Baseball's thrill of victory and agony of defeat never fails to stir the soul, especially when the calendar flips to Thanksgiving— a time when turkey takes center stage and we're left pondering the rollercoaster ride of the just-concluded season. But here's where it gets intriguing: as we reflect on the 2025 MLB playoffs and World Series, let's dive into some unforgettable moments that sparked both laughter and heated debates. Trust me, by the end, you'll be itching to share your own takes in the comments.
With the postseason now a fond memory and our focus shifting to football and festive gatherings, it's the perfect opportunity to unpack the standout hits and glaring misses from this year's baseball extravaganza. Picture this: during the nail-biting World Series, Major League Baseball took to social media to highlight some 'royalty' seated in prime seats, posting a photo featuring Prince Harry alongside a woman presumed to be his wife, Meghan. Now, I'm the first to admit I have zero radar for spotting celebrities—haven't flipped through a gossip rag like People in ages. I'd probably stroll right past Harry and Meghan on a busy street without a clue, unless they were flanked by beefy bodyguards or a swarm of flashing cameras.
In a sharp retort that quickly went viral, media personality Dana Loesch fired back at MLB's tweet with: 'The only Royals America has are in Kansas City and they stink.' Some folks might bristle at that jab, viewing it as disrespectful to international figures, but personally, I cracked up. And speaking as a die-hard member of Royal Nation, hats off to Dana for giving us a nod! A quick online search reveals Loesch hails from St. Louis, making her a likely Cardinals supporter. It's no secret that fans of the Redbirds can get a tad salty when their younger Missouri cousins in Kansas City steal the spotlight. But hey, Missouri's got room for rivalries that keep things exciting—think of it as sibling banter that only adds to the fun.
Oh, and Dana, I gave those Super Beet products you've hawked on TV a shot, and sadly, they didn't deliver the promised miracles. I'm still dealing with the same old, overweight, and far-from-pretty self—and let's face it, much like rooting for the Cardinals, some things are just set in stone.
Every off-season, the Royals Review crew rolls out their crystal ball predictions, covering everything from division champions to award winners (you can check out the full list at https://www.royalsreview.com/2025/3/26/24393689/the-2025-royals-and-mlb-predictions-thread). True to form, I revisited my own forecasts to see how many I nailed—or, more accurately, how spectacularly I swung and missed. Like a lucky blindfolded hog rooting out truffles, I did manage to hit a few bulls-eyes amid the chaos.
For starters, I called it right that Bobby Witt Jr. would top Royals position players in Wins Above Replacement (WAR)—a statistic that measures a player's overall value by comparing their performance to a replacement-level player, making it easier to understand how much they contribute beyond the basics. And unless disaster strikes, like losing a limb, that's a safe bet given his talent.
I also picked Cole Ragans to dominate the pitching staff in WAR, and he might have clinched it if nagging injuries hadn't sidelined him. Instead, rookie Noah Cameron claimed that title, catching everyone at Royals Review off guard—no small feat, as predicting breakout stars is like guessing lottery numbers.
On the playoff predictions, I correctly identified the three National League division victors: Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Los Angeles, plus one Wild Card spot for San Diego. But over in the American League, I struck out big time with Baltimore, Detroit, and Texas as contenders, while naming Kansas City, Seattle, and the Yankees as my Wild Cards. All told, I got seven out of twelve playoff teams right—decent, but not Vegas-worthy bragging rights.
For the World Series, I envisioned Los Angeles sweeping past the Royals in five games. What can I say? I'm a proud Kansas City homer through and through. And speaking of unwavering loyalty, I forecasted Bobby Witt Jr. snagging the MVP award. Instead, it went to Aaron Judge, who's racking up record-breaking stats year after year. It's a bit of a tragedy that Bobby—and fellow catcher Cal Raleigh—have ended up playing the role of Josh Allen in Judge's Patrick Mahomes narrative, overshadowed by a superstar's dominance.
That said, I did spot on the National League MVP with Shohei Ohtani, which wasn't exactly brain surgery—or as tough as navigating a conversation with someone from the opposite sex, for that matter.
I got lucky with Tarik Skubal for the American League Cy Young, but whiffed on the National League pick. Both Rookie of the Year calls were way off too, which is par for the course since those awards are notoriously unpredictable.
No sweat, though—2026 is just around the corner, and I'll be back at it, flinging predictions like mud at a wall to see what sticks.
Baseball trivia always captivates me, especially the quirky kind. Take this gem: four all-time greats started and wrapped up their careers in the same city, but for different teams:
Babe Ruth – Boston Red Sox / Boston Braves
Jimmie Foxx – Philadelphia Athletics / Philadelphia Phillies
Henry Aaron – Milwaukee Braves / Milwaukee Brewers
Willie Mays – New York Giants / New York Mets
What's the thread connecting them? These legends were the crème de la crème of the game, legends who weren't ready to hang up their cleats. Heading back to their hometown was their final curtain call to soak in the cheers from fans who remembered their glory days. Yet, the curtain often falls too abruptly for our idols. Ruth, for instance, batted a meager .181 with just six homers in his Boston comeback, while Mays' emotional plea on his knees to umpire Augie Donatelli for a safe call at home plate—after what appeared to be a blown call—remains etched in baseball lore. And honestly, replaying it now, it does look like the umpire might have erred.
For a trivia twist worth $200, Alex: Major League Baseball has spanned over 150 years, with about 21,000 players gracing the fields. Cleveland's Progressive Field, the smallest venue in the majors, seats 34,830 fans. Imagine cramming every single MLB player into that stadium—you'd still have 40% of the seats empty, leaving plenty of room for the hot dog vendors.
While browsing Conagra's website recently, I stumbled upon the fact that they own David's Sunflower Seeds, which proudly claim to be the official seed of Major League Baseball—and softball, too. It's those little discoveries that make life interesting. I've been a dedicated seed-cracker for half a century, and for kids, there are even printable 'David Player of the Game' certificates—perfect for an eight-year-old's big moment. Back in the day, you could snag a pack of Fisher's sunflower seeds for a mere nickel, ideal for a game and a fun Halloween treat. But those are relics now; David's has cornered the market.
Eighteen players have racked up seven or more games with five hits or more, and one of them is former Royal Johnny Damon. It's easy to overlook just how stellar Damon was, especially in an era when the Royals struggle to find reliable outfielders. It stings to recall that in the late '90s, the franchise boasted what might have been baseball's top young outfield trio: Damon, Carlos Beltran, and Jermaine Dye—a lineup that could have been the envy of any team.
And this is the part most people miss—let's turn it into a bar bet: When was the last time a Royals pitcher notched 20 wins? The answer: Bret Saberhagen back in 1989, finishing 23-6 and claiming the AL Cy Young Award. Double or nothing: Who hurled the Royals' most recent no-hitter? You guessed it—Saberhagen again, in 1991.
Chances are slim you'll witness either feat again in your lifetime. Baltimore's last 20-game winner was in 1984, Milwaukee's drought stretches back to 1986, the Padres haven't seen one since 1978, and shockingly, Colorado has never had a pitcher reach that milestone. It's a stark reminder of how pitching landscapes evolve—once a common achievement, now a rare unicorn in today's game.
Finally, let's wrap up with the wild tale of Ron Wright, a 7th-round draft pick by the Braves in 1994. Standing 6'1" and weighing 230 pounds, he was a physical powerhouse who showed real pop in his swing and got better with each minor-league stop. After eight tough years grinding it out, the Mariners promoted him. On April 14, 2002, he debuted against the formidable Kenny Rogers of the Rangers—a pitcher who earned four All-Star nods and amassed 219 career wins.
Rogers fanned Wright on a called third strike in his first at-bat—nerves were expected for a big-league rookie. But in the fourth inning, with runners on base, Wright's comebacker led to a chaotic 1-6-2-5-1-4 triple play, one of the rarest plays in baseball where three outs are recorded in a single hit. Then, in the sixth, he grounded into a standard 6-4-3 double play.
Talk about a baptism by fire: three at-bats yielded one strikeout, one double play, and one triple play—six outs on three tries, possibly setting some kind of dubious record. Wright never saw another MLB game; he was sent back to AAA Tacoma, where he batted .273 with 15 homers and 57 RBIs in 99 games. He bounced between Toledo (Tigers) and Akron (Indians) in 2003 before ending up in the Northern League.
On the flip side, consider John Paciorek, whose brothers Jim and Tom also reached the majors. John, just 18, played one game for the Houston Colt .45s in September 1963. In five plate appearances, he smacked three singles, earned two walks, crossed the plate four times, and drove in three runs. Injuries cut his career short, but he retired with an unbeatable 1.000 batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage—a perfect slash line that every hitter dreams of.
Baseball mirrors life itself: it's a mix of confusing twists, heart-wrenching lows, frustrating setbacks, exhilarating highs, jaw-dropping moments, and sheer beauty. Some players enjoy two-decade stints in the spotlight, while others, like Wright and Paciorek, get just one fleeting chance to shine. But here's the controversy that might divide fans: Is it fair to judge a player's legacy by such brief appearances, or does that one magical game, like Paciorek's, outweigh years of mediocrity? Do you think the Royals' pitching droughts are a sign of the game's changing demands, or a failure of modern scouting? Share your thoughts below—do you agree with Loesch's royal roast, or do you side with MLB's celebrity nod? Let's debate!
Wishing you all a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, great company, and maybe a few sunflower seeds for old times' sake.
