A Royal Time for the Founding City of DeMolay

Over the past few nights, Kansas City has been celebrating their first major championship season since the Kansas City Royals won the World Series in 1985. In fact, since 1985 the Royals had not made the playoffs until the 2014 season, and in 30 years only produced 10 winning seasons. The Kansas City Royals overcame that adversity and beat the New York Mets to win the 2015 World Series Championship in five games.

I can't speak for everyone, but I've always been a fan of a feel good underdog story. To see a team overcome the odds that have been set for them for 30 years and finally win a championship, it makes a person think that anything is possible. A dynasty is great, but it gets old. It's nice to see a team succeed that hasn't in quite some time.

So what does this have to do with DeMolay? A lot more than you even realize. For starters, Kansas City is the birthplace of the organization. Founded in 1919, Kansas City produced the organization that we are proud to say we are a part of. In a way, Kansas City can be considered a hometown city for all of us.

Another reason this has to do with DeMolay is the comparison of an underdog story to the chapters in DeMolay. Chapters go through rebuilding stages just like a sports team does, in which new members become the future of the organization. Chapters struggle and find a way to overcome the struggle. They look for new leadership, build strong leaders within the organization, and work together as a unit to achieve a common goal. The Kansas City Royals did just that. They hired Manager Ned Yost in 2010, which proved to work out great for the team. They drafted well bringing in star players such as Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon, and Eric Hosmer, while making trades to bring in more young talent in Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar. Those players had time to develop into franchise leaders that all took an equal part in the current success of the team.

We can all learn a few things from the Royals. Sometimes change can be for the better. Mold tomorrows leaders in your chapter today. Trust the process and it will pay off. Just like the Kansas City Royals, I hope your home chapter reaches their goals and becomes a DeMolay champion of their own right.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin