Outside of the Kansas City Royals’ 11-10 win on Tuesday — the team’s highest run total since May 8 — starting pitcher Daniel Lynch IV had a couple reasons to be happy.
He picked up his third win of the season, and he noticed something else even before Tuesday’s start.
Walking up to his locker before the game, the third-year big leaguer noticed a distinct change on the back of his jersey: the addition of two numerals. The left-hander’s white jersey read “Lynch IV” in royal blue lettering, a touch different than before — when it only stated his last name.
He’s believed to be the first player ever on the MLB level to take the field with his last name accompanied by the “IV,” per the Royals.
“I’m really proud to share a name with (my father and grandfather),” Lynch said. “My dad and my grandfather are definitely the two most influential people in my life.”
Lynch said he wasn’t the first family member to notice the change — his younger brother Will did. Will, a right-handed pitcher at Samford University, saw his older brother’s changed jersey on social media. He proceeded to text Lynch and ask if he got “the fourth” on the jersey.
Lynch said the idea originated during the club’s annual Fathers’ Trip back in June — a six-game trip consisting of batting practice, a Thursday dinner and travel from Miami to Baltimore. Additionally, the team had jerseys made for the dads, and Lynch told the Royals’ vice president of major league team operations to put “Lynch III” on his father’s jersey.
“I said, ‘Oh, that would be really cool to get the IV on my jersey,’” Lynch said. “Usually it’s like if your dad played in the big leagues, but I think my dad ... and my grandfather have done plenty of important things in the world to warrant that distinction.”
Lynch said that some of these special moments included his father driving 11 hours to see his brother play. He added that his grandfather has flown from Virginia to Tampa to watch him pitch.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro applauded Lynch after the Tuesday game for the jersey change. Quatraro also touched on Lynch’s performance, especially after the left shoulder injury he dealt with earlier in the season.
“He wants to honor his family and his heritage, I think that’s great,” Quatraro said. “The way that he’s battled through (his outing tonight) …certainly gave us a chance.”
Allowing six hits and five runs in five innings, Lynch felt like he didn’t have his best stuff. That was magnified by the two home runs he gave up to the Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson in the first and fifth innings.
Although it wasn’t the performance that he wanted, he said the main objective on Tuesday was to get the win, and the Royals did.
“I don’t think I got ahead of guys as much as I would like to; my stuff wasn’t really where I like it,” Lynch said. “I’m just going to keep going out there and doing my best and trying to get guys out.”
Lynch said that the jersey change is permanent and he will continue to rep the “IV” in honor of his father and his grandfather.
“Both of them really are two people that I think are willing to be there and give their time to people more than anybody I’ve ever known,” Lynch said. “Throughout my life that’s kind of been a given is that they’re always going to be there for people in their family.”
This story was originally published July 19, 2023 12:47 AM.
