TONGANOXIE, Kan. – One special woman got the surprise of a lifetime, while watching her favorite team play ball.
“I turned 100 yesterday,” said Frances VanHooser, who wanted to celebrate her landmark birthday by watching her favorite team, the Kansas City Royals, play.
“My daughter said, ‘Are you watching the Royals?’ I said ‘Yes, I got ‘em on,’” VanHooser said.
“Happy Birthday, Frances. She gets a star,” The FOX Sports announcer said.
“Oh it made my day perfect,” said Van Hooser.
A birthday present this fan never thought she would get.
“Frances lives in a nursing home in Tonganoxie. We’re told she watches every game on television,” The Royals’ FOX Sports announcer continued.
Her great niece wrote to the team, telling them VanHooser has been cheering on the Royals for more than 50 years.
“I used to go when I was younger all the time with my grandson,” VanHooser said.
VanHooser plays bingo and saves her winnings to buy Royals and other KC sports memorabilia. Something she’s proudly hung all over her nursing home room.
“I’ve got my Royals stuff over there,” she said.
But there’s a special bag, sent from the Royals as a birthday present.
“I was so happy to get that,” she said.
VanHooser started following the royals in the 1960s, and didn’t know if she would get to see her team go to the playoffs again during her lifetime.
“They’re gonna win! Royals are,” said VanHooser.
But this season, the 100-year-old fan, is getting her wish.
“They just play their hearts out. They try to win; they’re so helpful to each other. I like them, I’ve always liked them. Win or lose…Go Royals!” Said VanHooser.
