Fansided

Each MLB team’s season success or failure?

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas City Royals

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez throws a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

95-67, AL Central champions, won World Series

Many wrote the Royals’ 2014 run to the World Series off as a fluke, and the team was not expected to be as successful this season. After losing key players like James Shields and Nori Aoki, Kansas City wasn’t even considered title the favorite in its own division, let alone in the Majors

The Royals ended that notion immediately, racing out to a fast start and never looking back. Kansas City won a record seven games after trailing by two runs or more during the postseason, including in the deciding Game 5 of the World Series.

Kansas City again found playoff success through the bullpen, speed on the bases, and great defense. However, it was an improved offense that helped the Royals get back to the World Series and get over the hump this time with no Madison Bumgarner to stop them.

Kansas City posted a strikeout rate of just 15.9 percent this season according to FanGraphs, an impressive feat given the current offensive environment in the Majors. Being such a good contact team made the difference against the Mets’ hard-throwing young pitching staff in the World Series.

Offseason acquisitions like Kendrys Morales and Edinson Volquez worked out better than most anticipated, and Ben Zobrist was exactly what the team needed at the trading deadline. The Royals did much more than proving 2014 was not a fluke in a season for the ages.

Success. Winning the franchise’s first title in 30 years qualifies as a successful season.

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