Tom verducci sports illustrated royals

I magine trying to recruit a free agent pitcher who is 34 years old and has never won a playoff series. Now imagine you are recruiting for a team that has posted seven straight losing seasons, including the most recent one that included a franchise-tying losses. Piccollo when he set out for a second straight winter to sign righthander Seth Lugo.

After losing out to the San Diego Padres last season, Piccollo got his man this time.

Tom verducci sports illustrated royals: Tom Verducci is a

How in the world does a loss team win the bidding for a veteran starter? Lugo, Piccollo says, was aware how well Kansas City played after Sept. That was a credit to the young talent and to manager Matt Quatraro. Consider it truth in advertising. The Royals are not just one of the biggest surprise teams of this season. They are one of the greatest turnaround stories of all time.

On pace for 89 wins, Kansas City can dislodge the Cubs and Orioles, each of which won 87 games, as the record holder for most wins following a loss season.