x
Breaking News
More () »

Kansas City Royals Stars Rooted In Northwest Arkansas

SPRINGDALE (KFSM) – For the second season in a row, the Kansas City Royals obtained home-field advantage for Major League Baseball’s World Series. Many of...

SPRINGDALE (KFSM) – For the second season in a row, the Kansas City Royals obtained home-field advantage for Major League Baseball's World Series.

Many of those who were on the field for the 2015 World Series once played minor league baseball in Arkansas.

Seeing the Royals players in the championship is almost déjà vu for those who knew the team before they made the Royals roster.

“Thirteen of the 25 on the roster have played here since we have been here,” said Justin Cole, general manager of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

The Naturals are a minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

Royals players Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Yordano Ventura, and Salvador Perez and others once called Springdale home.

“[The World Series] is obviously the pinnacle,” Cole said. “They have not only become regulars. They are on the national stage, and this is their second consecutive American League championship.”

Cole said the former Naturals aren’t the only one’s celebrating the team's success.

“It is really rewarding for our whole staff. Most of our staff was here in 2010 when we won the Texas League,” Cole said. “That team had Mike Moustakas the first half of the season, and Eric Hosmer towards the end.”

Cole said the World Series appearance had boosted the whole Natural’s organization, and beyond.

“It does give a shot in the arm throughout the whole system. You see what these guys are doing, and you see that some of them are so young, and have been able to achieve success on the field,” Cole said.

As for the fans who knew the players before they were called up to the MLB, they should know success is in the former Natural’s players blood.

“You can see them on TV now in the World Series, and know they did the same thing in your backyard,” Cole said.

Game two of the World Series will be held in Kansas City on October 28.

Before You Leave, Check This Out