World Series Parade

By now you've all heard that the Kansas City Royals won the 2015 World Series. As a relatively new Royals fan and even newer Kansas City resident, I can only imagine the joy a long-time fan must feel based on my insane level of happiness. I got a taste of just how over-the-moon fans in Kansas City and the surrounding area are on Tuesday, when an 800,000 people crowded the streets of downtown Kansas City to watch their World Series Champions parade. Being present for the sea of royal blue fans, deafening shouts of "PAY ZOBRIST," Gomes' hilarious "unpolitically correct" speech and getting to hold the Commissioner's Trophy was amazing. This city is definitely a baseball town, whatever the naysayers may think. And despite wearing off the heel of one of my boots while walking the parade route a half dozen times, I had a blast covering the World Series Parade for MLB. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day:

World Series Batting Practice

The Kansas City Royals made their way back to the Fall Classic again this year, and I'm priviliged enough to make my way back as well. This year, I'll be running cards and photo editing for the New York Mets, as well as working for the marketing department at MLB, photographing advertisement partners. I was too impatient to wait for the games to get underway so today I drove out to the stadium to grab my credentials, mark my spot in the photo well and shoot a little bit of batting practice.

Play Ball for MLB

Major League Baseball and USA Baseball launched the "Play Ball" initiative this past summer to encourage widespread participation in all forms of baseball and softball activities among all age groups, especially youth. Yesterday, Kansas City held a mini-clinic at Satchel Paige Memorial Stadium and local children showed up to learn tips from former Kansas City Royals players George Brett and Willie Wilson. It was a good 'ol time and Royals' mascot Sluggerrr even showed up for some fun.

ALCS Game 4 (WE GOIN' TO DA 'SHIP!)

The Kansas City Royals are World Series bound next week after a 2-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. They've yet to lose a game in this postseason, and with the way they're playing and announcement that South Korean superfan SungWoo Lee will be in attendance for Game 1 of the Fall Classic, you have to wonder if they ever will.

I also gave gif-making a try for the first time:

© 2014 Major League Baseball Photos/Amy Stroth

ALCS Game 3

Last night (after a delay due to Monday's rainout), the Kansas City Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 and are now potentially one game and eight hours away from clinching a World Series berth. What?!

© 2014 Major League Baseball Photos/Amy Stroth