Jeff Passan's unexpected MLB midseason awards: Bes...
Key takeaways
- This is a celebration of those stories -- though the numbers in the first one are quite telling, too.
- During spring training, the Kansas City Royals posted a fun video with a supercut of players answering a simple question: How many alarms do you set each day?
- "This is embarrassing," rookie catcher Carter Jensen said.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images Jeff Passan Jun 23, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions As the halfway point of the 2026 Major League Baseball season approaches this week, there will be plenty said about the traditional awards. Those are easy: Shohei Ohtani for National League MVP, Jacob Misiorowski for NL Cy Young, JJ Wetherholt for NL Rookie of the Year, Yordan Alvarez for American League MVP, Cam Schlittler for AL Cy Young and Kevin Mc Gonigle for AL Rookie of the Year.
This is a different set of awards. One that seeks out the best ... with a twist. Baseball is not just about players' numbers. It's the stories behind them. This is a celebration of those stories -- though the numbers in the first one are quite telling, too.
During spring training, the Kansas City Royals posted a fun video with a supercut of players answering a simple question: How many alarms do you set each day? Most of the players said one or two -- Bobby Witt Jr. doesn't use one because his dog awakens him, and Nick Loftin said, "Just one, discipline," in a judgmental tone -- but the Royals saved the best answer for last.