The
Royals are in the World Series.
Words I
never thought I would hear, or say. The Royals are in the World Series. MY
Royals, in the World Series. A life full of losing, and it is finally over.
That chapter is finally closed. 24 long years of waiting for the tide to turn.
My
Royals fandom started when I went to a Royals game against the Blue Jays with
my mom. It was a night game, I think, and I don’t know if the Royals won or
lost, but it is the earliest memory I have of going to the K.
It
continued with Jeff King. The first baseman who played for the Royals in the
late 90s. I had played first base and was number 7 so naturally I was drawn to
the #7 first baseman for the Royals.
Michael
Tucker became one of my favorite players when I witnessed him rob a home run in
the left field corner up against the Pepsi sign.
For 24
years I seemingly had a different favorite player every year. Keith Lockhart,
Rey Sanchez, Smilin’ Joe Randa, Jose Offerman, Angel Berroa, and many others.
I watched and hoped as prospects
came and went. Dos Carlos, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye.
I watched as Sammy Sosa hit two
home runs at the K and a streaker ran onto the field.
I watched as Carlos Beltran scaled
the centerfield wall to rob a home run from the Mariners’ Dan Wilson. Still the
greatest catch I have ever seen.
I watched as Mike Sweeny stole home
against Andy Pettitte and the Yankees.
I watched as Aaron Guiel, Brandon
Berger, Kit Pellow, Abraham Nunez, Ruben Gotay, Byron Gettis, Ambiorix Burgos,
Eli Marrero, Chip Ambres, Emil Brown, Calvin Pickering, Elmer Dessens, and
Brandon Duckworth, struggled to even be considered Major League caliber
players. But there was still hope that one of them would work into a superstar.
I watched as Mark Teahen was moved
from third base to right field to third base to right field to second base to
third base to Oakland.
I watched as Delmon Young let the
whole Twins team down when he let a Teahen fly ball get by him for a three run
inside the park home run.
I watched Jose Guillen and Mike
Aviles carry a team into New York only to be beaten by Johnny Damon and a 6 for
6 day at the plate.
I watched former Royals become
superstars on other teams.
I watched Mark Redman get selected
to the All Star game.
I watched Mike Sweeney throw his
helmet at Jeff Weaver.
I watched as David DeJesus smiled
and slid into home on a walk off sac fly against Cleveland.
I watched as 2,000 fans started the
wave in the second loss of a double header against the Angels, and I was fine
with it.
I wear a Royals shirt that says
“Wieners are Champions.”
I have stacks of t-shirt Tuesday
shirts, blankets, travel mugs, nacho plates, lunch boxes and flags that were
handed out before an inevitable Royals loss.
I joyfully went through the
turnstiles of the K before the Indians, White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Orioles,
Rays, Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Rangers, Mariners, A’s and others
handed the Royals another loss.
The Royals kept losing, but I kept
coming back for more. There was always hope at the beginning of every year. No
matter how many losses we had the previous year, the new season always started
at zero.
And now, the Royals have finally
rewarded this town. This is the start of a brand new chapter. The years and
years of losing have come to an end. Moose, Hos, Duffman, Yordy, Big Game
James, J Guts, Country Breakfast, Gordo, Vargy, Holly, Wade, Herrera, Esky, Mr.
Zoombiya, Omar, Salvy, Kratz, Frank Good, Crow, Frasor, Hendricks, Gore,
Collins, Finny, Downs, Nori Aoki Dokie, Lo Cain, Willingham, Ibanez. These are
the guys that have turned the page in Royals history. These are the guys that
have brought new hope and new life to a starving city. These are the guys who
have changed the way we watch baseball, and the way baseball is played. These
are the guys who are going to bring a championship back to the city that
deserves it most.
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