Park supports team, looks toward 2015

With a final score of 3-2, the Kansas City Royals were defeated by the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 in the World Series at Kauffman Stadium Oct. 29.

Though they may have lost the overall series, the Royals still pulled out an impressive three-game win throughout.

The Giants started the series with a win, and from there, alternated with Kansas City on who won each game.

Despite the loss, the Kansas City and Park University have rallied around its team with pride.

“I thought it was a magical experience,” said Emma Givens, a freshman marketing and management major.

“The loss hurt, but I’m proud of them for making it. I wouldn’t write if off as a one time thing.”

Many Royals’ fans are taking that sentiment to heart.

The World Series and the playoffs leading up to it have inspired a renewed enjoyment in support for the team that was difficult to justify with the team’s past seasons.

“I have grown up thinking the Royals suck,” said Givens. “Having them make it this far has made me happy and have pride in them.”

Fans who recall the last World Series 29 years ago feel this season is the fresh start for the Royals to start playing good baseball once again.

“I was there to see the 1985 World Series to see them win and so of course I was hoping they would win, but I think it’s a good lesson,” said Florenda Jarrard, assistant director of academic support services and a mentor in the StepUP program.

“I was disappointed that they didn’t win, but I think they came a long way and I’m very proud of them.”

There’s also the question of if the post World Series trades that the management is beginning to broker are a smart idea, despite the salary issues they may be facing.

“If it’s not broke, we don’t need to fix it,” said Jarrard. “They seem very cohesive and if they break it up, they might lose that cohesiveness.”

What the Royals become and how they play is a question that will have to remain till next season.

For now, it’s enough that they have the support of their fans and even the support of those who might not usually be rooting for them.

“As a Cardinals fan, it was still inspiring to watch Kansas City rally around the Royals and care about baseball again, despite the outcome,” said Haley Weatherford, a freshman business administration-marketing major.

Local family celebrates with Kansas City at World Series

In Section 419, row MM, seat 20 and 21 at Kauffman Stadium, a young boy and his father sat fulfilling both of their dreams as the Kansas City Royals played in Game 7 of the World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

With the crowd roaring, the atmosphere bursting with energy, 11-year-old Patrick Sheeley was also celebrating his birthday with the Royals. As Patrick and his family from Liberty, Mo., cheered, a tear ran down his father’s face.

“What a dream come true,” Patrick Sheeley said. “When I was sitting there, watching the Royals take the field I became overwhelmed, my team had made it this far and I was there to cheer them on. It left me speechless. I never would have imagined that I would be at that game, my parents made my dream come true, and I can’t stop smiling.”

Patrick wasn’t the only one in his family living out his dream.

“It was very emotional,” said Troy Sheeley, Patrick’s father. “I would look over at him and see him cheering and having the time of his life and I just had to take it all in. I had several ‘wow’ moments.

“This is something you grow up dreaming of, and this one event created so many charming lasting memories that we will be telling stories from this night over and over again for years,” he said.

Patrick’s mother, Marcy Sheeley, was also in attendance at the game.

“Patrick had made a bet with his grandfather that the Royals would go to the World Series,” Marcy Sheeley said.

“If they did end up going Patrick would go. Turns out they did. Patrick called it from the beginning and so we wanted to make sure he was able to have this opportunity. During the season and in post season, you could just tell there was something special about this team and that they were going to make it.”

As for Patrick he has a bit of advice he would like to give to the Royals.

“Move on and keep going, live out next year as you wanted this year,” Patrick said. “There will always be a place in my heart for my team. We are Royals fans and we are one big family.”