Hosmer, Royals fondly recall October trip to Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It wasn't just that the Royals came into Angel Stadium last year in the American League Division Series and beat the team many considered the best in baseball.

It was the way the Royals did it, with dramatic extra-inning home runs in back-to-back games from Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer.

The memories have lasted all offseason, and they were stirred up again Friday, as the Royals traveled to Southern California.

"We had some great times in this stadium," Hosmer said. "It'll be fun to be out here again this weekend. That postseason battle was a fun series -- two good teams going at it."

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Hosmer thinks it might be a long time before he forgets his dramatic home run in the second game of the series.

"I thought about it a lot," he said. "One of the rare moments you dream about as a kid."

There was one big difference between this trip and last year's playoff plane ride here -- last year's trip came in the middle of the night/morning as the Royals were coming off their incredible AL Wild Card Game win over Oakland.

"It was a lot earlier this time and not as many guys sleeping," Hosmer said, laughing. "But you know, we still have a lot of work to do this year.

"But I remember it all pretty well. Just each and every night was a battle -- just like the playoffs should be. You don't think, you just battle. You use every piece you can to win games."

Manager Ned Yost, however, says he has already forgotten about last year's ALDS.

"I don't come in here with fond memories," Yost said. "That's all over. I just come in here knowing we have to face a tough team."