The Kansas City Royals: A Long Road to A Championship

Saturday night the Royals players stormed onto the field as they got the final out in game 7 of the World Series against the Phillies. It was an interesting series. A series in which the home team never won a game. A series in which the 4th starter in the rotation all season (Britt Reames) carried the load and walked away with the World Series MVP trophy. A series that, once again, saw the AL Wild Card Team win it all.

But I am more concerned today with the road to the championship. It had been 25 seasons that Hair had been the manager of the Royals and had never won a playoff series. Then, when he finally does get another chance, he is set to face the Texas Rangers, who posted the 3rd best record ever in Habla history this year. The Royals won in 5 games. Next in line were the always tough Minnesota Twins, who also won more than 100 games and with one of the most fearsome rotations in baseball, last year's MVP in Rickey Davis, and stud veteran Jimmy Foxx added at the begining of the year, looked to knock off their division rival in the ALCS with ease. However, it proved to be no easy task. "The Royals were a relentless team all season," commented Twins GM Luke W. "I found a way to fight them off in divisional play, but couldn't do it come playoff time. Tip of the cap to Travis." The Royals were able to down the Twins in 7 games. Then came the World Series. The opponent was now the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies. After a World Series Appearence last season with their Ace Adam Eaton injured, they were back with Eaton healthy and ready to take home the championship. The Series was hard fought, including an extra innings game in which Phillies pitcher Bruce Hurst pitched 11 scoreless innings. In the end, the Royals were able to close out the series in the 7th and final game.

This season saw the Royals post the best record in their history. Part of the reason for this was the huge off season signing of top Free Agent Bobby Bonds. Bonds added to what was already one of the best offenses in the league. That combined with the Royals pitching coming together this year was a recipe for a championship. Congratualtions to the Royals and Travis on the World Series victory.