Now known as Kauffman Stadium, the Kansas City ballpark debuts with the team winning a blowout contest against the Texas Rangers
On April 10, 1973, the Kansas City Royals opened their new park, Royals Stadium, with a 12-1 rout of the Texas Rangers; attendance 39,476. Paul Splittorff earned the win, and John Mayberry hit the first home run in the new stadium’s history.
But the story of that day stretched far beyond the box score. Royals Stadium immediately stood apart from its contemporaries, a bold departure from the cookie-cutter, multi-purpose venues that defined the era. Built specifically for baseball, it offered sightlines and intimacy that felt almost revolutionary for the time, giving fans a sense that they were part of the game rather than distant observers.
Its defining feature, however, flowed beyond the fences. The outfield fountains—massive, cascading, and unmistakably elegant—became the park’s signature. They turned a simple backdrop into a living, breathing piece of art, one that moved with the rhythm of the game and gave Kansas City an identity all its own. On warm Midwest nights, the water shimmered under the lights, creating a scene that felt as much like a postcard as a ballgame.
Over time, Royals Stadium—now known as Kauffman Stadium—grew into one of baseball’s most beloved venues. It witnessed the franchise’s rise from expansion curiosity to World Series champion, serving as the stage for October triumphs and generational stars alike.
What began with a lopsided April victory became something far more lasting: a ballpark that blended innovation with beauty, and in doing so, carved out a timeless place in the fabric of the game.
