Lorenzo Cain, the former center fielder for the Kansas City Royals, was a key player during the team’s successful 2014 and 2015 seasons.
His contributions on the field helped lead the Royals to back-to-back World Series appearances, including a championship in 2015.
Since then, Cain has played for the Milwaukee Brewers but has remained a beloved figure in Kansas City. Recently, rumors have been circulating about his potential return to the Royals.
In this blog post, we’ll explore whether or not Lorenzo Cain is coming back to KC, what it means to retire as a member of a team, and the implications of his return for both the Royals and Cain’s future.
Background on Lorenzo Cain
Lorenzo Cain was born on April 13, 1986, in Valdosta, Georgia. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004 but was traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2010.
Cain made his major league debut with the Royals in 2012 and quickly became a fan favorite due to his exceptional defense, speed, and clutch hitting. Over the course of his career, Cain has been named an All-Star once, won two Gold Gloves, and received MVP votes in three seasons.
His Time With the Royals
During his seven seasons with the Royals, Cain was an integral part of the team’s success. In addition to his exceptional defense, he was a key contributor on offense, hitting .289 with an OPS of .778 during his time in Kansas City.
Cain played a crucial role in the Royals’ 2014 and 2015 postseason runs, including a memorable catch in the 2014 American League Championship Series and a clutch home run in Game 6 of the 2015 World Series.
Why He Left the Royals
After the Royals won the World Series in 2015, Cain became a free agent and signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. While many Royals fans were disappointed to see him go, the team was unable to match the Brewers’ offer.
Cain has continued to perform well in Milwaukee, earning All-Star honors and winning a Gold Glove in 2019. Despite his success with the Brewers, however, Cain has maintained close ties to Kansas City and has spoken fondly of his time with the Royals.
Rumors About Lorenzo Cain’s Return to Kc
Sources of the Rumors
The rumors about Lorenzo Cain potentially returning to the Royals started to circulate in early 2021 when it was reported that the Brewers were considering trading him.
Some fans and analysts speculated that the Royals could be a potential landing spot for Cain if he were to be traded, while others suggested that he could return to Kansas City as a free agent if he were to be released by the Brewers.
Analysis of the Rumors
However, as the 2021 season progressed, it became clear that Cain was not going to be traded or released by the Brewers.
Moreover, the Royals have a crowded outfield with players like Andrew Benintendi, Michael A.Taylor, and Whit Merrifield, making it unlikely that they would pursue Cain as a free agent.
Despite this, some fans have continued to hold out hope that Cain will return to the Royals, given his close ties to the team and the city.
Probability of the Rumors Being True
In reality, the rumors about Lorenzo Cain returning to the Royals are highly unlikely to come to fruition. Cain is under contract with the Brewers through the 2022 season and is still an important part of their outfield.
Additionally, the Royals have made no indication that they are interested in pursuing Cain, and their current outfield situation makes it unlikely that they would be able to fit him into their lineup.
While it’s always possible that things could change in the future, for now, it seems that Cain’s time with the Royals is over, and he will continue to play for the Brewers.
The Reality of Lorenzo Cain’s Return
Retiring as a member of a team means that a player signs a one-day contract with that team so that they can officially retire as a member of that organization.
This is a common practice in professional sports and allows players to leave a lasting legacy with the team they played for.
While the player is not actually returning to play for the team, the ceremony is a way for the player and the team to celebrate their time together and recognize the contributions the player made during their career.
Confirmation That Cain is Not Coming Back to Play
While rumors about Lorenzo Cain potentially returning to the Royals have been circulating, it has been confirmed that Cain will not be returning to play for the team.
Instead, he will be retiring as a member of the Royals in a special ceremony before the team’s May 6 home game against the Oakland Athletics.
This means that while fans won’t get to see Cain back in a Royals uniform on the field, they will have the opportunity to celebrate his time with the team and honor his contributions to the organization.
His Retirement Ceremony
The ceremony to retire Lorenzo Cain as a member of the Royals will be a special event that celebrates his time with the team. The ceremony is expected to include a video tribute to Cain, as well as a speech from him thanking fans and the organization for their support.
Cain will also sign a one-day contract with the Royals to make his retirement official, and he will be honored with a special pregame ceremony before the team’s game against the Oakland Athletics on May 6.
While it’s not the same as having Cain back on the field playing for the Royals, his retirement ceremony will be a special moment for fans to celebrate his time with the team and reflect on his legacy as a key part of the Royals’ success in 2014 and 2015.
Impact of Cain’s Return to Kc
Emotional Impact on Fans
Lorenzo Cain was a fan favorite during his time with the Royals, and his return to the team, even if only for a one-day retirement ceremony, is sure to have an emotional impact on fans.
Seeing Cain back in a Royals uniform and being celebrated for his contributions to the team will be a special moment for fans who have followed his career with the team.
It will also be an opportunity for fans to thank Cain for his time with the Royals and to reminisce about the team’s success in 2014 and 2015.
Impact on the Royals’ Legacy
Lorenzo Cain was a key part of the Royals’ success in 2014 and 2015, when the team made back-to-back World Series appearances, winning it all in 2015.
Cain’s return to the team, even if only for a retirement ceremony, will serve as a reminder of those successful years and the impact he had on the team’s legacy.
It will also be a chance for the team to honor one of its most beloved players and to celebrate his contributions to the organization.
What This Means for Cain’s Future
While Lorenzo Cain is retiring as a member of the Royals, it’s unclear what his future holds beyond that. Cain is under contract with the Milwaukee Brewers through the 2022 season, and he is still a productive player at age 35.
It’s possible that Cain could retire from baseball altogether after his contract with the Brewers expires, or he could continue playing for another team.
Regardless of what the future holds for Cain, his retirement ceremony with the Royals will be a special moment for him and for fans of the team.
Lorenzo Cain’s Career Statistics with the Kansas City Royals
| Year | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | Stolen Bases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 43 | .306 | 1 | 13 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 | .273 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 61 | .266 | 7 | 31 | 10 |
| 2013 | 115 | .251 | 4 | 46 | 14 |
| 2014 | 133 | .301 | 5 | 53 | 28 |
| 2015 | 140 | .307 | 16 | 72 | 28 |
| 2016 | 103 | .287 | 9 | 56 | 14 |
| 2017 | 155 | .300 | 15 | 49 | 26 |
This table shows the number of games Lorenzo Cain played each season for the Royals, along with his batting average, home runs, RBI, and stolen bases. This data highlights Cain’s consistency as a productive player for the team during his time in Kansas City.
FAQ
When did Lorenzo Cain last play for the Kansas City Royals?
Lorenzo Cain last played for the Royals in 2017, before signing a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in free agency.
What were some of Lorenzo Cain’s achievements with the Royals?
Cain was a key player on the Royals teams that made back-to-back World Series appearances in 2014 and 2015, winning the World Series in 2015. He was named an All-Star in both of those seasons, and he won a Gold Glove award in 2014.
Will Lorenzo Cain’s retirement ceremony with the Royals be open to the public?
Yes, the retirement ceremony will take place before the Royals’ May 6 home game against the Oakland Athletics, and it will be open to the public.
Will Lorenzo Cain’s retirement ceremony be televised?
It’s unclear whether the retirement ceremony will be televised, but the Royals typically stream their pre-game ceremonies on their official website and social media channels.
Will Lorenzo Cain’s retirement ceremony involve any other former Royals players?
It’s possible that other former Royals players could be involved in the retirement ceremony, but no details have been announced at this time.
To Recap
While there were rumors circulating that Lorenzo Cain might be returning to the Kansas City Royals, it has been confirmed that he will not be coming back to play for the team. Instead, Cain will retire as a member of the Royals and be honored in a special ceremony before the team’s May 6 home game against the Oakland Athletics.
While it’s not the same as having Cain back on the field playing for the team, his return to Kansas City, even if just for one day, will have an emotional impact on fans and serve as a reminder of his contributions to the team’s success in 2014 and 2015.
Cain’s retirement ceremony with the Royals will also be a chance for the team to honor one of its most beloved players and celebrate his legacy with the organization.
While Cain’s future in baseball beyond his current contract with the Milwaukee Brewers is uncertain, his retirement ceremony with the Royals will be a special moment for him and for fans of the team.
