The Final Act

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. —Martin Luther King, Jr.

It was truly a fitting end to an already wild up and down season for the Kansas City fans. Both Jarrod Dyson and newest speed demon Terrance Gore utilized their God gifted talent of pure speed to overcome another lackluster offensive night by the Royals.

That’s what speed do…..too….two?

This was approaching the lowest of lows for many of the Royals faithful followers.

That concept apparently sounds crazy to outside supporters and followers, as they point out that the Royals were still in a playoff spot. They were still right where you hoped they would be, sitting in a spot to reach the postseason after all these years of pining for it.

While this is true, the greater picture (or smaller picture, depending on perspective) was showing us a team that was averaging less than 3 runs a game for going on a month and had just lost 3 of 4 to the bottom feeding Boston Red Sox in a series they needed to dominate to maintain supremacy over the surging Tigers.

This was the time we had all dreamt would eventually come to Kansas City….and the Royals were blowing it. Not just a little, but a lot.

Monday nights game was no different. With Billy Butler standing at the plate (instead of manning his most recent post in the doghouse) with the tying run on third base, he promptly did what we expect from the majority of Royals hitters, and swung at the first pitch and grounded into an inning ending force out.

The fans were ready and EAGER to celebrate with Billy…to cheer with Billy…to rise up and let out a “take THAT Yost” roar with Billy…but it didn’t come. The saddest part of the Royals walkoff win is it may have truly signified the end of the road for Billy Butler in Royals Blue.

I have been criticized of late for a negative outlook on the Royals by none other than a “greatest fan in baseball.” His point is that in order to not become Randy Quaid in Major League, we are suppose to ENJOY where we are, and relish the ride. The only response I had was it was hard to enjoy a free-fall.

Royals fans have had their hearts broken for THE LAST THIRTY YEARS. There is no benefit of the doubt, no assumption that it can be turned around and certainly no attitude of “we will get them next year.” The season following last decades only winning Royals team saw a 2004 squad that was one of the worst teams to ever take a baseball field. There is no next year….we get this, and if we mess this up, then that means we may have to wait another 30 years.

Monday nights game was hopefully a microcosm of the 2014 season. With defeat at hand, the unlikeliest of scenarios played out to see the Royals victorious in the end. The greatest thing about the 2014 Royals thus far is that the fans have given up on them time and time again. Sure we still watch, but have thought, uttered and written many times how the season is looking bleak and hope is nearly lost. Most of this has been predicated on the failures of the Royals offense, but now and again….they wake up, and when they do, this team wins ball games.

The thing last nights win and the walk off win that Alex Gordon provided back in August has taught us is that (while we have taken it for granted as a fan base) a great or even good pitching performance will keep the Royals in many games. So much of how we judge a team is based on offense, but that is simply unfair. James Shields was not his usual sharp self, but he got them through 7 innings, and only 3 runs were allowed to cross the plate for the entirety of the game.

There are only 12 games left to decide how this story plays out for the Royals. It seems a cruel twist that after following for months and 150 games, the entirety of the season is hinged on the result of so few games and so few opportunities.

It is strange for Royals fans to think of it in these terms, but in this very moment…the Royals completely control their own destiny. With 12 games left, they have the ability to win the central division without needing any help. This is possible because while they sit a game and a half out of first place, they have a 3 game tilt with the Tigers this upcoming weekend in Kansas City.

Its not an easy situation, but after last nights much needed win…maybe we should all sit back and realize how great it is to have a situation at all. The players still believe, fans from the other side of the state think we are in it (yes you Bryant)……so with 12 games left, a change of perspective from an old friend, and last nights win…maybe…just maybe…. I do too.

Previous Post Gross Negligence Credit: Rick Osentoski We may have just reached critical mass on the Fire Ned Yost movement! Evidence #1: Clinging to the slimest of leads in the 6th inning today, Ned could not deviate from his normal protocol to adapt to ... Read more Tweet Next Post On the anniversary of Ned’s firing... by: Conrad McGorkin & Brian Graham It was on this date in 2008, the Brewers fired manager Ned Yost, when the team was tied for the NL Wild Card spot. The Brewers record at the time was 83-67. The Royals current record ... Read more

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