Kansas City Royals: End of the Forever Royal Era

Sunday afternoon marked the final game of the season for the Kansas City Royals. More than that, it marked the end of an era for our boys in blue. How should fans be feeling today?

“It’s over.”

Those are the exact words that sprung forth from my lips on Sunday afternoon when Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, and Alcides Escobar left the field for the final time as members of the Kansas City Royals. It’s truly the end of an era.

I had found myself thinking about this particular moment off and on over the past few weeks. How was it going to feel to say goodbye to the championship core of the greatest Royals team of my generation?

Is it a time of celebration and joy? A time of sadness and wallowing in self-pity? Perhaps a time to eat a snack or get a drink? Honestly, I won’t judge you for responding in any of those fashions.

I, for one, ran the full gambit of emotions as the four embraced and left the field. Don’t even get me started on that tribute video that aired after the game’s conclusion. I either had dust in my eye, was chopping onions, or my eyes were just a little sweaty.

The truth is that these four men, among others like Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon, changed the perception of baseball in Kansas City forever. Don’t believe me? Take a look back at the Royals teams of yesteryear.