Pete Grathoff

3 days ago | kansascity.com | Blair Kerkhoff |Pete Grathoff

Whit Merrifield called Kansas City a "second home to my family and I" in announcing his retirement on Tuesday. Merrifield spent parts of his first seven major league seasons with the Royals, starting in 2016. He played second base most of his nine-year career, including stops with the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves. Merrifield, 36, said becoming a parent drove his decision. "At this point in my life I'd rather chase around a toddler than chase sliders," Merrifield wrote.

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) looks on as the Yankees led 3-1 in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium. [email protected] The Royals were justifiably unhappy about being swept by the Yankees last week, but one of their games was a hit on the MLB Network. New York's 6-3 win over the Royals on Tuesday was the MLB Network's most-watched out-of-market game of the season, averaging 551,000 viewers.

1 week ago | kansas.com | Pete Grathoff

The Athletic recently surveyed Major League Baseball players to see what (and who) they like and don’t like these days. Those poll questions included one about which opponent they enjoy watching. Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani got the most votes, while Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. finished second. Although Witt is just in his fourth season, he’s already won a batting title, led the league in triples, won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards and was second in MVP voting a year ago.

2 weeks ago | kansascity.com | Pete Grathoff

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses his mother, Donna Kelce, on the head after the trophy ceremony following the Chiefs' 32-29 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. [email protected] Ahead of the Chiefs' win over the Eagles in Super LVII, Donna Kelce became America's favorite mom as she cheered for sons Travis and Jason, who were on opposite sidelines for the big game.

2 weeks ago | kansascity.com | Pete Grathoff

The Stanley Cup Final has been electric with three of the four games going to overtime and the series between the Panthers and Oilers tied. Edmonton rallied from a three-goal deficit on Thursday, blew a late lead in regulation and finally defeated the Panthers 5-4 in overtime in Game 4 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.