The story of the 2015 world champion Kansas City Royals is a story of perseverance. It is a story of determination and an unwillingness to give in. This year, following a Cinderella playoff run, which ended at the hands of Madison Bumgarner and the San Francisco Giants, the Royals have redeemed themselves against an outstanding New York Mets team.

The Royals were just the fourth team since 1969 to win the World Series following a defeat the year before. Kansas City defeated the Mets in five games to claim the title one year after they lost an agonizing winner-take-all game seven to the San Francisco Giants.  In true Cinderella fashion, the Royals came from behind in all four of their wins in this World Series.  A total of eight times in the 2015 playoffs the Royals came from behind to win games, a seemingly successful way to wash away the bitter taste of last year’s World Series.  It marks the second time the franchise has won the World Series and the first since 1985.

To win the World Series, the Royals had to get past a great New York Mets team. The Mets made it to the World Series after defeating the Dodgers and emphatically sweeping the upstart Chicago Cubs. New York made it to the championship on the backs of a strong pitching staff and the bat of Daniel Murphy. Murphy hit a ridiculous seven home runs in the first two rounds of the playoff, including a record setting streak of six consecutive games with a home run.  Unfortunately the Mets ran into a Royals team that was simply unwilling to admit defeat.

The Royals path to the World Series was equally thrilling, as they defeated to Astros in a winner take all game five, then proceeded to take down the high powered Blue Jays in a nail biting, heart stopping series.  The Royals were led by many, including home grown talent Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer.  The team was also bolstered by newcomers Johnny Cueto, Ben Zobrist and Alex Rios, all making key contributions down the stretch.

 In this World Series, as is the case every year, there was debate regarding the most valuable player.  Catcher Salvador Perez was awarded the honor, and it is hard to argue with his stat line.  Perez hit .364 with two doubles and two RBI’s, as well as leading a lockdown pitching staff. But what about Wade Davis? The shutdown Kansas City closer pitched four shutout innings in the Series, while striking out eight and not allowing a single walk. There will always be debate over such an award because it always takes a team to win a World Series.  That seems to be the most important takeaway from this World Series: team. The Kansas City Royals were a team that bought in completely, coming oh-so-close the year prior. They rallied around each other this year, making their dreams a reality.  With such a determined and talented core, the Royals should be around for years to come.