KANSAS CITY -- Naturally, Chiefs star quarterback and NFL Most Valuable Player Award winner Patrick Mahomes got the biggest cheer when introduced for the 10th annual Big Slick Celebrity Softball Classic prior to the White Sox-Royals game on Friday at Kauffman Stadium.
And almost on cue, Mahomes blasted a tremendous home run. But the White team beat the Blue team, 9-5.
Plenty of stars were on hand, including Kansas City celebrities Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle, Jason Sudeikis, Eric Stonestreet and David Koechner. Actor/singer Selena Gomez also was on hand.
The Big Slick event goes on all weekend and includes hospital visits, a bowling tournament and a charity auction. It has raised over $8 million in the past nine years for Children's Mercy Hospital.
The Bubba Watch
Royals manager Ned Yost said he is aware of the terrific season that Triple-A Omaha outfielder Bubba Starling is having. Starling, the fifth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft by the Royals, is slashing .345/.385/.480 with four home runs and 24 RBIs.
The problem is that Starling isn’t on the 40-man roster and he is out of options, so the Royals will have to be certain Starling can stick at the big league level.
“I’m amazed at what he’s doing,” Yost said. “It just carried on from Spring Training, which I thought he had a great spring. Different guy. Had a lot of confidence. It’s a shame he does it now when he’s been taken off the roster because it makes it more difficult to find a spot for him.
“But continue this and we will [find a spot] for him. Keep plugging away. Keep doing your thing.
“Every time I look him up he has two hits a night. Outfield defense has never been a problem with his game, it’s always been offense. But he’s really having a good year. Now there’s a big difference between Triple-A pitching and big league pitching but still, you have to do it in Triple-A first.”
Yost said he hadn't seen it yet, but he heard that Starling made a tremendous catch to finish off an Omaha victory on Thursday.