KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City fans who long ago became accustomed to having one of the worst teams in baseball suddenly find their team in the World Series.

Nearly three decades after beating St. Louis in the 1985 World Series, the Royals have embarked on an improbable playoff run that has them back in the hunt for a championship.

The excitement surrounding the team has created a whole new generation of Royals fans who are learning how to celebrate winning baseball for the first time.

Sports bars around the metro area shook Wednesday afternoon as Kansas City clinched the pennant right in the middle of happy hour. Thursday morning, fans gathered outside sports apparel stores hours before they opened, eager to buy newly minted AL Championship gear.