Come on, Royals! : A photo essay

Yes, most of the reporting around here is on the Dodgers, but acknowledgement must be made: the Royals, as I type, are the hottest team in baseball.  Who cares?  Well, you should.  For all the pain Pirates fans endure because they haven't had a winning season in 20 years, the Royals (last winning season was 10 years ago and, before that, another 10 years) last made the playoffs the year they won the World Series: 1985.  Almost 30 years without a playoff appearance.  This is why it's impossible not to think good thoughts for these guys.  (Note I don't say "root" because it doesn't sound like being a fan of theirs is good for your health)

This photo comes from the Royals' home page, with a curious bit of wording.  Yeah, we know they're in the major leagues.  So why mention it?  Do they need to remind everyone?  Not a very inspiring internal memo.

Ervin Santana - wonder where he went?  He's in Kansas City, and the ship has turned around.  7-6 with a 3 ERA...can you really consider someone's record when they're with the Royals?  

Their catcher, batting .280 is Salvador Perez.  Salvador.  Got a hit in the All-Star game.  Get 'em, Salvador.

Lorenzo Cain (my goodness, the names on this team) made this catch in Minnesota.  The Royals ultimately scored much more than the Twins for this to be a game saving catch, but still: the ice cream scoop catch to rob a home run.  I'd also like to note that this blog just mentioned the Twins.  For yearly consistency sake.

Could we see it?  Royals in the playoffs?  Sports Illustrated making an RC Cola reference once more?  Come on, Royals!