Royals owner John Sherman throws his support behind leadership and extolls a partnership with the Chiefs as they continue to work toward public financing for a new stadium.
I'm not sure whether Sam Mellinger is telling Sherman what he thinks Sherman wants to hear, or if Sherman just refuses to listen to the truth, but it's really hard to fathom how badly they've bungled the PR. Several outside media/public affairs consultants are going to have a Merry Christmas if there is to be an April ballot measure.
In truth, there are only two things Sherman could have said today that would have generated any real goodwill with Kansas Citians writ large:
1) we're cutting ticket prices ~50% for the remainder of the season
2) we're staying at the K and planning to use the extension of the existing sales tax to build the rolling roof
Unfortunately, Sherman and his partners can't afford either step. Or, rather, they won't finance either step without the promise of future profits from adjacent development down the line.
I thought that something quite striking and revealing happened during the first two games of the Cleveland series: the Royals faced two starting pitchers who were drafted well after 2018 and found them nearly unhittable.
I have no idea if either of those guys will be long-term starters in MLB. But it all seemed like such a vivid illustration of the vast gulf between the Royals and the Guardians. These two guys looked like extremely viable starters (whatever their season numbers turn out to be) while the much-hyped Royals class of 2018 continues to be extraordinarily… non-thrilling.
He says the truth sometimes and sometimes it's even what fans want to hear. Really I need to see some better decisions making. Then he can tell the truth more and it will be received better. Not convinced JJ is it, this trade deadline and draft should be for JJ to keep his job. Which is harsh cause it's hard to evaluate a draft right away, but he's got a bill that's due.
I appreciate you, Craig. I know how hard it can be to juggle all the things real life throws at you and still keep up with your writing. It's a challenge. But the truth is, as a reader, I'm just happy when you write about the team you love. It's a joy to read, regardless of how good the team is on the field. Be well. I look forward to the next installment.
Mr. B, thx for your candid deep-dive comments on the rottenness in the state of our team. It's really good to hear your voice again. I was starting to worry. Particularly LOVED your comment about how the Cardinals' disastrous year has been fun to watch. Ain't it though. They are, indeed, a storied franchise, but their fans are just too often full of themselves.
I think we’re all learning what other fan bases have already experienced: Stadium deals are just messy by definition. This isn’t an exclusively Royals/John Sherman thing.
I'm not sure whether Sam Mellinger is telling Sherman what he thinks Sherman wants to hear, or if Sherman just refuses to listen to the truth, but it's really hard to fathom how badly they've bungled the PR. Several outside media/public affairs consultants are going to have a Merry Christmas if there is to be an April ballot measure.
In truth, there are only two things Sherman could have said today that would have generated any real goodwill with Kansas Citians writ large:
1) we're cutting ticket prices ~50% for the remainder of the season
2) we're staying at the K and planning to use the extension of the existing sales tax to build the rolling roof
Unfortunately, Sherman and his partners can't afford either step. Or, rather, they won't finance either step without the promise of future profits from adjacent development down the line.
The honeymoon is over.
I thought that something quite striking and revealing happened during the first two games of the Cleveland series: the Royals faced two starting pitchers who were drafted well after 2018 and found them nearly unhittable.
I have no idea if either of those guys will be long-term starters in MLB. But it all seemed like such a vivid illustration of the vast gulf between the Royals and the Guardians. These two guys looked like extremely viable starters (whatever their season numbers turn out to be) while the much-hyped Royals class of 2018 continues to be extraordinarily… non-thrilling.
He says the truth sometimes and sometimes it's even what fans want to hear. Really I need to see some better decisions making. Then he can tell the truth more and it will be received better. Not convinced JJ is it, this trade deadline and draft should be for JJ to keep his job. Which is harsh cause it's hard to evaluate a draft right away, but he's got a bill that's due.
Good to have you back in the saddle, Craig. Even if it's more sporadic then we'd like out here.
I appreciate you, Craig. I know how hard it can be to juggle all the things real life throws at you and still keep up with your writing. It's a challenge. But the truth is, as a reader, I'm just happy when you write about the team you love. It's a joy to read, regardless of how good the team is on the field. Be well. I look forward to the next installment.
Mr. B, thx for your candid deep-dive comments on the rottenness in the state of our team. It's really good to hear your voice again. I was starting to worry. Particularly LOVED your comment about how the Cardinals' disastrous year has been fun to watch. Ain't it though. They are, indeed, a storied franchise, but their fans are just too often full of themselves.
I think we’re all learning what other fan bases have already experienced: Stadium deals are just messy by definition. This isn’t an exclusively Royals/John Sherman thing.