First player in MLB history to go to KC

Left-handed pitcher Will Smith (34), who won the World Series (WS) for three consecutive years, is heading to his ‘home team.’ MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball (MLB), reported that Smith is scheduled to return to the Kansas City Royals. Smith's contract terms mentioned in local media are one year, $5 million (KRW 6.6 billion). Smith, who is in his 11th year in the big leagues, debuted in Kansas City in 2012 and has played for two years. The reason Smith’s joining is attracting attention is because of his ‘career’. Smith played for the Texas Rangers this season and helped them win the WS. He won the WS for three consecutive years, following the Atlanta Braves in 2021 and the Houston Astros in 2022, all of which were more topical as they wore different team uniforms. Immediately after Texas' WS victory, CBS Sports said, 'Smith has become the first player to win three championship rings for three teams in three years,' and 'According to the CBS Sports research team, Smith has won the NBA and NFL. ) He is the first player to win championships with three teams in three years in the North American Ice Hockey League (NHL). Even if they don't win, there are a handful of players who have competed in the WS for three consecutive years with other teams. There are only two in history: Don Baylor and Eric Hinske. Baylor played for the Boston Red Sox in 1986, Minnesota Twins in 1987, and Oakland Athletics in 1988, and Hinske played for Boston in 2007, Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, and New York Yankees in 2009. Baylor and Hinske won one and two WS championship rings, respectively. Considering that there are many players who take off their uniform without winning the WS, Smith's progress over the past three years is surprising. Meanwhile, Kansas City, founded in 1969, won the WS twice, in 1985 and 2015. Smith is a veteran bullpen resource. This year's results are 2 wins, 7 losses, 8 holds, and 22 saves in 60 games. His career MLB records are 573 games, 33 wins, 41 losses, 113 saves, and an earned run average of 3.67. The 113 saves rank 15th among active players (1st place: Kenley Jensen with 420 saves). https://www.sportstotoking.com