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Up To Date

Former Royals Outfielder Looks Back

From the highs of professional baseball and even the World Series to the lows of drug addiction and bankruptcy, former Royals player Willie Wilson has had quite the journey.

On Monday's Up to Date, we talk with Wilson about his new book, Inside the Park: Running the Base Path of Life, which chronicles the struggles he’s faced and how he’s tried to turn over a new leaf. We’ll also look at his coaching years, discuss the baseball youth clinics he now runs for kids in the area and find out what he thinks of the current Royals team and their post-season hopes.

HEAR MORE: Willie Wilson speaks about his book at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kansas City Library Plaza branch. A 6 p.m. reception proceeds the event. 

Guest:

  • Willie Wilson was an American League All-Star in 1982 and 1983 while playing for the Royals. He also won a Gold Glove and led the American League in singles for four consecutive seasons, from 1979 to 1982. Wilson wound up his career with two seasons in Oakland and parts of two seasons with the Chicago Cubs, mostly as a fourth outfielder. He retired with a .285 career batting average and 668 stolen bases and was elected to the Royals Hall of Fame in 2000.
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.