OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Tallgrass Creek retirement community Security Supervisor David Gregory thanked the entire Kansas City Royals organization for beating the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Championship Series and for allowing him to keep his hair.
Unfortunately, General Services Director Daniel Stapf could not do the same.
Stapf, a native Marylander who grew up going to Baltimore Orioles games at Memorial Stadium and later at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, lost a friendly bet with Gregory. As a result, Stapf got his head shaved by Tallgrass Creek barber Gene Surber before scores of residents and staff.
His hair disappeared faster than a home run hit by Royals outfielder Alex Gordon.
He made the bet a few weeks ago as his hometown Orioles coasted into the postseason.
“I never thought the Orioles would lose to the Royals, especially not in a sweep,” said Stapf, whose childhood Orioles idol was Brooks Robinson.
Gregory, a lifelong Royals fan who lives in the Kansas City area, attended several Royals games this year at The K, including some during the team’s postseason run. He did not comment on the head shaving, other than to say he is looking forward to celebrating a World Series victory by the Royals.
The head shaving followed a “Sweep the Orioles in the ALCS and Sweep Out Hunger” Kansas City Royals Pep Rally/Food Drive by more than 300 residents and staff of Tallgrass. That event was held in conjunction with Harvesters, a regional food bank serving a 25-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Four 3-foot by 36 foot barrels of food and related household products were donated.
