Cobber Grads Have Front Row Seat For World Series

Kansas City, Mo.-- The moments after the Kansas City Royals won the American League wild-card game three weeks ago were a blur for Nate Rowan. He rushed onto the field at Kauffman Stadium and snapped pictures for various Major League Baseball social media platforms.

The 2011 Concordia graduate hopes similar memories are made in the next week or so with the Royals in the World Series, playing the San Francisco Giants. Game 1 of the best-of-7 series is scheduled for 7:07 tonight at Kauffman Stadium.

“I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like (today),” said Rowan, who is in his first season with the Royals. “I never thought in a million years that I would be able to experience a playoff run like this or even make it to the World Series.”

World Series Media Day was Monday at Kauffman Stadium. Rowan said he was thankful to be able to soak in the event.

“I remember walking in there and looking around and kind of taking it all in,” he said. “There are people that work in baseball their whole lives who don’t get to experience a World Series and the atmosphere.”

Rowan spent part of his Monday putting down name badges for media seating in the press box, including spots for writers from outlets like The Boston Herald, The Boston Globe, New York Times and New York Post.

“I can’t tell you how many name things I put down in the press box,” Rowan said.

Rowan said the parking lot around Kauffman was already buzzing Monday evening, with the team’s merchandise store selling World Series items.

Rowan isn’t the lone Concordia connection with the Royals. Sara Grasmon, a 2010 graduate, is the manager of promotions and specials events for the Royals marketing department. This is her first full season in that role.

"Everything's felt surreal since the postseason started," Grasmon said. "It's one of those things I've dreamed about working in baseball, and then all of a sudden, the World Series is starting at my ballpark. Everything moves so quickly, but I've been trying to make time to take it all in. I'm not taking a moment for granted."

Royals fever has taken over Kansas City during this playoff run, Rowan said.

“People are wearing their Royals stuff,” he said. “All the fountains that are in downtown Kansas City are dyed blue.”

Grasmon has enjoyed watching the momentum behind the Royals build.

"With each win, I see something new around town whether it's another building that now has blue lights, signs on houses or people wearing Royals swag around town," Grasmon said. "It's a supportive community, and we're seeing that more and more every day."

The atmosphere in Kauffman Stadium has been electric throughout the run. Rowan said there are some sections of fans that don’t sit down the entire game.

The Royals swept the Baltimore Orioles in four games to win the American League Championship Series. Rowan will always remember the final out of that series.

“The press box was shaking,” Rowan said.

For tonight’s Game 1, Rowan will be taking pictures and shorts videos for MLB, some of which will be used on MLB’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Rowan will get to witness Kansas City baseball history tonight with the Royals making their first World Series appearance since 1985.

“I’m fortunate that they’ve gone on this run while I’m here,” said Rowan, who is from Farmington, Minn., and grew up a Minnesota Twins fan. “Kansas City has been waiting a long time, and I think I’m kind of spoiled.”