MUST SEE: Tweener KC Fans Troll Twins, Rest Of AL Central

[Parker Hageman]

So the Kansas City Royals are currently 64-54 and sitting atop of the heap of the American League Central. 

 

Good for them, right?

 

The Royals are a great feelgood story that has them leading the powerhouse Detroit Tigers who made a massive move by acquiring David Price at the trade deadline. Because of the unlikelihood and YEARS of finishing as the doormat, we want really badly to root for Kansas City's success. That is, if their fans stop acting like a bunch of trolls.

 

In order to hang on to their catbird seat and potentially make the playoffs since Ronald Reagan was in office, the Royals acquired the Minnesota Twins' Josh Willingham to provide some thump in the designated hitter role. Again, good for them. However, when a pair of tweeners decide to make a sign welcoming Josh Willingham to "first place" and troll everyone beneath the Royals in the division:

 

 

To be sure, that sign could have also read: Welcome to 1st Place, Kansas City Royals.

 

(h/t: @cjzero)

[Willihammer]

Go Royals

[Boom Boom]

Good for the Royals.
 

Maybe this is bulletin board material for the Tigers who are .5 games back, but not really for the Twins (11 games back).

[Brock Beauchamp]

I'm happy for Royals fans but I'm pulling hard for Oakland this year. Beane needs a ring.

[iTwins]

I can't be as diplomatic as the rest of you. I can't stand any of the other teams in the AL Central. If the Twins don't win the division, then I want whatever team that plays the central champ to knock them out. I'm not pulling for the Royals, Indians or anybody to upset Detroit. Ideally, I'd like them all to lose. I certainly don't want to see any of the division rivals hoisting the World Series trophy at the end of the year.

 

(I'm not as picky outside the division, I'll happily pull for Oakland in the playoffs, for example).

 

As to the sign - meh, I'd say "act like you've been there before" but then again...they haven't. Let 'em enjoy it while it lasts.

[ashbury]

It's a fun sign from some enthusiastic fans.  I can't see knocking them for that.

[Craig Arko]

On a 1-10 troll scale, that's maybe a 0.5.

 

On the other hand, this is worth actually getting upset about:

 

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/celebrities/271097781.html

[teekz]

I can't be as diplomatic as the rest of you. I can't stand any of the other teams in the AL Central. If the Twins don't win the division, then I want whatever team that plays the central champ to knock them out. I'm not pulling for the Royals, Indians or anybody to upset Detroit. Ideally, I'd like them all to lose. I certainly don't want to see any of the division rivals hoisting the World Series trophy at the end of the year.

 

(I'm not as picky outside the division, I'll happily pull for Oakland in the playoffs, for example).

 

As to the sign - meh, I'd say "act like you've been there before" but then again...they haven't. Let 'em enjoy it while it lasts.

 

Don't worry. I'm with you. As soon as playoffs start, I cheer against the AL Central teams. Unless they are playing the Yankees. Then I hope there is a way both teams can lose.

[TKGuy]

I really want the Royals to beat the Tigers and their fantasy league starting staff and AAA bullpen, including Joe Nathan, who continues to walk boat loads of people.

 

The Royals have a good pitching staff with young guys in the majors and people like Zimmer waiting in the wings and a great bullpen.  However, I doubt the resign Shields and Vargas seems to have caught lightning in a bottle this year.  We will see what happens next year.

[benji21]

I'm happy for Royals fans but I'm pulling hard for Oakland this year. Beane needs a ring.

 

This.

 

This may be one of Beane's strongest teams that he's put together.  I love that he continually tries new things and, pardon the cliche, thinks outside the box.  His newest market inefficiency would seem to be the overvaluation of prospects and he has jumped into it with both feet.  Good for him.

[ashbury]

 Vargas seems to have caught lightning in a bottle this year.  We will see what happens next year.

This takes the Cubs' mantra of "wait 'til next year" to a whole new level.

[Kwak]

Sort of a revenge by Royals' fans who were upset at the rocks thrown at them when they traded their precious prospects for Shields--whom they would only control for two years (as if they couldn't re-sign him to another contract). 

[Parker Hageman]

Sort of a revenge by Royals' fans who were upset at the rocks thrown at them when they traded their precious prospects for Shields--whom they would only control for two years (as if they couldn't re-sign him to another contract).

 

 

I'm in the middle of a book by former Royals scout and current senior advisor to the GM, Art Stewart. The book is called (wait for it) "The Art of Scouting".

 

While a lot of the book is old scout recalling the good old days of when you had to drive across seven counties to see one inning of play, there are some stories regarding the acquisition of players and the decisions behind them, particular the decision to trade Wil Myer, et al for Shields. Though they caught a lot of flak for the move, they ultimately decided that their system was still stacked and that the front office/ownership was convinced their window was ready. 

 

Overall, decent book.

[JB_Iowa]

Royals fans should be excited.  I hope they have a lot of fun in the next couple of months.

 

More power to 'em.