4thGenJim

When we booked our trip to watch the Royals play  at Yankee Stadium, we had no idea that DJ's favorite Storm Chaser would follow us. The Royals' regular third baseman got hurt, so the call went out for #19 Then, it was off to NYC for #19 & DJ!  Seeing Cheslor play in Yankee Stadium was going to be awesome! We were a little late getting to our seats. Davis spotted #19 warming up on the field. Cheslor was throwing a baseball with Eric Hosmer. It was cool. From Arvest Ballpark to Yankee Stadium, CFC was now in The Show ! Suddenly, Cheslor caught the last throw from Hoz, then ran over to where we were standing! What the what? Yeah, being recognized by Cheslor Cuthbert was cool. Before : Yankee fans were giving us some lighthearted verbal jabbings. After : Hushed silence. Until the game started. Then, more than a few of them started  giving Cheslor some respectful applause each time he...

(3rd player on the left) Josh was the #1 Overall Draft Pick in 1999. His career has had many ups & downs, but one thing has remained constant: his effort on the playing field. In the history of Major League baseball, only 16 players have hit a home run  in each of their 4 at-bats during a game. Josh is one of those players. He is a 5 time MLB All Star. In 2010, he won the American League Most Valuable Player award. And, he appreciates fans of baseball, too! Thanks, Josh!

He's a three-time National Sportswriter of the Year, spent 22 years with ESPN, is currently featured on the MLB network, and, he's an indie rock band enthusiast!

It's DJ & the owner of the Kansas City Royals,  David Glass

During our weekend trip to Kansas City, we stopped-by an authentic Empanada restaurant that is popular with a certain MLB All Star. Surprisingly...  #13 of the Kansas City Royals  was there!  We ordered his special, off-the-menu dish! It was awesome!   For dessert, Salvador served-up: Even though catching is the most grueling position on the field, he's a super-nice guy!   Catchers manage every pitch from a crouch wearing heavy gear. With most certainty, a 110mph off-the-bat foul ball will find unprotected body parts to impact daily, if not multiple times during the same game.   It's a tough job, and Salvador Perez is the best. Salvador is not only baseball's best  pitch-manager behind the plate: Since his MLB debut in August, 2011... 2 time All Star 2 time Gold Glove Winner (best defensive player at his position) Salvador holds the current MLB All Time...

The Kansas City Royals & TX Rangers share Spring Training facilities in the Phoenix suburb of Surprise, Arizona. Our time was spent exclusively on the side that hosts the reigning Champions of the American League . Each team shares the main stadium for ticketed games. DJ is partial to the royal blue seats.  The many practice fields open to the public daily at 10am. Each field is meticulously maintained. It seems like every square inch is a reflection of the hard work & pride of the Royals' baseball organization.  It was fun & interesting to see what is all involved with Spring Training in MLB's Cactus League. So much more than 30 days of 'practice' games! When we arrived, the minor-league level Royals were reporting to their position coaches. We estimated there must have been between 60 to 80 players!   In addition to the big bats & heat hurlers of Lexington, Wilmingto...

Starting Pitcher for the Kansas City Royals! We ran into him after a Spring Training game in Peoria, AZ! Less than an hour earlier, he out-pitched the Mariner's ace (King Felix) to get the win. He was super nice when Davis asked to take a selfie with him. He's a top-level competitor who manages to stay grounded.

Bob Uecker, that is. Known to most as "Mr. Baseball." His " I must be on the front row " seat is memorialized at the Milwaukee Brewers' Miller Park.

Jimminney Christmas! You've got to fight-off those blocks and wrap-up that elusive runner- as demonstrated by DJ and a true coaching legend: Coach Ken Hatfield! He's such a nice & personable guy! The former Razorback football coach -and member of Arkansas' 1964 National Championship team- was gracious enough for photos and some Happy Thanksgiving wishes. On his way out, he even stopped-by our table and said it was nice meeting us -like we've been long-time friends! Kudos to Mom for recognizing him!

#8 Taylor Lindsey is an All Star Second Baseman for the Arkansas Travelers His home run in the game against the Naturals proved to be the difference in a big win for the Travs He's a personable guy too! Thanks, #8 !!!

Midwest outfielder Davis Jim meets Naturals pitcher Santiago Gurrido Congrats to Santiago for being named to the 2013 Texas League All Star Team!

Davis announced an inning's worth of Natural's batters at Arvest Ballpark! To the delight of thousands!!! Jon Williams & DJ From way up high in the press box! Arvest Ballpark Announcer & Radio Personality Great job, Davis! They were quite a team!

the motorcycle-riding service dog!

Davis immediately recognized the orange car as one of his favorite toys. "Whoa."  That's all he could manage to say. He had no idea that a car company actually made something as wild and crazy looking as this super-fast land yacht: Davis' Hot Wheels version is green and costs 98 cents. This one cost $4,000 when it was first produced. (it has appreciated nicely in value since then) "Not too close, Davis." At least 3 feet. It's a long car. Davis estimated the Superbird to be twice as long as the Mailbu. And the spoiler/aero-wing contraption thing. Yeah, we can put one on the Malibu after you get selected to the Astronaut Hall of Fame . (Really, there is such a place. Like being an astronaut isn't elite enough. Even Dad, in all of his years, had never seen a Plymouth Superbird in person. Super-bright orange paint, and go-faster decals probably make this one more desirable than its 'base-model' counterpart: I...

 Mike Moustakas was Kansas City's first draft pick in '07. Now, he's with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals! He's amongst the leaders in all of the Minor Leagues for home runs, batting average, and runs batted-in. Davis was excited about watching his second game of the summer. (we got the t-shirt jersey from our last trip to the ballpark -they've since sold-out) Wouldn't it be something if...   ...possibly....     Davis could meet a fellow left-handed third baseman...     It's Mike Moustakas in person! Davis recalls his encounter with #8, "I remember he has big hands."   (this turned-out to be Mike's last game in Springdale. A road trip, followed by the Texas League All Star Game, and he was then promoted to Omaha)