The Kansas City Royals headed to the 2014 World Series this week after a whirlwind of wins – as well as a 29-year postseason drought – and the Park University community is bursting at the seams.

After a nail-biting win in the wildcard round against the Oakland Athletics that came down to the 12th inning, the Royals earned a chance to fight their way to the World Series when they won that game 9-8.

Following this win, the Royals swept both the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Baltimore Orioles – making a perfect postseason record of 8-0 – which solidified their spot in the series that their predecessors held in 1985.

They are facing the San Francisco Giants, the only other team besides the Royals to make it to the World Series on a wildcard game.

The Royals’ rise to the very top of what a major league baseball team can achieve after a dry spell of 29 years is one of the most exciting parts of the team’s success, according to many fans.

“Everything that they’ve accomplished is such a wonderful story,” said Dr. Virginia Brackett, the associate professor of English and director of Honors Academy.

The excitement surrounding the Royals’ success has brought cheer and a pride in the team to many.

“I’m so excited about the World Series,” said Debra McArthur, director of Academic Support Services. “I remember the 1985 series and it’s great to be able to do it again. Their post-season play has been fabulous and I have no doubt they will win. There’s a joyful mood in Kansas City – people smile more, they high-five strangers and say ‘Go Royals!’ I love it.”

Many people are excited for a chance to see the Royals crowned the champions at the World Series like they did almost three decades ago especially after the team’s less than stunning record.

“It’s pretty crazy,” said Dougie Dowell, a freshman business administration major and member of the Park Pirates baseball team. “It’s a once in a lifetime deal. [The Royals] never had a winning season at all and all of a sudden we’re going all the way to the top.”

For those who were not around during the last run for the World Series championship, the postseason events have been just as exciting, even to those who aren’t usually interested in America’s greatest pastime.

“I’m not a big sports fan but I’ve become really into it now that the Royals have made it this far,” said Morgan Forbach, a freshman secondary education major. “I’m excited that I get to say they made it to the

World Series in my lifetime. It’s no longer 29 years ago, it’s now.”