Royals Blog

Say it ain't so!!! Has anyone in the Kansas City Royals organization ever been trained in media relations?

The team continues to embarrass itself on a daily basis--on and off the field---by its ridiculous actions. After being hammered locally and nationally by the media for more than a week about pulling the credentials of two radio reporters, the team has announced (6/16) a new blog site called "Around the Horn in KC."

And, for some reason, the team felt this would be the forum for the team to anonymously respond to its critics. Here is the Royals' response in an attempt to justify their actions and an item from the Kansas City Star's columnist Jeffrey Flanagan (6/21):

With respect to Sluggerrr and the Chiefs’ media watch dog, Rufus Dawes, the e-mailer’s suggestion was Doofus Paws.

Royals Address Credential Situation

Welcome to the first official blog about the Royals, by the Royals! The Royals are committed to using Royals.com to educate, inform and entertain our fans. In response to fans wanting to know the real stories behind a number of issues, we have created Around the Horn in KC just for you. Make sure to check this space frequently as we will be providing inside information into the Royals organization on a regular basis. We will use this forum to share our insight, thoughts and opinions, while helping separate fact from fiction on the Royals and other pertinent issues to the ball club. Be sure to share your thoughts and let us know what you think!

It is being widely reported that the Kansas City Royals revoked the 2006 season credentials of two radio reporters last week for asking tough questions. The Royals have never stated this as fact. The credentials were not revoked because someone asked tough questions – we get those every day – but for reasons of decorum. The tone, the abruptness, and the forcefulness of which their questions and added commentary were presented, offended many at the news conference.

The Royals found that behavior to be particularly disruptive of the introduction of the club’s new general manager, the intended purpose of the meeting.

The Royals respect the journalistic obligations of the more than 200 credentialed media personnel who have followed and continue to follow the club. In performing their jobs, these reporters have followed the unwritten rules of proper etiquette and professionalism when asking questions.

One of the affected reporters has been quoted in the Kansas City Star as saying the credentials were pulled, “obviously because of the questions we asked at the Dayton Moore news conference,” later adding, “Maybe I could have changed my tone in a more civil way.” In each case, station management/ownership was provided with notice of the Royals concern about their reporter’s behavior and of the pending action to be taken. Given several comments by media personnel and others who attended the press conference, the Royals believe the overall situation is now improved.

With all of the media outlets in today’s world, stories often take on a life of their own. With that in mind, fans should feel they can come to this site to separate fact from fiction and hear the truth directly from the Royals.