KC Royals: Times Sure Have Changed For Royals Fans

Kansas City Royals first basemen Eric Hosmer (35) Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

I started closely following the Royals in 2012, one year before they posted a winning record.

What changed for me was the fact that I was away at college and wanted to feel closer to home. I wanted to embrace the city where I had grown up so I told myself, “You know what? Who cares if they don’t win? They’re apart of my home town and I’m going to support them.” So I did.

It was rare seeing people in Royals gear, even in Kansas City.

I remember checking the scores of baseball games that season and always being a bit bummed that the Royals would lose and be at the bottom of their division. I didn’t know much about baseball, but I knew that being in last place in the division wasn’t a good thing.

I went to my first Royals game that summer (my first since the mid to late 90s probably) and the atmosphere was bleak. It was a t-shirt Tuesday, which drew in people my age, but other than that, it was a pretty quiet night at the K. I actually found a picture recently that I took with my friends at the stadium that night and you can see the empty stadium in the background.

Such a big difference now compared to just three years ago, but that’s how things were. It was rare seeing people in Royals gear, even in Kansas City.

Next: 2013