HOUSTON — It was a little bit of a surprise to see it and hear it, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because I thought it was cool.
Standing in the bowels of Kauffman Stadium, FOX 4 photographer Don Proctor and me had positioned ourselves to watch the Kansas City Royals go from their dugout to their clubhouse following Game Two of the ALDS. We had, watching the final inning of the game on a flat screen monitor hanging ten feet above the concert floor. Two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Jose Altuve grounds out to Mike Moustakas at third base. Moose fires to Eric Hosmer at first base and game over.
Final score: Royals 5, Astros 4.
I’m waiting for the Royals to come up the stairs from their dugout. Nothing yet. Nothing for 30 seconds. Nothing for 30 more. Then suddenly, you could feel them coming. And they were pumped. First, pitching Coach Dave Eiland, then hitting Coach Dale Sveum. Then a few players: Paulo Orlando, Terrance Gore, Luke Hochevar and Kris Medlen.
“Yes!” someone yelled.
“Now that’s what I’m talked about!” yelled another.
Then up from the bottom of the steps pops Ned Yost.
“We’re back in it boy’s!” he said.
And for some reason, that one slender moment of celebration, that one quote stuck out the most. I know Ned was talking to the dozen or so people within ear shot, but he might as well have been talking to all of Kansas City and every Royals fan on the planet. The Royals had just tied the series at one game apiece. And suddenly, no longer were they on the brink of elimination of the 2015 post season. No longer was there the possibility of being swept by the Astros; the 2015 version of the 2014 Royals.
The Royals were once again post season winners, back in the win column and back in the series. And in a winning game, Game 2 in the best of five series, the Royals were back. Off the mat after a Game 1 loss, and back in the series with a chance to take the lead.
The Series and Games 3 and 4 move to Houston.
Game on.