This story was excerpted from Anne Rogers’ Royals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here . And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

KANSAS CITY – Every time Noah Cameron has taken the mound for the Royals this year, the people of St. Joseph, Mo., are locked in, watching one of their own from the town just an hour north of Kauffman Stadium.

To pitch for the team he grew up watching as a kid has been a surreal experience for the 26-year-old Cameron, who was born and raised in St. Joseph and still lives nearby with his wife, Casey, and their growing family.

To watch the town rally behind him as he’s broken into the big leagues, establish himself as an American League Rookie of the Year candidate , and help the Royals stay in playoff contention has been

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