Relive the Royals' thrilling 2015 season with 5 of their best #THIS moments

This. This. THIS. One word, four letters, so many meanings. As the Royals head to their second straight World Series, let's look back at five of their best #THIS moments from the season that was. 

While the Royals made a name for themselves in the 2014 postseason for their small ball, it was defense and athleticism that came to define the 2015 vintage of the club. Back in May, this catch of the year candidate from Alex Gordon solidified the team's defensive reputation. In the top of the fifth inning of a matchup against the Reds, Gordon ranged way, way back to rob future Home Run Derby winner Todd Frazier of a would-be double off the fence in left field:

A few days later, shortstop Alcides Escobar foreshadowed his ALCS MVP performance with this no-look flip to second base (from the ground, no less) to catch the Cardinals' Matt Holiday out at second on a fielder's choice:

Fast forward to September, and it was already clear that the Royals would be postseason-bound. On Sept. 1, they led the AL Central by 12 games -- and on the 24th, they made it official with a win against the Mariners. That victory clinched the American League Central title, a feat the team hadn't achieved since 1985. That year, they won the World Series. Just sayin':

The Royals swept their way to the AL pennant in 2014, but had no such luck in 2015. It took all five games of the AL Division Series against the Astros to determine a winner -- but Johnny Cueto's Game 5 performance, in which he went eight innings while giving up only two runs, helped clinch at trip to the AL Championship Series:

And once they got there, they made it count. Even in that Game 6, where Kansas City jumped out to an early lead before Blue Jays tied it up in the eighth inning, a Royals victory always seemed within reach. And, sure enough, after a lengthy rain delay starring Pete Rose and Alex Rodriguez, the Royals struck back -- this time, for good:

It's been a season to remember for fans in Kansas City, but thankfully, it ain't over yet. They'll face the Mets when the World Series begins on Tuesday. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on FOX with game time scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

While you wait for the World Series to start and many more #THIS moments to come, check out the best of 2015 here.