KoK Staff

Kings of Kauffman Staff:

Michael Engel (@michaelengel) senior editor/lead writer

Brought up in western Kansas, I escaped to Lawrence, where I graduated from the University of Kansas with a History degree which I’ve parlayed into, well, a lot of retail management experience. I spend a lot of my time watching various TV shows, attempting dominance of fantasy sports and reading. I always hope this is the year for the Royals, and until that first pitch is let loose, I believe it.

I can be reached by email at michael.allen.engel@gmail.com

Gage Matthews (@MinnesotaRoyal), staff writer

Born in Excelsior Springs, MO, I had a few years for the Royals and Mizzou Tigers fandom to sink into my blood before my family moved to Wisconsin. I learned to follow the Brewers and eventually the Twins while spending 18 years in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but the royal blue in my blood was never washed away. After graduating from St. Olaf College, I moved down to Nashville, TN, where I’ll be chasing my PhD in Chemical Biology at Vanderbilt for the next several years. While I’m still away from the Royals’ home territory, I get to watch the prospects play when Omaha comes to town to play the Sounds and love watching the Commodores’ stellar team, especially when they could be future Royals. I grew up on a small farm and love playing softball, soccer, and whatever other club sports come my way.

Kevin Scobee (@scobes15), staff writer

I lived in Kansas City from day 1 to year 27 before moving to Orange County, Calif., and I’ve been a tortured Royals fan the whole way. At one point as a kid my favorite player was Kevin Kozlowski. Seriously. After graduating with a journalism degree from Park University and spending a few years as a college pitching coach, I made my move to the west coast hoping to leave my Royals sorrows behind. Alas, it didn’t work. Today I spend most of my time watching and reading all things Aaron Sorkin, and trying to find some relief for my lifetime of Royals fan heartbreak.

Ryan Wood (@AreDoubleYou14), staff writer

I grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa following the Omaha Royals and spending my summers at the College World Series. I lived in a St. Louis Cardinals house, so I rebelled and rooted for the…Houston Astros. Why? Well, they had this pitcher who had my first name on the back of his jersey. Over the past few years of living in Kansas City and watching my favorite Astros players retire, I migrated my loyalties to the Royals. I am still amazed that they made it through the “Steroid Era” without having someone break Steve Balboni’s Home Run record. Personally, I played college baseball at Emporia State University for two years before transferring to Graceland University. I’d love to claim that there was a devastating knee injury that put an end to my playing career, but in reality, it just ended because I wasn’t good enough to play at the next level. And no, I won’t play on your softball team.

You can reach me via e-mail at AreDoubleYou14@gmail.com.

Ethan Evans, staff writer

I am studying at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO, majoring in secondary english education with a minor in writing. I enjoy watching movies, reading books, and cheering on my teams. I grew up in St. Joseph, MO, and have been a Royals, Chiefs, and Mizzou fan for a long time. In the summer, there is nothing I love to do more than spend a day at Kauffman.

Brett Christie, (@Brett_Christie) Staff Writer

Born and raised in Saint Joseph, Mo. and grew up a Royals and Chiefs fan. My college allegiance lies with the University of Missouri, which is where I spent the past four years of my life studying journalism with an emphasis in Print and Digital News. I’m now 22 years old working as a sports editor/writer for the Christian County Headliner in Ozark, Mo. and I reside in nearby Springfield. Although I am interested in all kinds of sports, I love to talk baseball– particularly Royals baseball– at any time of the year. I am also an official member of the Eric Hosmer fan club.

Alan Barrington, (@Alan_Barrington) Staff Writer

I’ve been a hard core Royals fan since I was 9 years old when I attended my first game at old Municipal Stadium down the street from Arthur Bryant’s and paid 35 cents for a hot dog and coke from a stadium vendor. Yes, it was a few years ago. As a kid, I would fall asleep with my transistor radio under my pillow so I could listen to Bud Blattner and Denny Mathews call the games after my bedtime. Lou Pinella often played catch with me in my dreams.

Since then, I earned a BA degree in Communications with a TV and Radio production emphasis, and I’ve published three books while working regular jobs in the real world. I’ve lived in 10 states during the past 30 years, but I’ve never lost my passion for the team I fell in love with on June 13, 1969.

Currently I live in beautiful and warm San Antonio, TX, I frequently vacation at Spring Training, I attend the Storm Chasers and Naturals when they’re in town, and I spend most Summer evenings glued to my TV watching the Royals from April through September, and hopefully soon – I’ll watch them in October too. I’m thrilled and humbled to be a member of the KoK writing staff and I look forward to all your thoughts and comments.

Mike Vamosi, (@TweetsbyVamosi) Staff Writer

Born and raised in Omaha, NE in the southwest suburb of Millard, I attended THE University of Nebraska at Kearney and graduated in May of 2008 with a degree in Sports Administration and Sports Communication minor. Following college I did internships at Florida Tech in Melbourne, FL and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in their athletic media relations department. I’ve been a long suffering Royals fan having grown up going to Omaha Royals/Golden Spikes/Storm Chasers games both at Rosenblatt Stadium and now Werner Park. Living 180 miles from Kansas City meant that my dad and I go to several Omaha games a year. Being only two years old in 1985 I’m waiting for the payoff of being a Royals fan when they end the playoff drought that many of us have all been waiting for and seemingly every fan base other than the Expos/Nationals have enjoyed.

Wally Fish (@thebaseballfish), Senior Editor for Seedlings to Stars, and FanSided.com’s MLB Director (KoK’s founding writer and site lead from 2/2009-4/2010)

Born and raised in the Twin Cities he moved to Kansas City after graduating from Creighton University with a degree in English and Classical Civilization. He has worked for Saint Luke’s Health System as a Data Quality Specialist since 2001 and spends most of his time with his wife Laura and two young sons Justin and Zachary (named after Morneau and Greinke respectively). Thanks to his wife’s love for the game of baseball, which nearly matches his own, baseball is a part of their daily lives. Remaining non-family free time is consumed by all things baseball and writing. Incidentally, his parents are thrilled that he is putting his college degree to use.

Introduction:

Welcome to Kings of Kauffman , a site we strive daily to make the best Kansas City Royals blog and news site on the Internet, and a proud member of the FanSided.com baseball network. We are dedicated to bringing you top-notch Royals news, views and original content, along with everything else a Royals fan could possibly want from a site. This is also a community where you the fan can come and voice your opinion on your Royals. If you love your Royals, you’ll love this site. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!

Sincerely,

The Kings of Kauffman Staff