I'm actually okay with it - though I love Kauffman, I am eager to see what a brand new stadium would bring to the table. The artist renderings left a lot to be desired, but hopefully they have something cool in mind (and bring the big scoreboard with them, of course).
Shift or no shift, I'm with you 100% on the O'Hearn signing - makes very little sense given all the young talent we have that can contribute more (at half the price and with twice the potential). For now, I'll suspend disbelief and have faith that they have plans for him that justify the contract. I just can't see it right now.
Regarding the new stadium, I'm ok with it also and think it's about time. Unfortunately, we all know that the financial projections that go along with new stadium justifications are usually 100% fiction. Taxpayers always pay more and ownership never pays enough. That's a sports (especially baseball) reality.
First, when I read about O'Hearn and his signing, I had a hard time accepting it. I had a steadfast belief that he, for sure, would be gone. But waiting a day, not letting emotions control my thoughts, maybe the shift contributed to his numbers. Maybe something is going on behind the scenes we don't know about. It's just difficult to accept a player, with his numbers, taking up a spot on the roster. But again, I will defer to those with now knowledge than me.
Second.....
In late September, 1976 i attended my first game at the K, the day before I enlisted in the Marine Corps. A 10 inning game against the Angels, with the Royals winning. Although I understand the economic benefit for a new stadium, I much prefer older older venues - Wrigley, Fenway and yes, I enjoyed the Metrodome. I watched Cecil Fielder hit one too the parking lot in old County Stadium. Been to Wrigley before and after lights. Beautiful place. Enough for nostalgia. Please keep the old feel with a new stadium. Do not make it a cookie cuter place. Crown vision and fountains. A version of the Pepsi Porch. Residing in South Central Kansas, I don't get to a many games, but do watch all games and go when I can. I have shared the K with my wife and 2 grandsons. Let's hope Mr. Sherman does this right.
I'm excited to see what spot they choose for the new stadium. I want to see a more accurate drawing of it since the once in the letter is as vanilla as it could be. Hopefully they can get a streetcar spur to where the stadium will be so parking isn't a big concern. Baseball is also more compatible with having a district around it since you normally don't show up super early to the game. This would allow the spot to be busy and hopefully help lift up a part of the city that has been struggling
The thing that bugs me the most about the new stadium thing is that he claims it would take the same amount of money to renovate Kauffman, which is insane. They just renovated it a few years ago for $250M. How far behind can it really be to other stadiums? I find it hard to believe it's $2B worth.
As far as the O'Hearn signing....ugh, not again! I really don't like this at all. There are way too many "ifs" about his production. I believe he is what we see and that is not a significant contributor to a playoff caliber team. And isn't that our ultimate goal for the Royals?
I love The K! Lots of good memories there. Since the renovation it is even better. I live 180 miles away and make it there for 5-10 games a year, so I know my opinion doesn't count for much, but I am not looking forward to a ballpark in town, especially downtown. I have went to a few events downtown and would go to more but the parking situation is atrocious to this country boy. I know, I know, my opinion doesn't matter, but I expect I will attend fewer games just because of the hassle factor.
I've always been curious about downtown baseball. I think cities are better with strong central districts that pull people in (permanently or daily) from the suburbs. A stadium can help with that.
For me though, it's largely going to depend if they get it right with the location and the stadium.
My preferred location, which they've not discussed, is the BCBS lot to the east of union station. I don't know if there's enough room for a ballpark district there though. I think the proposal is pretty clear that the Royals want to own that ballpark district.
I don't think a lot of us will get used to a new stadium because we just won't go downtown. The Royals drastically underestimate how this impacts fans who are 2+ hours away. Add in more expense and hassle of dealing with downtown and we just won't go to games. Certainly not weekday games. The ease of cruising into the parking lot and being in your seat in 15 minutes is something we are accustomed to as adult fans, and the older I get the less I pay for things that cause me hassle and inconvenience. The very reason everyone in my friend group stopped going to Chiefs games 5-6 years ago. When the stress and expense outweigh the fun, you stop engaging in those activities.
Just because they signed O'Hearn doesn't mean they won't trade him. With the shift going away his value may have gone up a little. They actually might be able to get a prospect for him now by trading him to a team with a short right field fence. They did the same thing with DeJesus years ago. I think they signed him for something like 4 mil. (I'm not sure about the amount), then traded him. But then again he was a much better hitter than O'Hearn
I'm completely against a downtown stadium. Royals stadium is one of the best in baseball. I think this shows that all the team is interested in is making outside money. They'll have interest in any businesses that are around the stadium. That's something they do not have now. What they do have now is one of the best parking situations in baseball which will completely go away downtown. Even if they make parking access decent you still have to contend with I 70 and other major highways that get congested when a lot of people go to a downtown event. I used to work downtown. I hated it. I won't even go back for any reason. They need to spend their money on building a winning organization that will contend for years to come
Re: the new stadium
I'm actually okay with it - though I love Kauffman, I am eager to see what a brand new stadium would bring to the table. The artist renderings left a lot to be desired, but hopefully they have something cool in mind (and bring the big scoreboard with them, of course).
Great article, David.
Shift or no shift, I'm with you 100% on the O'Hearn signing - makes very little sense given all the young talent we have that can contribute more (at half the price and with twice the potential). For now, I'll suspend disbelief and have faith that they have plans for him that justify the contract. I just can't see it right now.
Regarding the new stadium, I'm ok with it also and think it's about time. Unfortunately, we all know that the financial projections that go along with new stadium justifications are usually 100% fiction. Taxpayers always pay more and ownership never pays enough. That's a sports (especially baseball) reality.
Excellent insight!
First, when I read about O'Hearn and his signing, I had a hard time accepting it. I had a steadfast belief that he, for sure, would be gone. But waiting a day, not letting emotions control my thoughts, maybe the shift contributed to his numbers. Maybe something is going on behind the scenes we don't know about. It's just difficult to accept a player, with his numbers, taking up a spot on the roster. But again, I will defer to those with now knowledge than me.
Second.....
In late September, 1976 i attended my first game at the K, the day before I enlisted in the Marine Corps. A 10 inning game against the Angels, with the Royals winning. Although I understand the economic benefit for a new stadium, I much prefer older older venues - Wrigley, Fenway and yes, I enjoyed the Metrodome. I watched Cecil Fielder hit one too the parking lot in old County Stadium. Been to Wrigley before and after lights. Beautiful place. Enough for nostalgia. Please keep the old feel with a new stadium. Do not make it a cookie cuter place. Crown vision and fountains. A version of the Pepsi Porch. Residing in South Central Kansas, I don't get to a many games, but do watch all games and go when I can. I have shared the K with my wife and 2 grandsons. Let's hope Mr. Sherman does this right.
Sorry, again, fire the ramble.
Are we sure Fermin isn’t being eyed as the No. 2 catcher? I still have a sneaking suspicion that they’ll trade MJ this winter.
I'm excited to see what spot they choose for the new stadium. I want to see a more accurate drawing of it since the once in the letter is as vanilla as it could be. Hopefully they can get a streetcar spur to where the stadium will be so parking isn't a big concern. Baseball is also more compatible with having a district around it since you normally don't show up super early to the game. This would allow the spot to be busy and hopefully help lift up a part of the city that has been struggling
The thing that bugs me the most about the new stadium thing is that he claims it would take the same amount of money to renovate Kauffman, which is insane. They just renovated it a few years ago for $250M. How far behind can it really be to other stadiums? I find it hard to believe it's $2B worth.
As far as the O'Hearn signing....ugh, not again! I really don't like this at all. There are way too many "ifs" about his production. I believe he is what we see and that is not a significant contributor to a playoff caliber team. And isn't that our ultimate goal for the Royals?
I love The K! Lots of good memories there. Since the renovation it is even better. I live 180 miles away and make it there for 5-10 games a year, so I know my opinion doesn't count for much, but I am not looking forward to a ballpark in town, especially downtown. I have went to a few events downtown and would go to more but the parking situation is atrocious to this country boy. I know, I know, my opinion doesn't matter, but I expect I will attend fewer games just because of the hassle factor.
I've always been curious about downtown baseball. I think cities are better with strong central districts that pull people in (permanently or daily) from the suburbs. A stadium can help with that.
For me though, it's largely going to depend if they get it right with the location and the stadium.
My preferred location, which they've not discussed, is the BCBS lot to the east of union station. I don't know if there's enough room for a ballpark district there though. I think the proposal is pretty clear that the Royals want to own that ballpark district.
I don't think a lot of us will get used to a new stadium because we just won't go downtown. The Royals drastically underestimate how this impacts fans who are 2+ hours away. Add in more expense and hassle of dealing with downtown and we just won't go to games. Certainly not weekday games. The ease of cruising into the parking lot and being in your seat in 15 minutes is something we are accustomed to as adult fans, and the older I get the less I pay for things that cause me hassle and inconvenience. The very reason everyone in my friend group stopped going to Chiefs games 5-6 years ago. When the stress and expense outweigh the fun, you stop engaging in those activities.
Just because they signed O'Hearn doesn't mean they won't trade him. With the shift going away his value may have gone up a little. They actually might be able to get a prospect for him now by trading him to a team with a short right field fence. They did the same thing with DeJesus years ago. I think they signed him for something like 4 mil. (I'm not sure about the amount), then traded him. But then again he was a much better hitter than O'Hearn
I'm completely against a downtown stadium. Royals stadium is one of the best in baseball. I think this shows that all the team is interested in is making outside money. They'll have interest in any businesses that are around the stadium. That's something they do not have now. What they do have now is one of the best parking situations in baseball which will completely go away downtown. Even if they make parking access decent you still have to contend with I 70 and other major highways that get congested when a lot of people go to a downtown event. I used to work downtown. I hated it. I won't even go back for any reason. They need to spend their money on building a winning organization that will contend for years to come