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| Royal Man and Slugerrr have a little fun at Kauffman Stadium (Photo: Andrew Johnson) |
During that stretch, the Royals have had more than their share of high draft picks, leading to multiple youth movements – none of which have led to success. But Dayton Moore has been stockpiling talent through the draft and trades since becoming the general manager to the point that Baseball America has recognized the Royals as having the best farm system in the game.
Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean the talent will translate into winning seasons in Kansas City. And with the fanbase growing tired of new youth movements every few years, one particular fan, Troy Olsen, saw a chance to lighten the mood by transforming himself into Royal Man.
“I was standing out on the Pepsi Porch one night when there was nobody at the ballpark,” Olsen said. “We were out of the race of course in the middle of June or July two years ago – the first year for the Pepsi Porch, and I was thinking, ‘You know, this is really neat, but this stadium just needs something. It needs someone who will take it to the next level – to give something else to the fans when we’re doing bad.
“The Chiefs have super fans. The Royals deserve super fans too. It’s not like the Chiefs have been this great product. So, the idea for Royal Man started formulating and I wondered if I could really go through with it. I talked to people, including Tim – the emcee for the Royals, and he loved the idea. Then I went out and started to look at what it would cost me to get [the Royal Man costume] made because I’m not handy with the needle.
“I looked all over online and found a few people who were willing to do it for me – all about the same price range and I settled on one who was from Project Runway. Her price was about the same as everybody else’s and I went with her.”
He wore the suit to Opening Day 2009 and people responded favorably. He thought he would wear it to games until the novelty of the idea wore off, but people began asking for pictures and the popularity of Royal Man began to grow. Radio interviews followed, which was an unexpected benefit, especially since Olsen has always wanted to work in radio.
Since becoming Royal Man, he’s done radio spots in Kansas City as well as starting his own podcast. He was in Omaha on April 15 for what was supposed to be the Storm Chasers’ home opener, but weather pushed the game back to Saturday. He was disappointed he couldn’t stay in town for that, but he made the rounds at Werner Park, getting interviews for his weekly podcast.
This weekend, Olsen traveled to Arlington for the series against the Rangers, hoping Kansas City will continue to play good baseball. No matter how the season progresses through, Royal Man will be out at Kauffman Stadium.
“Fans just need something to cheer for and I think we’re there now,” Olsen said. “That’s what I’ve been preaching. I predicted we would have 70 wins. Say they have a hot start and fizzle and end up winning 70. But the thing is, if this team plays the way they are now – even the way they did where they lost the game where Soria gave up four runs, that was heart wrenching – but they played hard that game and they made for fun baseball.
“They make their fair share of errors still, but overall this team is playing hard, they are playing gutsy and they are playing to a point where they keep people in the seats, like they did the other night when Soria gave up the runs, because the game was too good to leave.”
Olsen seemed equally stoked to see the Storm Chasers play. If the game had been played on Friday as originally scheduled, he would have been in full Royal Man gear.
“I’ve come to Omaha for three years in a row because I love baseball,” Olsen said. “And sitting in my car right now is my Opening Day ticket for today. It’s $12.00 and it’s two rows off the field. You can’t beat that. Where am I going to go to see a three hour event for $12.00 and sit two rows off the field?
“I remember coming here in years past. Angel Berroa was standing 15 feet from me, my brother and his girlfriend at the time and I said, ‘Hey Angel, throw me a ball’ and he did. I still have it in my drawer at home – my Pacific Coast League ball. That, to me, is absolutely fantastic.”
That’s not Olsen’s only great memory from interaction with a player.
“Mitch Maier has been one of my favorite players for years,” Olsen said. “He said to me one time, ‘It’s fans like you who make me love playing this game.’ Can you get a better compliment than that?”
To follow Royal Man on Twitter, click here. To friend Royal Man on Facebook, click here. And to listen to his podcast, click here.
