2015 Royals Begin Right Where They Left Off…

And We’re Off…2015 Royals Begin Right Where They Left Off…

With the first seven games under their belts, The Kansas City Royals appear to have not let a little set back like game seven of the 2014 World Series get to them. In fact, it probably has spurred them on to even bigger heights.

Standing alone at 7-0, have secured sole possession of first place in The American League Central, a division that reloaded during the off season and promises to be among the most competitive in all of baseball. If the first six games against The Chicago White Sox and The Los Angeles Angels are any indication, this season is going to be full of bull pen empting brawls, bruised batters and even more bruised egos.

This, of course, shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Royals now, probably for the first time in a long time, have a big ol’ target on their backs and have teams secretly plotting their downfall. The Royals are, for the first time in a long time, playing with what I can only describe as moxie, a word usually reserved for the clubs with absurd payrolls and even more absurd contract (ask The Rangers how the Josh Hamilton deal is going for them).

Even so, there is something to be said about the way this year’s club is handling itself and more to be said about the way other clubs approach The Royals.



While people were lamenting the loss of James Shields, GMDM and the others behind the scenes were wheeling and dealing to ensure The Royals would remain competitive in the 2015 season. The acquisitions of Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios not only added power at the plate, but better defense in the field (well, until Minnesota decided to break Rios’ finger).

Also, there were many who audibly moaned when The Royals signed Edinson Volquez, but I believe this too was a good pick up. No, he’s obviously not a James Shields, but he should serve more than serviceable though out the year. But there is something else that The Royals picked in last year’s post-season and this year’s off season…and it’s something that can’t be purchased. It’s that little something Royal players had been sorely missing, a confidence in themselves and their fellow teammates.

Being the doormat of baseball for nearly three decades can do a number on any organization. It’s draining. It’s embarrassing and it makes for some pretty lousy baseball. It’s this lingering sentiment that probably has made a lot of people reluctant to pick The Royals to win the division, let alone given them a chance to make the series. But, is exactly why these people may be wrong.



These lessons, this moxie, learned/earned through the last several seasons have begun to mature along with the players. It is this intangible, unquantifiable characteristic that will aid The Royals defend their American League Champion season of 2014 and they will certainly need all the help they can get. There’s no shortage of teams trying to de-throne The Royals and no shortage of punters who think The Royals 2014 season was a fluke.

Repeating last season’s success seems like an almost impossible task….but it’s not. The Royals have begun 2015 with a bang using power, almost flawless defense and superb pitching to take the first 7 games. Obviously, there are 155 games remaining but this is a team playing like every game could make the difference between last year’s season or the 28 seasons before that.

photo credit: Lorenzo Cain via photopin (license)

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