Serious post:
Guys one of my best friends in the world passed away 4 years and 5 days ago. He had muscular dystrophy and was only 29 years old. He was in my wedding, we'd been friends since 3rd grade. He loved the Royals, and hated them. Over the years we went to many, many, Royals games and usually talked on the phone several times a week about the team during the season. The last conversation I had with him was about the trade that sent Rick Ankiel to the Braves for Tim Collins. Every time Tim Collins pitches I think of Justin, and how pumped he was for that trade. Justin would get really, really down about the Royals, and in 2008 put his "MLB Fan Affiliation" on Ebay stating he was done with the Royals forever, the Royals bought it for $5 
and invited him to batting practice before a game. He was convinced Hosmer was going to be elite, and we were right on the brink. One of my favorite memories was at my bachelor party (A Royals game) during the 19 game losing streak in 2005. He bought a cotton candy and told the vendor to give it to this like, 13 year old girl who was with her parents, saying it was a gift from me. . When he passed, he was buried in a Royals jersey.
Justin's family bought a legacy brick at the K, and I stop by it most times I go to a game. Its like Rany said best, "It was from the joy of being part of something bigger than ourselves. It was from the joy that comes from connecting with others. Being linked together by sadness and failure is far better than not being linked at all." Justin and my time as friends was during the absolute bottom of the Royals franchise history, when our team had no owner, we traded Dye, Damon, and Beltran for nothing, Ken Harvey was our all star, and we used a #1 overall pick on Luke Hoechevar. Didn't matter, we liked them, and enjoyed watching and talking baseball together. The last game I went to was the Sat. night game against Cleveland a few weeks ago when we were down 5-0 and came back to win, with Billy's 2nd homerun in 2 days. After the game I stopped by the legacy brick, and missed Justin knowing how much he would've loved knowing Billy did spin class, and that me and Slimz had called him that from O-TownCat's seats a few weeks prior.
The Royals mean a lot to me and to this city and community, they meant a lot to my friend, and he'd enjoy this season so very, very much.
This season can end with the fairy tale or the thud of a Ned Yost bonehead move, either way lets enjoy the ride together. If you are at the K and find yourself at the legacy bricks, look for one near the George Brett homerun off Gossage brick, it says "Justin Cole, a true fan". This season is for him.
#BeRoyalKC
Today is always a tough day. Its the 5 year anniversary of a loss of a friend, whom I wrote about last summer. I'm doing good today, remembering funny things he said and fun times we had, but wishing I could chat about the Royals with him. Its always the things you connected with people over that bring back the memories isn't it? A song or a place or team, that you bonded with someone over, can take on more meaning when that person is gone.
A Royals win today, of all days, always means a little more to me and the people who knew him.
Go Royals.
