SPRINGDALE (KFSM) - After more than 30 years without a World Series win, the Kansas City Royals finally changed that in five games last season. Here in Northwest Arkansas fans got up close with that World Series trophy.
"To see a lot of these guys come form really our rookie ball teams, and work all the way through triple-A and to the major leagues it's quite an accomplishment," Royals Assistant General Manager J.J. Picollo said. "Then to see them perform, and win a World Series on the biggest stage is probably the best feeling you could have as a baseball operations staff."
Thirteen players on that World Series roster had one time or another played right here in Northwest Arkansas, including Christian Colon who sealed the win in game five.
"To see that guy get the game winning hit, well now all the sudden you get to see the trophy and share in that celebration, it's just awesome," Naturals manager Vance Wilson said. "It created the culture that we want. We want a winning culture. We want expectation on our guys."
That World Series win has it's trickle down effect throughout the Royals farm system, and what you can expect to see out of those who play here at Arvest Ballpark.
"Just being able to back up what we preach. You know, I've always told my guys this is what we are trying to accomplish. 2014 we lost the World Series, but at least it gave us that hey what we're trying to accomplish is so close. The trickle effect now is, it's expectations," Wilson said.
Those expectations will be high for the Naturals after making it themselves to the Texas League Championship also last season.
There's no doubting the excitement for not only the Royals season, but the Naturals to start here on April 7th is high.