It was a typical moment in the Royals clubhouse following a start by left-hander Danny Duffy.
While laughter echoed from the showers down the hall from Duffy's stall, he answered questions about another stellar outing. The Royals had just beaten the Texas Rangers 3-1 on Friday night, and Duffy was in demand from the media.
Duffy was talking about his slider when he stopped and made an announcement.
"I just want to say one thing, not to veer away from your question, but my effort tonight was for my buddy Liam," Duffy said. "He lost his life a while ago, about a week ago and my heart goes to the Shipleys, they're wonderful people and I dedicate my performance tonight to Liam, that's for sure."
Liam Charles Shipley of Olathe died on July 8 at the age of 8. His obituary says that Liam had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and while he was in remission, "the effects of the chemo weakened his immune system and he developed a very rare fungal infection."
The funeral services were held during the All-Star break. Duffy was out of town and unable to attend.
The two met during a photo shoot for the Braden's Hope calendar not long ago. Liam made an instant impact on Duffy.
"He was out here playing catch with me in the outfield and asking me how to throw a change-up," Duffy said. "Kids are just the best, man. They're just the best. They tell it like it is. He was just a kid who was so inquisitive. I really, really enjoyed my time hanging out for him.
"They're just wonderful people, his mom and dad are just awesome. It was really hard to hear."
While the Royals won their fifth straight game started by Duffy and he improved to 6-1 on the season, his mind was on the boy with whom he will share a photo in the 2017 Braden's Hope calendar.
"He's such a good kid," Duffy said. "I know he's looking down on us now. Cancer is just a horrible disease. When I heard the news about my buddy, I just want his family to know we're still thinking about him."
