Royals' New Ballpark: A Homecoming for Iconic Logo

0:00It's April 23rd. This is Kansas News today, driven by AI. The Kansas City Royals just dropped big news. They're building a new ballpark right at Hallmark headquarters downtown. This spot ties back to the team's iconic crown logo, designed by Hallmark artist Shannon Manning back in the late 1960s. Shannon got hired by Hallmark in 1967 for package design, and soon the Coffman family tapped him to create the Royals emblem. This version beat out designs from 16 to 20 other artists, landing season tickets and game perks as rewards. It's a clever nod to homeplay with that crown vibe, blending Royals royalty and Hallmark flair. Judy Manning, Shannon's widow of 62 years, lit up sharing memories he passed four years ago. She's got his artwork everywhere in her senior living spot, from sketchbooks, from their trips, to a paper sculpture of the old stadium. The announcement hit her hard, almost bringing tears. At the Wednesday press conference, Hallmark's executive chairman Don Hall Jr. shouted out

1:01the logo's history, calling it a Kansas City icon, born. Right there. The Royals even featured it in a high video on social media, tracing their roots from 22nd and Brooklyn. Judy keeps Shannon's final sculpture close, hoping the Royals snag it for their hall of fame. With the team coming home to its creative birthplace, that crown and their shared legacy feel unbreakable, keeping baseball spirit alive for generations.