For Pete's Sake

Wives, girlfriends of Royals players joined playoff-clinching party in clubhouse

Bobby Witt Jr.’s financee, Maggie Black, in the Royals clubhouse.
Bobby Witt Jr.’s financee, Maggie Black, in the Royals clubhouse.

After Yankees star Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run during the 2022 season, he took a moment to thank his wife, Samantha Bracksieck.

“My wife has been with me through it all,” Judge told reporters at the time, “and she’s calm as a cucumber, that’s for sure.”

Being the spouse of a professional baseball player can’t be easy for a number of reasons. There are long road trips and low pay in the minor leagues and just a fraction of players actually break through to the majors.

Even when a player becomes a starter in Major League Baseball, they are gone for a week or more when the team travels. And for home games, it’s a 10-plus hour day for the players. The season lasts from February to September or even longer.

So it was cool to see the Royals players celebrate their postseason berth Friday night with their wives and girlfriends in Atlanta. A number of those women posted photos on social media from the clubhouse as the champagne and beer flowed.

Priscilla Isbel, the wife of Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel, shared these photos to her Instagram account.

Relief pitcher Sam Long’s wife, Kendall, shared this great photo.

Kendall Long and husband, Sam Long.
Kendall Long and husband, Sam Long. Screengrab of Sam Long Instagram story

Here is relief pitcher Lucas Erceg and his bride Emma.

Emma Erceg joined husband Lucas Erceg in the celebration.
Emma Erceg joined husband Lucas Erceg in the celebration. Screengrab of Lucas Erceg Instagram story

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and wife, Ryann, were having fun.

Vinnie Pasquantino with and his wife, Ryann.
Vinnie Pasquantino with and his wife, Ryann. Screengrab of Vinnie Pasquantino Instagram story

Second baseman Michael Massey and fiancee, Jane DeJarld, posed for this picture.

Michael Massey with fiancee, Jane DeJarld.
Michael Massey with fiancee, Jane DeJarld. Screengrab of Michael Massey Instagram story

Cole and Tori Ragans enjoyed the party.

Screengrab of Tori Ragans Instagram story
Screengrab of Tori Ragans Instagram story Royals pitcher Cole Ragans and wife, Tori.

Here are James and Kate McArthur.

Kate McArthur, who is married to pitcher James McArthur, shared this fun photo.
Kate McArthur, who is married to pitcher James McArthur, shared this fun photo. Screengrab of Kate McArthur Instagram story

And Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.’s fiancee, Maggie Black, shared a number of fun photos.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Maggie Black.
Bobby Witt Jr. and Maggie Black. Screengrab of Maggie Black Insta story
The girls were having some fun celebrating the fact that the boys are playing some ball.
The girls were having some fun celebrating the fact that the boys are playing some ball. Screengrab of Maggie Black Insta story
Maggie Black shared the news of the Royals clinching the postseason.
Maggie Black shared the news of the Royals clinching the postseason. Screengrab of Maggie Black Insta story
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Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
From covering the World Series to the World Cup, Pete Grathoff has done a little bit of everything since joining The Kansas City Star in 1997.
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