Kansas City Royals: Fans React to the Start of the 2012 Season on Twitter

The 2012 season for the Kansas City Royals was supposed to be more of an evolution from their recent norm heading into 2013, a year that most around the game of baseball thought could be a Tampa Bay Rays-like breakout campaign (circa 2008) for the team.

However, injuries, poor coaching decisions, feeble starting pitching and statistical digressions from certain players have some rethinking those optimistic visions for next season. Although removing the 12-game losing streak, the Royals actually own a 19-15 record.

As the trajectory of the Royals' franchise was headed towards a .500 record, this season seems to be a lost cause although the calendar hasn't quite turned to June yet.

If there was any team in MLB that could get away with blaming its season on injuries, it would be the Royals. If losing closer Joakim Soria and starting catcher Salvador Perez prior to the season wasn't enough, having starting pitcher Danny Duffy fall victim to Tommy John surgery earlier this month was the icing on the cake.

While a number of fans only see the results thus far as glass-half-empty, there are some who are able to still extract the good out of what has transpired.

This question was posed to some Royals fans on Twitter: "What is your take on the Kansas City Royals' 2012 season so far?"

Here are the responses:

@KCSportsNerd

"

Royals are three games over .500 since the 12-loss streak, subtly impressive. Hosmer is finally figuring it out. If they were a stock, I'd buy.

"

@BMKCMO

"

Disappointment, frustration and surprised all in one. Expecting a .500 season. Pleased with 16 (Butler), 8 (Moustakas), 2 (Escobar). Injuries frustrating.

"

@grogg

"

2012 is a story of regression. Increased injuries, decreased performance coming off career years, and heightened expectations of progress.

"

@RoyallySpeaking

"

Their defense and bullpen have been great, but their offense has been inconsistent and their rotation has been as advertised, dreadful.

"

@KCRoyalman of @RoyalmanReport

"

Disappointing. Should be .500. I have backed Glass and GMDM (Dayton Moore) these last five years, but this offseason is SHOW ME THE MONEY in SPs.

"

@prezmike25

"

Disappointing and injury plagued, yet somehow could still be promising because of the weak division if we got a real SP.

"

@Kevin_Agee

"

The Royals' lack of starting pitching has hurt, but their decent offense and bullpen coupled with a bad division has kept them afloat.

"

@michaelengel of @KingsofKauffman

"

A perfect storm of injuries, poor starts, and disappointing follow up seasons trumps a good bullpen and Butler and Moustakas breakouts.

"

@Gdogg6

"

Weak starting pitching combined with key injuries, inconsistent offense, and poor managing has KC off to a slow 2012 start.

"

Contact Jeremy at [e-mail], on Twitter @KCPopFlyBoy and at popflyboys.com.