When did Kansas City become Boston West?
As I sit here in the press box at Kauffman Stadium watching the Royals and Red Sox play, it is hard to tell who the home team is.
Yes, Boston is wearing the traditional road grays, but the fan base at the “K” is rather heavily Boston based.
It probably has something to do with the Red Sox being World Series champs, but who knows. It just seems every time the Yankees, Red Sox or Cardinals are in town, the home crowd disappears or blends in.
However, with that said, it is kind of nice to see a large crowd back at the “K.”
Personally, I think some of it has to do with the Royals.
They entered Tuesday’s game against Boston with a 53-60 record. Yes, that is a losing record and it’s not a record that has them in contention for anything, but consider this: They entered Monday’s game 11 games out of the Wild Card lead.
Who would’ve thought that the Royals would be that close to a playoff spot the first week of August? I know they still have a long ways to go, but in my opinion, it is one of the best teams the Royals have had in recent years.
Take away that losing streak that started with Boston’s Jon Lester throwing a no-hitter earlier in the season, who knows where this team could be at.
- On a side note to all of this, it is kind of cool to hear 20,000-plus fans singing Garth Brooks’ “I Got Friends in Low Places” at the same time.
- On a second side note, the Royals are now 32-27 when Mike Aviles became the starting shortstop, supplanting Tony Pena Jr., who has yet to reach the point that his batting average is greater than his weight. Entering play this week he is batting a robust .148.
Renovations
A quick glance across the “K” you can see progress being made on the renovation project that is essentially giving one of baseball’s older stadiums a facelift in preparation for an All-Star Game at some point before, say, 2020.
The left field side looks a little odd, because I have been so used to seeing the rows of outfield bleachers and then the bullpen. This year, as those who have came up to the game or watched one on TV, the bullpens have been expanded and widened, giving fans a chance to look in the pen from almost anywhere in the stadium. Steel is in place above the left field bullpen (the visitor’s side), where a restaurant is being constructed. And beyond the rest of the outfield walls, dirt work is rather prominent. In right field, the crown for the top of the new scoreboard sets, waiting to be installed.
