The Royal Voice - Denny Matthews

By X. Grieves

Now that this seemingly never ending winter has come to a close, we find ourselves just a couple of days away from opening day. For us here at Royals Blue, opening day is one of the greatest days of the year!

A day that signals the end of spring training and of guessing starting rotations and roster line-ups. A day filled with pageantry and traditions and millions of fans clamoring to get to the ballpark. But most of all, opening day means that finally, after five arduous months, we get baseball back. And there is nothing more baseball in Kansas City than the voice of The Royals, Denny Matthews.

Denny Matthews has been The Kansas City Royals’ announcer since their inception back in 1969. Since that time he has crafted his art and has become one of the most admired broadcasters in the business. His voice is immediately recognizable by generations of Royals fans. It’s a voice so “Royals Baseball” that baseball historian Bill James once wrote:

“His voice has a pleasant timbre which suggests a cheerful occasion. His inflection varies naturally so it’s neither falsely enthusiastic nor boring. He has a dry, understanding humor that drifts through much of his audience undetected. One cannot learn these things at a microphone; they are given.”

Matthews, who is beginning his 45th year as The Royals broadcaster, is the third-longest continuous announcer of any MLB team. He follows Vin Scully and James Jarrin. In 2007 Matthews was the Ford C. Frick Award winner and inducted in Cooperstown in July of that year, making him the second Royal in the Hall Of Fame, the other being George Brett. Besides performing his broadcasting duties, Matthews is active in several charities and lives in the Kansas City community. He has even authored several books and on top of all of this, Matthews is an avid hockey fan.

As we count down the hours till the 2014 Royals campaign kicks off, it seems fitting to celebrate Matthews’ career and achievements. A man who has literally seen and called it all – from the very first pitch on April 9th 1969, to the pennant winners of the late 70s to the World Championship team of 1985. No opening day would be complete without Denny Matthews. We here at Royals Blue raise a glass in toast to the voice of The Royals and hope this will be the year he gets back into the booth to call some postseason games!