Game 3: Royals 13, Indians 12 (10)
WP: Scott Mullen (3-2)
LP: Heath Murray (0-2)
Home Runs: Chris Magruder (Cle, 6), Omar Vizquel (Cle, 12), Milton Bradley (Cle, 7), Carlos Beltran (KC, 15), Raul Ibanez (KC, 14)
KC Star Story
As much as I'd love to sleep in a bit after three relentless days driving across the plains, an afternoon matchup in Kansas City beckons. So I leave York at sunrise, headed across the eastern third of Nebraska and down to Kansas City, where at least everything's up to date. And I hear they've got some crazy little women there.
The Royals are a moribund team playing in one of baseball's best stadiums. Kauffman Stadium (called Royals Stadium for many years, until they renamed it in 1993 to honor longtime owner Ewing Kauffman) is immediately recognizable by the giant crown-shaped scoreboard and the fountains beyond the outfield wall. Located in the Harry S Truman Sports Complex next to the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium, The Big K is a memorable place to see a ballgame. And today's slugfest was a memorable game to see.
After the wild finish, time to head north of the city a little bit to Worlds of Fun, which sooz says is the best amusement park ever. Sounds good enough to me. At least there are plenty of roller coasters to get you your money's worth.
Day 8: York to Kansas City
Mileage Today: 255.5
K.C. Weather: 96 °, sunny
States: Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri
Route Traveled: I-80 east to Lincoln, Rts. 77/2 east to Nebraska City (home of Arbor Day!) and over the Mississippi River, I-29 through a corner of Iowa and south to Platte City, I-435 south to Kauffman Stadium.
Royals/Kauffman Stadium Facts
First Game: 4/10/73 vs. Texas
Capacity: 40,625
Retired Numbers: 5 (George Brett), 10 (Dick Howser), 20 (Frank White)
Royals Fan Site: Rob Neyer