What If?

What if Kansas City had won the World Series in 2003?

I was thinking about the Miami Heat and how just two years ago they were world champions and now are one of the worst teams in the league. As a fan base I imagine that, while disappointed, they also have got to still be feeling that high from winning it all. The trade for Shaq accomplished its only objective so while they may have been better this season with Lamar Odom they also wouldn't have won the NBA Finals in 2006. You have got to love that trade if you are a Heat fan. Since then though Shaq broke down quickly and Dwayne Wade went from NBA superstar to often injured NBA superstar/Charles Barkley sidekick.

So I took a trip into the hypothetical realm and wondered how Royals fans would be feeling right now if KC had continued their hot start and won the WS in 2003 and the next three years played out exactly the same. Right now we are optimistic because we see the franchise turning the corner from laughingstock to contender. But heading into the 2007 season coming off three straight 100+ loss seasons after a WS win how frustrated would we be?

So would we give them a break just because they won just a few seasons ago? I think we would and here's why, we would no longer be long-suffering fans. Think about it, KC has won the WS one time in franchise history so most of the frustration of Royals fans is because 1) it was 23 years ago and 2) they haven't made the playoffs since. If KC had won in '03 the years afterward would have been bearable. I'm not saying we would have enjoyed it but that euphoria of being champs would still be with us.

How many losing seasons does a WS win make up for if you are not the Red Sox or Yankees? 2? 3? 4? 5? I would say five losing seasons would make up for it but thats all. Most likely by the sixth year there will be just a few (if any) players left from the WS winning team and I think that matters because the identity changes.

The 2004-2006 teams were dreadful to watch but if KC had won in '03 things might have been just a little cheerier around The K.