Forever Royal: Cain ends MLB career with KC

KANSAS CITY -- Lorenzo Cain knew he wanted to retire a Royal when he hit a home run as an opposing player at Kauffman Stadium in 2018. Fans cheered for him as he rounded the bases in his first game back since leaving as a free agent.

It took him by surprise, but he understood then what it meant to have brought a championship to Kansas City.

On Saturday, a packed stadium got to cheer for him again. This time, as a Royal once again.

Cain, a two-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner and centerpiece of the Royals’ 2014-15 postseason teams, signed a ceremonial one-day contract to retire with the Royals on Saturday.

He was overcome with emotion during the 25-minute ceremony, during which the Royals highlighted his career. A video played before Cain was introduced -- Fetty Wap’s “Trap Queen” playing in the background -- and Cain had to take several minutes to collect himself after a standing ovation greeted him on the field.

“This means more than you know,” he told the nearly sold-out crowd. He thanked his mom, Patricia, his wife, Jenny, and his three sons, Cameron, Jayden and Landyn, as well as his coaches, trainers and countless others who “stood by me on this journey.”

Royals general manager J.J. Picollo, longtime coach and current senior advisor Rusty Kuntz, former manager Ned Yost, and Cain’s former teammates Jeremy Guthrie and Alex Gordon honored Cain as Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre outlined the outfielder’s career.

Royals captain and catcher Salvador Perez came out of the dugout hobbling on a cane and flashing a smile. “Lorenzo’s Cane” is engraved with Cain’s career accomplishments.

“A lot of good memories with him,” Perez said. “The way he played center field, tracking down the ball, it was fun to watch from behind home plate. No matter how he felt, he always wanted to play. That sticks with me.”

Cain threw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday, and it started in center field, where his 595 games played ranks fifth all-time in franchise history. Only this time, he had some help throwing it in. Landyn, Cain’s youngest, threw to Jayden, who threw to Cameron, who threw to Lorenzo on the mound.

After all, Cain’s family is why he decided to retire. Cain had just turned 36 when the Brewers released him last season, and he fielded interest from other teams because of his defense. So, Cain gathered his three boys and asked if they wanted their dad to keep playing baseball or stay home with them. When they answered with the latter, Cain called it a career.

Cain gestured to his boys at the podium during Saturday’s press conference when asked what he’s up to now.

“You see it right here,” Cain said. “I’m spending all my time [with them]. I put in a lot of work to eventually get the opportunity to do this. They’re all playing baseball, basketball, they’re playing everything. I’m so fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to watch them start their sports career at a very early age. I’ve been having a blast doing it.

“They’re starting to realize that daddy played baseball and won a World Series, so we’ll do things in the backyard and they say, ‘Daddy still’s got it,’ and ask me to race,” Cain said. “I have to show them daddy’s still got it.”

The Royals acquired Cain, along with shortstop Alcides Escobar, from Milwaukee heading into the 2011 season, as part of a package for Zack Greinke, who watched Saturday’s ceremony from the Royals dugout. Cain hit his stride in ‘13, playing in 115 games alongside the core of the Royals’ future championship team that was just beginning to make its presence known.

Cain starred in the outfield and batted third for the Royals when they captured back-to-back American League pennants in 2014 and ‘15. He finished third in AL MVP voting in ‘15. He was the 2014 ALCS MVP. In the last game of the 2015 ALCS against the Blue Jays, he scored the winning run from first on a single. Cain’s double in Game 5 of the World Series iced the Royals’ win.

He made countless jaw-dropping catches in the outfield, electrifying a franchise on its way to winning its first title in 30 years.

Cain never thought he would be here, let alone make it to the Major Leagues. He showed up to his first baseball practice ever as a sophomore at Madison County High School in Madison, Fla., wearing jeans. He wore his glove on the wrong hand when he went to the outfield for the first time. This story wouldn’t even be written if his mom had allowed him to play football like he wanted. She thought it was too dangerous.

Cain was the Brewers’ 17th-round pick in the 2004 MLB Draft. 19 years of professional baseball later, Cain is forever a Royal.

“You never know who’s watching,” Cain said. “I’m just a kid from Madison County. Grew up in a very small town. Never played baseball until 10th grade. All it took was one scout to see me. Now I have an opportunity to sit here today and retire a Royal.”