Sometimes sports gives us moments that transcend the game itself. Monday night at Kauffman Stadium was one of those moments.
In their first home game since the passing of speedster Terrance Gore, the Kansas City Royals honored their 2015 World Series champion in the most fitting way possible. His son, Zane Gore, threw out the first pitch - a perfect strike - to Alex Gordon, his father's championship teammate.
Let me tell you, folks, I've seen a lot of first pitches in my 20 years in this business. I've seen celebrities bounce them to the plate. I've seen former players throw heat. I've seen emotional moments that make you tear up.
But this? This was special.
Zane took the mound, wearing his father's number, and threw a strike right down the middle to Gordon. The crowd erupted. Gordon embraced the young man. And if you weren't emotional watching it, you might want to check your pulse.
Terrance Gore wasn't a superstar. He wasn't a household name. He was a specialist - the ultimate pinch runner, a guy who could steal a base when you absolutely needed it. But to Royals fans, he was so much more than that.
He was part of the 2015 championship team. He was in the dugout during that magical run. He contributed to bringing a World Series title back to Kansas City after 30 years. And in a city that bleeds Royal blue, that makes you family forever.
What made this tribute so perfect was the choice of Alex Gordon to catch the first pitch. Gordon was the heart and soul of that 2015 team. He was Mr. Royal, the guy who spent his entire career in Kansas City and helped deliver the championship the city had been waiting decades for.
