Kansas City PROUD

I need to write this down while it's still raw. I didn't know this could hurt so much. I haven't felt this much about my team in forever. When I first became a fan, I lived and died with every pitch and every game. Every loss, I took personally. I felt it to my core. After a few 100 loss seasons, I realized that this would kill me. I kept following them but pushed things aside when it got too bad.

This World Series title would've meant EVERYTHING to us. And I realize yes, it's "just a game," but it's also way more than that. It's bringing a city together, bringing pride back--I'm finally able to wear my Royals gear and know that I don't have to be defensive about it. Kansas City has been recognized as being a real freaking city. I have even more pride in where I come from. To be that freaking close and to have it slip away hurts more than I can describe. It is the most sadness and pain I have ever felt from something that wasn't life or death. And I'm glad I can feel something about this team again. But it also hurts more than you can imagine if you aren't a sport's fan. I had pictured the parade. I had pictured coming home and celebrating with everyone and seeing my team on top.

Tonight I have felt sadness and rage. I went to a different bar than the one I was at after the game and saw Giants fans. The guy who talked to me was "nice" but I couldn't even look at him. When they got up to sing and said "Go Giants!" I screamed lots of expletives and then started crying again. They were singing Journey. And that's another thing. Journey is now ruined for me since Steve Perry is a Giants fan. Which kinda freaking sucks since everyone sings "Don't Stop Believin'" at karaoke. The saving grace of the bar was my friend Christine, who I watched the game with, and a fellow Royals fan she introduced me to who had been crying alone at the bar. We hugged and cried together.

I hope I get to that place soon where I can be happy and proud for this team rather than just upset and devastated. No matter what though, I am PROUD to be  Kansas Citian and I am PROUD to BE ROYAL. The best is yet to come.