While the managers of the American and National Leagues announced their starting lineups on Monday for tomorrow night's All-Star game at Kauffman Stadium, both acknowledged their links to Kansas City.
American League manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers was a graduate of the Royals Baseball Academy, which was started by the Royals late owner Ewing Kauffman.
Washington says managing the All-Stars completes the full circle from starting out with the academy.
"I just wish Mr. Kauffman was around to see it because the academy was his brainstorm," said Washington. "There wasn't very many people who believed that it could work. I'm just happy that I'm an example that it can work."
National League manager Tony LaRussa, who is now retired, remembers coming up to the big leagues with the Kansas City Athletics.
"There's an amazing coincidence because I started here at 18 years old in 1963 (with the) Kansas City A's," said LaRussa. "And to think that the last time I'm going to put a uniform on it will be in Kansas City is just an unbelievable coincidence."
On tap tonight at Kauffman Stadium is the Home Run Derby.
