This is my take and I may be reaching. I think after the loss of Shields, the KC Clubhouse is trying to create a new identity for themselves. From the stuff I read and watched last season, it appeared that Shields was a great leader and very respected teammate on that ball club. One player usually should not define a baseball team. I think most analysts were ready to take a dump on the Royals once Shields left via Free Agency I think these guys have a chip on their shoulders and feel like they are deemed a flash in the pan by most analyst, etc., etc. and want to stand their ground and announce to the baseball world that they are here to stay for next few years. The Royals have a very good team. Their defense is superb, even with the loss of James Shields, their Starting pitching is respectable, their bullpen is 2nd to no one... it is unbelievably great. The Royals are off to a great start, and their offense at this point has taken a big leap forward compared to last year. As long as no one gets hurt physically, I believe you have to give a team the leeway to be jackasses and jerks to create a new mantra/identity or whatever. I hate the Royals... but hats off to them. Dirty bastards.