Paul Rudd? Jason Sudeikis? Jay-Z? Star sightings at Royals-Yankees game could be A-list
.jpg "The Yankees’ contingent of celebrity fans is vast and includes Martha Stewart (left), while the Royals can counter with such entertainment standouts as Paul Rudd. The teams meet for Game 1 of the ALDS on Saturday in New York.")
Back in 2014, after the Royals won the ALCS on their way to the World Series, Kansas City famous son Paul Rudd exuberantly invited everyone over to his mom’s house here for a kegger.
And some diehard fans showed up.
So yeah, it’s more than just wishful thinking that “Ant-Man” will show up at Yankee Stadium Saturday night to watch the Royals play the first game of their AL Division Series in New York.
This game could turn into a celebrity watcher’s dream. It’s taking place in a stadium known to attract superfans from every corner of the entertainment world, from Jay-Z and Adam Sandler to Billy Crystal and Spike Lee.
The Royals maintain a healthy bullpen of celebrity fans of their own.
Rudd’s co-host of Kansas City’s annual Big Slick fundraiser, “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet, roots for many Kansas City-area teams — the Chiefs, his beloved Kansas State Wildcats and Sporting KC included.
In 2019 he became a part-owner of the Royals, joining the ownership group led by John Sherman (which also includes superstar Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes).
“It’s no secret how passionate I am about Kansas City, along with Kansas City sports and Major League Baseball,” he tweeted about the deal.
“When this opportunity arose to invest in the Royals, I could not think of a more exciting or fitting way to combine one of my passions with my love for the great people of my hometown.
“I look forward to being part of a group working to bring championship baseball to Kansas City once again.”
Rudd, who spent his formative years in Overland Park, lives in upstate New York, where he co-owns a candy shop in Rhinebeck.
Two of his other Big Slick co-hosts — “Ted Lasso” star Jason Sudeikis and “Saturday Night Live” cast member Heidi Gardner — have homes in New York City.
Sudeikis, a sports fan who also cheers for the Kansas Jayhawks, has become a near-regular at New York Liberty WNBA games this season. So he’s clearly in a fan frame of mind.
Gardner will otherwise be tied up Saturday night with “SNL,” which began its new season last weekend. But might she rock some Royals gear during the end-of-show farewell? Or maybe in a skit? The ardent Kansas City sports fan championed the idea of having Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce host the show last year (which he did in March 2023).
And can we just go on the record and say that we would never forgive Brad Pitt, who grew up in Springfield, Missouri (and has shown love for the Chiefs on red carpets), if he shows up and cheers for, ugh, those guys?
OK, maybe it’s only happened once. But for shame, Brad.
Jay-Z, born and raised in New York City, is one of the team’s most ardent celebrity fans. Lady Gaga, another NYC native, has been a regular at games, too.
And the list of Yankees fans in Hollywood goes on and on and on ....
Martha Stewart, who thinks Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is a “handsome dude.”
Rapper 50 Cent, the NYC native photographed countless times in his trademark Yankees cap.
Bruce Springsteen, former Little Leaguer.
Robert DeNiro, who played a New York ballplayer in “Bang the Drum Slowly.”
Paul Simon, who references Yankees great Joe DiMaggio in “Mrs. Robinson.”
No matter.
Stonestreet sings a mean rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
This story was originally published October 5, 2024 at 6:30 AM.
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