALCS 2014 MVP, 2015 All-Star started, best smile in baseball.

Background: Cain didn’t play baseball until he was a sophomore in high school. He’d been cut from the basketball team and his mom wouldn’t let him play football. He went to his first baseball practice in jeans, wore a left-handers glove, and later tried to dig out home plate.

Mike Moustakas:

            Pedigree: 1^st round draft pick, 2015 All-Star

Background: First round pick who couldn’t live up to his expectations, was demoted to the minors, couldn’t hit left-handed pitchers, changed approach before 2015 season, became an All-Star, lost his mom to cancer earlier this season and continues to play for her.

Alex Gordon:

Pedigree: 1^st round draft pick, 3 time All-Star, 3 time Gold Glove winner, man stranded on 3^rd in 2014 World Series game 7.

Background: Similar to Moustakas, but with more pressure, drafted a third-baseman, couldn’t live up to crazy high expectations, demoted to minors, changed positions, became the best left fielder in baseball.

Salvador Perez:

            Pedigree: 3 time All-Star, 2 time Gold Glove winner, top 4 interview in baseball

Background: Plays baseball like a 10 year old in his backyard, pranks his teammates (especially Cain), after every win he dumps Gatorade/water on a player being interviewed.

Luke Hochevar:

            Pedigree: 1^st pick in 1^st round of draft.

Background: Seen as a failed draft pick as a starter, adjusted to being a reliever and was great, needed Tommy John surgery, chose to come back to Royals and is pitching great in the bullpen again.

Alcides Escobar:

            Pedigree: 2015 All-Star starter, 2015 ALCS MVP

Background: By many baseball statistics one of the worst offensive players in baseball, loves to swing at the first pitch, so much so that the team believes they will win the game if Esky swings at the first pitch of the game. Despite being considered a terrible leadoff hitter by many analysts won the 2015 ALCS MVP award because of his offensive output.

There are many, many other players on the team (obviously). And many of them have great stories too, but you can do your own research if you are that interested. This team has been a joy to watch for the past two seasons and I can only hope they can bring me – and many other Royals fans – to experience sports euphoria at its greatest. Thank you Royals.