Voice Of Post

Royals fan Paul Rudd enjoys ALCS clincher at Kauffman Stadium, Even though he's barely two years younger than Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore, actor Paul Rudd calls him "Mr. Moore" out of respect and, perhaps, some awe. Rudd grew up in Overland Park, Kan. rooting for Royals, and was 16 years old the last time they reached the World Series in 1985. After going through the Interstate-70 Series with Bret Saberhagen, George Brett and Dan Quisenberry, Rudd, 45, wasn't going to miss his favorite team qualifying for the Fall Classic again.

Shortly after the Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 on Wednesday evening in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series to complete a sweep, Rudd walked onto the field to watch the trophy presentations to team owner David Glass and series MVP Lorenzo Cain. Looking back and pointing to the spot in the stands where he was when the Royals won in '85, Rudd reflected on how much fun the Royals revival has been to watch. The star of "This Is 40" and co-star of "Anchorman" gets as many or more kicks out of watching the Ned Yost Royals as people do watching Rudd's films.

It's not about bragging rights in Hollywood, Rudd said, but instead welcoming new fans to the Royals experienced. Call it a bandwagon, but Rudd just calls it fun times.

"It's been really fun to see people get behind this team," Rudd said. "People that don't really follow the Royals or follow baseball, you know? It's just one of those stories of players playing well as a team, and every game has been exciting.

"They're all pretty likable."

So is Rudd, who went on the local news and invited everyone to his mom's house for a keg party. Waiting for sweet victory, Rudd has watched some lean years go by from his teens 'til his 40s, yet he still came home frequently and visited Kauffman Stadium periodically to watch his hometown team. As with other fans of his age, Rudd is happy and satisfied with the payoff.

"This man, Mr. Moore, has been putting together a lot of pieces into place for the last several years," Rudd said, nodding to the Crown Vision TV in center field that showed Moore on stage in center field.

Rudd said he started to see the possibility of the Royals making a run into the playoffs when the team ripped off a 10-game winning streak in June, and later when they won 11 of 12 from July 30 to Aug. 11.

"They were great last year," Rudd said, "but watching them this year, when we got on that winning streak this summer, I started thinking, 'This is legit. We got a shot.' But, wow, what a postseason it's been. God, I feel like everything since the wild-card game has been a roller coaster."