All the hard work finally pays off for Kansas City's playoff-bound Royals
CHICAGO -- In every corner of the Royals' clubhouse Friday night, the moment meant something a little different.
But collectively, there's no denying that the Royals clinching their first playoff appearance since 1985 will be remembered for a long, long time.
Away from the popping champagne bottles and spray, owner David Glass quietly smiled with his family and said confidently, "This isn't the end. This is the beginning."
The architect of the Royals' resurrection, general manager Dayton Moore, looked as emotional as he has been in months. He began to thank everyone in the organization for their contributions when suddenly he got doused by champagne from right-hander James Shields. That was a fitting scene, obviously, for it was Moore's controversial trade to acquire Shields that turned the organization around last season and produced a winning record for the first time in 10 years.
Now, the playoffs.
"It's been so much work," Shields said. "But that is what makes it so special."
Moore tried his best to deflect any credit.
"So many people had a hand in this and I'm proud of every one of them," Moore said. "And I'd like to thank the fans especially for coming here for this and all our fans back home. They have suffered through a lot of years and we're very happy to bring something special like this back into their lives.
"And hopefully, we're not nearly done."
In another corner of the clubhouse Alex Gordon, who is, along with Billy Butler, one of the two longest-tenured Royals, spoke quietly but contently about what this moment meant to him.
"I do think it means a bit more to Billy and I because of the time we've been here," Gordon said. "But it's a celebration for everyone. Hopefully, it's not the last time we see champagne."
Added Butler: "It feels better than expected because you tell yourself to hold back and hold back until it happens. Then it does and let me tell you, it feels great.
"It's been a 10-year process for me. That makes it special. I'm so proud of this organization."
Playoffs, baby! Check out a gallery full of memorable moments from the Royals' postseason-clinching win.
And no one should forget the contributions of manager Ned Yost, who was ravaged on talk radio and Twitter all season. But Yost, undaunted, held fast and steered his troops into the postseason.
"I really don't need vindication," Yost said. "I've been telling you guys for two years how talented this group is and how close they are to a championship.
"I'm just happy for them. To see them in there celebrating, that's a very special thing for me."
And, of course, there was George Brett, who earlier in the day said he wouldn't jump into the middle of the celebration because he didn't feel he deserved to, standing near the clubhouse door, fighting back tears and laughing simultaneously.
"I was pretty OK through most of the night," Brett said. "I didn't really lose it until afterward. This means so much to the city and everyone who has stuck with this team for so many years.
"I just got chills when I started hearing the fans here from Kansas City who were chanting, 'Let's go, Royals!' I mean, that was really something to hear that on the road. I heard that when the team was in Colorado earlier this year and it just felt like this organization had turned a corner."
You can follow Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter at @jflanagankc or email him at jeffreyflanagan6@gmail.com.
