Written by Molly Balkenbush
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Royal’s fans shopped for postseason gear Saturday, for the first time in 29 years. The team store at Kauffman Stadium was packed with fans all day.
“Fans are coming out here in droves and you know, excited to get their hands on Royals playoff gear for the first time in 29 years,” said Brett Salzenstein, retail director at the team store.
Salzenstein said the store sold several thousand units of clothing by mid-afternoon Saturday. He told Fox4 the most popular item was the grey T-shirts worn by the Royals players after Friday’s big win. The store had 300 of the “locker room” shirts when it opened Saturday, and nearly sold out by 4:00 p.m.
“Everyone is coming in here with a smile on their face, super pumped and excited,” said Salzenstein.
Jack Heintzelman, a lifelong Royals fan, left the shop with a postseason hat and T-shirt.
“You kind of freeze, because it’s like they actually made it,” Heintzelman said. “They won; they’re going to the playoffs.”
The fountain at the Country Club Plaza ran blue Saturday, attracting fans.
“I’m hoping two more Royals wins and two Tigers losses so we can get a division title…not just in the playoffs,” Andrew Price said.
Royals fan Patrick Carlton said he has never seen the city so energized.
“I haven’t seen Kansas City excited about playoff baseball in 29 years,” he said. “I mean, it’s the best time to be a Kansas City Royals fan ever.”
Staff at the team store at Kauffman Stadium said they will be fully re-stocked with postseason gear Monday.
