KC Royals: Most Disliked Rival Players In 2015

Third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) – Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

KC Royals Most Disliked Rival Player of 2015 Number Three: Josh Donaldson

In the very same series against the Blue Jays, the Royals also made enemies with yet another player. Josh Donaldson was already a name known well in Kansas City, especially after last year’s postseason.

In case you didn’t remember, Donaldson was the one who barely missed Salvador Perez’s walk-off hit in the Wildcard game. That particular moment likely made Donaldson a little more likable here.

Then came the series in Toronto.

As mentioned on the Bautista slide, there was some tension in Toronto this past weekend and a lot of it seemed to stem from Donaldson. Apparently, the Royals felt that Donaldson was stealing signs from second base. Ryan Landreth of Royals Review wrote what happened next,

"Oh yeah, and then there’s all of the commotion. Josh Donaldson, moodier than the average sleep-deprived Cardinals fan, was hit on the back by Volquez in the bottom of the first. It certainly looked to be intentional; Steve Physioc mentioned on the radio that the Royals were weary of Donaldson potentially stealing signs on Friday’s game. Either way, both sides were warned. In Donaldson’s next at bat, Volquez nearly hit him again when a changeup slipped, but it didn’t appear to be on purpose. Donaldson ultimately walked in the plate appearance."

That about sums it up. Donaldson was nearly hit in two plate appearances, and Volquez also didn’t like that the Blue Jays third baseman was hitting a lot of homers in the series.

"“He hit a lot of homers in the first couple games, and he pimped, and did everything he does,” Volquez said. “If somebody hits you, you’ve got to take it, because you’re pimping everything you do.”"

Volquez described Donaldson as a baby in that same article by Creg Stephenson of AL.com. The final game of the series then saw Alcides Escobar get hit by a pitch against Blue Jays reliever Aaron Sanchez, who was immediately ejected. That was when the benches cleared and Volquez and Donaldson started screaming at each other.

All in all, Royals fans were glad that the series was over when it was, and hope that they don’t have to deal with Donaldson or Bautista again this season.

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