Manager Trey Hillman said he knew it was going to take time and was not going to be easy to turn around the Royals.
But a 12-game losing streak, which ended Saturday with a 4-2 victory over the Indians, was not something that Hillman envisioned. "Not at all," Hillman said. "I never in my wildest dreams did I feel like I had to prepare for a 12-game losing streak."
Hillman said he came into spring training optimistic.
"I make no apologies and I won't change my positive mindset coming into the season, planning on winning," Hillman said.
The prolonged losing streak did take its toll on Hillman.
"It is painful," Hillman said. "There's not a lot of eating. There's a lot of coffee, not a lot of quality sleep. I don't tell you that because I want sympathy. I don't want anybody's sympathy.
"It's a grind but, you know you guys on any given day have a tough time at work, too. It's tough but there are worse things in life, there are worse things going on in this world than the Kansas City Royals losing 12 games in a row."
Hillman said the Royals are "better" than a dozen-game losing streak. Yet, the Royals are infamous for long losing streaks in recent years. They had a franchise-worst 19-game streak in 2005. They had losing streaks of 11 and 13 in 2006. There was also a nine-game skid in 2005.
"I'm not going to lose hope," Hillman said. "We're not going to quit working. We're going to find out about us as a club and the components of this club that are going to be here long after a lot of us are still around. The pieces might change, the staff might change.
"I'm trying to lay some ground work in that clubhouse as far as team building that hopefully will carry on for many years and it's been missing here for a lot of years. Purposely in these interviews in this homestand, since the losing streak -- it's bright out here and I haven't worn my sunglasses one day for the interviews because I've got nothing to hide from you.
"And I did that with a purpose. I wanted people to be able to see the whites of my eyes. And I'll answer your questions and I'll be accountable."
ROYALS 6, INDIANS 1: Brian Bannister limited the Indians to five hits and one run in 7 1/3 innings to claim just his second victory since April 13. He was pulled after Grady Sizemore homered in the eighth on his 103rd pitch. Jose Guillen collected three of the Royals' 11 hits, including a home run and two RBIs. Mark Grudzielanek stroked a two-run homer, while Alex Gordon contributed a two-run double with two out in the third.
