Royals honor Moose for franchise HR mark
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KANSAS CITY -- Prior to Saturday night's game against the D-backs, the Royals honored third baseman Mike Moustakas for his single-season franchise home run record (38).
General manager Dayton Moore, manager Ned Yost, first baseman Eric Hosmer and left-hander Jason Vargas participated in the presentation of a trophy and flowers. Moustakas' wife, Stephanie, and their young daughter, Mila, also were there.
And to Moustakas' surprise, his father, Mike, was brought in by the Royals to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Yost said he knew Moustakas could become a big-time power hitter back in 2010, when Moustakas hit 36 home runs combined between Double-A and Triple-A.
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"I remember thinking at the time that Salvy [catcher Salvador Perez] could hit 25-30 home runs," Yost said. "I thought [Hosmer] could hit 25-30. And I thought Moose could hit 25-35. So I was close."
And if Moustakas hit in a more homer-friendly park?
"He could hit 50 at some of these places," Yost said.