A stadium full of Royals fans voiced displeasure as Ian Kennedy stepped off the mound during a start last season. He was angry with himself too, having just surrendered four runs. As he stepped over the foul line, the crowd noise faded and two small voices from near the home dugout caught his attention.
There he saw the smiling faces of his two oldest daughters, Nora, then seven, and Renee, then six.
“They had no idea I just gave up four runs,” he said. “They’re just so proud to watch their dad pitch.”
Baseball has always been important to Kennedy, who’s in his 13th Major League season and fourth with Kansas City.