KC Royals: Times Sure Have Changed For Royals Fans
The Kansas City Royals celebrate after clinching a playoff berth in 2014 – Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
In 2014, the Royals clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 29 years.
It was a time for celebration in Kansas City. The night the Royals clinched a spot in the postseason, I had my bottle of wine handy and ready to crack open. Fortunately, I got to enjoy it that night and realized that I’d finally get to watch my favorite baseball team play in the postseason.
It was a weird feeling leading up to the Wildcard game. I had never gotten to see the Royals in the playoffs in my lifetime and had no idea what to expect.
I remember walking into the stadium with my dad and brother before the game began. The three of us went to 20+ games together that season and before every game, we’d make predictions as to who would win and what the score would be.
My dad and brother both shockingly picked the Athletics to win. I was the only one to pick the Royals. “I just have a feeling”, I told them. Both countered with Jon Lester being insanely good.
It was a weird feeling leading up to the Wildcard game. I had never gotten to see the Royals in the playoffs in my lifetime and had no idea what to expect.
Kauffman Stadium was rocking that night, but it was quieted quickly, as James Shields gave up a home run in the first inning to give Oakland the lead. The Royals bounced back soon after and were up 3-2.
Fans were ecstatic. If Shields could make it to the seventh inning, then H-D-H would be on the mound and this game would be over.
When the sixth inning hit and James Shields ran into trouble, I found myself panicking. All of sudden Yordano Ventura was coming out of the bullpen and I thought to myself, “This is it. This will either be a genius move or the end of the Ned Yost era in Kansas City.” This moment could lead to an incredible moment or a heartbreak for an entire city.
As we all know, Ventura gave up a three-run bomb to Brandon Moss and the Athletics tacked on two more runs to make it a 7-3 game at Kauffman Stadium.
You could almost hear a pin drop in the K. No one wanted to talk. Fans were getting into arguments in the stands. Was the ride over before it began?
Next: A thrilling victory