Attending a World Series as a member of a teams front office is a different experience, to say the least. From the charter flight (private TSA screening on the Tarmac) to de planing from air stairs directly to the bus, to the police escort to the stadium--and going the wrong way on one-way streets to avoid snarled game traffic--the whole thing seems destined to make us feel different, separate, special. Then you get to the ballpark. Standing in line with a multitude of Royals fans there to see the first WS game in 3 decades, we stand out like a sore orange and black thumb in a sea of Dodger, er, Royal blue. And it takes maybe 15 seconds to realize life is different the the heartland--that, for all its political and cultural differences from the coasts, one thing seems to be woven into these folks (and folks is exactly the right term to describe them) as inextricably as the color stripe in a $100 bill--they are unfailingly kind and generous of spirit. Seated as a block (4 rows) roughly behind home plate 1/2 way up the upper deck, on the aisle, we had continuous contact with real fans all game, an experience opposite of most everyones in-game experiences during the regular season. Gracious, kind, welcoming. We had ordinary fans come up to us while we were in line to enter the stadium to say thank you for coming to Kansas City, to our (beautiful) ballpark. They congratulated us on the win, complimented our team, our spirit, and our WS rings. They reminded me of what makes this country great--not our economy, our so-called work ethic, or our military might. Our people. Kind, hospitable, generous of spirit, warm, welcoming. They didnt know who we were or what we represent. We were just a bunch of Giants fans in enemy territory, and they made us glad to be there with them. Win or lose on the field, Royals fans, you are already winners in a much more important way.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:09:51 +0000
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