As the Royals gear up for the World Series, some say they’re proud to celebrate the start of many of their careers: on the Wichita Wranglers.
“The last three Royals we had in Wichita Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Luke Hochevar they’re up there right now, and I’m very happy for them,” said Josh Robertson, general manager of the Wingnuts and former general manager of the Wranglers.
Robertson said he planned on calling his former players, who’ve stunned a lot of people in post-season play. He’s never doubted the team’s potential.
“These guys play together. There might not be a ton of superstars — overpaid superstars on the team — but that just goes to show you that in a small-market club, you don’t need a ton of superstars to play as a team and go out and win,” Robertson said.
Though some are sad to not have the Wranglers in Wichita anymore, the victory today makes up for it. It’s been a highly anticipated moment for the most loyal of Royals fans.
“I kind of early on got to see those glory years of the Royals and I’ve been a long-suffering Royals fan for the last 29 years until now,” said Steve Shaad, a former GM of the Wranglers. “So when you see a player go up, it’s real bragging rights for your minor-league team to see that they’ve gone to the big leagues and they’re starring there. It’s especially gratifying to see them in Kansas City and doing so well.”