While watching the All-Star Game on Tuesday, I felt like the situation was familiar. The stadium was filled with Royals fans that had shown unprecedented support over the 2 previous nights for the Futures Game and the Home Run Derby. They were ready for a great game that did not happen. Most went home disappointed.
The National League took an early lead with 5 runs in the first inning and never looked back. The American league could never get a rally started. Nothing. A bunch of smoke and mirrors during the game to keep our attention, but the actual product was crappy. I finally figured it out why it felt familiar. The game reminded me of the Royals organization since Dayton Moore has been the General Manager.
Way behind at the starting line
Dayton Moore was signed with much anticipation for turning around the Royals. His job was not going to be easy because he had many hurdles to overcome.
- A disenchanted fan base that quit filling the stadium. With less fans in the seats, the team was making less money.
- One of the smaller metropolitan areas supporting a team. Again, less money to work with.
- An owner that was fairly tight with his money. The less money theme pops up again.
- A major league team that was horrible.
- A farm system that was even worse.
It was time for Dayton to start turning the team around. Other small market teams faced these same adversities in the past and had overcome them. His job was not going to easy, but it could be done.
The team spins it wheels
The results of the MLB team stay basically the same. A hit here and there, but no real improvement. It still feel like it has a 5 run deficit years later.
Team falls further behind
Dayton makes a huge push to improve the minors, but the major league team remained a joke. Dayton's mistakes when evaluating and signing MLB talent are horrendous. $36 Million to Jose Guillen. Trading for Yuniesky Betancourt and signing him again. Signing Jason Kendall and Kyle Farnsworth for 2 seasons. Frenchy.
He could have been trying to get the team to 0.500 by making some shrewd moves such as trading Soria at his peak value. Instead, he waited to long and the values of certain trading chips fell like rocks (see David Dejesus).
Excitement
Home town selection, Billy Butler, got the chance to hit twice. The crowd was louder than any other time during the game. Tons of excitement, no results. A groundball to 3B and a strikeout.
Instances arose under Dayton's watch that motivated the fan base, but didn't lead to any real improvements on the field. New stadium renovations. Zack Greinke's Cy Young. Best farm system in the history of baseball. Eric "Christ" Hosmer. All these events brought attention and excitement to the team, but didn't lead to any real changes in the team's win total. All bark, no bite. With all the support and desire to win, the team never actually makes any real improvement in the number of wins.
Melky Cabrera wins MVP
The game's best player had 2 hits with one being a home run. The worst part about Melky having a great game is that the Royals could have kept him for 2012. Instead they traded him off. It just ends up putting a bitter sweet taste in the mouth of the fans. Melky could have been ours.
Could of. Would of. Should of. The legacy of Dayton Moore.