Jonny Gomes gives 'un-politically correct' speech at Royals celebration (VIDEO)

Jonny Gomes did more than steal the show at the Royals celebration in Kansas City on Tuesday, the bearded outfielder also invented the mic flip.

Following their downtown parade and in front of a sea of fans at Union Station, Gomes, who wasn't even on the Royal's postseason roster,  grabbed a U.S flag, asked for a moment of silence in memory of Mike Moustakas’ mother, Chris Young’s father and Ednison Volquez’s father, who all passed away in the past four months, and gave this memorable speech:

Jonny Gomes was born to give this speech https://t.co/UqjVYESytI

— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) November 3, 2015

“It’s unbelievable what those boys did,” Gomes said. “It’s unbelievable what they did! It’s unbelievable what they did! They stole bases, they hit homers. Hey guess what, Cy Young winner, not on our team, beat him. Rookie of the year, not on our team, we beat him. MVP of the whole league, (turns around) sorry guys not on our team. But we beat that guy too! You know why we beat them. Because all of you all people had our backs.

“And Dayton Moore put this team together and Yost delivered it by being the captain of the ship. You all want to be politically correct, I’m the un-politically correct person. We whooped their ass!”

(Mic flip)

Can't wait to see what he wears to the White House this time. 

Jonny Gomes is going to the White House with the Royals. Never forget what he wore when he went with the Red Sox. pic.twitter.com/sM6y9gsEm2

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 4, 2015

Mets come out of clubhouse to salute Citi Field fans after losing World Series (VIDEO)

Still chanting "Let's Go Mets" long after the final out of the World Series, hundreds of Mets fans asked for and got a curtain call from their team after losing Game 5 to the Royals — putting an disappointing end to their fantastic season.

It was a heart-wrenching loss Sunday night, but that didn't stop David Wright, Jacob deGrom, Wilmer Flores and most of the team from coming out of the locker room to say farewell to the Mets faithful until next season.

The gesture won't eliminate the pain of losing, but it reminded everyone of the great ride this team and their fans had this season — together.

Mets players salute their fans. Pure class. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) pic.twitter.com/W9NoNdSKz1

— Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) November 2, 2015

Royals players pretend to take cover from trash-tossing Blue Jays fans (VIDEO)

The Royals and Blue Jays haven't have trouble with Rogers Centre fans throwing trash on the field during the ALCS in like visiting players did in an ugly scene last week.

Still, some Royals players were more than ready to protect themselves from flying objects in case anyone in the crowd decided to make their feelings heard after a call on Tuesday.

The dugout hijinks happened when Alcides Escobar was hit by a pitch on his knuckles in the second inning, but only awarded first base after a video review. When the call was overturned, fans booed loudly, Jeremy Guthrie and Paulo Orlando covered their heads in mock anticipation of being pelted. Johnny Cueto jumped up and down, and others pointed but no foreign objects came.

Here's the call which made the Royals take cover. If you look closely, you can see the players in the dugout getting ready for the deluge which never happened.

Now if the Canucks could only keep the fruits and vegetables out of the cheap seats.

Drew Butera, who was a few feet away, believes object thrown from 500 level last night that just missed Toronto policeman was a green pepper

— Vahe Gregorian (@vgregorian) October 20, 2015

Indians employee mistakenly sets off home run fireworks for wrong team (VIDEO)

Shooting off fireworks after a home run is pretty common around baseball — usually when the dinger is hit by the home team.

But a fireworks celebration for a visiting player? Not so much. 

Well, that happened at Progressive Field on Tuesday night. And the fans didn't like it one bit.

In the top of the fifth inning, Kansas City Royals right fielder Alex Rios crushed a solo shot to left field. The home run alone drew boos from the home crowd. But those boos grew louder when fireworks started to go off as Rios rounded the bases.

Once the guy setting off the fireworks realized what he had done, ol' trigger finger couldn't help but be upset with himself and did his best to hide his face.

Dude. You have one job to do and you blew it — literally. And you gotta love that high-tech control booth.

Kevin Kiermaier left hanging on curious home run at Tropicana Field (VIDEO)

Kevin Kiermaier was left in a precarious position after climbing the wall during Kendrys Morales' curious home run that bounced off Tropicana Field's catwalk Friday night.

The Rays player has been one of the best defensive outfielders in Major League Baseball this season, but even Kiermaier couldn't anticipate — or figure out — what happened on this play.

After Morales connected in the top of the third inning, Kiermaier ran back and scaled the center-field fence, appearing to get in position to try a home-run-preventing catch. 

But the ball never came. With Kiermaier hanging onto the fence with his hands — and then his right foot — the ball struck a catwalk and dropped to the ground perhaps 20 feet in front of the fence. It was ruled a double at the moment by umpires, but after a huddle they determined it was a home run. 

At least Kiermaier got to stretch out that right hammy.

George Brett: Better to be known for Pine Tar Game than hemorrhoids

The Hall of Fame gathering every summer let's former players kick back and reminisce about their playing days or, in some cases, just be dogged by events they would like to forget.

And, as usual, the 32nd anniversary of the infamous Pine Tar Game on Friday brought back some burning memories for George Brett during the Hall of Famers’ golf tournament on Saturday

“It wasn’t like a ground ball went through my legs and I’m remembered for that,” said Brett.

“Prior to that, I was known as the guy with the hemorrhoids in the 1980 World Series,” Brett joked. “Every on-deck circle I went to, from 1980 to July 24, 1983 on the road, I heard every hemorrhoids joke you could imagine. After July 25, I was the pine tar guy. So what would your rather be remembered as? It’s pretty simple.”

The Pine Tar Game, as any knowledgeable Yankee or Royal fan is aware, took place at the Stadium on July 24, 1983 between the two rival teams. Brett hit a two-run homer in the ninth to give his Royals the lead, but Billy Martin requested umps check the pine tar on his bat. Umps ruled Brett had too much pine tar there and called him out, nullifying the homer, giving the Yankees a victory. A temporary one, anyway.

The Royals’ protested the game and it was upheld. The game was continued Aug. 18 following Brett’s homer and the Royals eventually won.

Let's go to the videotape:

Now that's baseball.

Alcides Escobar takes nut shot from routine ground ball (VIDEO)

Alcides Escobar is usually pretty adept at handling ground balls but, when he isn't — man it hurts.

The Kansas City Royals shortstop misplayed this grounder Wednesday and well ... you know.

Let's just call it ball three.

this can't feel good--like, at all pic.twitter.com/O4oqU9IR71

— Jose Rivera (@notjoserivera) June 25, 2015

Mike Trout sparks bench-clearing discussion between Angels and Royals (VIDEO)

Tempers flared, benches cleared and things were discussed during the Angels-Royals game Sunday after Yordan Ventura confronted Mike Trout as the Los Angeles slugger slid into home plate and shouted something the Kansas City pitcher apparently didn't like.

Even with Ventura dominating the Angels 7-1 on the mound, the lanky 180-pound pitcher got things started by staring down the muscular 235-pound Trout as the slugger stood on first base.

Albert Pujols then doubled, driving in Trout — and that's when things really got testy. The pitcher confronted Trout and had to be pulled away as both benches and bullpens emptied.

After order was restored, Pujols tried to steal third and was thrown out easily. Ventura was later removed because of a muscle cramp in his thigh.

Or more likely one in his mouth.

Yankees won't sign free-agent James Shields because of A-Rod: Report

As if Yankee fans need another reason to vilify Alex Rodriguez, along comes this little tid-bid of info coming from Brian Cashman on Wednesday afternoon.

The Yankees general manager claims that James Shields, one of the most desirable starting pitchers available in free agency this offseason, will not be contacted by the team. 

And the reason the Bombers — just one elbow away from a rotation disaster — are taking a pass on Shields?

Because of the high-priced A-Rod who is returning to the team and inflating the organization's payroll this year.

Via NJ.com:

"We in fact had some contracts coming back on with Alex Rodriguez returning from his suspension,"Cashman said on WPAT-AM radio in an interview. "That was $21 million dollars coming back on the payroll...We'll still have about the second-highest payroll and I don't see it going any higher."

"Typically, when we're aggressive in the winter with a lot of big-time contracts is when big contracts are coming off (the payroll). This winter wasn't that case," he added.
The Yankees did spend heavily on Andrew Miller, investing $36 million on the reliever. But that has been it for their spending.

Their rotation does have some questions. CC Sabathia is coming off two consecutive down seasons. Hiroki Kuroda is gone. And Masahiro Tanaka is still a mystery as he avoided surgery and continues to pitch despite a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow.

"He certainly may need Tommy John at some point and maybe sooner (rather) than later," Cashman said of Tanaka. "We just don't know. It's a complete guessing game. He made two starts before the season ended on us. It's just hard to predict what's going to happen, but we're certainly hopeful he can return to what he was prior to the injury."

Hopefully A-Rod has been working on a splitter.

LeBron James posts photoshopped image of Prince George in Cavs jersey (PHOTO)

After giving Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge a pint-sized Cleveland Cavaliers jersey for their baby son following his team's win against the Brooklyn Nets Monday, James couldn’t wait for the little prince to try it on.

So King James posted a photoshopped picture of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge’s son, Prince George, wearing the little No. 1 top, to his Instagram page.

My lil guy Prince George was excited about our win last night as well so he wanted to run around this am. Lol. #Royalty #StriveForGreatness #TheLand

A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:50am PST

Just hope he didn't break any royal protocol this time.

LeBron James criticized for draping sweaty arm around Kate Middleton's shoulder (PHOTO)

LeBron James may be considered The King on an NBA basketball court but when it comes to mixing with the real royals, he might need a lesson in protocol.

James got a prized snapshot for his photo album when he posed with Prince William and Kate Middleton after the Cavaliers-Nets game in Brooklyn last night, but he also got called for a flagrant foul by putting his arm around the Duchess of Cambridge's shoulder during the shot.

Prince William and Kate stood with James inside Barclay's Center after the game Monday night — where they were presented with a tiny jersey for Prince George.

But as the camera flashes went off, a sweaty James put his arm around the Duchess' shoulder — a huge breach in etiquette.

LeBron James breaks royal protocol with arm around Kate's shoulder http://t.co/TFV7C8Om2Y pic.twitter.com/xL2IixBudt
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 9, 2014

Etiquette expert William Hanson told MailOnline: "Although I am sure the Duchess of Cambridge won’t have worried about it, Mr James should not have put his arm around her. 

"Americans are much more tactile than we Brits and this is another example of an American being too touchy feely with British royalty. You’d have think they’d have learned by now." 

Appearing alongside the royals un-showered and in a sweaty top is something many regard as bad form. 

"A shower would have been preferable but he had just finished a game," said Hanson. "So even more reason for him not have opened his pits by lifting his arm and placing it around Her Royal Highness!"

The King Meets The Royals これは洒落が効いてますな♪笑 NBAの王様が英国王室の皇太子夫婦と面会する！ http://t.co/bQWiznXZBL #nba #lebron
— スー @ 相互フォロー募集中♪ (@scrBasketBlog) December 9, 2014

A lot of harrumphs were sounded in 2012 when centuries-long protocol was broken by Michelle Obama putting her arm around the Queen at a Buckingham Palace G20 reception.

And everyone got over that.

Where's LeBron? At a Knicks game of course (PHOTOS)

This might be the closest thing to the Knicks actually getting LeBron James a perch on their bench, but at least there was a real winner sitting in Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Looking more like Where's Waldo than King James, then Cavaliers star took in the Knicks 103-99 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers last night at the Garden.

And he showed New York fans that while the Nets might have Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton attending a game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Monday, Manhattan's team can still draw some royalty of their own — NBA royalty.

http://t.co/UAuo8ElFGm #nba LeBron James says he wants ‘I can’t breathe’ shirt as protests spread to pro sports pic.twitter.com/0TJ4LAVv0w
— WordLink #NBA (@NBAbyWordLink) December 8, 2014

According to Carmelo Anthony, James took in the game on his off day as a way to show his “support” for their friendship.

Hopefully, that friendship is tighter than the Knicks defense. The home team lost after blowing a fourth-quarter lead.

Giants fan who returned Travis Ishikawa's walk-off home run ball gets World Series tickets (PHOTO)

Imagine being a lifelong San Francisco Giants fan and holding a piece of team history in your hands — and giving it up. Willingly.

That's what Frank Burke did — after catching Travis Ishikawa's dramatic Game 5 NLCS Series walk-off home run ball (video at bottom) that gave the Giants the pennant and sent them to the World Series last Thursday — when he returned the prized souvenir to the San Francisco hero. 

Travis Ishikawa did get to take home a souvenir #SFGiants #OctoberTogether (Photo @bradmangin) pic.twitter.com/g7jK8Xw6og
— #OctoberTogether (@SFGiants) October 17, 2014

Burke, an auto repair shop owner from nearby Oakdale, said he knew how important the ball was to Ishikawa and wanted him to have it back.

"I believe in karma," he said. "I didn't hit that ball ....if anybody's going to have that ball in their game room or trophy case, it's going to be the guy who hit it."

Burke said he hadn't planned on keeping the ball. He keeps home run balls from his high school days in his own trophy case.

"They're still important to me, they're part of my memories," he said. "So why would I think that he (Ishikawa) wouldn't want the same thing?"

So after having the ball authenticated by a Giants official, and being told that Ishikawa wanted it back, Burke went down from his right field seat to the clubhouse and handed it over.

Ishikawa shook hands, thanked him, and gave him a signed bat in return.

Burke said Giants officials asked him what he would like and he suggested World Series tickets but was told that was unlikely.

After doing a media interview the next morning, however, he got a call from the Giants. Burke now has four tickets to Game 3 of the World Series against the Royals at AT&T Park on Friday night.

Burke plans on taking his friend, Greg Leutza, who is battling cancer and said the ball and the bat weren't the things he treasured most.

"Just the memory for me and my buddy, that's priceless," he said. "That meant more to me than anything else will."

Sounds like a true friend — and fan.

Pedro Martinez entertains crowd with dance moves during ALCS 'light delay' (GIF)

There was a six-minute "light delay" before the start of the ALCS Game 1 thanks to the studio lamps above the TBS broadcast desk distracting the batters at the plate.

While the umpires and spectators stared up at the pesky lights overlooking Camden Yards, waiting for some grip or gaffer to hit the off switch, analyst Pedro Martinez took the opportunity to entertain the anxious crowd by turning on his dance moves.

And it was only apropos when the stadium sound guy punched up Journey's "Lights" as a soundtrack until the Orioles' starter, Chris Tillman, finally got to throw the series-opening first pitch.

Hey, it's better than a Superdome blackout ... I think.

George Brett celebrates after Royals clinch playoff spot (VIDEO)

Derek Jeter didn't play Friday night and, oh yeah, The Royals are in the postseason for the first time since 1985.

Here's George Brett — the greatest Royal of them all — reacting while witnessing the clincher in Chicago after a 29 year playoff drought:

Old Pine Tar, who holds the title of vice president of baseball operations for the Royals, has earned the right to a little over-exuberance.

Yankees will wear cap and uniform patches honoring Derek Jeter last three weeks of season: Report

It’s usually an honor reserved for players who have recently had their number retired, or been elected to the Hall of Fame, or died. But the Yankees are adding a little flair to celebrate  Derek Jeter's last games in pinstripes.

The team announced on Tuesday that players will wear a patch depicting Derek Jeter's final season logo on the left sleeve of their uniform and cap. The patch will be unveiled Sunday and worn by the entire team through the end of the 2014 season.

The Derek Jeter patch will be worn by the team from Sept. 7 through the end of the 2014 season. #FarewellCaptain pic.twitter.com/0J80fJnCSX
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2014

The Yankees will debut the logos on Derek Jeter Day, prior to Sunday's afternoon game against the Royals. Former teammates, family members and other guests are expected to take part in a special pregame ceremony highlighting Jeter's career. 

The Yankees also announced that Yankee Stadium team stores are currently selling a limited-edition New Era Derek Jeter collectible cap set, including three hats that celebrate Jeter's five World Series championships, his 3,000 hits milestone and his upcoming retirement.

 Only 2,014 units were created. So hop to it.

Umpire does James Brown split while making call (VIDEO)

Most baseball umpires aren't noted for their agility on the field but sometimes the old guys can fool you with their entertaining moves.

For instance, during Friday's Giants-Royals game, umpire Gary Cederstrom went to call San Francisco infielder Joaquin Arias safe at third base, but inadvertently wound up doing a slow motion version of a James Brown split while slipping on the Kauffman Stadium grass.

Cederstrom was okay after the funky move much to the delight of the home crowd — even after the call went against the Royals.




Maybe we should start calling Cederstrom The Hardest Working Umpire in Baseball or possibly The Godfather of Fall.

Uh huh. Super bad.

The mystery George Brett photo which inspired Lorde's 'Royals' song is revealed (PHOTO)

Just as she said before, a Kansas City Royals player was the inspiration behind Lorde's mega-hit single "Royals."  The 17-year-old New Zealand singer apparently got the idea after seeing an photo of a once anonymous KC player signing autographs on National Geographic Television.

But after some research, National Geographic has confirmed that the pop star was referring to this incredible shot of the Royal's legend, George Brett, surrounded by a flock of baseball-holding fans:

In an interview a few months ago with VH1, Lorde (real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor) explained how she "had this image from the National Geographic of this dude just signing baseballs. He was a baseball player and his shirt said, 'Royals.'"

"It was just that word. It’s really cool."

Some people will say the song isn't actually about the baseball Royals, but instead refers to modern-day celebrity kings and queens. Hence the line, "And we'll never be royals."

The music world is just thankful the young songbird wasn't around to remember this image of Brett from the Pine Tar Incident:

Here's a video of Lorde's admission courtesy of VH1:

Get More: 

Lorde, Lorde Music Videos, Free Music Videos

(Autograph photo by Ted Spiegel, National Geographic)

[MLB.com]