Rotten Royals: During losing streak, low point was Tuesday's collapse vs. Indians

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As captain, spokesman and the lone icon on the worst team in baseball, Mike Sweeney knows exactly what to say -- even when words fail him.

"What can you say?" he said.

How many new ways can there be to describe the Kansas City Royals and the dire plight of this once-proud franchise?

"Bumbling," "inept" and "ineffective" have worn about as thin as the patience of all those long-suffering fans who have quit buying tickets.

But here's something new -- "national joke." As the Royals sink deeper and deeper to the depths of the major leagues, surpassing their team record Thursday night with a 13th straight loss, they are becoming a laughingstock. Replay shows seem to delight night after night in chronicling their latest misplays.

Especially rich in comic material was the epic collapse of Tuesday night. Blowing a 7-2 lead, they stumbled around, committed two errors and gave up 11 runs in the ninth inning to Cleveland -- yes, 11 -- and lost No. 11 in a row.

This was no ordinary 13-7 loss. It was, in fact, only the third time in major league history that a visiting team had put up 11 runs in the ninth.

The half-inning lasted more than half an hour and probably represents the lowest point in the 37-year history of a franchise that is headed for triple-digit losses for the third time in four seasons.

Twenty-four hours later, many players still seemed glassy-eyed.

"We are embarrassed," Sweeney said. "We're hurting in here, and we should be."

Adding to their humiliation is the timing. Long-planned reunion festivities will be held next weekend celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1985 World Series championship.

The good of 1985 will simply underscore the bad of 2005. Ticket sales for the series against Detroit have been poor, and the stadium is likely to be only about half full.