There were a lot of things about the 2013-2015 Kansas City Royals that were wonderful. Yes, there was the American League Pennant, the World Series Championship, the Wild Card Game. The on-field play was exciting, enrapturing, joyful. Every pitch represented infinite possibilities. It was baseball at its best.
Perhaps my favorite thing about those years, though, was what happened around the city. A buzz surrounded the team. Everyone in the metro caught Royals fever, and it was more than just baseball—it was a communal experience. I remember friends and acquaintances of mine who had never before showed any interest whatsoever in baseball proudly wear their Royals gear, posting about the Royals on social media and making trips to the K.