The Kansas City Royals were a dominant team when I was a kid, and it sad now to see them as a team that can't keep their star players. With that said, I can say that they were a wonderful team for the fans. Pitchers Kyle Davies, Bruce Chen, Louis Coleman, Jeff Francis, Felipe Paulino, and Blake Wood took time to sign during the 3 day visit. I saw Joakim Soria Wednesday and he said he would sign after he warmed up, but the Padres had the Boys and Girls Clubs walk on the field before the game, preventing Joakim from coming back over (although it didn't stop Kyle Davies from breaking through the kids and coming over). The position players who signed were Eric Hosmer, Chris Getz, Mike Moustakas, Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur. Former 2B and current Royal announcer Frank White signed a few autographs.
Of all the players I have met, Jeff Francoeur was one I will never forget. He walked onto the field Wednesday and saw an older lady, who he quickly ran up to and hugged. He put his leg up, and she pulled his pants leg up and felt his calf! He then gave her a hug, signed a jersey and walked over to where we were standing. I asked him about the lady he was talking to and he said it was his grandma who took the train from Los Angeles to San Diego to see him play. He was so happy that she came to see him and it was great to see how happy it made him. He stood for 10 minutes taking pictures, signing autographs, talking to fans and generally being an all around nice guy. He told me he collected cards as a kid and that his favorite player was Dale Murphy. He was the epitome of what The Casual Fan looks for in a player: A guy who looks like he's enjoying the game as well as the fans who come to see the game.
One last shout out goes to a mascot...The Friar. A young boy with the Boys And Girls Club came down to the rail with the head of the group he was with. It was this young boys first baseball game. He stood on the rail asking for players to come over, but by this time, they were all warming up and getting ready for the game. The Padres mascot came by and took a picture with the young boy and was told it was his first baseball game. The Friar picked up the boy, and took him on the field and had him wave to the fans and then walked him out to Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas, who then shook the young boys hand and give him a baseball. It was all I could do to not start crying seeing the joy on this boys face and to know that this young boy will never forget it. I hope @SDPadres reads this so that they'll know that the kindness that The Friar showed this young boy.
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