The Kansas City Royals just created the happiest traffic jam in the city’s history, when they drove the 2015 World Series Championship trophy and its recipients through downtown KC. The surreal, unforgettable images of a city flooded by blue are the culmination of a franchise’s determination to reinvent itself that began in 2006.
Let us not forget that until very recently (we’re talking pre-Dayton Moore), the Royals were openly mocked by other clubs for their frugality and being lousy. Let us also never forget that the vast majority of analysts, experts and projection systems (you know the one) wholeheartedly believed that this year’s champions would be something between average and awful.
This victory will further cement the greatness of the moments that preceded it and made this all possible. Now that this season goes down in history as one that earned KC a World Series title, fans will surely never forget about Omar Infante and seven other Royals leading the All-Star voting in mid-June. Sponsors will also never forget the record-crushing 2015 TV ratings and Kauffman Stadium attendance totals.
That insane crowd also made an intangible impact on current and future Royals. Never before could those guys quantify in such an aesthetically stunning way how many people they’ve positively influenced by bringing a title to this town. A lot of numbers and statistics affect whether or not a player wants to sign or re-sign with any given ball club. The number 800,000 — the estimated turnout for yesterday’s one-of-a-kind celebration — is one terrific conversation-starter for any free agent capable of feeling emotions.
Whether we’re talking about a player, a coach or a fan, who doesn’t want to be a part of the Royals’ magic right now?
Doug LaCerte is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DLaC67, “like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.