KC Royals: Top Ten Moments During 2015 Postseason

Leigh Oleszczak

Kansas City Royals players celebrate on the field – Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The KC Royals are the World Series champions after defeating the New York Mets in five games.

Our Kansas City Royals are the World Series champions, ladies and gentlemen! This season was a fun ride. From the 7-0 start to four Royals starting in the All-Star Game to Johnny Cueto bringing his talents to KC, this season has been epic.

Last year, the ending wasn’t right. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals with the tying run stranded 90 feet away. Curse you Madison Bumgarner!

This year, all the Royals wanted to do was to erase that memory. The ship needed to be righted this year, and in the end, the storybook ending happened. The good guys won. We got our celebration and the crown after seething for a year at last year’s heartbreaking finale.

With all of that said, let’s take a look at the ten biggest moments that occurred during the postseason run in 2015. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a SINGLE moment, it could be an inning, an entire game, or a player.

Next: What a way to start!

Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) after hitting an inside the park home run – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

10) Alcides Escobar’s inside the park home run

Game 1 of the World Series.

For the Royals, this was unfinished business from last year. The Royals were tired of hearing “90 feet away” and hoped to start their seven game series off against the Mets better than last year’s World Series.

For those that don’t remember, the Royals were blown out in Game 1 of the 2014 World Series with Madison Bumgarner taking the bump and quickly were down 0-1 in the series on their home turf.

Escobar sped around the bases and got a leadoff inside the park home run to put the Royals up 1-0 after only one pitch.

This season was different though, and it was evident right away.

The Kansas City Royals were sending Edinson Volquez to the mound and the New York Mets were countering with Matt Harvey, also known as the Dark Knight. Harvey had a solid season with the Mets, but the Royals sent a message right away.

After Volquez quietly took down the Mets in the first inning, it was time for Harvey to make his World Series debut. On his very first pitch of the World Series , leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar swung and made contact with the baseball. It flew out to left center field where Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto kicked the ball towards left field.

Escobar sped around the bases and got a leadoff inside the park home run to put the Royals up 1-0 after only one pitch. It was the first inside the park home run of the World Series since 1929 and the first inside the park home run to lead off the World Series since 1903, both according to For the Win.

Kauffman Stadium was going BALLISTIC at this point in time because I mean… Come on! It was an inside the park home run on the very first offensive pitch for the Royals. One pitch, one swing, one run ahead.

The Royals went on to win Game 1 in 14 innings. Escobar scored the first run of the game and the last run of the game. He’s just that awesome.

Next: Worth the trade

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) celebrates after defeating the New York Mets – Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

9) Johnny Cueto

It was late July of the 2015 season and the Kansas City Royals were poised to make yet another October run. The only problem was their starting rotation. Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy weren’t performing like a number one and two pitcher, Jason Vargas was hurt frequently, and Jeremy Guthrie was… Jeremy Guthrie. Need I say more?

Dayton Moore made a bold decision one Sunday morning in July, and that was to acquire ace pitcher Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds. The Royals gave up a lot to only have Cueto on their team for a few months, but they were willing to take the risk. One of the names Kansas City traded for Cueto was Wildcard hero Brandon Finnegan. Fans were not the happiest about that.

Cueto had a rocky regular season, but the Royals acquired him to be their guy during the postseason. If he could dominate on the mound during the playoffs, then all would be forgiven.

The reason he’s this low on the list is due to some of his postseason performances being stinkers. His first playoff appearance as a Royal was in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros. He gave up four runs in six innings.

He had two phenomenal pitching performances during the playoffs, and that’s EXACTLY what Dayton Moore was wanting when he went out and got him.

Game 5 of the ALDS is when we saw Cueto be the Cueto we expected to see. He pitched eight innings of two run ball in a game that the Royals went on to win 7-2 and punch their ticket to the ALCS.

Really, this should have been a shutout for Johnny, but an inning ending play was botched and therefore a guy was on first and the next Astro up to the plate smashed a home run to put two runs on the board.

Cueto’s next start was in Game 3 of the ALCS in Toronto and he sucked. He made it less than three innings and gave up eight runs. It was brutal. Kris Medlen stopped some of the bleeding, but it was too late, as the Royals went on to lose that one 11-8.

The final start of Cueto’s days as a Royal (well, we’ll assume that for the time being) saw him pitching a complete game against the Mets in Game 2 of the World Series. It was a 7-1 game and the Royals took a 2-0 lead in the World Series. What a note to go out on, right?

We all said that if the Kansas City Royals won the Word Series, that the Johnny Cueto trade would be worth it. Well, the Royals won the World Series, my friends, so I’d say the trade was worth it. He had two phenomenal pitching performances during the playoffs, and that’s EXACTLY what Dayton Moore was wanting when he went out and got him.

Well done Johnny. Well done.

Next: Heavy hearts

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez – Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

8) Edinson Volquez and Chris Young in the World Series

Edinson Volquez and Chris Young both joined the Kansas City Royals during the off-season, and ended up being two of the biggest acquisitions for this team.

Volquez not only was dominant during the World Series, but he pitched a fine game in Game 3 of the ALDS and Game 1 of the ALCS. Game 1 of the ALCS saw Volquez pitching a shutout against the Blue Jays in six innings of work.

In Game 1 of the World Series, Volquez went six innings and allowed three earned runs. Volquez looked good in Game 1 and the Royals helped him out in the end by winning in 14 innings.

The Royals would not have won the World Series without these two guys.

Speaking of Game 1 of the World Series, Chris Young was set to start should Volquez not felt okay to go in the news of his father’s passing. Young also lost his father this season and that made both of these guys’ performances so much more special.

It couldn’t have been easy for these two to go out there and pitch, but both were incredible on the mound. The Royals would not have won the World Series without these two guys.

Young pitched three innings of relief in Game 1 and didn’t allow a run. He then started Game 4 and pitched four innings of two run ball and helped the Royals take a 3-1 lead in the series.

Volquez pitched in Game 5 of the World Series and went six innings, only allowing two runs. It was the first game he had pitched after his father had died, and he was phenomenal. Volquez definitely made his father proud with that performance.

Both Volquez and Young were terrific pickups for the Royals and helped them accomplish the biggest task in baseball by winning the World Series.

Next: The drop heard round the world

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) and second baseman Ryan Goins (17) misplay a ball – Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

7) The seventh inning of Game 2 of ALCS

It was Saturday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium, and the Royals were up 1-0 in the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. David Price was dealing for the Blue Jays, mowing down the Royals batter after batter.

Once the seventh inning began, the Royals needed to get something done. All postseason long, the Royals made it clear that if the other team made a crucial error, they’d capitalize on it. The seventh inning was when that error appeared.

Ben Zobrist popped up with what should have been an easy out, but miscommunication between second baseman Ryan Goins and right fielder Jose Bautista led to the ball plopping onto the ground and allowing Zobrist to get on first base with no outs.

That was when the “Keep the line moving” motto jumped into effect, as Lorenzo Cain singled and then Eric Hosmer singled Zobrist home. That was only the beginning, as Kendrys Morales grounded out to second for what should have been a double play, but Hosmer had a brilliant steal of second. Instead, Cain scored to make it a 3-2 game and Hosmer was now on second base with only one out.

Mike Moustakas then singled home Hosmer and the game was tied. Alex Gordon doubled home Moose to give Kansas City the lead, and that’s when Aaron Sanchez replaced Price on the sound. Sanchez then allowed Alex Rios to single home Gordon and it was a 5-3 lead.

Wade Davis went on to scare everyone by allowing two base runners in the ninth, but closed the door to give the Royals the win and the 2-0 lead in the division.

An underrated moment from this game was when Volquez loaded the bases with only one out. Luke Hochevar came in to relieve him and got Kevin Pillar to pop up to second and Goins to ground to first to get out of the inning without any further damage. Hochevar really impressed me during the playoffs and this was one of his most admirable performances.

With the rate this game was going and how Price was straight up dealing on the mound, it would have been easy for the Royals to have thought, “Meh. It’s just one game, we’ll get ’em in Game 3.”, but not this team. This team continued to be relentless. They saw their crack (the pop up falling for a hit) and they capitalized on it.

It’s what all great teams do.

Next: DONG TOWN

Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) reacts after hitting a solo home run – Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

6) Alex Gordon’s ninth inning home run

The Royals were trailing 4-3 in the ninth inning in Game 1 of the World Series. They had two outs left to try and get something going. Fortunately, Alex Gordon realized he didn’t want the Kansas City Royals to go down 0-1 in the World Series this season.

That’s why when Jeurys Familia threw a pitch to Gordo’s liking, he crushed it for the game tying home run. Kauffman Stadium was going nuts.

Obviously all Royals fans are stoked about being World Series champions, but most have to be the happiest for Gordon, who has always been proud to be a member of this team.

At that point, Familia had not blown a save since July 30th against the Padres. It had been nearly three months since the Mets closer hadn’t been able to close out a game, but Gordon got the best of Familia here. Familia had to have hated pitching against the Royals because he blew three saves against them in this series.

The Royals went on to win the first game of the World Series in 14 innings and it was in huge thanks to Gordon’s bomb over the center field wall.

It was especially meaningful because it was Alex Gordon. Gordon has been with this team during the bad times (and I mean the BAAAAD times) and finally got a taste of the postseason last year. It was all too fitting that Gordon was the one stranded on third base in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, and he showed that he didn’t want to be remembered for that.

Obviously all Royals fans are stoked about being World Series champions, but most have to be the happiest for Gordon, who has always been proud to be a member of this team. He’s shown time and time again that he’s the face of this franchise, and I really hope Dayton Moore brings him back.

Give him the biggest deal in Royals history, I don’t care, Gordon needs to be back in Royal blue in 2016.

Next: Check please

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis – Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

5) Wade Davis in Game 6 of ALCS

For the last two seasons, Wade Davis has been dominant out of the bullpen. Once a starter for the Royals after being traded from Tampa Bay, Davis found his niche in the bullpen, especially as the eighth inning guy last year.

The middle member of the H-D-H trio, Davis had career seasons in 2014 and 2015. No one thought Davis would have a better season than he did in 2014, but he did just that. After posing a 1.00 ERA in 2014, Davis improved to a 0.94 ERA in 2015. He allowed eight runs ALL SEASON LONG and only seven of them were earned!

Davis deserved that moment though. He deserved to win it for the Royals for the final time this season.

Anyway, now onto his big moment from the playoffs. Wade Davis himself could have just been listed as the biggest moment from the postseason, but there was one moment that outshone the rest, and that moment was in Game 6 of the ALCS.

The Royals were leading the series three games to two and needed one more game to make it to their second consecutive World Series.

After Jose Bautista had tied the game at three runs apiece with a two-run homer off Ryan Madson, Davis took the mound to try and limit any further damage. He got out of the inning safely, but a rain delay stopped the game for close to an hour.

Once the game resumed, Lorenzo Cain helped the Royals take the lead after Eric Hosmer singled to deep right. Cain scored all the way from first on a throwing error by Bautista.

It’s all too fitting that Wade got to record the final three outs of the World Series.

The ninth inning almost always meant it was time for Wade Davis (at least once Greg Holland was done for the year due to needing surgery), but could he pitch after an hour long rain delay?

Davis did indeed come out for the ninth and within no time, Toronto had a man on third with no outs. It seemed evident that the Blue Jays were going to either take the lead or at the very least tie the game up. Davis then walked Kevin Pillar, which led to a guy being on first and third with no outs.

Never fear though. Davis came through as he always did by getting Dioner Navarro and Ben Revere to strike out swinging and Josh Donaldson (of all people) to ground out to Mike Moustakas, who tossed the ball Eric Hosmer to end the game.

It’s all too fitting that Wade got to record the final three outs of the World Series even though by that point, the Royals really didn’t need him to close it out (they were up by five runs).

Davis deserved that moment though. He deserved to win it for the Royals for the final time this season.

Next: In the clutch once again

Kansas City Royals pinch hitter Christian Colon reacts after hitting a RBI single – Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

4) Christian Colon’s clutch hit

Game 5 of the World Series wasn’t a do or die situation for the Royals. They were winning the series three games to one and had a crazy comeback win the night before in New York in which they won the game in the eighth inning. So yeah, the momentum was definitely on Kansas City’s side.

The Royals weren’t doing much of anything in Game 5 against Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey though. Harvey was mowing down the Royals batter after batter and despite only being down two runs, the game looked like it was out of reach.

That’s the thing about these Royals though. Nothing is ever out of reach for these boys in blue.

After the Royals managed to tie the game up in the ninth inning (more on that later), the game was still going late into the night (and into the next morning in New York) with neither team really threatening to score.

Finally, the Royals decided they wanted to be World Series champs when Salvador Perez singled in the top of the 12th with no outs. Jarrod Dyson then was put on first to run for Salvy. Dyson stole second right off the bat and Alex Gordon grounded out to first to get him over to third base with only one out.

Luke Hochevar had been dealing for two scoreless innings, but Christian Colon came in to pinch hit for him. Colon hadn’t had a single at-bat all throughout the postseason and boy what a time for him to have his first one!

Christian Colon has already cemented himself into Royals postseason history. Not only did he have this HUGE hit in a critical moment, but he also had the winning run in the Royals’ crazy Wildcard walk-off win last year.

With a 1-2 count, Colon was able to put the ball in play with a single to left. Dyson scored with ease and the Royals were up 3-2 in the top of the ninth.

The stadium went dead quiet and the camera began to show shots of sad Mets fans all around the stadium. Imagine how annoyed they were that the Royals battled back in three out of four of their wins from this series. That had to be frustrating for them.

This was a HUGE moment for the Royals in the World Series because if Colon had struck out there or put the ball too close to home plate, Dyson might not have scored and the Mets could have won in the next inning.

Of course after Colon’s big hit, the Royals tacked on four more runs to make it a five run game, but still. Colon’s hit was the one that started it all and “kept the line moving” so to speak.

In other words, Christian Colon should never have to buy another drink in Kansas City ever again. Thanks buddy!

Next: HOS!

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) score the tying run – Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

3) Eric Hosmer going for the tie

Sticking with Game 5 of the World Series, there was an even bigger play for the Kansas City Royals than Christian Colon’s single that helped the boys in blue take the lead.

It was the top of the ninth inning. The Royals hadn’t been able to get anything going against Mets starter Matt Harvey, and after arguing with manager Terry Collins, the Dark Knight was coming back out for the ninth.

After walking Lorenzo Cain, and Cain then stealing second base to eliminate a possible double play, the Royals saw their comeback opportunity. Harvey remained in the game and Eric Hosmer made him pay with a double to deep left to score Cain from second.

Collins then pulled Harvey in favor of Jeurys Familia, who had not fared well against Kansas City during this series. That continued in Game 5, as Mike Moustakas grounded out to first to move Hosmer to third base with now just one out.

This was a huge moment because Hosmer essentially took the biggest risk anyone could in the game of baseball by risking the final out of the game.

With Salvador Perez at the plate now, the Royals only needed a sacrifice fly to tie things up. Instead, Perez grounded out to third base and that’s when Hosmer saw his opportunity.

David Wright threw over to Mets first baseman Lucas Duda, and Hosmer took off for home plate. Duda panicked and threw the ball way past home, allowing Hosmer to score the tying run.

This was a huge moment because Hosmer essentially took the biggest risk anyone could in the game of baseball by risking the final out of the game. Had Hosmer been thrown out at the plate, the game would have been over and the Mets would have forced a Game 6 in Kansas City.

People wouldn’t have been praising Eric Hosmer for going for the tie, they would have been pissed that he “wasted” the final out of the game. Fortunately, the scouting reports showed that Wright and Duda had weak arms and that the boys in blue needed to test that theory. Hosmer did just that, and three innings later, the Royals were World Champions.

Feels good, doesn’t it?

Next: Six outs left...

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) celebrates with third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) – Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

2) The eighth inning of Game 4 of ALDS

The Royals were six outs away from being eliminated from the playoffs. They were playing at Minute Maid Park in Houston against the fiery Astros, who were up two games to one, and only needed one more victory to punch their ticket to the ALCS.

Royals fans were bummed because it sure seemed like the season was almost over, as they couldn’t get anything done against Astros starter Lance McCullers. The seventh inning saw Terrance Gore getting caught stealing third in the Royals’ only real threat to take the lead.

The crowd was fired up and it just seemed like this Astros team were last year’s Royals. How could the boys in blue overcome this deficit?

By keeping the line moving, that’s how.

The Royals had six outs left. Six outs until their season was over and all of the players were going their separate ways for the winter off-season. Instead, they battled back for five runs in the eighth inning to take the lead and then ended up winning the game by three runs.

After Ryan Madson allowed three runs (two being home runs), it looked bleak for the KC Royals to force a Game 5. Don’t tell the Royals that though, as the eighth inning rolled around and they decided they wanted to get the party started.

One by one, the Royals came back against Houston reliever Will Harris. Alex Rios singled. Alcides Escobar singled. Ben Zobrist singled to load the bases with no outs. Lorenzo Cain singled home Rios.

Tony Sipp then relieved Harris and allowed the line to keep moving. Eric Hosmer singled Escobar home and then Kendrys Morales grounded out to Carlos Correra, who had an error and allowed Zobrist and Cain to both score and tie the game up at six runs a piece.

All of a sudden, those Astros fans were SILENT. You’d think after they watched the Royals come back in Game 2 of this very same series that they’d know not to count out this team, but hey… Even Royals fans were doubting them at that point (admit it… You were one of them).

1) Game 5 of the World Series

This had to be number one, right? It had been 30 years since the Kansas City Royals had won the World Series, but after last year’s heartbreaking defeat to the Giants, the Royals were determined to shed that “90 feet away” label and to move on from Madison Bumgarner and the disappointing ending they endured last season.

Game 5, as mentioned in a few of the slides above, saw the Royals getting nothing done against the Dark Knight. Harvey was dealing, and he was going for the complete game against the Royals in Game 5 after only giving up four hits.

When he came back out for the ninth, I said to my friends who I was watching the game with that, “They really should have pulled him. He’s not going to get the win now.” I proved to be right, as the Royals once again were relentless. They scored two runs in the ninth inning to tie things up and force extra innings in New York.

After Kelvin Herrera pitched three scoreless innings and Luke Hochevar went for two scoreless frames, the Royals were able to take a five run lead. Everyone in Kansas City braced themselves, as Wade Davis took the mound for the bottom of the 12th inning.

Davis recorded the final three outs of the game and ended the final game of the MLB season. It was a moment that Royals fans will never forget.

Next: Let's go Royals!

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (left) takes a selfie with center fielder Lorenzo Cain (right) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

For many of us, this was the first time we ever got to see our favorite baseball team win a championship.

I wasn’t alive when the Royals won the World Series in 1985, and a part of me wondered if I’d ever get to see my MLB team hoist the trophy. All through college, my friends who were Cardinals fans would torment me about rooting for a losing team, and I knew someday it’d be worth it.

More from KC Kingdom

After the disappointing end to the Royals’ season last year, in which I had to watch the San Francisco Giants celebrate their Game 7 World Series victory on Kauffman Stadium’s diamond, all I could think about for this season was how the correct ending would happen this time.

The Royals made this season basically a continuation of last year and they included their fans on every part of the ride.

I love this team, and it’s very possible that this could be the best Kansas City Royals team in franchise history. The biggest concern now is attempting to bring Alex Gordon back, but if he leaves, at least he got the right ending for his Royals career.

Next: Top Second Basemen in Royals History

The Kansas City Royals won the World Series for the first time in 30 years and no one could take that away from us.

Leigh Oleszczak

Leigh has covered the NFL and NFL Draft for 10 years on KC Kingdom, NFL Spin Zone, FanSided, and other sites. She has also covered MLB, college football, and basketball, as well as the TV show Survivor.