So here's how the first-place Royals defeated the Twins on Tuesday night (KC 2, MIN 1) ...
That's a dramatic triumph right there, and it benefitted a team locked in a tight pennant race. From the Royals' standpoint, all should be well. Manager Ned Yost, however, found a negative to seize upon. Here are some of his post-game comments, courtesy of the Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger ...
“I mean, what, 13,000 people got to see a great game?
...
“We’re in a pennant race, yeah. We’ve been working on trying to build this team for the last three or four years to put ourselves in a position where we can contend for a championship. And not only the division, but we want to contend for a world championship. It’s really, really important we have our fans behind us at the stadium.
“I know it’s a school night. But I’ve been through this before in Atlanta (when the Braves first made the playoffs) in ‘91, where it didn’t matter what night it was, that place was packed at the end of August and September. The fans really got into it."
Mellinger's piece has more of Yost's remarks and then a well-reasoned rebuke of pretty much everything Yost said. Go read it.
Let's just say that criticizing week-night attendance for a franchise that's at best had a fleeting relationship with relevance for the last 30 years or so is not a good look for a manager. Let's also say that Yost's memories of the unchecked enthusiasm of Braves fans differ from my own.
Mostly, Yost should be happy that he's employed and happy that he has a roster capable of playing above his tactical limitations.
(Wink of CBS eye: Hardball Talk)
