Just when I thought the Royals season was over, they pulled me back in. It’s been a tough year, but their recent 7-game winning streak produced some welcome excitement for Kansas City fans. Continue reading →

In 2018, in Hot Stove #69, I wrote about Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Jarod Dyson, players who had brought such joy to Royals fans. They had moved on and were wearing the laundry (uniforms) of opposing teams. Continue reading →

The year 1948 was big for Harry Truman and Satchel Paige. What they did 75 years ago is well worth remembering. Continue reading →

Over the past couple of months, I have encountered several Kansas City stories from a century ago. Baseball. Barbecue. Prohibition. Jazz. Crime. Pendergast. Harry Truman. I’ll start with the baseball. Continue reading →

For many years, Rita and I have gone to New York over Memorial Day Weekend to binge on Broadway shows. An early treat to ourselves for our anniversary (June 6). Also the timing is between the Tony nominations and the Tony awards (held last night). Continue reading →

Earlier this week, the Cardinals and Royals split two games at Busch Stadium. Neither team is having a stellar year. I’ll get into the details on that, but first, a remembrance of my friend Larry Ward. Continue reading →

Three ideas were percolating in my head for this mid-May post: (i) Today is the third anniversary of the finale of the (Vahe) Gregorian Chants; (ii) David Von Drehle’s The Book of Charlie is being released next week; and (iii) Lorenzo Cain had a moving retirement ceremony at Kauffman Stadium. Coincidentally, all three stories have a Covid angle. Continue reading →

I’ve got pieces of April, I keep them in a memory bouquet

I’ve got pieces of April, but it’s a morning in May

—Three Dog Night Continue reading →

I’m guessing the subject line got your attention. I’ll get to the halter top, but first… Continue reading →

Last Thursday on Opening Day, MLB Jesus welcomed the new baseball season. Continue reading →