As residents of a city steeped in history and a rich baseball tradition that few others places can match, many St. Louis natives are fiercely proud of the place they grew up and of their beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Many may consider it the crown jewel of Missouri, but one significant sector of the state is likely to disagree.
About 250 miles and three adult shopping centers across Interstate 70 lies the Show-Me State’s other major metropolis. Kansas City is home to the Royals, who were introduced to the league as an expansion team that began play in 1969. With far less history to look back on, the Royals aren’t nearly as entrenched in baseball lore as the Cardinals, and for much of their existence, success has eluded them.
Royals fans can, of course, lord over Cardinals supporters when it comes to the 1985 World Series (although if challenges had existed in baseball back then, things would have likely ended quite differently), but for nearly 60 years, Royals fans have often seen their team as the Cardinals’ little brother…