Royals fans bid farewell to Omar Infante with varying degrees of vigor
Well, it happened.
On Wednesday, the Royals designated second baseman Omar Infante for assignment, which all but assures his time with the team is over.
Infante signed a four-year deal with the Royals in December 2013 after he had a triple slash line of .318/.345/.450 for the Tigers that summer.
While he was part of two American League championship teams and the 2015 World Series champs, Infante struggled during his time in Kansas City.
Fan reaction fell roughly into three categories: Unmitigated joy, grim realization of what needed to be done and gratitude for Infante’s time with the Royals.
This amazing play & his home run in Game 2 of the 2014 World Series are how I'll remember Omar. #VoteOmar #Royals https://t.co/PaWkleQ94z
— Ryan Elder (@kusportscaster) June 15, 2016
Thank you Omar Infante for your contributions to the @Royals and for helping to bring KC a title. Best of luck.
— Fan Audibles (@fanaudibles) June 15, 2016
I got to watch Omar Infante hit a home run in the World Series. Thanks Omar.
— Steve DuBois (@Twitlysium) June 15, 2016
Good luck Omar Infante
— joyce (@fieldplaza) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante was a real pro during his time in KC....but ut was time...wish him.all the best #Royals #ClassyDude #VoteOmar
— World Champ Salazar (@asal1876) June 15, 2016
And the #Royals DFAd Omar Infante. Thanks for your time here #ForeverRoyal
— Chad Andrew Herring (@chadah) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante made me feel like a kid again during the 2014 World Series. He was instrumental in changing the fortunes of my team.
— Aaron Boyd (@fakecyrilfiggis) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante is partly responsible for all of the happiest times of my entire life and I love him
— Lifelong Ireland Fan (@CowlonFullerton) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante had 6 RBI at my daughter's 1st MLB game & played a role in the #Royals turnaround. Age caught up, but thanks for memories.
— Shane Mettlen (@ShaneMettlen) June 15, 2016
Nothing against Omar Infante the person, he just wasn't cutting it on the field. Had to be done.. #Royals
— Bryce (@BPerryKC) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante's #Royals totals: .238/.269/.328, 262 hits, 53 doubles, 11 triples, 8 homers, 121 RBI, 11 steals in 1102 AB. $32 million. Ouch.
— Ryan Landreth (@ryan_landreth) June 15, 2016
Who would've guessed that Omar Infante's defense would end up being the biggest reason he was finally DFA'd? #Royals
— Patrick Quaife (@pquaife) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante hasn't been meeting organization expectations. He was a part of the turnaround, but KC has talent better than him now.
— Joseph Andrews (@Joe_Andrews15) June 15, 2016
There was also much rejoicing.
THE ROYALS DFA OMAR INFANTE
— Corbin Eslinger (@corbineslinger) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante DFA'd. CELEBRATE!!!! #Royals pic.twitter.com/gLAWLd3EIu
— Aaron Potter (@AaronEPotter) June 15, 2016
The royals just sent Omar Infante down.. pic.twitter.com/h40XXMrAiP
— Thomas Wright (@flavel33) June 15, 2016
Omar Infante...GONE! pic.twitter.com/F2IXGa9eXY
— Devin Martinez (@devinairem) June 15, 2016
OMAR INFANTE HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT PRAISE THE LORD
— Tyler Grace (@TGrace20) June 15, 2016
Pete Grathoff: 816-234-4330, @pgrathoff
This story was originally published June 15, 2016 at 5:10 PM.