Kansas City Royals

Almost exactly 12 months ago, Salvador Perez stepped to the plate in Game 7 of the World Series. It was the bottom of the ninth, there were two outs, the Royals were trailing by one and the tying run stood on third base, 90 feet away.

The Kansas City Royals are about to party like it's 1985.

The Kansas City Royals captured their first World Series title in 30 years with a 7-2 win in 12 innings over the New York Mets on Sunday night, and catcher Salvador Perez walked away with MVP honors following his sensational championship display.

To examine the data, skim over the analytics and listen to the brains that have firmly entrenched themselves in every single major league front office, clutch does not exist.

It is not tangible. It is not readily quantifiable. Players do not perform better, over time, in certain situations. Other players do not fold, over time, in the same ones.

"Clutch" does not exist.

NEW YORK — Measured against the New York Mets’ staff of flamethrowers, Chris Young’s fastball can be timed with a sundial.

His fastball is soooo slow, Kansas City infielders often excuse themselves for dinner as he winds up and then return to their positions before the ball crosses the plate.

NEW YORK — One by one, these hitters who make up the relentless Kansas City Royals lineup are reducing this game to its smallest common denominator.

The Kansas City Royals didn't trade for Johnny Cueto to beat the Boston Red Sox in August or the Baltimore Orioles in September.

Good thing, too, because Cueto gave up 15 runs in those two games.

Doesn't matter now, does it?

The Kansas City Royals will face the New York Mets in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, but they could be without one of their key postseason contributors for some of the Fall Classic.

On Monday, the Kansas City Royals announced their pitching rotation for the World Series, which begins Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium against the New York Mets. 

On Friday, the Kansas City Royals punched their second consecutive World Series ticket on the strength of closer Wade Davis, who picked up the win with a gutsy, rain-delayed, 1.2-inning performance.

So that's the obvious angle: The Royals win the pennant again thanks to their dominant, shutdown relief corps.