In Shakespeare’s version of actual events, when Richard III uttered those famous words in request of equine transportation, he was not trying to get down to the pub. He was in battle.
As of July 26, 2009, and in perhaps the most competitive season in recent MLB history the Kansas City Royals seemed to be battling the Indians for AL Central basement yet again. This year, that could certainly be considered a surprise given their 18-11 start, a pitcher in Zach Greinke that is certainly capable of being a stopper, and a GM in Dayton Moore that is trying to make his team better.
He has too. The Kansas City Royals are too proud a franchise to endure this consistent mediocrity. And given the refurbished palace in which they play, their fans are still wondering when their knight in shining armor will come.
You Play to Win The Game
A scouting director once told me that at any given level of an organization, there are no more than five players per team capable of making the major leagues. Then he said that the rest of the guys are there so they (the five) can play games. Everything else after that he said “was gravy”.
While I never asked any of the minor league players I was around on a regular basis what side of the line they thought they were on, they all seemed to know. After being in Kansas City on a glorious Sunday afternoon, I got the sense that the fans of this quadragenarian team chooses to ignore that they are part of an ignominious handful of teams that cannot get out of its own way and – along with four or five others teams – are there so that the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, and Mets (in that order) can play games.
Much Ado
Two million fans may pay or even pass their way through the turnstiles at Kauffman Stadium in 2009. If that happens, it will be the first time since 1991 and 22% higher than last year. The average attendance through the first 54 games is 23,784 or 19% higher than last year total.
Further renovations to the already comfortable Kauffman Stadium may be a part of it. The Royals knew that while their ballpark was good, in order to keep people coming they needed to make it better. They have. There are also pictures to prove it.
BJ, a St. Louis native, Kansas City-area resident, and Cardinal fan who was close by said that he thought the ongoing renovation was to cost $250 million with the Royals kicking in some and Jackson County taxpayers the rest. Had he said 10% by the former and 90% by the latter through a sales tax increase, he would have been exactly right.
It all begs the question as to how can these types of projects still get green lights. This specific project was actually ok’ed under much better economic circumstances, but crews had to boogie in order to get the place ready for the Yankees and opening day 2009. They did it and they did it well. The crowds are holding up, but if the Royals keep losing, then whither GM Dayton Moore and Manager Trey Hillman?
Matt Campbell of the Kansas City star wrote on March 1 that “you wouldn’t know there was a recession,” given all the activity down by the Sports Complex of which Kauffman Stadium is a part. BJ seemed to agree. He said he heard the place had many more fans the night before for the always festive – and totally awesome – Christmas in July promotion. However, he and other fans have to act quicker on the nights that Greinke pitches because they do draw much better.
What it comes down to unfortunately is wins. As the Giants can attest, as they have nights with Lincecum that draw very well, their overall numbers are getting better after a slow start because they are winning.
The play is the thing, in which teams must capture hearts, minds and wallets to be considered king.
104 foot HD screen part of the Kauffman Stadium renovations. Photo Credit: Jesse Dorogusker
The voter-approved Jackson County sales tax increase in 2006 meant to cover renovations at both Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. The chiefs and the Hunt family (its owner) will contribute approximately 20% of the $375 million renovation there.
In addition to the Shakespeare lines, we borrowed a line form Herm Edwards too – former coach of the KC Chiefs.
