Up To Date

Kansas City Monarchs Are Are Making A Championship Run

By Steve Kraske,

Published September 20, 2021 at 12:46 PM CDT

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Negro Leagues Museum President Bob Kendrick, left, and T-Bones owner Mark Brandmeyer reveal the new uniform of the renamed T-Bones minor league team to the Kansas City Monarchs on Thursday. — Negro Leagues Museum President Bob Kendrick, left, and T-Bones owner Mark Brandmeyer reveal the new uniform of the minor league team renamed the Kansas City Monarchs.

The first professional baseball team in 62 years to bear the revered name of the winningest franchise from the Negro National League is living up to its namesake's reputation.

In their first year carrying the iconic team name of the Kansas City Monarchs, a group of minor league players look to emulate their namesake with a series championship.

The Monarchs – formerly known as the T-Bones – set a franchise record this year for wins finishing with a 69-31 record. The team's Joe Calfapietra just won his second American Association Manager of the Year award and the the team earned its second straight American Association Southern Division regular-season title.

Monarchs owner Mark Brandmeyer reveals just what a year this has been.

Mark Brandmeyer, owner, Kansas City Monarchs

The American Association of Professional Baseball championship series continues at 7 p.m. on September 20, at Legends Field, 1800 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111.

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Up To Date Podcast baseball Negro Leagues Kansas City History Monarchs The Legends Wyandotte County

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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