KANSAS CITY -- Left-hander Mike Morin fulfilled a lifelong dream when he arrived in the Royals clubhouse on Wednesday morning.
Morin, who was claimed off waivers from the Angels on Tuesday, grew up in nearby Overland Park, Kan., and he was a big Royals fan.
"I remember coming to games here with the Hy-Vee level seats, upper deck for $5," Morin said. "I remember watching Cardinals games here when Mark McGwire was doing his thing. It's pretty cool being here. I dreamed about it as a kid."
Morin even made his Royals debut later: He struck out Matt Davidson in the ninth inning of the Royals' 5-3 loss to the White Sox.
Morin, 26, was actually drafted by the Royals in 2009 in the 40th round. He chose to go to college instead, and then he was drafted by the Angels in the 13th round in '12.
"I was a late bloomer," Morin said. "I was 6-foot-4, 175 [pounds], wasn't throwing really hard back then. I had made a commitment to going to University of North Carolina. From a financial perspective, I wasn't going to be rewarded, being a 40th-round pick. It was just more of an honor to be drafted by your hometown team.
"But now, being back here and coming full circle, it's pretty cool."
Morin made sure he got plenty of tickets for family and friends for Wednesday's game.
"My Dad's business already had tickets beforehand for this game," Morin said. "And I got tickets for my Mom and friends."
Morin said he arrived in Kansas City at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday night. His mom picked him up at the airport, and he stayed at his parents' house.
"Woke up and Mom made me an egg sandwich," Morin said, smiling. "All is good."