Vinnie Pasquantino apologizes after mix-up over Bobby Witt Jr.'s major accomplishment

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino took to social media on Friday morning to clear up a minor mix-up after teammate Bobby Witt Jr.’s latest accolade.

On X (formerly Twitter), Pasquantino had initially posted, "lol Bob just won a gold glove and a silver slugger in a down year for him. That works."

A few hours later, he followed it up with a quick correction, writing, "Oh sorry, I meant platinum."

The lighthearted moment came soon after Bobby Witt Jr. was announced as the 2025 American League Platinum Glove winner, a distinction given to the league’s most outstanding overall defender.

Earlier in the offseason, Witt had already added both a Gold Glove at shortstop and a Silver Slugger Award to his resume, and the Platinum Glove served as the perfect finishing touch to his remarkable year.

Voted on by a combination of fans and baseball analysts, the Platinum Glove is presented annually to the single best defensive player in each league, regardless of position.

Witt’s selection wasn’t a surprise, given his standout defensive numbers throughout 2025, which included top-tier marks in Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved.

Royals Miss Postseason for First Time Without Consecutive Playoff Appearance

For the first time in franchise history, the Kansas City Royals have missed the postseason without having made it in consecutive years. When the Royals previously reached October baseball, it always came in back-to-back stretches: 1976–78, 1980–81, 1984–85, and 2014–15.

Coming off their 2024 playoff run that ended in the American League Division Series, the Royals fell just short this season, finishing 82–80 and missing the postseason. It marked a year of progress statistically, but not quite enough to extend their October stay.

Following the season’s conclusion, two of the Royals’ cornerstone players first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. used social media to reflect on the campaign and to thank the fan base for its support.

"Came up short of our goal, but thankful for the teammates, coaches, and staff for getting us through 2025," Pasquantino wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "Especially grateful for the fans supporting us every day throughout this season. We will keep working and be ready for 2026."

Witt Jr. echoed a similar message, reposting a team update and adding,

"Thank you fans for all the love and support this year!! Can’t wait to get back to work in 2026!"

While the season didn’t end the way Kansas City hoped, both players’ messages underscored a shared optimism heading into 2026. The Royals’ young core led by Witt Jr. and Pasquantino, has set its sights on returning the club to postseason baseball.