World-Class Kansas City: Life is Better in KC When the Royals Win

Nov. 1, 2015, is a very big day in Kansas City’s sports history. For the Kansas City Royals, it’s one of the two most important dates ever: The day they won their second World Series, completing a five-game rout of the New York Mets. It was also the day the Kansas City Chiefs clobbered the Detroit Lions in London  by the score of 45-10.

I doubt many of our current readers were in London to watch the Chiefs that day but I suspect a good percentage of us were in attendance through many playoff games throughout the late ’70s and ’80s and attended playoff games in 2014 and 2015 and Games 1 and 2 of the World Series in Kansas City in 2015. The Royals beat the Astros in Game 5 of the AL Divisional Series then went on to play the Toronto Blue Jays in a six-game series championship that also ended at The K. Our final chapter in 2015 was written against the New York Mets, with history being made in Queens, New York, with a Game 5 victory. 

I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy nearly all of the post-season games played over the years in Kansas City and one wouldn’t be surprised by my saying that “Life is Better in KC When the Royals Win.” The younger generation that perhaps did not follow the Royals a decade ago missed a remarkable chapter of this unique franchise. Even more than the celebrations of the Chiefs winning a Super Bowl, this town goes ballistic when the Royals win championships. 

The Royals survived a one-game, winner-take-all, come-from-behind Wildcard game against the Oakland A’s,  9-8, in 12 innings. My daughter Allison and I were at that game and we enjoyed what might have been the most exciting comeback win we’ll ever see. Just as when the Royals beat the Cardinals in Game 7 of the World Series in 1985, most of the fans did not leave the stadium for what felt like hours. I’d bet the majority of the fans were still celebrating in the parking lots well into the morning hours. 

I’ve been vocal about concerns that the Royals may be fighting harder to obtain public money to build a new Downtown stadium and entertainment village than to field a team and a winning franchise. I qualified my point early this season as the Royals got off to a better start this year, but in my defense, the franchise has been dismal for nearly a decade. I’m happy to see the return of the Royals to the playoffs and we’re now seeing a confidence among this team that they can compete and they intend to win it all. 

It’s a long road to and through the World Series; unfortunately, the road now goes through the Bronx—a destination still marked with blood stains from Kansas City’s fierce rivalry with those Damn Yankees. The Yankees are to the Royals what the Raiders are to the Chiefs—or used to be. Younger fans won’t remember the fierce games against the Yankees mostly in the late 1970s, but I sure do. 

I had an opportunity to meet and debate with late Raiders owner Al Davis at the Bears vs. Patriots Super Bowl in ’86. I stood up for Len Dawson regarding the cheap shot Ben Davidson bestowed on him in 1970 at Memorial Stadium, and I mentioned the woopin’ Otis Taylor returned on Davidson. I had nothing to lose in that confrontation, and suffice to say, I won that bout.

Elevating a Community

It’s nearly impossible to fully describe the spirit of this great city and how fans here rally around the Royals and the Chiefs. Fans have supported both franchises regardless of whether either team posted a winning record, but this town is like no other when we’re winning—especially when we win championships.

It’s a pleasure to know many of the current owners of the Royals franchise and to have had an acquaintance with Lamar Hunt and Ewing Kauffman when they were with us. The founders of our sports franchises were special leaders who were undeniably committed to this great city and to fielding championship teams. 

I don’t want to jinx it by writing this in advance of Game 1 of the AL Divisional Playoff series. I run the risk of looking foolish, but these thoughts have more to do with the spirit of winning and unbridled joy it brings out when the Chiefs and the Royals win championships. As an optimist, I expect the Royals could make it past the Yankees. Maybe even to the World Series.

I’m grateful to see the stars align over Kansas City in 2024. It would be amazing to celebrate World Series champions in the same year the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. Maybe the odds of that aren’t good, but it’s uplifting just knowing we’re in the game.

Patrick Mahomes thrills us by leaving  it all on the field each game, and it’s exciting to see Bobby Witt Jr. and his teammates become a unified unit and taste their first champagne as a playoff series winner. Folks should remember that young Salvador Perez has tasted the bubbly before as MVP of the 2015 World Series. 

KC has become the envy of all with professional sports franchises. I hope in the weeks to come we keep them envious of the remarkable successes we’ve enjoyed over the years as Chiefs and Royals fans.

Here’s to finishing strong!