Hail to THE Chief
by upamtn on Aug 23, 2011 12:14 PM CDT
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PrintSlow enough day newswise, and that time of year that not a whole lot of exciting things happen anyway, so I thought I'd do a post to pay homage to The Man. The guy responsible for bringing the Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas City to begin with. Youngsters out there will think it's honor due to Lamar Hunt, and while Lamar did indeed start the franchise as an original member of the "Foolish Club" my tribute here is to someone perhaps even more important in the scheme of things.
More important than Lamar Hunt, the founder of the franchise? Well, yeah, in a way. In fact, in some ways much more important, when we look at things from a local perspective ...
When Lamar Hunt and 7 other "Foolish Club" millionaires first started the fledgeling American Football League the franchise was located in his hometown of Dallas, TX. The Dallas Texans they were know as at the time, uniforms similar to today but with a large, white outline of the state on the side of the helmets.
via www.halloffamememorabilia.com
At the time, Kansas City had no professional football team. The city did have The Kansas City A's, a team that moved from Philidalphia and would later relocate to Oakland, thus opening a spot for the current Kansas City Royals. As it happened, the Mayor of the city when the A's moved to town was a gentleman named H Roe Bartle. (In the picture below, Bartle, on the right, is shown with "some guy" named Truman, on the left)
Now, Bartle happened to be a Boy Scout when he was a youth, and held fast to that life after he got his degree in law as young adult. He was very active in his then home community of Labanon, KY, and later accepted the position as executive head of the Cheyenne, WY division of the Boy Scouts of America. A few years later Bartle came to Missouri for a similar position.
From 1925 until 1928 he held a similar position in St. Joseph, Missouri, and from 1928 until 1955, he was the executive at the Kansas City Area Council. Bartle created the Tribe of Mic-O-Say honor society in Saint Joseph, Missouri in 1925, although the inspiration for the program dated to his Wyoming years. A Boy Scout camp at Osceola, Missouri is named the H.Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in his honor.In fact, it was during those years that Bartle was given the nickname The Chief. Moving forward, Bartle was Mayor of Kansas City in the early 1960's when, as it happened, there was a bit of a "showdown" in Dallas. You see, at the time neither the Dallas Texans nor the then-new Dallas Cowboys were doing as well as they wanted, financially. And so when Lamar began his search for a new home, he was (supposedly) promised a "guaranteed crowd" at every game by one locality, namely Kansas City. That "promise" was purportedly made by none other than the Mayor himself, H Roe Bartle.
Hunt became interested in moving the Texans to either Atlanta, Georgia or Miami, Florida for the 1963 season. Mayor of Kansas City Harold Roe Bartle extended an invitation to Hunt to move the Texans to Missouri. Bartle promised to triple the franchise's season ticket sales and expand seats at Municipal Stadium to accommodate the team.The Chief. The Mayor. The head honcho. The big guy. The main man. The one who made it happen for the citizens of Kansas City, as well as for Lamar Hunt. THE Chief.
via bsatroop10.org
And so, the franchise moved, beginning play at old Municipal Stadium in Kansas City. Of course, it would be silly to have a team called the Kansas City Texans, and thus the team was renamed, rebranded and given a new identity as the Chiefs, honoring The Chief. H Roe Bartle
via s3.amazonaws.com
Remembered, honored ... and thank you, Chief!This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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glad you liked it
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"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Wow. Ups delivers an important history lesson. Awesome and Rec'd.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
Bartle certainly was a rotund egg shaped fella.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
thanks K-Dude!
seems like fewer than I realized knew this tidbit of Chiefs History
and yeah, Bartle was … quite rotund :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Rec'd
I always love a good history lesson, thank for that Ups!
It is what it is and we are who we are.
Sober (again) since January 10th, 2011.
nate, a pleasure to do this one
been meaning to put it up for awhile, finally got around to it today … pleased you enjoy and thanks for the rec, much appreciated :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
This man is also nicknamed "Chief"
"Nobody scares us," Dion Gales said. "Where I’m from, it ain’t how big or small a man is, it’s the size of the fight in them.
"I’ll be doggone if I let another man beat me, that’s just my attitude. I’m not scared of another man."
another boy scout! ;)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
They didnt think too hard about our new logo....
"Nobody scares us," Dion Gales said. "Where I’m from, it ain’t how big or small a man is, it’s the size of the fight in them.
"I’ll be doggone if I let another man beat me, that’s just my attitude. I’m not scared of another man."
I know ... too busy playing Cowboys and Indians
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
most welcome!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Awesome stuff Ups, WRECK'd
I think this is where I say something off the wall to repay you for all you’ve said on my stuff but I won’t……
Except that I think you were a boy scout once and this is obviously some kind of self-promotion. Hmph….
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
-Abraham Lincoln
ha!
you got me … I once actually WAS in the Boy Scouts … but I swore I’d never help and old lady cross the street
now that I’m an old man, I’m beginning to have a few misgivings … hey, gotta make amends somehow, right?
thanks, Bajah! :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
thanks, Reese :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Thanks & rec'd Ups! New information is always good
I’ve read a number of articles on the Chiefs history (dating myself – and was around when they moved here), but had never seen this info on the role of “THE Chief.” Most focus on Hunt.
I love interesting history lessons…thanks again!
I'm dressin my voodoo doll in stripes every season...
thank you, glad you enjoyed
I was actually a kid when the team got to KC myself … started really getting interested couple of yrs later … I remember Bartle from days after he was retired, late 60’s probably saw some things about him
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Do you remember
getting player’s autographs at the Jones Store at Metcalf South Shopping Center? My favorite memory was getting Mike Garret’s. I think i was about the only one there and he picked me up while he was talking with my parents. I was a Chiefs fan from that point on.
that would've sold me
never did, but managed to get a handshake after a Royals game from Big John Mayberry … wow, his hand was like the size of a boxing glove … but he was THE nicest guy
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I just read this last night
Strange enough I wake up and see a post on it. Nicely done. I love hearing about old KC stories. When we were on the tour of the stadium the guys were telling us about Otis Taylor. Just awesome.
you read it last night? nice ... and thank you for sending me the "idea" (or vibes or whatever)
deja vu all over again :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Great story Ups and wreck'd.
I had no idea that is how we got the name.
Where was the Municipal stadium located?
God Bless America and especially Jopln Missouri
22nd and Brooklyn
horribly ugly place with concrete walls and insane orange iron beams holding the upper deck … nade for some very difficult viewing of some games, if one was sitting behind it
for baseball it was usually easy enough to move can get a better seat, they never filled the place … although it was pretty crowded when I was a kid and my old man took me to a game: the debut of a rookie pitching phenom named Lew Krause (the Royals played there like one year)
downtown KC is on the right … the shot is from the far reaches of the upper deck down the right field line looking (generally) East-Northeast (the line from Home to 1st was straight East to West) … Brooklyn would have been in back of the photographer, or just past the right field wall)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Now that brings back some great memories. You're the man Ups.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
Our season tickets were right in front of third base about 4 rows up.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
For baseball that is. For the Chiefs, we were in the Wolf Pack. (The bleachers)
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
nice
yah, lotta memories there …
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
another shot from overhead ... Brooklyn is at the bottom of the picture running North (R) to South (L)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Great Post!
As one of the “senior citizens” on this site, it is refreshing to have someone give us a history lesson. Growing up at a time when the old AFL was considered a minor league, at best, I respect those who continue to tell the stories of how the NFL, as we know it today, gradually evolved. It’s kinda ironic that the old NFL generally played smash mouth, run the ball 70% of the time (the forward pass was generally a necessary evil by most teams, with a few exceptions). Now, in today’s NFL, and over the past several years, we see the passing game generally being used as the major offensive weapon (Vince Lombardi is turning in in his grave), and it’s some of the original AFL coaches who developed alot the schemes and formations, shifts, etc. that are used today, in the passing game. I recommend some of you youngins to go into the AFL web sites. It is interesting how the AFL got started (Lamar Hunt was instrumental in it’s development, along with, yes Al Davis, pre- Alzheimers) and the attitude the hard line NFL owners, and even the players, had towards them, un til Willie Joe Namtah and a guy named Len Dawson won 2 straight Superbowls against the “far superior” NFL. I remember Vince Lombardi stating after the first Superbowl, a win over the Chiefs, stating: “Kansas City is a good football team, but still not as good as the majority of the NFL teams.”
There once was a man from Nantucket......Nevermind.
thanks Racy ... one "Senior Citizen" to another
I heard or read somewhere once that the Hunt and the then-Cowboys owner (Clint Murchison? w/o looking it up) had a “gentleman’s agreement” that the city of Dallas was “too small” to support two football teams, and so one had to leave, and they flipped a coin for it with lamar being the loser of the coin flip (possibly one of those urban legends, apocryphal story instead of actual fact … but good little tale nonetheless)
I lot of intensity and great stories about the bidding for players of the time, too … both leagues trying to get the best talent … I know Hunt and Stram went to major lengths (and some middle of the night Spy vs Spy motel moves to get a few)
the AFL was not adverse to the best of the players from “across the color line” … Buck Buchnan, for example, from Grambling, was our first round choice in 63, and the NY Giants took him only way down the line in their draft … so glad he ended ip with us
Stram was the first coach to use the Double Tight End formationas well as the I-formation in pro football
yup, KC was blessed to get the team, so again a tip o’ the helmet to The Cheif
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
In a way, the passing game in football is more like old-school basketball.
The principle: A ball flies through the air faster than a man can run. To break down a defense in old-school basketball, the ball doesn’t touch the floor that much. Our miniscule high school won Pennsylvania state championship. I remember from the 8th grade watching Red Wallace coach ’em up. He made ’em run laps if the ball touched the floor when a pass (or a shot) was called for.
Ironically, there’s more dribbling in modern NBA, which you might think of as the NBA version of the running game.
Whatever tradition says, Knute Rockne established once and for all the importance of passing the ball, a LONG time ago. The rest is just risk:benefit, which shifts with completion rate shifts.
would of ≠ would've
nice stuff, Professor!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Wasn't Municipal
right across the street from Arthur Bryants? My Dad took me to some A’s games back in the sixties, but I don’t remember anything about them but Bert “Campy” Campanaris.
"The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his way" Josh Billings
Kansas City Chiefs - 2020 Team of the Decade
Municipal was about a half mile south of Bryant's which is just north of 18th St
yah, I remember Campy … he once played every position in a game, though that might have been after the A’s moved to Oakland
I also remember Charley O the Mule … pictured below with Charlie O the Ass (Finley)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
and when I found this picture I really DID think of you
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Very good stuff
I was also a boy scout. Troop 282 of Independence, Mo. I attended camp for a few years at Osceola. Brings back great memories. Very cool history lesson.
Troop 74 ... south KC area :-)
thanks, glad you enjoyed! yah, Osceola was a trip … went a couple of times myself
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
well that's just not right
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
at least you learned how to swim
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
That brings back some memories,
I swam the mile at camp Osceola and cut the top of my foot in the shallow end, and it ended up getting infected and spending like three days in the infirmary.
imagine if you'd gone swimming in the river instead ...
Headline: Scout swallowed whole by gigantic catfish
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
River?
I forgot you were one of the older fans there Ups, until that statement. I guess you really were there back in the day before they made the lake huh?
middle 60's ... about '66 or '67
been awhile, yeah … lake was probably there back then, too … our view maybe it looked like a big, muddy river
we thought, for some odd reason, that walking a few miles in blazing sun and 100 degrees to Iconium was the coolest thing ever … til we got there and found one old general store and a couple of old boarded up houses … and THEN had to walk BACK … suddenly it wasn’t as much fun :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Ahh, the Iconium hike.
At least the general store had some things you couldn’t buy in the store at camp, that was probably the best part. That and marvelling over the cemetary that was three times the size of the town.
Boy Scout as well.
Several years at Bartle, some as a camper and three on staff. Just recently got back involved in scouting, including wearing my claws to events. If I ever have kids, I have a growing desire to move back to the area so that they can attend camp if they join scouts.
very, very cool ... some of the staffers were the best part, schmoozing with them while doing archery or whatever
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Yeah, I'd have to agree.
I was part of the Ranger staff, the guys who lead the special programs which weren’t merit bages and stuff. First year was Blacksmithing and Blackpowerd Rifles, second year was Shotgun shooting, the third was Climbing/Rapelling. Ironically, it was “schmoozing with the staff” that brought be back that year. I had skipped staff that summer as I was going back for my second trip to Philmont, but when I was down as a camper one of the staff had an accident and broke both his legs on an outing. I stepped in and covered for that evening, and had a job secured before I got back to camp.
awesome
I made an el cheapo ash tray one year … and I think a birdhouse or maybe a basket or something
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I remember making a basket for basketry, but not much else.
In my camper years I mostly took the more active merit badges. Rifle shooting, archery, pretty much everything offered down at the Lakefront (I wasn’t there till 30 years after your tenure). There were a few oddities, but those were mostly either because they were Eagle requirements, or I didn’t make the quota for something else.
Well done ups...
I had never heard that story until about a year ago….or I’d forgot (likely) All this history is starting to make me want to watch some real football from back in the day…when a lineman was big at 235lbs. Amazing how much football has changed the fabric of our society.
thank you, 12 ... much appreciated!
ya, things have changed over the years … linemen used to be much lighter … then too, they used to wear leather helmets and many players would play both offense AND defense
find someone tough enough to that these days …
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Ups, ups, ups.
Just when I think it’s safe to swim in the same part of the ocean as you, you bare your teeth and take a bite out of something new. Very nice post. Thanks for the information. I had never heard of the Chief until now. Nice to know that we have a historian here, even if he is a bit deluded from time to time. :)
"You gonna pull them pistols...or whistle Dixie?"
ha! thanks Aiken ... see, you still have much to learn, Grasshoper
and remember, history is never delusional … only how one views it from afar :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I wouldn't touch that comment with a 10 foot pole (named Vlad). :>)
"You gonna pull them pistols...or whistle Dixie?"
he was a transylvanian
you need some learnin :)
by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 23, 2011 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions
What? His name was Vladamir Wolinski.
Chucky, chucky, chucky.
"You gonna pull them pistols...or whistle Dixie?"
I really loved going to games at old Municipal Stadium.
You walked up the tunnel for a baseball game and the smell of fresh cut grass filled your senses.
Football games were a treat. I would sit above 3rd base in upper deck. Great vieew of DBs breaking on a ball or QB leading his target or Guards pulling for a sweep.
Bryants was a short walk down the street (within sight of Sams north side parking lot).
I saw Dawson, Mays, Hollub, Bell, Buchanon, Mays, Arbanas, McClinton, Abner Haynes, Johnny Robinson, Mack Lee Hill , Curt Merz, Dave Hill, Jim Tyrer, Smokey Stover, Walt Corey, and the rest.
For Baseball we saw the likes of Roger Maris, Bud Daley, Harry “Suitcase” Simpson, Joe Demastri, Bob Cerv and Vic Power. The A’s brought in teams with players like Mickey Mantle, Hank Bauer, Whitey Ford, Moose Skowron, Yogi Berra, Joe Adcock, Rocky Colovito, Ted Williams, Jackie Jensen, Jimmy Piersial, Pete Runnels, Al Kaline, Boog Powel, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Early Winn, Robin Roberts, Nellie Fox and Louie Aparicio. The last game I saw at Municipal had Harmon Killebrew , Rich Rollins, Bobby Allison, Earl Battey all hit a home rum in succession. I think it is still tied for a major league record.
And… they all played on freshly mowed lawns paintakingly manicured by George Toma.Oh, the smell of walking into stadium and having senses filled by the aroma of freshly cut grass.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
by CatChief on Aug 23, 2011 6:31 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
NICE memories, Cat!
who was it that hit one over the right field wall and landed on Brooklyn … Mantle?
oh yeah, the players that went thru there in a short amough of time … and as for Bryant’s who DIDN’T go there back in the day
on another note: I went to school with a guy who had the nickname of Bird, he always called ME Cat, and I was the only human who EVER called HIM Bird and lived to tell the tale … big dude, football player in HS, very cool dude, though (we won State the year after he and I graduated, that game in ’72 was played at Arrowhead)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I believe Mantle, Norm Cash, and Suitcase Simpson had hit balls over Brooklyn Ave Wall.
Mantle’s was farthest by far. Mantle’s HR to center field to base of scoreboard wall was even farther.
This left-handed home run hit at Municipal Stadium Kansas City, was hit nearly to dead center field, landing a bit left of the corner of and at the base of the 8’ wall surrounding the area beyond the playing field. A’s broadcaster Merle Harmon, and witness indicated a point on a park diagram that is 505’ from home plate.
In the book “Before the Glory” by John G. Hall, Al Long, a former teammate of Mickey’s, states he went out to see him play one evening at Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, (no date given), and that Mickey hit a ball that landed on the porch roof of a house across Brooklyn Avenue in right field; Brooklyn Ave. descends from 22nd street south to north toward the CF corner.
This house, with others, was torn down in the late 1950’s to make room for a parking lot. It’s porch roof was 8 feet deep. The ground level of this house was 30-32 feet above the playing field. The roof was from 13-15 feet higher totaling 43 to 47 feet above the playing field. The front of the roof was 495’ from home plate.
The roof front of the house just north, still beyond right field, is 498’ from home plate and about 40’ above the playing field.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
Best memory of old Municipal:
I was a 13 year old kid with a small bladder. When visiting the visitors locker room after the game I found myself at the urinals in between Ted Williams and two-time batting champ Pete Runnels. Not exactly a Mean Joe Greene , swap a jersey for a sip of cola moment but I did get a "Hows it hanging kid? ".
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
how cool!
Teddy Ballgame hisself … had no clue they used to let people inside locker room area while teams were still in there
as for the above … yeah, couple of LONG homr runs
herad a story about The Mick that he was once in the midst of some really bad hurt with his knees, and thus wasn’t starting for a few days and knew it … so he goes out on a bender one night, shows up hungover beyond imagination the next day, not playing of course …
… until he’s called to go in as a pinch hitter, still hungover and seeing triple … squints, swings, hits one out anyway …
teammate asks how he managed to even see it much less hit it, he grins and says “I saw three balls coming at me so I just tried to hit the one in the middle”
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
My Dads cousin was a utility infielder for the Red Sox at the time.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
sweet!z
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Mickey Mantle was the most exiting player I ever saw.
His swinging strikes seemed to suck the air out of the ballpark. When he popped out it seemed forever to wait for the ball to come down. A second baseman would call for a pop fly , drift back and catch it in medium right field. Switch hitter but i think he had more power from left side.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
most switch hitters have more power from one side but are better "pure hitters" from the other side
I tried a bit of switch hitting in my teens, and more so as an adult playing softball … definitely a better hitter right-handed and much more power as a left-hander (when I didn’t miss altogether)
Mantle was just strong, period … from swinging a sledgehammer as a young teenager
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
thank you, Tark!
of course, that’s just an opinion ;-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Heh. This is almost like reading about masonic symbology and conspiracy theory.
Heh.
Nice bit of history, nicely written.
would of ≠ would've
thank you, Sir ... much appreciated
... and so when the Trilateral Commision and teh Freemasons first began to take over the universe they ...
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Good read, thank you sir.
I also think it is awesome that you take the time to respond to individual comments.
thank you, Jay ... glad you liked it
sometimes you can make some pretty good “chat buddies” here when you least expect it
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Nice work Ups................
as always………….
Providing COLOR commentary for Arrowhead Pride! AKA The Picture Diva!
thank you, gorgeous!
I should apply to be the AP Historian …
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I spent multiple summers at bartle scout reservation growing up
Mic-o-say and all
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNm2rFzdvW8&feature=related
nice! I went there a couple of times as a scout, never got nearly that far in the program, but did have fun
excellent thing for any kid to go thru, I think … we need more people like H Roe Bartle
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
remember these?
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
lol.
Something like that yeah. Mine are sitting on the kitchen table right now. I was/am a Keeper of the Sacred Bundle, you?
I'm the Keeper of the Holy Dobiegirl ;)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Thanks Ups
Great read. I had always wonder where the Chiefs moniker originated from. Now I know. You learn a new thing ever day!
by Eastcoastransplant on Aug 24, 2011 10:44 AM CDT reply actions
thanks East ... nice when we can learn about something we really love, like the Chiefs
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Thanks for the post Ups.
I knew the background and all, but oddly enough it never struck me like it did today. I had to share this with my fiance, who has joined us as a fellow Chief’s fan and been a large part in her and I getting involved (re-involved in my case) with scouting. The connection between the two is a nice touch.
oh, how VERY cool!
that you can share with her (congrats on that!) and that you’re re-connecting with with Scouting … sounds like you’ve got it good there, Sir … and do make sure to keep us posted on events
props to ya, Arch!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Thanks again.
I have to say it was perfectly timed for you to post this. We just had our first pre-marital counseling session last night, and while discussing the foundation of a successful marriage I was struck by how many things we each had loved when we were younger had blossomed once again since we got together. Scouting and football were both some of those.
last night?
oh wow … how amazing is that
THAT calls for a rousing chorus of … THIS!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
only thing i don't understand
is how this doesn’t have like 50 rec’s by now. This is Chiefs history in its purest form. The Chiefs were born out of class and respect……the exact opposite of the raiders who were born out of spite and contempt. The Chiefs will rise to the top once again, and bring the Hunt(and Lombardi) trophies home to KC for Lamar, the Chief,. and all of us!! Great post, Ups.
and the Chiefs put the HAMMER DOWN!!!!
oh wow ... thank you, reed!
yah, and I like that what you talk is and refer to here is the REAL kind of R-E-S-P-E-C-T that the team is based on, not what some “national media” talking head thinks
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Thanks for stirring up
a lot of great memories, Ups. I grew up in Clinton, Mo., went to scout camp in Osceola several years, became a warrior in Mic-O-Say, got my Eagle at Municipal Auditorium, watched the A’s at the old stadium, and of course went to my first Chiefs game there. They used to have this youth program called the Wolfpack (might have been mentioned above… didn’t have time to read everything but I’m gonna) and kids from all over the area came to one game a year, got a t-shirt and could come out on the field after the game. Ernie Ladd stepped on my foot! That’s not something a kid will forget.
This was fun. Nice job, and thanks.
Ron
Just keep on matriculatin' that ball down the field, boys.
the Wolfpack? oh, how awesome! yeah, the Wolfpack was part of the Chiefs for years, dunno if it still exists as it does
Ernie “The Cat” Ladd?!?
in person? and you can walk, yes? ;-) nice memories … thank you for sharing!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
the tall and the short of it - Ernie "The Cat" Ladd (#99) and Noland "Super Gnat" Smith (#1)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Great stuff ups
I remember my grandpa telling me about fond memories of those times. My high school sits right in front of the grounds of Municipal Stadium
And of course rec’d
by His Royal Greatness on Aug 24, 2011 4:03 PM CDT reply actions
nice, thank you! must have heard some awesome stories, then
East High School? went to Southwest myself …
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
I did hear some awesome stuff
he passed in 05 at the ripe old age of 94. See below for my awesome reply fail
by His Royal Greatness on Aug 24, 2011 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
oh yeah, that many years ...
if he was anything like some of the older relatives I’ve had … he probably remember the old memories far better and more clearly than what he had for breakfast on any given day
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Lincoln Prep
It was like a tradition. Grandpa went to RT Coles/Lincoln, my dad went to Lincoln when they were putting on the additions and then I went there
by His Royal Greatness on Aug 24, 2011 4:50 PM CDT reply actions
DAMN!!!
I don’t think my phone likes replies
by His Royal Greatness on Aug 24, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions
ahhhhhh Lincoln, gotcha
I remember (ages ago) when the KC, MO district was alive and flourishing … some great schools, once upon a time
we (Southwest) were rivals with Southeast HS … they were the “chickens” and were the “cake eaters” … good times :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
wow
Southwest was closed when I was in high school and Southeast…well…it was. I had some good times just talking smack to everybody in the district
by His Royal Greatness on Aug 24, 2011 5:12 PM CDT up reply actions
remember though, I'm talking "ancient history"
after all, I am ancient :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Nice article, Ups.
I always like to hear something I didn’t know about the Chiefs’ history.
Ancora imparo.
thanks midcal - glad you enjoyed
I know most of the younger fans likely haven’t heard this bit of Chiefs history … seems a lot of older fans hadn’t heard it either … given how “important” is really was, I thought it was time we all remembered … or learned :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Great Blog Ups and rec'd,
Don’t take this wrong, but this seems hypocritical coming from you. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen you blast those responsible for taxing the citizens to pay for the pro franchise facilities and here you are paying homage to the one who got the ball rolling.
it was a different day and age, grid ...
besides, the facility they played in at the time was already in place … they had a stadium, just needed a team :-)
glad you liked it, grid
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Bartle didn't add those seats to the stadium with his own money.........
Bartle promised to triple the franchise’s season ticket sales and expand seats at Municipal Stadium to accommodate the team.
horribly ugly place with concrete walls and insane orange iron beams holding the upper deck … nade for some very difficult viewing of some games,
It was a different day and age, but the principle is the same…….the community paid for the stadium and the upgrades.
sorry can’t let you off the hook that easy……..did really enjoy the post. I remember going to municipal to watch the Royals with my dad when I was a kid.
Awesome Article
I am on AHP, multiple times a day but rarely if ever comment but this is one of the best articles I’ve read in a long time. Thanks keep up the great work.
Vanity is definitely my favorite sin.
Draft anyone but a QB or a OL w/ the #5 pick and I'll be a happy camper.
wow, that's some VERY high praise ... thank you, mad!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Cool story
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I just assumed that we were the Chiefs because KC is on the plains where a lot of tribes existed or something.
I am too young to ever have been to Municipal, but my great uncle never missed a Chiefs game the entire time they were there. He often talks about that place and I never really gave it much thought, just thinking that Arrowhead IS the Chiefs and always was. Never even really thought about the A’s being there.
I imagine a lot of people thought this, it's a logical conclusion to come to ... thanks for the props, Bono!
I just assumed that we were the Chiefs because KC is on the plains where a lot of tribes existed or something.
not sure I even saw a Chiefs game at Municipal … caught a few A’s games there, before they moved to Oakland and became a VERY good team, of course
I suppose it was kind of cool looking back, the last couple of years the A’s played in KC was the beginning of the core team that won World Series titles in the early 70’s … Bert Campanaris, Rick Monday, Catfish Hunter and a few others when they were first coming up to the majors
maybe the Royals will … nah, never mind … we know how they operate ;-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
and Nossek, and Rudi, and Vida Blue and who can forget Blue Moon Odum.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
and Reggie Jackson, the straw that sterred the drink.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
and Dick Green, and Rene Lachemann
and then they moved to Oakland and THEN won the titles …that was just so wrong to do it THERE
late 70’s was our revenge with those kickass Royals teams
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
My dad snagged a line drive foul ball off the bat of Dick Green out of the air with his bare hand
just before it was about to hit me in the head. I can still remember the sound of the ball smacking into his bare hand. We were a few rows up down the third base line, directly in front of third base.
What a memory. Of course, he handed me the ball, and I was in awe of the old man ever since.
Rest his soul.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
must have been one helluva catch ... good thing it DIDN'T hit ya, woulda hurt, at the least
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Reggie had a Strike Out to Home Run ratio of 48 to 1 in KC.
There’s some trivia.
He had one homer and 8 strikeouts and a .178 average in 135 pa’s his rookie year with the A’s in 1967.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
woops...1 homer and 48 strikeouts rather.
"If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you gonna stop them?" ~Yogi Berra~
yah, he did get a LITTLE better after that ;-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
old old A's were :
Harry Simpson, Bob Cerv, Wayne Twilliger, Vic Power, Bud Dailey, Joe Dimaestri, Roger Maris. Then came guys like Kenny “The Hawk” Harrelson. Rocky Colovito, Jim Gentile and the “Pennant Porch”.
"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle
ahhhh we had some players pass thru back then ...
“Diamond” Jim Gentile … at one point he had some kind of “gran slam” record when he was with the Orioles, I believe …
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
yup, yup, yup
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
late to the party as always
but great read ups, thanks dude
the expat formally known as Chiefsinchina
by Shanghai_Chiefs on Aug 26, 2011 12:54 AM CDT reply actions
never late, Shang ... you simply missed the rush hour traffic :-)
gald you enjoyed, thank you!
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
Always a Teacher
Again upamtn,you grace us with your historic knowledge of our beloved Chiefs. Well done!!
thank you, stick
though my “historic knowledge” isn’t anything that anyone else couldn’t look up and find … and I’m pretty sure that most “old timers” already knew this bit of trivia … I just got all assembled into one place
but it was fun :-)
Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!
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