Inevitability vs Invincibility

Inevitability

With the exception of the most optimistic, everyone knew that the magical run that the Royals were on had an expiration date.  We all knew that at some point in this playoffs one of the cogs in the perfect machine that was the Royals would fail for a game and we would know how it felt to finally lose a playoff game after 29 years.

Before the Giants defense could even take the field they had a 3-0 lead.   That kind of lead is usually pretty insurmountable against a regular playoff pitcher, much less an ace like Madison Bumgarner.  That was all that Bumgarner would need.  He scattered three hits and one run over seven innings, in another dynamic start for a pitcher who is now pitching in his third world series.

It didn't hurt that the rest of Bumgarners teammates chipped in with timely hitting and power. They combined for four extra base hits including a two run HR, and were 5-12 with runners in scoring position.

Meanwhile Big Game James Shields and the rest of the Blue Crew seemed to revert back to their mid-September selves.  Shields didn't make it through 4 innings giving up 7 hits and 5 earned runs.   Command clearly off, Shileds got hit hard from the beginning, giving up a double and a homer in the first.  But Shields wasn't the only part of the team not in best form.  In the bottom of the third Infante reached on an error and Moustakas putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs.  Escabar and Aoki struck out, and Cain walked to load the bases.  With one of the post season heros up to the plate in Hosmer, the Royals had a chance to do some damage to Bumgarner.  That's when he swung on the first pitch and grounded out to First stranding the tying run at first.

Invincibility

Despite the loss the city still has an overwhelming feeling of invincibility.  Few are crying panic.  Instead there is a call for calm in the midst of a storm and to stick with the team.  In fact Kansas Cities Power and Light District was still packed full of crazed Royals fans till the last pitch, albeit the interest was more in the drinks than the screen.  As weaved the crowd last night and asked people what their feelings were after the loss the general consensus was "we will get them next time" and "it's not over yet"  There was some doubt, however, in teams ace.  One person said "I'm glad we only had him for 2 years.  He seems to be fading" and another said, "maybe we should start Duffy in Game 5"

"It takes a team"one man said. "And as a team we didn't win tonight.  But look at this season.  They have been up and down.  And I'm sure we will bounce back"

(Ace) Ventura takes the mound today, and it seems as though all the hopes of the city rest on this 23 year old rookie.  With the city still behind the team this is a chance to recapture some of the confidence the team lost in Game 1.  As one Radio caller put it his morning "We waited 29 years for this.  We aren't giving up till the last out in the last game"

Why the Royals being in the World Series is great for baseball.

By now, if you follow the Royals, Giants, or baseball at all you have heard about or read the ESPN piece by David Schoenfield, about how the 2014 World Series is the worst in history.  If, by the grace of god, you have managed to miss this story I will offer you a brief synopsis.

Schoenfield makes the case that this World Series is the worst in history because these two teams didn't have a dominant regular season.  He saysSo these aren't great teams. So this is arguably the worst World Series matchup ever, as far as quality of teams."  He goes on to try to make is point by stating that there is a reason that neither team won 90 games, and this should be a cause for concern.  His case then goes from stupid to just plain silly when he brings up a comment made by a reader stating that instead of having a post season, the MLB should adopt English soccer rules by having a premier league in which each team plays each other an equal amount of time and at the end of it there is a winner.  No postseason drama, no wild cards, and no game 7's.  That's right, he wants to get rid of game 7's which might be the greatest thing in sports.  

No the Giants and the Royals didn't win 90 games this season.  They won 88 and 89 respectively. They are however a combined 18 and 2 in the post season.  In his piece Schoenfield asks if the Royals and Giants are so great why didn't they win their divisions?  Why did they "roll the dice" with a wild card game?  I would ask Mr. Schoenfield, if the Royals and Giant's aren't the best teams in baseball why didn't the other teams win more than 2 games?

Why do we watch sports?  It isn't to see a champion crowned or to award records to a player with amazing stats.  Those are effects of us watching it.  The reason we watch sports is to be entertained.  And that is what post season baseball is.  Entertainment.  You work, push, and grind through 162 games to get there. To stop there, after just a regular season with no tournament at the end would be to leave a cliff hanger, and to deny closure to those who watch it.  Where else will you get to see someone who barely batted over the Mendoza line, get hot and hit 4 HR in the post season?  Where else are you going to see an unknown center fielder, erupt onto the national stage by playing historic defense?  And the Public is telling us that they are entertained.  The ratings for the ALCS was up 9% even though KC and Baltimore are 70% smaller than LA and STL (last years ALCS match up).  

Somewhere in Venezuela a young boy is sitting by his TV watching Salvador Perez sit behind the plate.  He jumps up and yells as Salvy springs into action and throws a ball on a string to Infante to catch a runner stealing base.  He thinks to himself, "someday I want to be just like Salvy!"  For a decade now the MLB has been trying to get young people interested in the sport of baseball.  With the audience becoming older and older they need a new way to get young kids into the sport.  The best way to do this is to feature some of the young unknown talent.  The likes of Perez, Ventura, Duffy, and Finnegan are becoming national names on the biggest stage that MLB has to offer, and will do wonders for getting young kids interested in baseball again.  With the old stars like Konerko and Jeter retiring, MLB should be glad that there are new young stars being showcased in the fall classic.  

So no, Schoenfield, these teams didn't win 90 games this year, or win their division.  But what they did do, was play smart baseball, and dismantled their postseason opposition.  While the teams aren't from top market cities, they have captured the country and is primed to be one of the BEST world series ever.  They say that to be the best, you have to beat the best, and so far they have done exactly that.

Rapid Reaction. Chiefs 23, Chargers 20.

Chiefs win at San Diego.  Here are some takeaways

Chiefs had 2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss and 3 QB hits.  While the defense gave up some big plays including a 1+ min drive that resulted in a touchdown, the were also breathing down Rivers neck the whole game and right from the start he did not look comfortable in the pocket.

The Chiefs had 39 rushes and possessed the ball for 39 min of the game.  They played their game and held the ball for almost a 2:1 ratio.  How do you keep one of the best QB's from beating you?  You don't let him play.

48 yards.  That is how long Santo's kick was.  His previous long?  45.   How do you put hair on the chest of a rookie?  Have him go out, with the game on the line, and ask him to do what he has never done before.  The kick went up, and we all thought it looks wide right... but it curved back in and went through!   Get that kid a cookie!

The Chiefs will look to take on the St. Louis Rams next week.

Things to do in Kansas City while you're in town.

With the World Series coming to town Kansas City will be the center of the sports entire world.  With that a lot of people who have never experienced Kansas City will be in town.  Kansas City has a moniker of being fly over territory but those who have actually stopped in know that Kansas City is one of the up and coming cities with a lot to offer. Here is a list of things that people can check out while in town.

Negro league baseball Museum- I've written about how the Negro Leagues have changed baseball and Kansas City.  This is a must stop for any baseball fan.

World War I Monument and Museum- One of the only WWI monuments in the country it overlooks the Kansas City skyline and offers a great view of the city as well as the past.

Lego land and Sealife- These two attractions are located in the heart of Kansas City across from the Crown Center Shopping District.  These family friendly attractions give your little ones the chance to see some sealife or build their on fantasy.

Crown Center- Crown Center has a great shopping district with small local stores and great food.  You can stop in to fritz's to have your food delivered by model train, or check out the Crayola restaurant and store.

The Plaza- Home of the higher end shopping district in Kansas City.  Experience the great ambiance of The Plaza which was designed after Seville Spain.  It features high end stores and eats as well as some of Kansas Cities local favorites.

Westport- Westport is the go to place for the social scene.  As you walk down the streets of historic westport in the day you will find many small niche stores and eateries.  At night the scene changes to bar goers and hookah smokers.  Watch out though if you are wearing Giants Apparel you can expect some boos thrown your way.

Westbottoms Haunted Houses- The best part of October baseball being in October is that it runs up close to Halloween.  If you are in town you will need to stop by the westbottoms to experience some of the spookiest and most thrilling haunted houses in KC.

Nelson Art Museum- Home to the largest Art collection in KC the Nelson is known for the large shuttle cocks on the lawn.  A great place to spend the day before the games starts.  Once there everyone always finds a favorite piece.

Power and Light District- This is the go to place to watch the games.  An open air venue that is surrounded by some of the cities best bar's.  It offers a big screen to watch the game on and will always be packed with Royals fans.  Who knows... when the Royals win, some of the players tend to show up here!

Hollywood Casino- The newest Casino in Kansas city it is conveniently located by the legends shopping center.  It offers the high roller ambiance of Hollywood right here in the Midwest. Maybe you'll get lucky!

The Legends Shopping District-  The legends offeres outlets to all of your favorite brands as well as great eateries like T-Rex Cafe and Dave and Busters.  At night you can get some laughs at Standford's and Son's Comedy Club

Bar-b-que- If you ask 10 Kansas City natives what their favorite BBQ is you will get 10 different answers.  In the end they are all good and that's what makes KC the BBQ capital of the world (thats right better than Texas and Tennessee)
KC Joes/ Oklahoma Joes
Arthur Bryants
q39
Jack Stack
Smoke House
Gates

Featured Fantasy Picks.

Each week we will feature our top fantasy picks for each position.


Quarterbacks- Aaron Rodgers-  After coming off of a three touchdown week we expect Rodgers to continue his hot streak as he takes on the mediocre Carolina pass defense.  Carolina has given up 12 touchdowns to opposing QB's this season.

Running Backs- DeMarco Murray- For the past few years the only knock against Murray has been his ability to stay healthy.  With that looking as a though it's a non-factor (knock on wood) this year I would expect him to stay at the top of the depth charts from here on out.  He is on pace to beat Eric Dickerson's all time rushing record and is already finding himself breaking records held by Jim Brown.  With the porous Giants Defense on the horizon I'd look for Murray to add to this 100 yard rushing games

Wide Receivers- Antonio Brown- Although the Pittsburgh Offense has been anemic this year the one bright spot has been Antonio Brown.  While other top wide outs have to share the filed with the likes of Randall Cobb and Julius Thomas, Antonio Brown is clearly the go to guy for Big Ben.  While Houston has a good pass rush and are an opportunistic defense, they have given up the 7th most yards per game to opposing wide outs.

Tight ends- Martellus Bennett- Bennett has become one of the favorite targets of Jay Cutler.  He is a big powerful target with great hands.  Since Marshall and Jefferies have been slowed down by injuries, Bennett has stepped in and filled the void.  Miami has given up a touchdown to opposing tight ends in 4 of their 5 games.  Look for that trend to continue.

Defense- Bills- While I would usually love anyone facing the pitiful Jacksonville offense I opted for the bills this week.  They are facing a Minnesota offense that is missing its' starting qb and rb.  Look for the Bills to rebound from the whopping that the Patriots laid on them.

Kicker- Nick Novak-  The Chargers face the bend but don't break defense of the Chiefs.  Look for Rivers to have some good drives that get Novak into position to kick some points onto the board.

Kansas City going for their... fourth World Series?

1985, the last time that Kansas City was home to a world series champion.  Now it's 2014 and the city is excited about the prospect that Kansas City might be Royalty again.  But while people are hoping that this year will bring the 2nd World Series Championship to Kansas City most are forgetting that long before 1985 Kansas City was already home to champions.

In the 1920's Baseball was America's past time.  Hot summer days at the ball park, listening on the radio, and keeping track of scores and standings in the newspaper were all common place.  What wasn't common place however was integration between whites and blacks.  With racial tensions yet to reach their peak baseball was still a white only sport.  That's when they decided to form the Negro Leagues.

In 1920 J.L. Wilkinson helped to found and run the Kansas City Monarchs.  A former pitcher who was sidelined by an injury who already had experience building teams in Iowa brought successful baseball to Kansas City.  He built the team out of the best members of the All Nations Team, and the 25th Infantry Wreckers, an all-black US Army team.

While being a part of the Negro National League and the Negro American League the Monarchs went on to win 10 League titles and participated in 4 Negro League World Series including two wins in 1924 and 1942.

The team was disbanded in 1965 after sending more players to the MLB than any other Negro League Team.  The Negro League Baseball Museum is currently located on 18th and Vine in the Heart of Kansas City, Missouri and is a must see for any baseball fan, casual or hardcore.

So while our boys in blue are in the hunt for a World Series Victory one should remember that Kansas City is going for it's 4th World Series title starting next week.  Remember that without the progress pioneered by the likes of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Page, J. L. Wilkinson, and Buck O'Neil, baseball might not be what it is today.

Where are you going to be?

Where are you going to be when the royals step up to the plate in this years fall classic?  Here are some of the watch parties going around town.

A Majestic Celebration: Join us for a free World Series watch party at the NLBM on Tuesday! #nlbm pic.twitter.com/ZeAQlHNmOf
— negroleaguesmuseum (@nlbmprez) October 18, 2014

Join us for @MillerLite #TakeTheCrown Royals Pep Rally on Mon. at @KCLiveBlock! Rally is FREE & Families welcome! pic.twitter.com/7Y3fwAXkIz
— Kansas City Live! (@KCLiveBlock) October 17, 2014

(pep rally monday, with games on on the big screen the rest of the week)

Let's keep the @Royals energy going! We've got #1985 priced mini burgers til Wednesday! #TakeTheCrown #fuelup
— Westport Flea Market (@bestburgerkc) October 17, 2014

$2.99 for some of the best burgers KC has to offer? Sign me up!

The peanut on main.

And really anywhere in westport!

Where are you going to be watching?  If you have any other good watch parties let us know and we will add it to the list!