Joe Posnanski writes long awaited Frank White column

This thing is way too long to cut and paste.

The day before the event, the Kansas City Royals released a statement.

“Frank White holds a special place in Royals history and with our fans -- evidenced by his statue at Kauffman Stadium, his retired jersey and the many years he was employed by the franchise.

“Following his retirement as a player, the Royals arranged for him to hold a number of positions with the team. While Frank’s role evolved over time based on his own requests as well as the needs of the organization, we were disappointed when he made the decision to leave his position as a community ambassador.

“We continue to respect what Frank has done for our city and the role he played in Royals history, and he always will be a part of the Royals tradition.”

One man in the hallway wanders up from behind and taps me on the shoulder. He asks if I am the sportswriter. I nod.

"Write this," he says. "Frank White is the greatest baseball player ever to play in Kansas City. You hear me? The greatest to ever play here.”

I nod again.

“And write this,” he says. “The Royals are a disgrace.”

http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40420012

[Saul Good]

I've known Frank most of my life. He is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He also has a huge chip on his shoulder, and it is one of his own making.

The Royals have given him job after job after job to keep him happy, but it's never been enough. They don't owe him a managerial position. They hired John Wathan. They hired Hal McRae. I'm certain there is a reason they never hired Frank.

Eventually, you realize that he's always going to be a malcontent, and you have to part ways. It sucks. He was one of my heroes growing up, and then he and his family became close friends of mine. None of this changes the fact that he felt that he was owed something that he wasn't.

[Mosbonian]

Frank White set the standard for how 2nd Base was played....and what William said is right about the Official Scorers. Frank had a right to bitch because the plays he made the bobble's on 99% of the other IF's never had a dream of coming close to making.

People forget that Frank was robbed of a Golden Glove when they gave it to the Orioles
2nd Basemen who had double the number of errors with almost the same number of chances. I never blamed Frank for being pissed about that one.

I honestly don't blame him for having a bit of a chip on his shoulder....and quite frankly (no pun intended) that is what probably drove him to be so damn good.

I am also in the camp that I wouldn't want Frank to take the job managing the Royals because they don't deserve him.

To me...when they talk Royals I think Brett first, then White and Otis. Those were the guys who truly exemplified what was Royals baseball when we all loved it. Amos Otis hit one of the most mammoth HR's I have ever seen it.....it hit the flag pole in dead center field and was still on the rise.

I know guys loved Hal McRae....but honestly the chip on his shoulder made Frank White's look like a speck of sawdust.

[Lprechaun]

Frank White use to come into my fathers dealership, as did George Brett and numerous other players. I was young elementary school age when I got to meet all these players. What I remember most was the top three Royals in my opinion of all time constantly being talked about on TWIB, and how even opposing teams were in awe of these players (Brett, Wilson, and White) when they played against them.
I have been wishing for White to be the Royals manager since he first declared he wanted to be. To everyone who says he is just an ass who complains all the time, consider if you worked your ass off to gain a position you were made to feel you could possibly get if you worked your way up. After years and years of nothing but the organization doing everything it can to keep you from it eventually you are just fed up.
He would bring the same attitude to the Royals as we so desperately desire for the Chiefs to have.
Accountability, fundamentals, work ethic and pride. The Royals would be lucky to have him as manager, and are lucky he even asked.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

People forget that Frank was robbed of a Golden Glove when they gave it to the Orioles
2nd Basemen who had double the number of errors with almost the same number of chances. I never blamed Frank for being pissed about that one.

Wasn't that the Mariners? Harold Reynolds?

EDIT: Yeah, it was Harold Reynolds for the Mariners in 1988.

Reynolds: 18 errors on 792 chances, .977 fielding %
White: 4 errors on 723 chances, .994 fielding %

Complete hose job, that was.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Wasn't that the Mariners? Harold Reynolds?

EDIT: Yeah, it was Harold Reynolds for the Mariners in 1988.

Reynolds: 18 errors on 792 chances, .977 fielding %
White: 4 errors on 723 chances, .994 fielding %

Complete hose job, that was.

Thanks for correcting me on that one....I was posting that off the top of my head. I just remember the travesty....

[WilliamTheIrish]

.....it hit the flag pole in dead center field and was still on the rise.

Very good memory. Only it was the LF GA pole. Into a stiff April breeze and I'm telling ya, that ball was going to leave the park. That damn thing hit the foul pole so hard it sounded like Big Ben in London tolling.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

I've known Frank most of my life. He is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He also has a huge chip on his shoulder, and it is one of his own making.

The Royals have given him job after job after job to keep him happy, but it's never been enough. They don't owe him a managerial position. They hired John Wathan. They hired Hal McRae. I'm certain there is a reason they never hired Frank.

Eventually, you realize that he's always going to be a malcontent, and you have to part ways. It sucks. He was one of my heroes growing up, and then he and his family became close friends of mine. None of this changes the fact that he felt that he was owed something that he wasn't.

They don't/didn't owe him, but I can understand why Frank might be ticked about it. Aside from being an excellent long-time player for the team, he coached and took crappy minor-league positions. He was obviously willing to pay some dues. Then to get passed over in favor of Buddy Bell and Trey freaking Hillman? Its not like they hired Tony LaRussa or Jim Leyland instead.

I thought he was respected and well-liked by the players. I mean, he SEEMED qualified. In way, I was glad he wasn't hired because I always liked him and any manager of the Royals at that time (or now) is doomed to failure and he'd be fired in a couple years anyway. But, it did kind of seem like a natural fit--unless there's a bunch of stuff that we just don't know. That article sure didn't shed any light on it.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

They don't/didn't owe him, but I can understand why Frank might be ticked about it. Aside from being an excellent long-time player for the team, he coached and took crappy minor-league positions. He was obviously willing to pay some dues. Then to get passed over in favor of Buddy Bell and Trey freaking Hillman? Its not like they hired Tony LaRussa or Jim Leyland instead.

I thought he was respected and well-liked by the players. I mean, he SEEMED qualified. In way, I was glad he wasn't hired because I always liked him and any manager of the Royals at that time (or now) is doomed to failure and he'd be fired in a couple years anyway. But, it did kind of seem like a natural fit--unless there's a bunch of stuff that we just don't know. That article sure didn't shed any light on it.

Lots of guys coach in the minors without ever getting to manage in the big leagues. It's not like he was promised to get the job when he decided to coach down there. He got a ton of opportunities handed to him because of his playing career, and it wasn't enough. He wanted everything, or he wasn't going to be happy.

[BigRedChief]

Frank White's son played on the baseball team that I managed. The league sought me out because Frank had told them the criteria that he wanted in a coach. He wanted no part of being a hovering parent or offer any advise. We were the type of team he wanted his son to play on.

His kid wasn't that good. But, I accepted just because he was Frank White's kid. How bad could he be?

Frank came to about 75% of the regular season games and about 25% of the tournaments. He never said a word to me about baseball. I promised to never ask him advise or to help out and I never did.

He was just a parent. He would cheer just like any other parent. He tried to keep a low profile. Standing beside the stands on the side. Wearing hats and sunglasses. His wife told me he just wants to be normal and support his kid by being there. He doesn't want to be Frank White the Royal, but just Dad.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by WilliamInnerCircle

Very good memory. Only it was the LF GA pole. Into a stiff April breeze and I'm telling ya, that ball was going to leave the park. That damn thing hit the foul pole so hard it sounded like Big Ben in London tolling.

Thanks...for some reason I thought it was the Flag Pole...all I remember was the very loud crack of the bat, the rifle shot out, and the above mentioned resounding hit off the pole.

I remember a former player once saying that if it hadn't hit the pole he swore it would have landed on I-70. (He was using hyperbole but you get the drift)

[okcchief]

What did KC do to deserve these franchises? Holy shit!