Quit whining about a downtown stadium: These Royals are becoming a real team | Opinion
Get on board
I’m tired of reading letters to the editor from all the fair-weather Royals fans clamoring for a good team before owner John Sherman should start worrying about a new ballpark. (Aug. 2, 8A)
In case these folks aren’t looking, these Royals are becoming a team. Not only have they significantly improved their record since the All-Star break, but they have one of baseball’s brightest and most exciting young stars in Bobby Witt Jr., who was hitting .277 with 22 home runs and 34 stolen bases through Aug. 14.
Royals fans just need to get behind this team and its owner because, as he has said, they are moving in the right direction.
- David Black, Olathe
Jealous of KC
I recently attended a Royals game against the St. Louis Cardinals. (Aug. 14, 9B, “Newcomer Velázquez homers again in Royals’ loss to Cards”) We arrived early to find our parking Lot J and grassy areas surrounding it filled with Cardinals fans doing what they can’t do at Busch Stadium: tailgating.
The St. Louis fans we spoke to were highly complimentary of our ballpark and its amenities such as tailgating, the easy access to the stadium and very convenient parking. We had to agree completely because we’ve visited numerous venues and have found very few to be as fan-friendly as Kauffman Stadium.
So, I ask that Royals owner John Sherman and the team’s board of directors rethink their plan to relocate our team. Most Royals fans love where we are, and visiting fans are envious.
- Joyce Elaine Smithmier, Liberty
Need to know
Something doesn’t smell right. The joint editorial from The Star and The Wichita Eagle, “Newspaper police raid is an intolerable overreach,” (Aug. 14, 7A) provided information critical to understanding the motive behind the raid of the Marion County Record newspaper offices and the home of the paper’s owners — namely, that the newspaper was investigating circumstances surrounding Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody’s departure from the Kansas City Police Department.
I agree that the Record’s investigation could be the real motivation behind the raid, not the reason stated in the warrant. I also agree with the three recommendations listed in the editorial. However, I believe a fourth should be added: The affidavit justifying the search warrant should be made public immediately.
I hope The Star and Eagle continue to follow and report on this unfortunate event like flies on stink.
- John E. Johnson, Overland Park
Chop cringe
I’ve followed the Chiefs since the inception of the American Football League, and I was elated when the Dallas Texans moved to Kansas City and we became a big league city. The loathsome practice of the tomahawk chop at Arrowhead Stadium does not portray the city as big league in any way. Watching from out of town, not missing a game that’s on TV here, I find it’s a sad thing to watch.
I am glad The Kansas City Star’s editorial board has taken a stance against the chop, which is the thing people notice along with the football. (Nov. 27, 2022, 21A, “It’s time for the Chiefs to lead and finally ax the Arrowhead chop”)
I’m not sure what black-and-white-era movies and TV shows’ portrayals of Indigenous people as killers have to do with football, but the chop is cringey at best, and a cause to tune out.
- Michael Smith, Greenland, New Hampshire
Old message
As I drive around the Kansas City metropolitan area, I cannot help but notice that many churches have signs or banners in front of their entrances shouting, “All are welcome!”
Since when did churches have to start advertising what has been one of their basic principles? One of my favorite hymns to sing at the beginning of service has always been “All Are Welcome.”
Why do we have to advertise what should be obvious? Just something to think about.
- Katy O’Dowd, Kansas City
This story was originally published August 16, 2023 at 5:03 AM.