Kyle Zimmer pushed open a door and walked into the sunshine outside the Royals spring training clubhouse in Surprise to join teammates for a late morning stretch on Thursday.
As his cleats crunched over the concrete walkway, the group of Royals pitchers waiting for him on the conditioning field began to clap. One by one they all joined in the applause, until Zimmer, halfway to the grass, gave in and tipped his cap.
The scene was a fluke. On any day, at any time, Zimmer would expect to receive a similar standing ovation for being the last one to make it outside.