Rex Hudler is missing more than baseball these days
Internal clocks all around Major League Baseball are scrambled.
It can’t be helped, of course. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced everyone involved in the game to stay home.
The odd feeling is certainly shared by Fox Sports Kansas City broadcaster Rex Hudler ... and his family.
“So my wife and my children all know: it’s been six months on and six months off (at home). But now with a little extra stretch of spring,” Hudler said, pausing for effect, “they’ve had enough of Hud. Just about all they can handle.”
Hudler, 59, has channeled that intensity he was born with into cooking and cleaning. But recently he had to discipline one of his sons on the eve of what would have been the first game of the 2020 season. It was a tough day, especially for someone who exudes such positive vibes while on the air.
“I was missing baseball and thinking how opening day is such a fun time for everybody and for me especially,” Hudler said. “I loved opening day as a player, and now I’m enjoying it more as a broadcaster because I get to engage with the fans. (That) night was my most depressing night I’ve had.”
These are difficult days for everyone as we deal with an unrelenting stream of bad news, whether it’s the increasing number of COVID-19 deaths, the hugs we don’t share with friends or the cancellation of sports games.
A “Today” show host broke down on-air, and coworkers and others were touched by the moment, because they know just what she was feeling inside. We all are.
That’s why Hudler makes a conscious effort each morning to skip the news.
“I’ve been able to get closer to God during this time and, you know, I am not a religious guy, I’m a spiritual guy. And so, when I wake up in the morning, I open my eyes and I thank God for life,” Hudler said. “I thank You for letting me live, letting me wake up another day.
“You know how we have alerts on our phones? Fox, CNN, all the publications are on your phone, waiting for you to restart your day here. Uh-uh. I’m starting with Him. I’m gonna go find some scripture and read some scripture and start my day with Him, not with the world.”
In the past, Hudler would join others in turning from the news during difficult times and get lost in a game. But with athletes at home, that outlet is gone.
It’s been particularly tough for Hudler, a baseball lifer who signed with the Yankees out of high school in 1978 and played until 1994. He joined the broadcast booth not long after hanging up his spikes.
So, naturally, Hudler is missing baseball. But it’s not just the games. He longs for the chance to go to Kauffman Stadium again and interact with Royals fans.
It’s the favorite part of Hudler’s job.
“I get to go to the ballpark where people leave their problems in their car,” he said. “I go to the K and people are happy. They’re happy they’re gonna watch baseball, they’re watching Royals baseball. And so, to engage with the fan in that environment is beautiful. How easy is that for me?
“It’s so easy to love on people because they’re already happy. I’m not meeting them somewhere where they’re grumpy. I’m not meeting them in the parking lot of their workplace or as they’re getting out in the car going to work. I’m meeting them at the ballpark.”
To fill the void for fans and himself, Hudler is inviting fans into his home. Specifically, his baseball room, which has memorabilia from 35 years in Major League Baseball.
Hudler plans to show off some of the items in short videos he’ll share on Twitter and YouTube.
The first one aired on what would have been baseball’s opening day for the Royals in Chicago.
“I want to share with people something about different characters in the game. Different characters that I played with,” Hudler said. “Some that I played against and tell their stories. There are baseball bats I collected individually, so there’s a story behind each bat.
“I’m not gonna make it real long, but I’ll do little parts there. Because that’s a place for me to get away and be close to the game in my little mini-museum.”
And, if only for a few minutes, Hudler can immerse himself in baseball again.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 12:16 PM.
