Kansas City Royals and Salvador Perez Turn the Page

Last season, the Kansas City Royals magical postseason run began due to Salvador Perez. While the Royals baserunning exploits literally ran the A’s into the ground, it was Perez who came through with the game winning RBI, grounding a single just past the glove of a diving Josh Donaldson to plate Christian Colon. It was a moment that will live on in Kansas City Royals history, and one that kickstarted their march through the American League.

Perhaps it was fitting that it was Perez again at the plate with the Royals season on the line in Game Seven of the World Series. Alex Gordon had given the Royals a spark, getting a two out base hit and reaching third on an error. One more hit, and the Royals would have tied Game Seven in an improbable fashion, the perfect way to cap off their already improbable run through the postseason.

There was Salvador Perez, hobbled by a fastball to the knee earlier in the game and completely worn down due to his workload, once again looking to be the hero for the Royals. Unfortunately, he was unable to deliver, lofting a popup that got caught in the gravitational pull of noted jollux Pablo Sandoval for the final out. The Giants celebrated in Kauffman Stadium, and the Kansas City Royals magical run came up just a bit short.

More from KC Royals News

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

Now, the memories from last season are ready to be just that – memories. We will certainly relive the glorious month in our minds, and be reminded once more of that improbable march when the Kansas City Royals raise their American League Champion banner. Then, as soon as that banner is raised and the anticipated thunderous ovation dies down, that should be the last of the focus.

Today, even if it is a Spring Training game, the Kansas City Royals will officially kick off their 2015 season. This year, there will be a target on their backs, as for the first time in 29 years, the Royals will be the defending American League Champions. They will receive the best that other teams can throw at them on a regular basis, as everyone wants to knock off the team at the top of the heap.

Hopefully, the Kansas City Royals can replicate that magic from last year, making the playoffs and advancing on to the World Series. Hopefully this time, they shall avoid avoid the pitching cyborg known as Madison Bumgarner and get that twelfth victory, or eleventh if they avoid the Wild Card Game.

Hopefully, we will once again see Salvador Perez at the plate with two outs and either the tying run or go ahead run in scoring position in a postseason game. And this time, hopefully he will deliver that base hit to give the Kansas City Royals that fourth World Series win.

Next: Brandon Finnegan Could Be a Part of KC Royals Bullpen