Royals…..About Last Night

Oh what a night.

Last night was about hope. Hope for a group of players moving forward to the ALCS, and with their careers.

Last night was about realized potential.

Last night was about an outfield’s consistent, defensive excellence.

Last night was about an inspiring, gritty pitcher, wrangling through 6 innings without his best stuff.

Last night was about unbelievable heat, from of one of the best bull-pens you will ever see.

Last night was about fun, as a turtle-slow DH stole the most unlikely and hilarious base in Royals history.

Last night was about reprieve, as an oft criticized manager got to enjoy a special moment.

Last night was about validation, as a GM saw a combination of inherited players, draft picks, and pick ups take the Royals to the brink of the World Series.

Last night was about a city feeling really good about itself.

All of the above, and more, were on full display in Kansas City last night.

The playoff clincher in Chicago was a huge relief. Historic ineptitude was finally in remission.

Last week’s Wild Card win was an exorcism. The most unlikely win in play-off history was filled with theatrics, heroes and villains. Unlike any game we have ever seen, it left us exhausted, drained, cleansed, and born-again.

Last night’s ALDS clincher was a graduation. It was about acceptance. It was about confidence.

The Royals are in a rare and special spot. They know they are already heroes, but also know they are capable of even more.  You can’t have a better frame of mind than that.

Back to the game.

The score suggest this entire game was a party. Not quite. Yeah, when Alex Gordon cleared the bases with his first inning double, and CJ Wilson was yanked before even finishing the inning, there were the makings of a throw-down.  Still, most of us were nervous the cops could show up, and end the fun.  Why?  James Shields kept those Halos in the game.

He gave up absolute moon shots to future hall of famers Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. It’s easy this morning to forget, but there was tension in the ball-park when the Angels got the tieing run at the plate in the second inning. Luckily, Shields fought his way through the 2^nd, and the Royals kept moving forward.

The K truly went off the chain after Lorenzo Cain’s back to back diving catches in the fifth. Cain convulsed in celebration, as the rain began to fall. Taps began playing for the Angels, and 40,000 plus fans knew their post-season rave was safe for at least another 10 days. Cain’s inspired play continues to amaze. Prior to his door slamming, 5^th inning heroics, he saved the Royals and James Shields some big bases. He smothered a would be double.  He flew into the gap, turning a sure-fire triple into just a double. He saves this team runs, again, and again.

If it wasn’t for Eric Hosmer’s staggering offensive numbers, one would have to say Cain was the leading candidate for post season MVP. But then, there is Eric Hosmer and his ridiculous, sick numbers.

500/632/1.143.  That’s an OPS of 1.774.  He has scored 5 times, driven in and walked 5 more, bashed a double, smacked a triple, and absolutely ripped 2 dongs.  Wow, just wow.  It’s not fair or reasonable to expect him to keep this torrid pace, but if he does, the Royals will win the World Series.

Hell, even without a white-hot, saucer eyed Hoz, a World Series appearance is right in front of them.  It’s almost feeling likely.

Escobar, Aoki, and Cain couldn’t be more comfortable playing in October. The Royals have won 4 straight play-off games with below average versions of James Shields and Wade Davis. Kelvin Herrera, and his 101 mph fast-ball, are just fine.  Greg Holland looks absolutely filthy.  Yordano is ready to dominate.

These Royals won courageously, in the clutch, and in dominating fashion. They won several ways, so who’s to say they can’t keep right on winning?

Congratulations Royals. You have graduated.

Now proudly hang that diploma up, and go put it to work against those Baltimore Orioles.