KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The World Series champion Royals are stuck in no-mans land, close enough to contention to keep fighting yet far enough behind the race that going all-in at the trade deadline would be a fools gambit.The Royals entered the All-Star break at 45-43, seven games out of first place in the AL Central. They are also on the outside for the final wild-card spot, leaving general manager Dayton Moore and manager Ned Yost in the unenviable position of deciding what direction they should guide the franchise.It hasnt been early for a while, Yost said, dismissing the overused cliche of its still early.But again, you have to stay focused on today, he said. You have to forget about yesterday. Thats the hard part about this game. But weve been doing it for so long, thats how we approach it.The Royals season so far has been one of wild mood swings, soaring through a five-game win streak, then scuffling through eight straight losses, only to reel off five more wins in quick succession.The net result is their current position, stuck squarely between contender and pretender, unsure whether to unload players in the jumpstart of a rebuild or acquire the few pieces lacking from a title team.Things were much more defined a year ago.Kansas City was rolling through the hot summer months to a comfortable lead in the division, and it was apparent by mid-July that a postseason run was approaching. Moore began dealing away coveted prospects to get pitcher Johnny Cueto, second baseman Ben Zobrist and other pieces to round out his team.Both those guys were crucial to Kansas City beating the New York Mets to win the World Series.The Royals certainly have places that need shoring up, starting with a pitching rotation that has already seen Chris Young shuttled off to the bullpen. The Royals likely need at least one front-of-the-rotation starter if they plan to contend, even though Yost is confident there are sufficient in-house candidates.Injuries have also left Kansas City depleted across the lineup.Left fielder Alex Gordon missed a big chunk of the season with a wrist injury and has struggled since his return. Third baseman Mike Moustakas is done for the season with an ACL injury. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain is also on the disabled list after straining his hamstring trying to leg out a single.Finding someone who could play multiple positions -- Zobrist, anyone? -- would be ideal.Then again, the Royals have so far cobbled together a lineup with young call-ups such as Whit Merrifield and Brett Eibner that has allowed them to hang around. Merrifield was hitting over .300 for much of the season while Eibner has flashed some of the power that Kansas City has lacked for years.I wouldnt say theres urgency, said Merrifield, whose fine play at second base allowed the Royals to jettison underperforming veteran Omar Infante. Theres a lot of baseball left. A lot of stuff can happen between now and September and October. A lot of games to be played, a lot of ups and downs.The second half begins with three games in Detroit, then comes a crucial nine-game homestand against the Indians, Rangers and Angels that will ultimately decide whether the Royals will contend in August.If they go into another prolonged slump, the Royals could begin to replenish their depleted farm system -- especially with pitching prospects -- with an eye toward contending in a couple more years.Not that the Royals are thinking that way, even if the front office must consider it. They firmly believe they have the talent to reach the playoffs for a third straight year, or even make it to the World Series for a third straight year, and that one big run is enough for them to climb back into the race.Time is running out to put that run together. Jordan Bernstine Jersey Retro . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. 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RIO DE JANEIRO -- After winning the 1,500-meter race Saturday night, Matthew Centrowitz went to the TV interview area, took off his jersey and wrapped the American flag around his upper body. Hidden underneath that flag was a tattoo across his chest that reads, Like Father Like Son.Centrowitz has the tattoo because his father, Matt Sr., also was a 1,500 runner in the 1976 Olympics. The younger Centrowitz said his father now will get a tattoo across his chest as well because of a bet they made based on how well he did in the Olympics.Depending on the color of the medal, the more say I have, Centrowitz said. I would say it should be Like Son Like Father. That would be a good tattoo but there arent many American 1,500 runners who can say they are like the younger Centrowitz. Certainly none in the past century. His victory made him the first American since Mel Sheppard to win gold in the 1,500 at the London Olympics in 1908. Thats not only 108 years ago, it also was the last time the Cubs won the World Series.Hmmm, maybe this is the year the Cubs will win the World Series.It hasnt sunk in. Nineteen oh-eight -- I dont know if anyone still is alive who was born then at this point, Centrowitz said. Its just an honor to represent the United States, an honor to bring this medal back home. Middle-distance runners for the U.S. -- there are so many guys Im honored to be mentioned with.Jim Ryun sent me an email before the race wishing me luck and saying he and his wife were praying for me. Hes a guy that got a silver medal (in the 1972 Olympics), and being mentioned with him and being part of history? Seeing guys like Sebastian Coe and him saying, Welcome to the club, Im like, Dude, is this real right now? It is real. American runner Leonel Manzano took silver in 2012, thhe highest previous U.ddddddddddddS. finish since Ryun was second at the 1968 Olympics. Centrowitz finished fourth in the London Games but was determined to finish better in Rio.I dreamed about winning gold the last couple days, Centrowitz said. Then I thought if I got silver that I would be pleased. But at the end of the day, if I got silver, I would be a little disappointed. I just didnt know gold was attainable. Asbel Kiprop is one of the greatest milers ever. Watching him in the first heat galloping round the whole field, I was thinking, Damn, this will be a hard guy to beat in the final. Instead, it was Centrowitz who was the hard guy to beat.Those Cubs who also are trying to do something this year that has not been done since 1908 have been in first place virtually every day this season. Centrowitz was like that as well Saturday, leading almost the entire race. He so determinedly maintained his first-place position that any time a competitor, such as Ayanleh Souleiman, attempted to pass him or possibly passed him by perhaps a step, he would force himself back into the lead.Forget it pal, you are not beating me.After winning with a time of 3:50.0, just .11 seconds ahead of Algerias Taoufik Makhloufi, Centrowitz circled the track, proudly carrying the U.S. flag in his raised arms. While doing so, he saw his father in the stands.I yelled at him, Are you kidding me? Centrowitz said, and he yelled back at me, Are you f---ing kidding me? And we went back and forth.An American gold in the 1,500. No, the Centrowitzs were not kidding anyone. Although the Cubs still have a challenge ahead before their fans are not kidding each other. ' ' '