Even if you’re not a baseball fan, or even a sports fan in general, chances are you heard about the last World Series. If you haven’t, I’ll brief you: perennial winners vs 29 year championship drought, seven games, Madison Bumgarner, broken hearts.
Madison Bumgarner in bobblehead form. Â That’s art if I’ve ever seen it.
After the Kansas City Royals lost in game seven, everyone outside the state of California sighed collectively. And it wasn’t just because the San Francisco Giants have won three championships in five years, or because the last time KC won a title, Ronald Reagan was in office. It’s because – who couldn’t root for a franchise with fans so darn nice?!
That’s why, for this year’s Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award, I support Steve Rushin’s nomination of the Kansas City Royals fanbase.
Rushin, a columnist for SI, wrote a beautiful essay defending his nomination, and I urge everyone to read it. However, my reasons for supporting the Royals fans go even further.
1. Changing up the purpose of the award
The SI award typically goes to a player or team that performed exceptionally well across professional sports. Ho hum. There are tons of awards that bestow similar honors. MVPs, for instance. There are even entire awards shows dedicated to these athletes (if you’ve never watched the ESPYs, consider yourself lucky). However, what keeps professional sports thriving are the fans, not the athletes. By awarding the Royals fans, SI would be acknowledging this undeniable fact, that the fans are the ones that breathe life into the sports – and keep the athletes paid.
2. Â Where does the word ‘Sportsman’ come from, anyway?
Answer – sportsmanship! Well, that’s not really the etymology, but you get the idea. While I’ve never been to a ballgame in KC, I know the welcoming feeling so many outsiders describe. As a Tampa Bay Rays fan in Cubs territory, people often assume I’m a traveler when I arrive at Wrigley Field in the opponent’s colors. At my last game I was treated to a brief history of the franchise by a gentleman no less than ninety years old. They called me ma’am when I slipped past for ice cream or a hot dog. They didn’t give me dirty looks for cheering for my team (nor was I booed when the Rays eventually won). I’ve been told the same kind of spirit exists in Kansas City, by Giants fans! Any franchise that can maintain its cordiality in the midst of a World Series defeat is a franchise of class and dignity.
3. Â They’re so darn nice!
It’s been reported that after the final out of Game 7, as the San Francisco Giants celebrated their victory, the Royals crowd did not abandon their seats and trudge to the parking lot right away. Instead, they joined together and sang “thank you, Royals”. Â Is there any wonder Billy Butler, a free agent with lucrative prospects elsewhere, doesn’t want to leave Kansas City? There’s nothing like a supportive fan base to motivate and inspire the team to do better next year. Â
So, SI selection committee – stray from tradition and do the right thing. Give these fans the recognition they deserve.
Look at these happy faces! Granted, this was after a win.Â
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