KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Long after Mike Moustakas fired the ball across the diamond to Eric Hosmer for the final of the Kansas City Royals’ ALCS sweep clinching win, fans stuck around Kauffman Stadium to bask in the moment.
Patience 29 years in the making was rewarded as some players emerged from their champagne celebration to share the win with fans. Catcher Salvador Perez greeted fans down the first base line on top of the dugout and then he and Hosmer did a victory lap in the outfield, complete with brooms for the sweep.
Nori Aoki did a lap through right field, a spot he normally patrols during games, giving fans hi-fives and posing for some selfies, including some members of the grounds crew. They played a pivotal role in preparing the field after torrential rain washed out Monday’s game, and one groundskeeper said the moment Wednesday night was better than he could have ever imagined.
“It’s awesome, I’ve been out here 11 years on the grounds crew and it’s been a blast. These guys, they’re doing it for the fans, doing it for us and it’s been a lot of fun,” Austin Hall said.
Outside of Kauffman Stadium streams of jubilant fans streamed out through the gates with signs and brooms, some in slight disbelief that the Royals captured the win, most commenting that the experience was amazing.
