Army green blended with Royals blue Feb. 2 as the Kansas City Royals Caravan pulled into Fort Riley.
Members of the Kansas City Royals got a taste of Army life as the team's caravan, which annually travels to communities throughout the Midwest, came to Fort Riley. Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, Hall of Famer George Brett, Royals Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Leonard and Royals broadcaster Rex Hudler visited the post, attending a redeployment ceremony for 86 members of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, eating lunch and meeting fans at the award-winning Demon's Diner dining facility and getting an up-close look at Army helicopters flown by the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div.
"It really is a nice treat to come here and welcome Soldiers home, as well as get this VIP-type tour," said Guthrie, who helped the Royals go to the World Series last season. "It's a huge honor to be able to thank the troops face-to-face for what they do."
The Royals made national headlines last year when the team made their way to the playoffs for the first time since 1985. After defeating the Oakland Athletics in the Wild Card Game, the Royals swept both the Los Angeles Angels and the Baltimore Orioles before facing the San Francisco Giants in the World Series. The Giants won the series in the seventh game.
"We found some baseball fans -- some local, some not -- but it's always great to help build the morale of the troops," Guthrie said of the visit.
The starting pitcher said the season has changed the conversation in the team's hometown.
"Within KC, the recognition level is the same, but certainly there's more to talk about," Guthrie said. "A lot more 'thank yous' rather than just saying hello. People obviously want to talk about the season and what it meant to them personally."
While on post, the team presented a $10,000 check to the Fort Riley USO.
"Today was a special opportunity to bring the Royals' charities to Fort Riley and for the players to show their support to the Soldiers and their families," said Jill Iwen, director of USO Fort Riley. "It's a little way for them to give back."
Iwen said the donated funds would help the USO throughout the year with No-Dough Dinners, welcome-home ceremonies and kits for returning single Soldiers packed with toiletries, candy and other personal items.
"The money goes a long way," she said. "It's an amazing gesture for a team of that stature and that popularity and celebrity to take time out of their day to come and help the USO recognize and remember our Soldiers and their families."
While lunching at Demon's Diner, several Soldiers and their family members were able to meet the Royals players and personalities and get a few autographs.
"That was really interesting," said Spc. Matthew Bueche, 601st Aviation Support Battalion, 1st CAB, 1st Inf. Div., whose son, 4-year-old Liam, asked Guthrie to autograph his baseball. "It's not every day you get to meet professional MLB players."
The San Antonio native said he was trying to get his son interested in baseball, something with which he thought the ball autographed by a World Series starting pitcher may help.
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