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| Rosenblatt poses for a picture inside the stadium named after his father. (Photo: Lee Warren) |
I caught up with Steve Rosenblatt, the son of Johnny Rosenblatt (the stadium’s namesake), on the steps that connect the main concourse at Rosenblatt Stadium to the press box. Media types and stadium personnel often take those steps because the elevator has a reputation for being extremely slow.
Rosenblatt Stadium has been showing her age for quite some time now. That’s just one of the reasons the Royals will be changing venues next season. But the old stadium is still proud enough to host one more season of baseball – one that Steve Rosenblatt plans to enjoy.
He makes his home in Arizona, but he’s planning to spend most of the summer in Omaha. He’s looking forward to spending some time with his grandchildren here in town and he continues to work closely with the ballclub as it makes a transition to the new ballpark in Sarpy County.
“We have some neat things we’re going to do and be a part of,” Rosenblatt said. “The Royals are a great organization. They’ve got great people who are involved in there and whatever I can do to be of help to them, it’s my pleasure.”
So, what was going through his mind tonight as the Royals played their final home opener at the stadium bearing his dad’s name?
“I’ve been lucky enough to be at the first one when I was about 10 years old and here we are 61 years later,” Rosenblatt said. “That tells you a little bit about how long I’ve been around. It’s always a great day when the season opens. This one’s a little bit sad because it’ll be the last one at Rosenblatt, but we’ve recognized for a rather lengthy period of time that eventually, one of these days, it’s going to happen.
“Really, now you’ve got to look to the future – the new Royals ballpark, the new ballpark downtown for the College World Series and understand that they each have a place. My dad would be thrilled to know that Rosenblatt lasted this long.”
He also totally understands why some people along 13th Street still display “Save Rosenblatt” signs in their windows.
“You have to really feel good about people who have that good of a feeling about wanting to keep a facility, but you’ve got to remember there are so many Omahans and so many people who have had great experiences here. That’s one of the reasons I think it was a great thrill for my dad when he was able to help get the ballpark built and when they renamed it after him. I know one of the things he enjoyed the most was the fact that people were there enjoying good baseball and the facility itself.”
Recently, KETV and other news organizations, reported that club officials said the Royals are likely to get a new name next season to go along with the new stadium – allowing fans to have a say in the name. Steve Rosenblatt isn’t involved in that process.
“There are some minor league teams around the country that have duel type names,” Rosenblatt said. “I’ve talked with the Royals about a lot of things, but that’s certainly one that we’ve not discussed and I really think that’s a decision that is on them.”
*****
On the field, the Royals played their final home opener at Rosenblatt, taking on the Memphis Redbirds in front of 6,159 fans. The Royals came out on top, 6-4.
Starting pitcher Gaby Hernandez gave up two home runs to the Redbirds early, but in the third inning Kila Ka’aihue blasted a two-run home run to right field that landed in the upper bleachers, pulling the Royals to within a run. Then in the fourth inning, Jordan Parraz hit his first home run at the Triple-A level to tie the game at 3-3.
The score remained tied until the sixth inning. Memphis reliever Tyler Norrick walked three hitters and gave up an RBI single to Irving Falu. Wilson Betemit sacrificed a run home later in the inning. And Scott Thorman doubled in a run in the seventh inning, making the score 6-3 in favor of Omaha.
Victor Marte pitched two scoreless, hitless innings in relief, picking up the win. Blake Wood, allowed a run in the eighth, but he retired the Redbirds in order in the ninth to pick up the save.
Tomorrow night, the Royals host Memphis at 7:05 pm at Rosenblatt. Omaha sends Philip Humber to the mound against Lance Lynn.
