My Amazing Weekend in Kansas City

I am still processing what an amazing and surreal experience I had this past weekend in Kansas City. I arrived Saturday morning and went straight to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum where Bob Kendrick, the Museum president, was welcoming former Negro League players Sam Allen and Pedro Sierra. Allen and Sierra would sign autographs that morning and then throw out the first pitch Sunday during the Dodgers-Royals Salute to the Negro Leagues throwback game.

After Kendrick led a tour of the Museum for anyone in attendance, including Dodgers play-by-play voice Stephen Nelson, I was invited to join Kendrick for a 30-minute conversation about Jim Gilliam's life and career. It was a true honor to be seated next to Kendrick discussing my book, Jim Gilliam: The Forgotten Dodger. We talked about Gilliam's experiences in the Negro Leagues, where he was known as Junior, as well as his role on the Dodgers. We discussed great Negro Leagues players such as George Scales, Pee Wee Butts, and Henry Kimbro, all of whom influenced Gilliam.

I signed some books. I met author Phil Dixon and artist Darryl Matthews, and chatted with Three-Inning Save Podcast personalities Jacob Burch and Craig Minami. And, I saw the incredible baseball signed by Jackie Robinson, Jim Gilliam, Joe Black, and Roy Campanella.

From there it was off to Kauffman Stadium for Saturday's game won by the Royals, 9-5, but featuring Shohei Ohtani pitching and hitting. On Sunday, a thunderstorm delayed the start of the game, a 5-1 Dodger victory. I was fortunate to be invited to spend the game in the George Brett Lounge with dignitaries from the Museum (thank you so much, Kiona!) and chat more with Bob Kendrick. The delay also gave me an opportunity to visit briefly with Royals announcer Joel Goldberg who has written his own book, and tour the Royals Hall of Fame.

Simply an unbelievable weekend and I am so grateful for the opportunity. A huge thank you to Mr. Kendrick, Kiona Sinks, and the rest of the outstanding folks with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Thank you for your support! If you find yourself in KC and do not go to the Museum, what are you even doing?