“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course on where you stop your story,” – Orson Wells
The All-Star game is over. We had a great time. We went to Fanfest twice (highly recommended). And went to the All-Star Parade (which was fine, but the boys got bored; too much of a lag time between cars.
Kansas City was awash in civic pride and baseball fans from around the country. The heat mercifully relented (just in 
time) and we have come to the end of our baseball team journey.
If you recall, this was an exercise for the boys to reach out to every Major League baseball team and ask why we should be a fan of their team. We got some wonderful responses, and most importantly, it was a great way for my kids to become more interested in baseball. (Will now reads the box scores in the morning. Colin pays attention to highlights.)
We had criteria on commitment to winning, ownership, history of the franchise, and the stadium in which they play. Well, I had these criteria. As any parent knows, you can guide your child, but ultimately, they do things they way they want to do them. So, much to my surprise, their decision was based on things different than mine. As it should be. I always told them it was their choice.
Wall of Shame:
The Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees. Big shocker here – New York and Philadelphia has crass and uncooperative “public relations” personnel.
The Yankees sent a terse email that stated : “I suggest you contact the Yankees directly for this” (umm…I thought that was what we were doing. We sent an email. To your club. You can’t hit the “forward” button? Yankees suck! Yankees suck!)
And, as you recall, the Phillies were even worse: “While we certainly appreciate anyone who wants to root for and follow the Phillies, that is a decision to be made by each individual and not as a result of any specific reason we may offer to you.” (We asked for a reason to cheer for you. Not for free cr*p. Read the email. It really is a shame that you currently are 15 games out of first place. With the same amount of wins as the Royals. Sucks to be you.)
As the boys like to say, “Epic fail!”
Honorable Mention:
The Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles. Especially the Orioles. A very nice note. I’m glad to see the Orioles are doing so well this year. (Please catch the Yankees – we are begging you.)
As for the Cubs – oh the Cubs. You make being a Royals fan seem like winning the lottery. Why do the gods hate you so? Best ballpark in the country, in my opinion. Great city, too. As they always say, maybe next year.
Oh So Close:
The St. Louis Cardinals. (Kelly breaths an enormous sigh of relief.) Will says he will cheer for the Cardinals, unless they are playing a certain team (to be revealed below.) I honestly believe had the Cardinals sent their letter earlier, they totally would have won handily. A signed letter from the team president had a lot of cache. Too bad it didn’t get here in May. I will put up a pennant in the Cardinals honor – wait a minute, Kelly will probably just tear it down. Scratch that. I will put up a picture of Stan Musial in the mancave. Even a Cardinal hater like Kelly loves Stan Musial.
Will’s choice – The Texas Rangers:
Will is our logical child. Loves facts. Knows things that you don’t, like the names of the four assassins of the US Presidents, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and that Seoul is located on the Han River.
So – for Will, this is easy.
Fact 1: The Rangers have been in the last two World Series
Fact 2: The Rangers are winning the American League West by 5 games
Fact 3: The Rangers are tied for first for the most wins in baseball.
Fact 4: The Rangers sent him a cool jersey. (Will wants you to know it’s #25, Mike Napoli’s jersey. Three months ago, he had no idea who Mike Napoli was. A few days ago, I watched him go apesh*t when we saw Mike Napoli in the All-Star game parade. He also went crazy for Josh Hamilton. Cause and effect.)
Colin’s choice – The San Diego Padres:
Colin is our perceptive child. Loves to cuddle. Loves to hug. If you are feeling down, he picks up on it. He is ornery as can be, but the most affectionate child I’ve ever known.
For Colin, he doesn’t need facts. He knows he loves the beach. He remembers loving San Diego more than any place 
he has ever visited. It has a great beach. The weather was perfect. He got to go to LegoLand. (It was a great vacation – San Diego in August = heaven). He thinks it is “awesome” that the owner of the team sent him a gumball machine. He also thinks it’s “really nice” that the owner of the team sent a handwritten note to him and his brother. That he would take the time to do so. Colin is going to be 8 in a few weeks, but he is already a lot more perceptive than many adults I know. And…it is not his big brother’s choice. Wins and losses? Colin doesn’t really care.
What about the Royals?
There’s always hope, right? No matter how slim? A few days ago I had a meeting up in Parkville (it is about a 30 minute drive). On the way back, I tuned into local sports radio. There was a long discussion on whether or not David Glass could be shamed enough to sell the team (the verdict? Most likely not.) Plans were discussed to have a walkout of a game, or fly a banner that says “Do the right thing, sell the team!” People called in to say that Glass isn’t even a Royals fan, he is a Cardinals fan. This is what the debate has devolved to.
In an earlier post, I mentioned how the Rangers were once rudderless. How they had a clueless billionaire owner who was running them into oblivion. Glass says he isn’t selling. I don’t think he is planning to.
But there is another owner of a local sports team that gets it. Sporting KC is a phenomenon in Kansas City. Their ownership gets it. They put the fan first in many aspects. Their games are sold out. They win. People go and cheer. A lot. For soccer. In Kansas City. (I don’t whether to laugh or cry about those last four statements)
The point is, if David Glass were to ever sell, there are some folks in Kansas City who have experience in putting together a model franchise.
Until that happens, we aren’t going to Royals games. Like a lot of Kansas Citians. The All-Star game is over. No matter how well that went (and it went great, heard nothing but good things from people visiting) it isn’t going to carry over for the Royals unless they are competitive. People have a lot of options in their lives for sports entertainment. No one should have to be saddled with a loser because they are physically located close to it, and their owner is too cheap to invest in it. There is no loyalty in professional sports these days. Players are free agents. Owners come and go. Why shouldn’t fans have the same options?
So, the Royals gear will go to the back of the closet for now. We won’t be wearing any. I will buy a Padres cap and a Rangers cap for my sons, and for myself. We also will probably soon visit St. Louis and take in a Cardinals game. Anyone who was kind enough to take some time to respond to my kids’ letters are OK in my book.
Thanks for reading. It has been fun.
royallydesperate 