During Missouri Hall of Fame speech, Lorenzo Cain says he’s proud to always be a Royal

The Royals made one of the most impactful trades in franchise history on Dec. 19, 2010.

Pitcher Zack Greinke was dealt with shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 million to the Brewers for outfielder Lorenzo Cain, shortstop Alcides Escobar and pitchers Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi.

Cain recalled that deal Sunday when he was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Others who were enshrined included former Sporting Kansas City star Matt Besler, former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson (President’s Award) and The Star’s Blair Kerkhoff.

The ceremony was at Municipal Auditorium, and Cain was the final speaker.

“When I was first traded to Kansas City, there were some mixed emotions,” Cain said. “I think it only took me a few days to realize Kansas City is where I was supposed to be.”

Cain was 24 at the time of the trade and had appeared in just 43 big-league games.

During seven seasons with the Royals, Cain’s life changed on and off the field. He was the 2014 ALCS MVP and helped KC win the 2015 World Series.

Cain also married his wife, Jenny, while in Kansas City, and they now have three sons.

Ex-Royals general manager Dayton Moore was at Sunday’s ceremony and Cain acknowledged his former boss.

“Dayton Moore always preached family first, and I didn’t realize what that meant until I had a family of my own,” Cain said. “I’ve got a beautiful wife and three handsome boys. To my wife, I want to thank you for just being that consistency that I needed throughout my baseball career.”

Cain, who lives in Oklahoma, will be back in Kansas City on May 6 when he signs a one-day contract and retires with the Royals.

The Royals play the Oakland A’s at Kauffman Stadium that day, and Cain will be honored by the team.

“I’m excited about the ceremony,” Cain said before Sunday’s induction. “I’m fired up just to see everybody again, just kind of do it the right way. Just ride off into the sunset and officially retire as a Kansas City Royal. So I’m pumped. I’m ecstatic about the entire situation.”

Cain got choked up while delivering his speech Sunday and noted how important the Royals franchise is to him.

“It just makes me proud to know,” Cain said, “I’ll always be a Kansas City Royal.”