Royals showed qualities of true champions

In winning the World Series, the Kansas City Royals demonstrated qualities of true champions.

Most remarkable was the team’s resilience. The Royals are the only team to trail in the eighth inning in three World Series games and to come back and win each game. Sunday night was one such classic, as the Royals scored two runs to tie the game in the ninth, and then scored five more in the 12th to win the title.

One reason the Royals were able to come back so often (both in the World Series and the playoffs) is that the players stayed calm and kept faith in one another. Even Sunday, when most analysts (and New York Mets fans) thought the game was over going into the ninth inning, Royal players believed they could win.

Another key to the team’s success is that the players focus on fundamentals. They play good defense, are excellent base runners, and rarely strike out. And unlike many teams that rely on home runs, the Royals are content putting the ball in play and methodically advancing runners.

But the Royals don’t just play it safe. They are aggressive at the plate and on the bases – as seen by Eric Hosmer rushing home in the ninth inning Sunday, a gutsy move that tied the score.

The Royals were certainly helped by several Mets errors – though that can happen when you keep pressure on another team and force them to make plays.

Other baseball teams certainly took notice of the qualities that helped the Royals win the World Series. But resilience, composure, faith and fundamentals also are valuable lessons for winning at life.

For the editorial board, Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Royals showed qualities of true champions."