We are at baseball’s halfway point, as the All-Star break is upon us and everyone is allowed a chance to take a step back, take a deep breath and relax. The Kansas City Royals are in a tie for 3rd place in the American League Central(7 games out)and still very much in a position for a playoff spot. Since we have only 74 games left in this season, let’s take one final look back at the first half of the season and what all the Royals have accomplished. With that, I am proud to announce the 1st Annual Mid-Season Royals Awards here on Bleeding Royal Blue!
Most Valuable Player
Eric Hosmer-.299/.355/.476, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 116 OPS+, 1.5 bWAR
Best Pitcher
Danny Duffy-81.2 IP, 3.09 ERA, 145 ERA+, 3.43 FIP, 1.065 WHIP, 5.53 SO/W
Rookie of the Year
Whit Merrifield-.290/.315/.409, 46 games, 18 extra base hits, 89 OPS+, 1.2 bWAR
Comeback Player of the Year
Ian Kennedy-99.2 IP, 3.97 ERA, 113 ERA+, 1.194 WHIP, 3.12 SO/W, 1.4 WAR
Best Impersonation of a Batting Practice Pitcher
Chris Young
Best Salvy Splash
Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas
Best Surprise Splash
Drew Butera on Salvador Perez
Best Rookie Splash
Cheslor Cuthbert
Worst Splash
Drew Butera
Best Catch
Lorenzo Cain
Best Catch, Take 2
Alcides Escobar
Best Walk-Off
May 28th-8-7 Win over the White Sox
Best Walk-Off, Take 2
May 15-4-2 Win over Atlanta
Best Hair, Player
Brett Eibner
Best Hair, Coach
Rusty Kuntz
Best Hair Flip
Drew Butera
Best Forehead
Edinson Volquez
Best Impersonation of a Punching Bag
Yordano Ventura
In Memoriam
Omar Infante
It’s been a good first half. Here’s to even more memories in the second half of the season…and a return trip to October!
Bleeding Royal Blue 
These are fantastic! And wonderfully amusing 🙂