Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the opening day game against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jamie Squire
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The life of a fantasy football commissioner is never easy.
In addition to planning the day of the draft, you have to make sure everyone pays up before the first pick. But Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was up to the challenge as commissioner.
The Royals players had two leagues last year: a league that followed the traditional rules, and a guillotine league. The team with the fewest overall points each week is eliminated, and their players are available in a waiver wire in the latter.
While on a road trip last season, members of the Royals held their drafts. Being commissioner allowed Pasquantino to cut short a postgame interview with broadcaster Joel Goldberg.
“The ball was flying today and everything,” Pasquantino said, “but I’ve got to get to Chicago, Joel. We got a fantasy football draft.
“Being a commissioner for the league is tough, and I’m really excited. I’m wearing a suit today.”
At Royals Fan Fest earlier this month, Pasquantino shared who won the leagues. Turns out, the pitching staff cleaned up.
“They have more time. It’s messed up,” Pasquantino said of the pitchers with a smile. “But it’s all right.”
And the winners were …
“(Cole) Ragans won, (Michael) Wacha finished second. I finished third,” Pasquantino said. “Then in the other league, James McArthur, Taylor Clarke, Noah Cameron.
“So, yeah, apparently they (pitchers) are better. I didn’t even realize that.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2026 at 10:56 AM.
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