Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
It was speculated for over a year and on Saturday, May 6, it became official. Prior to the Kansas City Royals' game with the Oakland Athletics, the Royals signed Lorenzo Cain to a one-day contract so he could “officially” retire as a Royal. Cain spent seven years of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with Kansas City. While playing for the Royals, Cain was selected the Most Valuable Player for the American League Championship Series in 2015, the same year the Royals won a World Series Championship. Although Cain played the final years of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers, it was as a Royal that Cain was probably most closely associated. Cain began his MLB career with the Brewers in 2010, before going to the Royals in 2011. Cain was traded back to the Brewers in 2018.
Throughout his 12-year MLB career, Cain established himself as one of the best center-fielders in the game, winning four Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Awards. He was also a dependable player in the batter's box, with a career .283 batting average and a .343 on-base percentage. Cain also tallied a total of 1,220 hits and 454 RBIs during his career.
When it became obvious that Cain's retirement was imminent near the end of the 2022 season, there was some speculation that he would come back to the Royals and retire from the team. On Saturday, that speculation became fact. During an interview the afternoon before the Royals honored Cain with a pre-game retirement ceremony, he spoke on his decision to retire wearing a Royals jersey. “I remember coming back [to Kansas City] and playing against Kansas City,” recalled Cain. “I remember hitting a home run and everyone was cheering. I was like, 'Now, that's the kind of love I have to retire with.' I knew right then and there that this would be the place I would retire from.” During an emotional retirement speech in front of thousands of Royals fans, Cain fought to hold back the tears. He made a point to especially thank his mother for “showing [him] what hard work means.” He also thanked coaches throughout his career, from high school (at Madison County High School) through professional baseball. It is perhaps Cain's infectious smile that may be what is most remembered about him. “All I've ever tried to do in life was to be a positive impact on somebody's life,” said Cain. “Sometimes that's simply by doing that with a smile. I've tried to do that throughout my entire career. With everybody showing up today, I know I've completed my task. I love you guys. Keep being the special fans you are. I'm so proud that I'll always be Forever Royal.”
Throughout his career, Cain never lost sight of his humble Madison County beginnings. The first time he stepped onto a baseball field as a student at Madison County High School (MCHS), he didn't even have a baseball glove and borrowed one from another player. The glove he borrowed was one that went on his throwing hand. At the end of practice, he told the coach, “I think I could do a lot better if I had a glove to go on the other hand.” During his career, he was always quick to host students from MCHS when a group of them would be in the stands. One can see on the edge of town several signs welcoming people to Madison, the home of Lorenzo Cain. Madison certainly has every right to be proud of Lorenzo Cain, not only for the great baseball player he has been, but more so for the great man he has become.