This is apparently real life; it doesn’t seem possible but multiple sources confirm that the Royals are one win away from the World Series. One thing that tickles me about this Playoff team – among many things – is how many of them I’ve shot in Omaha.
It’s been a privilege meeting and shooting these guys who somehow, some damn how, have stolen the hearts of the sports world at large. I haven’t seen so many people in sports media just enjoy a pure sports spectacle in a long time. Maybe ever.
Here are all the former Storm Chasers and O Royals, as seen by a handful of my cameras through several years of learning on the job.
Tim Collins, doing a slip ‘n’ slide on beer and a plastic drop cloth. As one does.
Danny Duffy, pitching.
Kelvin Herrera, a big crowd, an American flag.
Greg Holland, back when they were the Omaha Royals. I have newer ones, but a little nostalgia seemed more fun.
Yordano Ventura, shortly before #LETSTHROWFIRE became a Thing.
Salvador Perez, with bonus Mike Jirschele! This is one of my favorites, because Jirsch was in the middle of trying to make a serious point to Salvador, and Salvador just cuts him off mid-sentence, pulls him over to where I was standing, and asks him to mug for a picture. And Jirsch, not normally a fan of mid-game shenanigans, did it!
Christian Colon exists! Maybe he’ll play someday!
Eric Hosmer, with bonus Terrance Gore
Omar Infante, and gum.
Mike Moustakas, this year and then back in 2010.
Lorenzo Cain, laughing at himself after tripping over his feet in center field.
Jarrod Dyson, stealing.
Alex Gordon, back when he was a failed 3B prospect trying his hand at left field. This was a home run.
Terrance Gore, believe it or not, was caught stealing once. Here is proof! (that’s old friend Anthony Seratelli with the tag for Las Vegas.)
Billy Butler, looking sheepish. He has stayed in the Majors for so long I don’t actually have any photos of him playing in an Omaha uniform. I was got here in 2007, when he still played outfield and was on the way up, and I watched in 2008 when he was demoted and all the Omaha players hated on him the whole time.
There is not much of a larger point here. Baseball is awesome; these dudes were wee minor leaguers before they started hogging airtime on SportsCenter; I want them to win today.
There’s Always This Year?
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