All Star Game: 1973

World Series: 1980 & '85

Hal McRae hits 54 doubles
in 1977.

George Brett hits .390 in
1980.

Kauffman Stadium
Kansas City, MO

For 35 years Kauffman Stadium has been one of the best ballparks in baseball. When it opened in 1973 its design was unlike any other stadium built at the time. Major League Baseball came to Kansas City in 1955 when the Philadelphia Athletics moved to the city and Kansas City Municipal Stadium. Opening in 1923 and rebuilt when the A's moved to Kansas City, Municipal Stadium was not only home to baseball but the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL). Owner of the A's Charlie Finley wanted to relocate the team to Dallas in 1962 and Louisville in 1964 but was denied by American League owners. Finley wanted to relocate the team in part because Municipal Stadium was deteriorating. In 1966 the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority was established to acquire land, design, construct and get funding for a new stadium. Original plans were for a multipurpose stadium but these plans were scrapped because of design and seating capacity problems. Unlike many other cities that were building multipurpose stadiums at the time, the county decided to build two new stadiums, one for the A's and one for the Chiefs. In June 1967 a $102 million bond was issued for construction of two sports stadiums. However, A’s owner Charles Finley could not wait for a new stadium to be built and moved his team to Oakland in October 1967.

United States Senator Stuart Symington demanded a new franchise for Kansas City or he would introduce legislation to remove baseball's antitrust exemption. During baseball's winter meetings in 1967, MLB decided to expand by four teams that would begin playing in 1971. However, pressure from Symington and other officials led to MLB allowing the teams to begin play in 1969. Royals General Manager Cedric Tallis worked with HOK Sports and used the best parts of Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium to incorporate into the new Royals stadium. Construction on the Truman Sports Complex that included the Royals stadium and the Chiefs stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, began on July 11, 1968.  Originally known as Royals Stadium, the Royals played their first game at the stadium on April 10, 1973. Royals Stadium was very colorful with 40,793 seats, all facing second base and arranged in three tiers with maroon, gold and orange seats. It was the American League's first ballpark with Astroturf as the playing surface. The most unique feature of the stadium were the water fountains beyond the outfield fence as Kansas City is known as the City of Fountains. The fountains stretch 322 feet horizontally and have a 10 foot high waterfall that descends from an upper cascade pool that serves as a background for two water fountain pools. A 12 story scoreboard, in the shape of the Royals' crest is located beyond the centerfield fence.

Until the 1990s there were few changes to the stadium. In 1990, a 30-by-40 foot Sony JumboTron video board was installed in left-center field. In 1993 Royals Stadium was renamed Kauffman Stadium in honor of Ewing Kauffman. The Astroturf was removed prior to the 1995 season and replaced with natural grass giving Kauffman Stadium a very intimate feel. Kauffman Stadium was renovated at the end of the 1998 season. The stadium renovation project included the addition of Crown Seats, Dugout Suites, new clubhouses and an exclusive restaurant and lounge known as the Crown Club. All of the orange seats throughout the stadium were replaced by blue seats.

Today fans from Missouri, Kansas and other states come to Kauffman Stadium to enjoy views of the fountains beyond the outfield fence, views of the Midwest landscape and Kansas City Royals baseball. Plentiful parking surrounds the stadium and fans can enter Kauffman Stadium through many locations. Once inside circular ramps and escalators take fans to the club and upper levels. Upon entering, fans are on the main concourse of the stadium. To access the field and dugout box seats fans must either walk through the dugout or field plaza seats or go down the circular ramps. Numerous concessions and merchandise stands are located along the concourses. Located beyond the right field seats is a new area of Kauffman Stadium offering younger fans entertainment other than the game. The Little K offers batting cages, a speed pitching area where fans can see how fast they can throw, four holes of miniature golf and picnic areas. Anywhere throughout the stadium fans can enjoy the view of the fountains that are beyond the right field fence. On a hot day fans can stand beyond the ones in right field to cool down.

Although it is over three decades old, Kauffman Stadium remains one of MLB's best ballparks. However, in 2007 the Royals announced that Kauffman Stadium would be extensively renovated by Opening Day 2009. This includes a high definition scoreboard, fountain view terraces, widened concourses on all three levels and an outfield concourse that will allow fans to walk 360 degrees around the stadium. Left field will feature a permanent Hall of Fame exhibit. The "Little K," currently located outside of the stadium, will be moved behind left field. These changes will be done in phases. By Opening Day 2008, the stadium will feature new bullpens that will be perpendicular to the field, expanded dugouts, crown seating and a new 150ft by 85ft video/scoreboard. Opening Day 2009 will feature several more changes, including an outfield plaza, a walk of fame, an expanded View Level concourse and a food court and new press facilities. Everything will be complete by Opening Day 2009, with several final touches, including completed areas in the Diamond Club, Crown Club, Stadium Club and home-plate suites installed.

Kauffman Stadium Facts, Information & Pictures

Click to Enlarge Pictures/Larger Images Available Upon Request

Kauffman Stadium and the Kansas City Royals By the Numbers