Candidates to throw out the first pitch for the Royals

Well, it took all 162 games, but we now know the Kansas City Royals will be in the Wild Card Game on Tuesday. Not only are the Royals in the playoffs for the first time since 1985, but they will be playing the Wild Card game in Kauffman Stadium. It may not be a division title, but playoff baseball is back in Kansas City.

With the Royals being back in the playoffs, and with James Shields on the mound, hopes are certainly high. The crowd in Kansas City will be loud and raucous, cheering on the Royals in hopes of seeing the first step towards a deep postseason run. Tomorrow night, a night that we have dreamed up for decades, will finally come.

Before the game, there will be the ceremonial first pitch. Typically reserved for people that have made major contributions to different groups, or for corporate sponsors, that first pitch is hardly an interesting occurrence. Yet this time, with the Royals finally being able to put their past behind them, that first pitch may well be a passing the torch ceremony.

With that in mind, who would be the best option to throw out the first pitch on Tuesday? There are several people, both past and present, that could work to throw out that first pitch. However, in the end, there may be only one real option.