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Jac Caglianone Debuts for the Royals
Also, I offer advice on issuing apologies and using proper sports metaphors
Hi Everyone —
Mega-prospect Jac Caglianone made his big-league debut on Tuesday in the Royals-Cardinals game at Busch Stadium, and while he went 0-for-5 (though he did scorch a couple of balls that were turned into outs by fine defense), but it sure seemed like there was a whole different vibe surrounding the Royals.
Sure, it was only one game. But when the Royals fell behind 7-2 — with starter Michael Lorenzen getting rocked for the second straight outing — the game felt OVER. Completely over. The Royals can’t score 7 runs in a game. They have scored the fewest runs in the league — and the league includes the White Sox. They have hit BY FAR the fewest home runs in baseball.
The Royals have managed to stay above .500 because they’ve been pitching historically great baseball. As our pal Joe Sheehan points out, they’ve won 14 times this year when scoring three runs or fewer — on pace for the most such wins since the 1969 Mets. That might not be the most sustainable plan for success, but you play with the cards you are dealt.
The hope is that Caglianone, who has been destroying baseballs in the minors, will change that dynamic a little bit.
Obviously, it’s way too early to tell. But something pretty fascinating happened on Tuesday. There was an obvious buzz about Caglianone joining the team. The whole Royals broadcast revolved around the excitement of it all. Sideline reporter Joel Goldberg talked with the family. Royals GM J..J. Picollo was up in the booth and sounded downright giddy. The players were visually excited about the new kid in town (at one point, Vinnie Pasquantino went over to Jac and gave him specific advice, it was pretty cool).
And even though Caglianone wasn’t directly involved … the Royals came back from that impossible 7-2 deficit and won 10-7. They hit two home runs in a game for the first time in a month. They strung together seven hits in their comeback inning. They looked energized and alive.
Was Caglianone’s presence the difference or was it just a fluke? Are the Royals a more confident and dangerous lineup with New Jac City around or was this just a one-day blip in a long season? Will Caglianone hit or will he struggle and get sent back down?
I mean, we have zero answers so far. But I do believe this: While one player cannot carry a baseball team, one player CAN make a huge difference in how that team views itself. The 1988 Dodgers really were defined by Kirk Gibson. Those Yankees dynasty teams really were defined by Derek Jeter. The good Royals teams of a decade ago really were defined by the sheer awesomeness of Wade Davis.
Jac Caglianone is a blank page right now — but the exhilaration and optimism surrounding him feels very real.
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Why Are Apologies So Hard?
Our younger daughter goes to Wake Forest. It’s a lovely school, full of super-impressive young people. She loves it. But apparently, they do not have any idea how to apologize there. Like, NO idea. Maybe they can add a class. Apologies 101.
Yesterday, Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter was caught on video unleashing a homophobic slur toward a Tennessee player. I guess you’re supposed to say “allegedly,” because, you know, nothing is real in the world anymore — AI and green screens and stuff — but like I say: he was CAUGHT ON VIDEO UNLEASHING A HOMOPHOBIC SLUR. You didn’t have to be Jomboy or the late George Bush to read his lips.
Anyway, it was a bad moment for a frustrated coach, and the apology should have been simple.
“What I said was inexcusable. I’m ashamed and deeply remorseful. I’ve embarrassed my university and let my team down. I’m as sorry as I can be, and I promise nothing like this will ever happen again.”
See? Simple.
Instead, we got this fakakta word cocktail:
“I am very sorry for my outburst in frustration last night, and I recognize the hurt and disappointment it has caused. I have seen the videos, and while I do not remember the specific moment clearly, that language doesn’t reflect my values or the standards of this program. Regardless, I own the consequences and I apologize to the University of Tennessee, to Wake Forest University, and the SEC & ACC.”
What the heck is that? He doesn’t remember saying it… and it doesn’t sound like him… but he recognizes that if he said it, then some people might have been hurt and disappointed, and so he’s apologizing to those people, because — again — he doesn’t remember saying it… and it doesn’t sound like him… but there’s a video?
Is that really what he meant to say?
People. Just apologize. Just say you messed up (no excuses), and you’re sorry (not to any specific group or only the offended, but just sorry), and you will strive to do better. It’s not that hard.
Why are Sports so Hard?
As you probably know, we here at JoeBlogs offer a free service to politicians across the aisle to rework their sports metaphors so they don’t come across like complete dopes.
We are more than happy to expand our services to the Tech industry.
But they’ll have to call for pricing:
From The Defector (covering Bitcoin 2025)
LAS VEGAS — "We often talk about baseball games as a metric for where we are, and we're literally in the first inning," one of the Winklevoss twins gloats. "And this game's going to overtime."
I love, love, love that The Defector — which, by the way, is awesome and well worth the subscription — never says which Winklevoss twin was gloating. Because, honestly, who cares?
Look: Bitcoin is like a baseball game, you know, and that means you’re always just a buzzer-beater away from an extra-time goal that might be overturned by pass interference.
Kathleen’s Korner
TJ Friedl robbed a home run to secure a victory for the Cincinnati Reds. After the game, he said that play topped every other walk-off in his career.
In more Sarah Langs news, she has her own set of baseball cards coming! The collaboration with Topps commemorates 2025 Lou Gehrig Day.
It’s the anniversary of Cleveland’s 10-cent beer night. Here’s an oral history that Cleveland Magazine shared last year. If you haven’t read this before, it’s a treat.
I’m not sure how I should feel about this Instagram targeting, but if you are in the market for MLB compression socks, do I have an ad for you. And don’t worry, they make it very clear that these are genuine merchandise.
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