The 2010 Salute to the Negro Leagues turned out to be a whirlwind day for the Royals. Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth were traded to the Atlanta Braves for three young players hours before the game, and it was announced that manager Ned Yost had been given a two year extension to manage the Royals.
Zack Greinke became the first Royals pitcher to start in two Negro Leagues salutes at Kauffman Stadium (having pitched the 2004 game). The Royals faced the Orioles, appearing in their first Negro Leagues salute in KC. The Royals donned a style inspired by the 1949 Monarchs. Dr. Raymond Doswell of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum left a comment on this blog stating "the uniform is inspired by a road gray uniform, but made white/off white for the Royals home game." I don't think a baseball team could look much better than the Royals did this night. (Well, okay, some striped stirrups would help.) The Orioles paid tribute to the Baltimore Elite Giants and their road uniform of the early 1950s.
Greinke pitched eight strong innings with the help of four double plays turned behind him. The Royals trailed 2-3 going into the bottom of the eighth. Jason Kendall singled ahead of Billy Butler, and Butler put the Royals ahead with a bomb to left-center. Joakim Soria nailed down the ninth to preserve the win. The Royals improved to 8-6 in home games in which they've worn Monarchs throwbacks, dating back to 1994.
Al Wilmore ca. 1946-50
Gene Baker ca. 1949
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