Royals Rumblings - News for September 30, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for September 30, 2019

Ned Yost talks about the emotional ceremonies in his last game.

“It was emotional,” Yost said. “It was tough. I’m trying to understand the emotions behind it because I’m really excited about retirement. I really am. But then, with the emotions, it’s hard to go through these last couple of days.

“But it was really a neat ceremony. If I’d known that I was going to get this much really cool stuff, I mean, I thought about just for a little while, telling Dayton, ‘Hey I’m just kidding’ and we’ll do it all again next year.

Brett Phillips talks about getting the game-winning RBI in Ned’s last game.

“It was funny,” Phillips said. “I come in; in the ninth, I’m third up. So I’m going to the bathroom. He’s like, ‘Let’s go! Hurry up! You’re dipping into my retirement. Hurry up! Get the game-winning hit and let’s get out of here.’ You couldn’t have written it any better. It’s crazy how that happened and how it played out. Like I said, it was only right that that’s the way it ended.”

Jorge Soler sets the record for most home runs in a season by a Cuban-born player.

“It means a lot for me, my family,” Soler said through interpreter Pedro Grifol. “The organization has never had a home run champ. So, it means a heck of a lot.”

Jeffrey Flanagan writes about the five questions facing the Royals for the off-season.

1. How will new ownership and a new manager affect the team on the field?

Sources have indicated that Sherman likely will run the team much like Glass did, with an eye on financial stability from year to year. Don’t expect a ton of splashy free-agent signings early. The Royals may dip into the free-agent pool for a cost-efficient starting pitcher or two, and they likely will offer an extension to slugger Jorge Soler, who can opt out of his $4.6 million contract for 2020 and go to arbitration this winter. The front office almost certainly will remain intact.

Lynn Worthy writes about Alex Gordon’s legacy.

Sam McDowell writes about the relationship between Yost and Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

Whit Merrifeld gets the Kansas City BBWAA “Good Guy” Award.

R.J. Anderson at CBS Sports looks at the top prospects in the Royals’ system.

The MLB playoff bracket is set.

What are the biggest questions for the post-season?

Joe Maddon is out as Cubs manager, and Clint Hurdle is fired in Pittsburgh.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy bids farewell.

LORENZO! CAIN!

The Cubs air on WGN for the last time.

What should the future of the American ballpark look like?

The Tigers look for ways to bring fans back to the ballpark.

A look at how MLB’s domestic violence policy is working.

A Cardinals beat writers saved someone’s life at the ballpark.

Three supermassive black holes are going to collide with each other.

Crystals are a booming wellness trend, but the reality of the industry is dark.

Apple plans to bring full-length films to theaters.

Your song of the day is Gladys Knight and the Pips with Midnight Train to Georgia.