Game Two of the 2015 World Series came and went Wednesday night, and unlike the thriller that went down the previous night (or shall I correctly say earlier that morning), Game Two didn’t contain nearly the drama and excitement that Game One provided.

In short, “pictures” were in short supply… Unless you were a Royals fan of course. EVERY photo taken during Game Two was a “winner” in the eyes of the Kansas City faithful!

Congressional Medal of Honor receipts Don Ballard, Charles Hagemeister and Roger Donlon were honored prior to Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Congressional Medal of Honor receipts Don Ballard, Charles Hagemeister and Roger Donlon were honored prior to Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

My favorite photo from Game Two happened during pre game ceremonies as Major League Baseball honored three Medal of Honor recipients. I have a soft spot in my heart for all veterans, but to have the honor of being in presence of a Medal of Honor recipient, much less three honorees, was quite humbling. Thank you for your service, gentlemen!

Home Plate - Mark Carlson, First Base - Mike Winters, Second Base - Jim Wolf, Third Base - Alfonso Marquez, Left Field - Gary Cederstrom, Right Field - Bill Welke pose for a photo with Mets Manager Terry Collins and Royals Third Base Coach Mike Jirschele pose for a photo prior to Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Home Plate – Mark Carlson, First Base – Mike Winters, Second Base – Jim Wolf, Third Base – Alfonso Marquez, Left Field – Gary Cederstrom, Right Field – Bill Welke pose for a photo with Mets Manager Terry Collins and Royals Third Base Coach Mike Jirschele pose for a photo prior to Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

As the sole on field photographer for pre game ceremonies during the World Series, my responsibilities vary from game to game. On this night, my main focus (hah) was to make the umpiring crews group photo prior to the line up card exchange. It’s fun being one of only a few people on field right before the game starts. The media throng has left, and the field is quite peaceful, even with 40, 410 fans in the stands. Soothing…

Royals starter Johnny Cueto made all the right moves, some reminiscent of Red Sox great Luis Tiant, during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Royals starter Johnny Cueto made all the right moves, some reminiscent of Red Sox great Luis Tiant, during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

Game Two was simply… Johnny… Cueto… I can still hear the chant in my head… Johnny pitched perhaps the game of his life during Game Two, going the distance and only giving up two hits. His variety of moves, along with a dazzling array of pitches, kept the Mets hitters off balance all night.

Mets starter Jacob deGrom got into trouble in the fourth inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Mets starter Jacob deGrom got into trouble in the fourth inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

Crazy as it was, it was the Mets that got on the board first, both hit-wise and run-wise, but what has been the blueprint of the Royals (carrying over from last season), they came storming back and plated four runs in the bottom of the fifth, started by what broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson likes to paraphrase as “the dreaded lead-off walk” to Alex Gordon.

Eric Hosmer slides safely into third base in the fourth inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Eric Hosmer slides safely into third base in the fourth inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

Dreaded it was as Gordon and three others scored and the momentum swung quickly and decisively the Royals way. Add those four runs to the Cueto pitching performance now underway and it was apparent to me that the game was over for all practical purposes from that point on.

The Mets infield look on during a pitching change during the eighth inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
The Mets infield look on during a pitching change during the eighth inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

The Royals added three more runs in the bottom of the eight, led by one of the heroes of Game One, Alcides Escobar, and then the only question was if Cueto would be allowed to finish what he started.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar connects for an RBI triple in the eight inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar connects for an RBI triple in the eight inning during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

And that he did…

Johnny Cueto was the story of Game Two, twirling a complete game, two hitter against the New York Mets during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Johnny Cueto was the story, twirling a complete game, two hitter against the New York Mets during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

Game Three is tomorrow night at Citi Field. I’m excited for a number of reasons, one being I’ve never been to Citi and two, I sense a Mets comeback now that they’re back on home turf.

Johnny Cueto and Salvidor Perez celebrate as the Royals defeated the Mets 7-1 during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)
Johnny Cueto and Salvador Perez celebrate as the Royals defeated the Mets 7-1 during Game Two of the 2015 World Series at Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos)

Play ball!

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