Meet newborn baby Whit, who was named for the Royals rookie

Whitmania is officially a thing.

Royals fans are enamored with rookie Whit Merrifield. So much so that this was tweeted after Merrifield hit his first career home run during the Royals’ 2-1 win over the Indians on Monday:

Wesley Georgeson and his wife Kim, who live in Kerrville, Texas, did name their baby after Merrifield.

“He was originally was named Miles until about two or three weeks ago, but we weren’t in love with the name,” Georgeson wrote in an email. “We watch all 162 Royals games a year and actually pay more for the MLB app than we do for our cable. Being in Texas that’s the only way to get all the games in the regular season. When Merrifield got called up and played in his first game we both look at each other wide-eyed and said ‘THAT’S IT!’ ”

The baby boy’s full name is Whitley John Georgeson. He was 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 19 1/2 inches.

Georgeson said he and Kim like names that aren’t common. Their other son is named Jet, and their daughter’s name is Stella.

So Whit seemed perfect.

“It’s not a name a whole lot of people have, so we liked that,” Georgeson said. “My grandmother’s maiden name is Whitney, but that’s not a great name for a boy.”

Georgeson said baby Whit has been to two Royals games this year: an exhibition game in San Antonio and when the Royals were in Houston in April.

Baby Whit arrived Monday, three weeks earlier than expected, which means he’s a playoff baby, a fact that dad didn’t shy away from admitting.

Wesley grew up in Norton, Kan., while Kim is from Hays. Both went to Kansas State and Kim was a sprinter and long jumper for the Wildcats.

This story was originally published June 14, 2016 at 12:44 PM.