At least one Royals player has 'experience' in a Game 7 of the World Series

Unlike their World Series opponents who are playing in their third Fall Classic in five years, the Royals haven't even been to the postseason in 29 years. Playing this late into the season is quite the novel experience for the Royals roster, let alone lining up for a do-or-die Game 7.

Yet one KC player does indeed have experience in a Game 7 of the World Series -- he just happened to be 8 years old at the time.

First baseman Eric Hosmer attended Game 7 of the 1997 World Series in Miami, where the Florida Marlins topped the Cleveland Indians 3-2 to take the series. Not to jinx it or anything, but perhaps it's a good omen for Hosmer and the Royals that the home team won that Game 7.  

Here's what Hosmer remembers: "Craig Counsell crossing the plate and jumping up. Bobby Bonilla hit a home run. I was only like one or two sections from it. I was like, [makes a face of pure awe]."

That Bonilla homer:

So how is Hosmer preparing to do his best Bonilla Game 7 impression Wednesday? He finds inspiration from another sport's superstar: "I'm a big LeBron James fan. One thing he always says is he tries to keep his mind on something else, focus on something else before he gets to the field."

Maybe Hosmer will be thinking about that first time he went to a Game 7 of the World Series.

Say what you will about his age, there's no denying Hosmer has been to a Game 7. You know what they say -- act like you've been there before. 

Additional reporting by MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince