KC Royals Beat Astros 6-2, Still Best Team In MLB

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss Joel Goldberg’s interview with the NBA’s color announcer Craig Sager during the television broadcast. I must say that I HATE interviews of any kind during games. Of the thousand’s I’ve seen, only Whitey Herzog‘s interview was even acceptable. All of the rest were terrible.

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But I love Craig Sager.

I watched Craig cover sports on channel 9 in 1979. I did NOT know that it was because of Whitey that Craig got hired. He said “Without Whitey, I’d still be in Fort Myers, FL.”

During the World Series in Kansas City in 1985  I wondered around behind the Royals dugout with my wife, Carol. We were in the third row and most of the stadium was still empty. Craig Sager was down on the field, by himself and talking to no one. He was deep in thought, just looking around at the old stadium and reminiscing. He had left KC around 1983. I cupped my hands around my mouth and screamed loudly “Come. back. Craig!” I’ll never forget how much that made him smile. He missed us as much as we missed him. Craig is now in Houston receiving Chemo treatments and you could see the bandages and hospital wristband still on his wrist as he gave his very touching interview.

The stories Craig told Joel about Royals vp Mike “Swannee” Swanson hit home also. When they were

roommates (according to Craig) Swannee was having trouble making rent and offered to trade his furniture for a month’s worth. According to Mike Swanson, he paid Craig for the previous month with one of his father’s sports coats. Craig’s funky clothes and sports coats would become his trademark in the future.

Who is Mike Swanson?

Here’s a photo I took just after the parade last year. The Championship trophy as it was being carried into Kauffman Stadium. By none other than the aforementioned Swannee.

Next: Royals Salvador Perez Evolving Into A Slugger

All in all, a wonderful evening for the Kansas City Royals and their loyal fans.