KANSAS CITY — Here’s a look at some of our photos from Monday’s Home Run Derby at Kauffman Stadium. Prince Fielder beat Jose Bautista in the final.
CLICK HERE, to see a complete gallery from the derby and all all-star events.
To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.
-Chris R. Vaccaro
KANSAS CITY — The MLB Futures Game and Celebrity Softball contest were played Sunday Kauffman Stadium, kicking off three strong days of on-field baseball fun in KC. Rather then recap the action, which you can get anywhere, enjoy a visual representation of some moments from throughout the day and of the stadium.
One of three statues of Royals players/coaches who have their numbers retired by the organization. You’ll know him as George Brett.
Pirates prospect Gerrit Cole started the Futures Game for USA, who won, 17-5, over the World team.
And here’s Brett in the flesh, managing the U.S. team in the Futures Game.
In the Celebrity Softball game, Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers started for the American League.
Fingers pitched to Don Draper, er we mean, Jon Hamm, one of a number of actors and singers to play in the game.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel takes a hack at a pitch.
Two legends - Rickey Henderson and Bo Jackson - talking during game.
Sweet Glory! AL celebrates one of its three back-to-back-to-back homers.
Finally, and this is pretty cool, have a look at one of the holes of mini golf in the far left field section of Kauffman Stadium.
To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.
-Chris R. Vaccaro
KANSAS CITY — This year’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game comes to the heartland of America, to a city located geographically in the center of a country that has long dubbed baseball as its National Pastime.
Under scorching temperatures, with the smell of succulent barbeque penetrating the streets, and a passionate fan base still drenched in the history that legends like George Brett, Frank White and Dick Howser helped make, Kansas City is undeniably a baseball town.
While recent years have proven rough for Royals fans, this year they’re treated with a divine week-long blast of baseball elegance, the crown jewel of July, the 83rd playing of the Midsummer Classic.
Brett leads clinic: Royals legend and Hall of Famer George Brett was on hand at the Kansas City Convention Center Friday for a youth baseball clinic. Brett, a longtime ambassador of Kansas City, is the go-to famous figure for the city this weekend. He will be on-hand giving clinics and signing autographs through Tuesday at the convention center.
Selig to host annual chat: Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig will address fans in a live Internet chat session on Monday. He will answer questions in front of an audience during the FanFest beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST. The event will also be live on MLB.com.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Only two miles from downtown Kansas City, The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a monumental facility packed with baseball history dating back hundreds of years. Anchored by a beautiful baseball diamond and bronze statues of arguably the top 10 Negro League players of all-time (there’s a batter in the box to make 10), it’s a must-see for any baseball fan taking the journey to K.C. this week.
Topps Digital at ASG: Aside from posting daily blog posts right here on Tumblr, we’ll also be very active on Twitter and Facebook @ToppsPennant and @ToppsBUNTCast from every major event in K.C. Follow along and feel free to engage! More importantly, if you’re in K.C. over the next few days, please stop by the Topps booth at FanFest to say hello and demo our new apps.
Social media madness: If you’ve been tweeting about #KC and the #ASG, then there’s a good chance someone from the Social Media Command Center in Kansas City replied and engaged with you. It’s only Friday and their team has been extremely active. Even Mayor Sly James retweeted me twice throughout the day. For a complete social media guide to the weekend, MLB.com compiled a simple-to-follow document with all the info you’ll need.
Schedule: Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a look at what’s going on the next few days:
Other news & notes
To have an inside look at baseball history, check out the new Topps Pennant app today and follow us on Twitter @ToppsPennant.
-Chris R. Vaccaro
