I worked downtown for 32 years, started in 87. The area was mostly desolate and depressing. I know they wanted a team for the arena and more activities for p&l, but without those two things, I think downtown would have completely died. We wouldn't be getting the nfl draft(i know it will be at union station) or the world cup games if downtown kept heading in the downward spiral it was in. I like baseball where its at in kc, but maybe the cubs and Sox still draw large numbers when they are bad because they are in urban areas
As the late Tracey Leiweke once told me, "In Kansas City, no idea is good enough."
Larger-than-life personalities and grand ideas were never encouraged, especially if they painted the downtown stadium green and gold, goofed around with the right-field fence, and put sheep in the outfield. Kansas City would have likely run Bill Veeck out of town.
Happy New Year, Lee! Thank you for this thought provoking post. I sort of think of a downtown ballpark in sentimental, idealist terms. And then I read your article and I feel like I'm waking up from a dream! Also, I recently read Roger Angell's piece about the Astrodome and what the Astros' owner at the time had to say about creating a fan experience...that had very little to do with baseball! Kind of like what downtown baseball park would be... One of my resolutions for the new year is to be less sentimental about baseball, but to watch more games. Thank you for another year of intelligent and funny writing and drawing!
I worked downtown for 32 years, started in 87. The area was mostly desolate and depressing. I know they wanted a team for the arena and more activities for p&l, but without those two things, I think downtown would have completely died. We wouldn't be getting the nfl draft(i know it will be at union station) or the world cup games if downtown kept heading in the downward spiral it was in. I like baseball where its at in kc, but maybe the cubs and Sox still draw large numbers when they are bad because they are in urban areas
Happy New Year Lee!
As the late Tracey Leiweke once told me, "In Kansas City, no idea is good enough."
Larger-than-life personalities and grand ideas were never encouraged, especially if they painted the downtown stadium green and gold, goofed around with the right-field fence, and put sheep in the outfield. Kansas City would have likely run Bill Veeck out of town.
Happy New Year, Lee.
good questions
Happy New Year, Lee! Thank you for this thought provoking post. I sort of think of a downtown ballpark in sentimental, idealist terms. And then I read your article and I feel like I'm waking up from a dream! Also, I recently read Roger Angell's piece about the Astrodome and what the Astros' owner at the time had to say about creating a fan experience...that had very little to do with baseball! Kind of like what downtown baseball park would be... One of my resolutions for the new year is to be less sentimental about baseball, but to watch more games. Thank you for another year of intelligent and funny writing and drawing!