SURPRISE, Ariz.
As a young child, Alex Lange couldn’t resist a Dollar Dog Night at Kauffman Stadium.
It was the best of both worlds.
Lange got to watch the Kansas City Royals in action while chowing down on as many hot dogs as he could possibly consume. And if the Royals won that night, Lange would cap off the evening in a celebratory mood.
“Oh man, we used to go to games for five bucks,” Lange said. “Park for five bucks, eat for a dollar and go in there for dollar buck night back in the day. You know, Jermaine Dye, Mike Sweeney and all the boys back then. We followed the 2014-15 teams through their runs while in high school. It was pretty special.
“So, I mean, we were going to 10 games a year just enjoying it and having a good time.”
Lange starred at Lee’s Summit West High School. He was one of the top players in Missouri throughout his prep tenure. In 2014, Lange was named Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year and a Perfect Game All-American.
All the while, Lange dreamed of playing for his hometown Royals. There was an appeal to wear Royal Blue for the club he loved the most.
In November, Lange made his dream a reality. He signed a one-year contract with the Royals after spending five seasons with the Detroit Tigers.
“You grow up your whole life 20 minutes from the stadium going to games, watching this club and watching everything they do and what they stand for,” Lange said. “It’s pretty special to see your name on the jersey now. So, I’m super excited for the opportunity.”
The Royals acquired Lange to bolster their bullpen. Lange joins a veteran group alongside All-Star closer Carlos Estévez and top relievers Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm.
Lange will likely pitch in high-leverage situations. He has a 3.70 career ERA while posting 29 saves. However, injuries limited him to just one MLB appearance since 2024.
Lange sustained an avulsion in his right lat during a minor-league game with the Tigers. He later underwent season-ending surgery to repair the injury.
It would keep him out for a prolonged time.
“I knew when it ripped off the bone,” Lange recalled. “I think it’s something that every athlete goes through. It’s sad but almost like a rite of passage — in today’s game — to have to survive rehab. And you learn a lot about yourself. You know, my wife and family just kind of picked me up though it, was there for me. (They) allowed me to do what I needed to do to get healthy and come back strong.”
Lange made great progress in his recovery. He returned to a big-league mound in August and finished the season in Triple-A. Lange posted a 4.63 ERA in 24 appearances while building his innings.
Pitcher Alex Lange #55 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after the final out as the Tigers defeat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 to win the game at Kauffman Stadium on July 17, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire Getty Images
The Royals were impressed with his recovery. The club reached out to his agency and the sides agreed to a free-agent deal.
Lange now gets a chance to live out his childhood dream at 30 years old.
“I’ve considered myself to appreciate every opportunity that I get,” Lange said. “Your next outing is never given and it’s not a guarantee. So, you’ve got to go out and got to earn it. I’m excited for the opportunity and I’m excited to be here with these guys.
“And it’s guys that I looked up to in Salvy (Salvador Perez), (Michael) Wacha, (Seth) Lugo — guys that have been around here a really long time. You know, the young guys and obviously a superstar in Bobby (Witt Jr.). It’s pretty cool to share the locker room with those guys.”
Lange will wear No. 56 with the Royals. He is expected to have a key role as the Royals rely heavily on their pitching staff. Royals manager Matt Quatraro is excited to bring Lange in the fold for the upcoming campaign.
“I know how excited he is to be back in Kansas City,” Quatraro said. “And obviously, we thought the world of him seeing how good he has been. He’s been injured and, you know, now he is healthy and he feels good about where he is. We have a tremendous amount of confidence in our pitching group to help develop them and help them get outs.”
Lange is set to pitch a side session on Friday. The Royals will continue to ramp up their pitchers ahead of Cactus League play beginning Feb. 20 against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium.
“I want to win a World Series,” Lange said. “So whatever that takes, I’m excited to help the Royals get back on top.”
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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.