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Former Royals Talk About Kansas City Spirit And The World Series

Royals fans took a hit Tuesday with a 7—1 loss against the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the World Series, but ahead of the win in Game 2 Wednesday, a rally with former Royals who won the World Series focused on the positive.

Sportswriter Joe Posnanski led a panel of 1985 Royals Willie Wilson, Frank White and Danny Jackson at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo. White said he sees similarities between the 2014 Royals and the 1985 Royals, but the fan support has been much different.

“It was almost like a football crowd watching a baseball game," White said. "Going back to that one game playoff with the A’s, [the crowd] never quit, even when the Royals got down four runs.”

Wilson, who was known for being one of the fastest base runners in the major leagues, talked frankly about the performance of the Royals during the playoffs. He thinks the team needs to get back to focusing on speed.

"Speed has gotten this team to where they are," Wilson said. "If they can get back to that, then I think they'll be in a good place."

Sharon Robinson, daughter of the legendary Jackie Robinson, and former Royal Mike Sweeney also spoke to a group of grade schoolers from Faxon Elementary before the panel started. 

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Cody Newill is part of KCUR's audience development team. Follow him on Twitter @CodyNewill or email him at cody@kcur.org.
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