Let's face it: being a Royals fan is no easy task. I was born in 1984, so the only playoff experience the Royals have had in my lifetime was winning the 1985 World Series. Needless to say, I have no recollection of this wondrous event. Sadly, I have yet to experience the joy, thrills, and excitement of playoff baseball for the team that I live and die by.

I moved to St. Louis to start my career after college, so I have to deal with "The Best Fans to Ever Exist in The History of Fandom." It's a tough pill to swallow, without a doubt. Even though I don't give a crap about the Cards, I can always talk baseball with my friends and co-workers that are fans. All of them were amazingly excited by the recent developments that allowed the Cards to sneak into the playoffs. And that got me thinking. I have no wonderful memories of the hunt for the playoffs (unless you count the fluky 2003 season), nor the excitement of winning a playoff game. That led me to think of my most exciting Royals memory.

I started becoming fanatical about the Royals during that wondrous2003 season. I had never really followed baseball too closely until then. It was exciting to see a winning baseball team for a change. Due to the fact I only REALLY started following the team in 2003, my options for best Royals memory is limited. Without a doubt though, the one game that sticks out in my mind is opening day 2004. I don't remember all the details of that game. What I do remember is sitting in my dorm room watching that game and going absolutely insane with Beltran's walk off homer. I wish I could have more memories like that. I am hoping beyond hope that the Royals truly are ready to take the next step and bring a winner to Kansas City. This past season was the most fun I've had watching the Royals in my lifetime, and I am bummed the season is actually over. Maybe next year, or the year after that, I can finally change my favorite Royals memory to one that involves winning playoff baseball.