The Kansas City Royals have some extra lumber among their equipment this post season. I'm not talking about their bats. The Athletics, Angels and now the Orioles have all been a clean sweep as the Royals carry a mighty broom. A perfect 8-0 to advance to the 2014 World Series.
It's been a long journey since the Royals last trip to the World Series in 1985. If they were driving cross country a detour down to the tip of South America was involved. Royals fans like myself are rejoicing at the long awaited return.
Much has been made about how young the team is. The youngest starter Salvador Perez is the field general behind the plate at 24. First baseman Eric Hosmer is almost 200 days older and still 24 while leading in the playoffs with his bat. Across the diamond third baseman Mike Moustakas already has tied a Royals post season record of four home runs at 26. Shortstop Alcides Escobar has found a home at lead off and has reached his prime at 27. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain is emerging as a super star in these playoffs at 28. DH Billy Butler has had some key hits while also 28. Right fielder Alex Gordon has also had some important hits while showing toughness at 30 as he took a pitch to the neck and ran into a wall. Nori Aoki is like a samauri at times the way he swings his bat and roams right field well at 32. Omar Infante is the old man among the starters by another 10 days and brings a steadying influence at 32.
Then there is the super sub. The tenth man. The blur on the base paths known as Jarrod Dyson. The center field sub is 30.
The regular season saw the team enjoy many highs as they had two stints in first place in the AL Central before falling short down the stretch. The playoffs have been magical as the many extra inning and one run games sharpened the steel of the players. Winning breeds confidence and more winning. The Royals are on a hot streak and have unfinished business. Four more wins.
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