It’s Not Just Tailgating We’ll Lose

From the Mayor on down it seems our history, our legacy, is only important if it suits their needs. There has been very little talk of the “K” or even of the Truman Sports Complex. In current discussions, you hear Royals Stadium or the baseball stadium, but the true name, Kauffman Stadium, is rarely spoken. Is that intentional? Is that designed to make it less personal?

Ewing Kauffman and his wife Muriel returned major league baseball to Kansas City, promising to bring a World Series championship here as well. They guided the Royals organization through its first 25 years, during which time the club did, in deed win six division titles, two American League pennants and a World Series crown.

Sadly, it seems the success of a previous era is no longer reason to continue to honer the man who did so much for KC and for baseball. When asked post blank what the new stadium would be called, the response was that no name had been identified yet. Sad – and irreverent.

A Google search for the Truman Sports Complex expresses my thoughts more poignantly than I ever could:

“Nestled at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 435, the Truman Sports Complex stands as a testament to the visionary spirit of Kansas City and the indomitable love for sports that course through its veins. Home to the iconic Arrowhead & Kauffman sports venues, this complex isn’t just concrete, tailgating, and plastic sears; it’s a living chronicle of the city’s passion, innovation, and unity.”

Additionally:

“Kauffman isn’t just where baseball is played; it’s where dreams come to life. It’s where George Brett’s legendary career unfolded, where the Royals clinched their first Wold Series title in 1985, and where countless fans have cheered for their favorite players. The stadium’s aura transcends its physical structure; It’s a repository of cherished memories and shared passion.

[When] you step into Kauffman, …. you’re not just entering a venue; you’re stepping into a time capsule of Kansas City’s passion, innovation, and undying love for the game that unites us all.”

For a city that prides itself on its history, we’re sadly now being asked to forget it. Why? So we can be like so many other cities that have a downtown stadium, so we can join the crowd.
We’re being asked to forget our uniqueness, what made us stand out in the baseball world, and join the growing crowd of cities with a downtown stadium.

Why?

Will They Stay or Will They Go?

The big election is only a week away, though many of you have probably already voted. If you’re still trying to make up your mind whether or not to succumb to blackmail, I urge you to read this article from Strong Towns.

While it’s kind of a long article, it is certainly worth the read. I’ll just point out a couple of items:

The current stadium is “consistently listed among the top ten most beautiful, most fan-friendly parks”.

The cost of the 2006 renovations was $250 million and we, the taxpayers, picked up $225 million of that tab. John Shermans’ net worth has been reported to be between $1 to $1.5 billion.

If you decide the article is too long for the time you have to read yet more about a downtown stadium, at least consider these two quotes:

Research from groups across the political spectrum have shown that the promised economic benefits generally don’t materialize, especially when a stadium is only going to be used periodically.

…

If building a new stadium is going to generate a profit, the teams can pay for it themselves. I can only assume the reason they don’t want to pick up the full bill is because new stadiums often aren’t a great investment.

https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2021/9/28/should-kansas-city-taxpayers-foot-the-bill-for-a-new-downtown-stadium

You might also find it fun to recall that the mayor said in 2019 “We need a new downtown baseball stadium like I need a new Maserati. It’d be cool to have, but I don’t have the money.”