Wednesday, July 23 was just a short 189 mile drive (about 3 hours) to Kansas City, MO. I'm beginning to see more police on the highways now, so I must be getting closer to the East Coast.
I headed to Kauffman Stadium for the 1 pm start between the Royals and the Blue Jays (O Canada will be sung too).
Kauffman/Royals Stadium has always been one of my favorites and was a key stop on this tour. It opened as Royals Stadium in 1973, re-named after their long time owners in 1993, and then renovated a few years ago.
There are statues to former Royals players George Brett
and Frank White
and also their former manager Dick Howser.
Each of their numbers has also been retired.
They also have a Royals Hall of Fame with memorabilia of not only the Royals, but all professional baseball in Kansas City (like the A's and the Monarchs of the Negro Leagues).
Included in the exhibit, the scorecard, bat, and home plate from the infamous Pine Tar Game in 1983.
My ticket was free today thanks to a friend of a friend who works as the Director of Event Presentation & Production for the Royals (translated...he produces & directs everything on the jumbotron). Yet another excellent seat and also undercover - perfect to stay out of the sun and the potential rain.
Lunch was a Sheboygan - some sort of sausage, but it was a name I didn't recognize so I knew I needed it - and a Boulevard Pale Ale (KC Brewed). Both were tasty. The two ladies seated next to me insisted that I have the last bite of their Cinnamon Roll from Stoudt's. I couldn't say no and it was also good (warm too).
The game lasted a tidy 2 1/2 hours, with the Royals winning 5-2.
Royals starter Zack Greinke (defending AL Cy Young winner) pitched 8 innings, striking out 9. The Royals lineup had so many no-name guys that Wilson Betemit (a guy who sat the bench for the Yanks in recent years) was batting cleanup for them.
After the game, I was given a brief tour of the Stadium video operations area in the press box. I'd like to say I found my dream job, but there are a lot of games in a season - plus weekends! And the offseason isn't really an offseason.
I checked in at the Q Hotel & Spa in the Westport District of Kansas City and got ready for dinner at Oklahoma Joe's BBQ, which came highly recommended by a few people.
For starters, I had to travel across the state line into Kansas (all of 2 miles) where the place was situated inside of a gas station convenience store. When was the last time you ate something good from a gas station? Beef jerky???
Second, the line was out the door and I was told by a couple of regulars from Ohio (yeah, Ohio...in town weekly for "business") that it would be 30-40 minutes and well worth the wait.
The line was kind of like the line for a ride at Disney. It looks short on the outside, but then once your inside you see that it winds through the entire place!
My Ohio friends told me I was in for a treat...it was Wednesday! Every Wednesday is Burnt Ends Night! You'd think that would be a bad thing. But you'd be wrong.
According to About.com, Burnt Ends are trimmings from beef brisket and considered a delicacy in the BBQ world. According to Ohio Mike "it's a big pile of Goodness!" Both are accurate.
The wait turned out to be exactly 35 minutes. Ohio Guys were right on, so how could I not get Burnt Ends? Paired with sides of fries and spicy slaw and something called Texas Toast (which looked just like toasted Wonder Bread).
The Burnt Ends were delicious, the fries plentiful and a bit over-seasoned, the slaw superb, and the toast.....well, untouched.
I did consider asking if my meal included a tankful of gas (for the car), but thought better of it.
I left just before 8 and the line was still out the door. They're supposed to close at 8:30 each night...maybe they just lock the door at that time.
If you're ever in the area, try phoning ahead for take-out (913-722-3366). You can download their menu at oklahomajoesbbq.com. You'll be glad you did!
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