Results tagged ‘ Kauffman Stadium ’
THE WORLDS BIGGEST ROYALS FAN…AND OTHER IMAGES
The homestand got off to a great start…I thought I’d show you a few of the things we’ve seen on the road…and at home….as the the season rolls through June…
Our friend Marine Sgt. Nathan Cosby made his first visit to the New Kauffman Stadium for the Cincinnati series…and the home team rewarded him for his trip from Jacksonville, Florida…where he proudly serves his country..with a sweep!! Nathan’s been a Marine for six years. He already had most of the tattoo on his arm, but recently “finished the job” with the addition of the crown on top…just like the New K!
Here’s Nathan with wife Melissa…sister-in-law Erica…sister Chelsea…with Don Free and Ryan Lefebvre. They stopped by the radio booth as our special guests.
Cleveland was (mostly) miserable for the Royals…losing 2 of 3..when they should have swept…so this is the only Cleveland pic that makes the cut. From their version of the hot dog races. Those guys are just a bunch of empty suits!
While in Toronto…I wanted to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame. I didn’t make it…but Bob and I did dine at Wayne Gretzky’s restaurant in downtown Toronto. It’s almost as good…plus they serve ribs! The address is 99 Blue Jays Way.
Gretzky is revered everywhere but especially in his home country. “The Great One” was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario…an hour or so from Toronto. There are many impressive artifacts from his incredible career on display at his restaurant/shrine.. Here…jerseys from his days with the Rangers…Kings…and Edmonton Oilers.
On the roof of the building is a nice little oasis in downtown Toronto…Gretzky’s patio deck. I recommend it (in the summertime of course…).
AN ALL-NEW HOME SWEET HOME
The first homestand of 2009 was a hit! Oh sure, we would have liked to have seen better than a 3-3 record against the Yankees and Indians, but the ballpark….WOW…
Thought I’d share a few pictures of what I saw during the first homestand…this is by no means a complete picture of what 250 million dollars can do to an already beautiful ballpark…but it’ll give you a little taste anyway: Among those things not pictured are the Rivals Sports Bar in rightfield….or the Bud Light Party Deck above it….
Perhaps the most popular new feature is the Pepsi Party Porch in rightfield. I didn’t make it down there either…yet. Every game it’s packed, as fans enjoy a view of the stadium they’ve never before experienced. Also the DRI DUCK Fountain Seats are great! Haven’t been to the New Stadium Club yet. Concourses and restrooms are all new. The new Little K is great too! Kids are loving that. I could go and on….but I’ll shut up about what is NOT pictured and let you enjoy what I was able to shoot during the first homestand in the NEW K.
CLICK ON ANY PIC TO ENLARGE
Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and Royals Chairman/Owner David Glass cut the ribbon on the new ballpark (ok, I was a split-second after the fact. There were plenty of professional photographers there who got the ACTUAL ribbon being cut). Mr. Glass said, “I’ve been to most of the new stadiums and I would rank this right at the top of any of the others that I’ve been to.” I concur wholeheartedly…as did everyone I’ve talked to who’s been to the New Kauffman Stadium.
Opening Day ceremonies were spectacular…after a rainy morning the skies cleared by afternoon.
Right on cue during the National Anthem, the A-10 flyover came zooming by overhead (at least I got this shot, even if I missed the giant scissors in actual mid-cut!).
Denny was the emcee for the unveiling of the Dick Howser statue in centerfield, between the George Brett and Frank White statues. The late Dick Howser, who managed the Royals to the 1985 World Championship, is fondly remembered by all who knew him.
Howser’s widow, Nancy, did a wonderful job paying tribute to Dick and talking about how much he would have enjoyed being there. Howser, a former Florida State Seminole, is remembered in many ways…the baseball stadium at FSU is named for him…as is the “Dick Howser Trophy,” which honors college baseball’s best player each year.
On Opening Day…in the Outfield Experience…a young lady gets her face painted. Don’t worry, mom and dad, it’s not permanent!
The new carousel and playground keep the youngsters happy. The carousel has Royals-themed characters on it….including Sluggerrr.
Yes, the new putt-putt golf course was very popular. Here a mom and daughter enjoy one of the new amenities.
It would be easier to list what ISN’T in the Outfield Experience than what is. If it’s going to be kid-oriented, it’s going to have to have video games, right?
One of many features for adults is the new Miller Lite Fountain Bar in leftcenter field. A great vantage point to watch the game…
Fans on the rail at the Miller Lite Fountain Bar watch batting practice from a perspective never before seen at Kauffman Stadium.
Here’s an area that is sure to be VERY popular…the brand new Diamond Club. It offers the indoor/outdoor opportunity…with a great view from inside…but also a nice padded seat just below. The prices are very reasonable compared with other premium seats in other ballparks. It’s cheaper than the beautiful Royals Crown Club, for instance…although it’s not all-inclusive in terms of food and drink. But on the cold days, or hot, humid days, it’s a great haven for baseball fans.
The Diamond Club is at the bottom through the glass there….above that is the new broadcast level…the middle booths with the short windows are for television. The booth to the immediate right of the TV booths is our new home, the Royals Radio Network booth.
Above the broadcast level are the exquisite new Triple Crown Suites. And above that…those top windows…are the new press box. It’s slightly higher than the old one..but SOOOO much nicer. It’s also where the new press dining room is located (perhaps the most important room in the ballpark for us media folks….).
Some friends from an original Royals Radio Network affiliate in Shenandoah, Iowa. They’ve been with the club since 1969. Pictured along with Bob, Don and me are KMA sports director Chris Williams, account executive Mike Wetzel and a friend of theirs, Mike Dreyer. The Royals Radio Network is 96 stations strong, largest in the American League. Atlanta’s is the largest in all of baseball. Only Atlanta and St. Louis have more affiliates than do the Royals.
Here’s a shot from the View Level of the new ballpark. Just beautiful.
The lights were out as Ryan introduced various members of the team at the Welcome Home Luncheon at the Hyatt Crown Center. The annual event sold out, and offerred fans a chance to meet their favorite Royals.
IMAGES FROM THE K
On Larry Gura Bobblehead Night, Larry admires his likeness with Nick Wright of 610 Sports. Larry was good enough to come by the radio booth for a visit as well. He was a pioneer in baseball, a fanatic about nutrition and weight training, years before it became commonplace for all ballplayers to pay attention to such matters. He, of course, credits his wife with helping with the nutrition part. Larry has a ranch near the Royals’ Spring Training home in Surprise, AZ.
Here’s former Cy Young Award winner and White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone, with New York Mets scout Jerry Krause, who’s better known for his days when he was Michael Jordan’s boss, as GM of the Chicago Bulls. Just finishing up dinner in the press dining room before a game. Wish we would have had tape rolling, because it was an entertaining conversation, to say the least.
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