If you missed anything about the Home Opener yesterday, everyone’s got you covered.
Jaylon Thompson covers the emotional aspect of the game.
There was a wide range of emotions — from jubilation to heartwarming moments. The Royals honored late outfielder Terrance Gore with his family in attendance. His son, Zane, threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and it was a perfect strike.
“You know, I didn’t know Terrance at all,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said, “(but) these guys all knew him. And just to see
his family, they were in Atlanta as well. I mean, super nice kids. Just to see his son tearing up there at the video, and then he goes out there and throws a laser to Gordo, that made me feel good. Very moving.”
The Royals faithful — all 39,320 in attendance — erupted with applause. And the moment set the stage for what became a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Anne Rogers wrote about how Kris Bubic’s last Home Opener start was during the COVID season.
Six years ago, Kris Bubic made his Major League debut on July 31, 2020, which also happened to be the Royals’ home opener in that pandemic-shortened season.
He pitched that game in an empty stadium in front of cardboard cutouts. “Eerie” is the way he described it.
“Today, obviously a different story,” Bubic said.
Blair Kerkhoff covers the amazing start Salvador Perez has had in the ABS era.
Heading into Monday’s games, including the Royals’ home opener against the Minnesota Twins, Perez was a perfect 4-for-4 in challenging the home plate umpire’s ball-strike call.
Three occurred in the first game last Friday, a loss at the Atlanta Braves, and in the fifth inning with consecutive batters. In all three cases, Perez challenged a “ball” call by home plate umpire Doug Eddings, who originally ruled the pitches from Cole Ragans below the strike zone.
In each case, Perez was proven correct, a couple by tenths of inches.
The perfect streak ended in the Royals’ 3-1 victory on Monday. Perez went 1-for-2; a ball called by home plate umpire Alex Tosi was upheld.
John Sherman spoke about the stadium situation prior to the game. There’s not much to glean. AP News also covered that here. The phrase “sense of urgency” was written again, which I feel like they said 3 months ago?
What’s the latest on the search for a new stadium?
In short, as team owner John Sherman replied this time, same as he has for a while now: It’s to be determined.
But Sherman offered a bit more detail Monday on exactly what needs to be determined before the Royals announce where they plan to pursue a move when their lease expires in 2031.
“I think we would want to have site control and certainly the public financing in place before we announce it,” Sherman said when asked by The Star what needs to fall in place before making a decision. “There will be work still to do, but those two things are important.”
The late Terrance Gore’s son, Zane Gore, threw out the first pitch. Anne also covered it here.
Royals co-owner Patrick Mahomes was there at the game. The broadcast showed him…a lot.
Pete Grathoff covers the Royals franchise valuation from Forbes.
Caleb Mears at Kings of Kauffman wrote about Nick Mears’ role amid his home opener success.
Brewers sign prospect Cooper Pratt to 8/$50.75M deal. He has 0 MLB plate appearances.
FanGraphs covers the Orioles giving Shane Baz an extension.
Jeff Passan covers the early experience league-wide of the ABS. Ken Rosenthal also covers the ABS for The Athletic ($).
Make sure you get a chance to laugh at Duke’s last-second loss in the tournament.
The NFL is moving to hire and train replacement referees because they did not learn any lessons from 2012’s replacement referee fiasco. I learned that the idea of using replacement referees was hilarious and I would relish the opportunity to see more nonsense while Mahomes “continues rehab” and the Chiefs games don’t matter.
NASA is preparing to launch astronauts around the moon.
For you Law & Order fans, of which I would guess there are many – Mariska Hargitay will make her Broadway debut in Every Brilliant Thing.
Your song of the day is Shoulders by Coheed and Cambria.
