I didn’t expect to be going to the Royals’ home opener today. My daughter Brooks and I wanted to go badly, and I put in for the ticket lottery a few months ago.
But a few weeks later I got an e-mail from the Royals saying my name was not among those who had won the privilege of buying tickets.
That was that, I thought. But then, unbeknownst to me and Brooks, my wife Patty went into action. Both my birthday and Brooks’ are in March, and on Brooks’ birthday, Patty gave us each a water container with Royals’ logos. That wasn’t all, though. Inside each container was a ticket to opening game. Patty had gone to one of the online ticket-selling sites and paid who knows how much for good seats for me and Brooks.
Of course, we were thrilled and had been looking forward to this day for a long time. As it turned out, the occasion more than met our lofty expectations.
Despite a long wait to park and a light mist falling through the first seven innings, the occasion was one to savor and remember. We missed much of the pre-game festivities, but we were there in time for the Kansas City Symphony’s performance of the National Anthem, and we took our seats moments before the first pitch.
As you know by now, the Royals beat the White Sox 10-1, winning their season opener for the first time in seven years. Their previous opening-day victory was March 31, 2008, at Detroit. It had been a long opening-day drought, but I think almost everyone in the stadium today fully expected the Royals to win.
Naturally, I took my camera so I could document the occasion. Here’s what it looked like at “The K.”
The scene outside, before the game.
A few people got an early start.
Gotta get in there for the first pitch!
Some great bargains on beverages.
Alex warms up before the start of an inning.
The view from Row AA of Section 211, where we were fortunate enough to sit.
Ruby, ruby, ruby!
Brooks and the blogger.
Lookin’ good from top to bottom.
“KC” (lower left) hangs the “W,” below the 1985 World Championship flag (right), the 1980 American League Championship flag (left), and the 2014 league championship flag, which was raised before the game.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Happy Belated Birthday Brooks and Jim.
Glad you two were there! That Patty is a sweetheart. BTW, I hope they recycled all that trash at the gate! The earth pays dearly for our celebrations.
I hope so, too, Kate, but something tells me it’s all in big trash bags today.
Jim:
What great story about you, Brooks and Patty!! Loved your pictures especially the great one of you and Brooks!!
Cheers,
Laura
I knew you wouldn’t accept another photo blog without Brooks’ photo, Laura, so I wasn’t taking no for an answer.
$10.50 for a beer? $5 for a bottled water? I guess I can’t fault the Royals since they know people will pay that much. But wow!
It was even more ear-catching when the guys behind us got three, and the tab was $31.50. They could have gotten a half keg for that, couldn’t they?
I bought a small Pepsi for $5.50, and I saw yesterday that Hy-Vee was selling 12-packs for $3.33.
You are right, Jim, about another blog without Brooks’ photo. Was so great to see the two of you.You look very snazzy in that hat.
Cheers,
Laura
Great pics and story, Jim. Did you visit the Denkinger statue?
It’s out there on the centerfield concourse, Tim, right next to George Brett’s statue. Brett’s statue is just a couple of inches taller than Don’s.
(JimmyC’s St. Louis commenters are in a league of their own…always appreciated.)
“…a league of their own…” Nice baseball movie reference. Intentional or accidental? (Tell the truth, now!)
You’re in a league of your own, too, Gayle.
Not sure how to take that, Jim.
The power of the father-daughter juju can be credited for the impressive Royals shellacking.