July 16, 2022

By Fred Liggett

The 2022 season so far has been less than memorable for the Kansas City Royals franchise but for one Royals Player the Month of July has provided many wonderful memories.

Royals left fielder Andrew Benintendi, is now 28 years old and a first time All Star just two weeks into the month. July 2022 has been quite a month for the second year Royal. Andrew celebrated his 28th birthday on July 6th, then learned on the afternoon of Sunday, Jul. 10 he had been named to the American League All Star team. Benintendi will be the only Royals selection this year. Due to injury the only other candidate catcher Salvador Perez wasn’t able to participate. Andrew will be an All Star reserve for the game set to be played in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday, Jul. 19. The game will be televised nationwide on Fox TV network starting at 6:30 p.m. central time.

Benintendi has been drawing attention to himself for his play both with his glove and his bat. Andrew had a 19 game on base streak, the longest active streak in the American League. The streak ended in a Royals win over Detroit on Monday, Jul. 11. The very next day Benintendi was back at it getting an RBI single in the first inning in a game against the Tigers. Before the night was through Benintendi hit an RBI double in the eighth inning. Previously Benintendi won a Gold Glove for his work in left field in the 2021 season. When asked about the honor Andrew said “just like anything else pretty much, definitely excited.”

Royals fans can get another look at the team’s All Star right after the All Star break ends when the Royals begin a home stand against Tampa Bay on Friday, Jul. 22.