On Friday night, the Royals and Blue Jays battle in Game 6 of the ALCS. Until then, try to keep the volume down in Kansas City and Toronto. People are reading.
For the last few days, the two cities' public libraries have engaged in a Twitter war…using book titles.
A week ago, the competition appeared innocent.
Hey @torontolibrary looks like we get to be friends! :D #TakeTheCrown
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 15, 2015
@KCLibrary Let the games begin! Exciting week ahead for both of us :)
— TorontoPublicLibrary (@torontolibrary) October 15, 2015
After Tuesday night's game, with the Royals up 3-1 and on the verge of clinching, the Kansas City Library decided to go for the throat.
Some #bookspinepoetry for our friends @BlueJays & @torontolibrary #TaketheCrown #GoRoyals #ALCS pic.twitter.com/Zj5ZvhFljv
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 20, 2015
As if Canada was not ready for the offensive.
Well played @KCLibrary but we've got a way with words too. 'Til tomorrow! @BlueJays #ComeTOgether #GoJaysGo pic.twitter.com/qED5PFp95t
— TorontoPublicLibrary (@torontolibrary) October 21, 2015
Kansas City should have learned its lesson after Texas Governor Greg Abbott prematurely gave the Astros an ALDS victory.
KC threw another dart Wednesday:
Tonight's reading for the @BlueJays: https://t.co/pyJNN7YSkX #MaybeWeWentTooFar #LoveYouToronto #MayTheBestTeamWin pic.twitter.com/m3veOocyQX
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 21, 2015
But it was Toronto getting a laugh as the Blue Jays survived Game 5, 7-1. Kansas City backtracked.
’Tis but a flesh wound! Next game... #TaketheCrown #GoRoyals #bookspinepoetry @torontolibrary @bluejays pic.twitter.com/wg3yqoxApM
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 21, 2015
The patient Blue Jays then let out a Jose Bautista-sized bomb:
Amazing job,@BlueJays!!!! That brings us to Round 2 of #bookspinepoetry @KCLibrary @BlueJays #ComeTogether pic.twitter.com/VRCg1ewZcw
— TorontoPublicLibrary (@torontolibrary) October 21, 2015
Side note: The Toronto Library's use of Blue Jays throwback logos is beautiful.
Even during yesterday's off day, shots were fired:
Just a little warm-up for tomorrow! #TakeTheCrown #WinAtHome @torontolibrary @BlueJays @Royals pic.twitter.com/CbMrer8u1D
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 22, 2015
.@KCLibrary is rhyming now! OK, we'll go there!! @BlueJays @CTVCanadaAM @CBCMorningShow #GoJaysGo #BetIsOn pic.twitter.com/VTdROB4ZYX
— TorontoPublicLibrary (@torontolibrary) October 23, 2015
CBC News in Canada has jumped in Friday morning, and Kansas City now appears to be outmanned.
Hey @torontolibrary @KCLibrary, here's our #bookspinepoetry. Can't wait to have you both on the show! #ComeTogether pic.twitter.com/HddNhSCnCv
— CBC Morning Show (@CBCMorningShow) October 23, 2015
Having fun this morning with @CBCMorningShow & @torontolibrary! #bookspinepoetry #TakeTheCrown pic.twitter.com/StLsmodfQp
— KCMO Public Library (@KCLibrary) October 23, 2015
The CBC Morning Show subsequently taped a segment with both libraries' representatives on-air, as each side met its rival.
Thanks @torontolibrary and @KCLibrary for throwing down the next edition of #bookspinepoetry on #cbcnn #ComeTogether https://t.co/9mpngwgFfr
— CBC Morning Show (@CBCMorningShow) October 23, 2015
The Royals and Blue Jays will take the field for Game 6 on Friday at 8:07 p.m. ET in Kansas City. If the Blue Jays push the series to a Game 7, the libraries get another day of trash talking.
In the meantime, the New York Public Library awaits in the World Series of library tweeting. Keep in mind the Kansas City and Toronto libraries combine for roughly 46,000 Twitter followers. The New York Public Library has 680,000 followers.
And the Mets have Daniel Murphy. That's a lot of firepower.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
