The Kansas City Royals are one of the few teams to openly embrace speed in the current baseball climate. Featuring the likes of Billy Hamilton, Adalberto Mondesi, Whit Merrifield, and pinch runner extraordinaire Terrance Gore, the Royals are tied with the Seattle Mariners for most stolen bases in baseball this season with 21 - but the Royals have played three fewer games.
Now, they're looking for their next test. On Thursday's edition of MLB Network's "Intentional Talk," Gore and Hamilton agreed to race "The Freeze."
It's official! @TGO7E & @BillyHamilton are ready to take on @BeatTheFreeze! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Fb4BKjOC8L
— Intentional Talk (@IntentionalTalk) April 18, 2019
Nigel "The Freeze" Talton is a sprinter who dons a bodysuit during Atlanta Braves home games and races a fan who thinks they can outrun the speedster. Talton's competitor gets a head start, which "The Freeze" is often able to overcome.
The Royals play a two-game set at SunTrust Park in Atlanta on July 23-24, so both sides have ample time to prepare.
If they follow through, "The Freeze" may not want to give the Royals outfielders the same advantage that fans receive. Hamilton has stolen 281 bases in his career and has swiped more than 50 bags in a season four times. Meanwhile, Gore has tallied more stolen bases (31) than plate appearances (28) over his career.
