I don't follow sports anymore, and that's not really what this thread is about. The recent conclusion of the 2012 MLB season got me to thinking about a time when baseball, and sports in general was very different from today.
After Charlie Finley (the most hated man in Kansas City then) moved the A's to Oakland we were without a major league team. Then, on April 8 1969 the brand new Kansas City Royals opened the season at the old Municipal Stadium, at 22nd and Brooklyn. There was no parking lot. You found a spot on the street, or paid someone two or three dollars to park on their yard or driveway. They kept an eye on your car during the game. Far out in left field, in the bleachers, was a small grassy area with some picnic tables. Those seats cost $1 per head, and you could bring your own food. Sometimes, on Sunday we dropped dad off at his union meeting and caught a game. My favorite times though were Friday or Saturday Twi-night doubleheaders. Remember those? The first game ended around dusk, then a short intermission before the second game was played under the lights. During the games vendors wandered the stands (as they do today) hawking peanuts, popcorn, beer or hotdogs. Stadium fare was very basic then.
I remember seeing Moe Drabowsky, Roger Nelson, Al Fitzsimmons, Buck Martinez, Paul Schaal, Lou Pinella and later Amos Otis and Freddie Patek (at 5'5" the shortest major league player then) on the field. And Harmon Killebrew, who wrapped up his Hall of Fame career with the Royals. I got to see so many greats of that time including Reggie Jackson of the much hated Yankees. I met Negro Leagues great Satchel Paige at a Royals game.
As I said, this is not really a sports thread. It is about a time when life seemed so much simpler.
After Charlie Finley (the most hated man in Kansas City then) moved the A's to Oakland we were without a major league team. Then, on April 8 1969 the brand new Kansas City Royals opened the season at the old Municipal Stadium, at 22nd and Brooklyn. There was no parking lot. You found a spot on the street, or paid someone two or three dollars to park on their yard or driveway. They kept an eye on your car during the game. Far out in left field, in the bleachers, was a small grassy area with some picnic tables. Those seats cost $1 per head, and you could bring your own food. Sometimes, on Sunday we dropped dad off at his union meeting and caught a game. My favorite times though were Friday or Saturday Twi-night doubleheaders. Remember those? The first game ended around dusk, then a short intermission before the second game was played under the lights. During the games vendors wandered the stands (as they do today) hawking peanuts, popcorn, beer or hotdogs. Stadium fare was very basic then.
I remember seeing Moe Drabowsky, Roger Nelson, Al Fitzsimmons, Buck Martinez, Paul Schaal, Lou Pinella and later Amos Otis and Freddie Patek (at 5'5" the shortest major league player then) on the field. And Harmon Killebrew, who wrapped up his Hall of Fame career with the Royals. I got to see so many greats of that time including Reggie Jackson of the much hated Yankees. I met Negro Leagues great Satchel Paige at a Royals game.
As I said, this is not really a sports thread. It is about a time when life seemed so much simpler.
Last edited:
