Your 2011 Central Division Champions: Kansas City Royals!!!
09/12/2011
And just like that it is all over! All the hard work has finally paid off and your Kansas City Royals have clinched the Central Division Championship and are headed to the playoffs for the first time in NABL history.
The champagne was flowing with the greatest of ease in the locker room and it couldn't have tasted better. "This is what I set out to do when I took over this team before the 2004 season. I knew we could do it and its amazing that the journey while ended on one front, has just begun on another. I couldn't be prouder for these guys and all the guys who played for us before this season. Without their hard work, this wouldn't be possible." said GM Chris Torres after accepting the Central Division Trophy.
A season that started with dominance ended with a performance for the ages today against the Twins. With the Royals reeling in September they just needed one great game to clinch the division and they got it from
SP Bobby Brownlie. And it couldn't have come from a player that better signifies the Royals brand.
Brownlie has been with the Royals since the 2005 season and has seen his own ups and downs over the past seven years. Last night he pitched seven scoreless innings and only gave up two hits and struck out seven. With the 4-0 win, he moved his record to 11-5 this season and his ERA to 4.01.
The 30 year old pitcher had this to say amid the celebration, "I was here in 2006 for the 100 loss season and now I am here celebrating this. Only a few of us were around back then and while the new guys appreciate this, they don't have a full appreciation of this division crown. We used to be one of the worst but we might go down as one of the best after this season. Only time will tell."
With another 21 games to go in this season, it will certainly be interesting to see how skipper
Antonio DeLeon manages his team.
Joe Blanton is still in the running for the Cy Young Award and
3B David Adam for the Rookie of the Year Award.
"I could care less about the Cy Young Award," said Blanton, "I came here to win and we did just that. I have struggled in the past two games but all the weight is off our shoulders now and we can go play for fun. No matter if we win or loss out, we still have a spot in the playoffs and that's a great feeling."
The Royals still have three more games against the Twins at home before heading to Cleveland and Chicago for a six game road streak. They then return home for a three game set against the Indians and then they finally get a day off on the 25th. Their first day off since since the 4th of the month. Their last road trip of the year will be from the 26-28th in Baltimore before ending the season at home with three game sets against the White Sox and Red Sox.
But needless to say the Royals next game is the furthest thing from their mind at the moment. As the champagne continues to flow and the cigars burn in the clubhouse, the Royals only have one thought on their collective minds, we did it! Lets go Royals!!!!