Kansas City Royals: The Past, And The Future, And The Man Who Built It

Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of how the baseball fates treat the Royals this season, one thing is for sure, Dayton Moore has done everything one could have expected in order to give this franchise a chance to win. Have there been mistakes along the way? Sure.

Who can forget Gil Meche, Luke Hochevar as the #1 overall selection, and the chemically enhanced musings of Melky Cabrera? Many Royals fans are unhappy with Moore’s decision to retain Ned Yost as the Royals manager as well, but ultimately, these were all just bumps along a much longer road; a 4-lane road that was nothing more than a treadworn path through the woods before Moore arrived.

Many fans are simply not seeing the forest through the trees. Concerns about who hits where in the lineup and when to pull a pitcher on any given day are tactical problems. While tactical problems can certainly impact strategic objectives, if the blue-print is as solid as it appears to be, it will outlast Ned Yost.

It would do us all some good to consider the strategic significance of just how far this franchise has come during Moore’s watch.

I would even go so far as to say that this might be Yost’s make or break season. Despite his apparent rapport with the young players, his tactical failings won’t be tolerated much longer now that this core group is maturing.

If he actually costs the team opportunities to win championships, Moore will replace him.

Today’s Royals franchise, perhaps overflowing with talent from top to bottom, playing in a newly re-furbished baseball palace, and poised for a breakout season, appears to have all the makings of a great season just ahead.

As a Royals fan in general, optimism is high. As a product of the Royals heyday, I anxiously await the upcoming season and those of the near future in the hopes that I can finally say… we’re back.