Best of KC 2023: Monarchs reign as royalty with championship season
Photo by Quinci Cartmell / Kansas City Monarchs
This month, we published The Pitch’s annual Best of Kansas City issue. You can browse the results of the readers’ poll here. The issue also included a list, compiled and written by our editorial staff, of some of our current favorite things about Kansas City in 2023. We’ll be publishing these items online throughout November.
While Kansas City’s beloved Royals have continued their run of disappointment, the Kansas City Monarchs gave baseball fans in the city something to cheer about. On the west side of the metro in Legends Field, the Monarchs finished the regular season 59-40, claiming the best record in the American Association of Professional Baseball.
They then went on to beat the Chicago Dogs 3-1 in the Miles Wolff Cup Finals to be crowned American Association champions. Catcher Chris Herrmann, second baseman Justin Wylie, catcher and infielder Gavin Collins, and pitchers Jalen Miller, Trey Jeans, and Grant Gavin paved the way for the team this year after all were selected as all-stars.
Their stellar performance this year season ensured a playoff run for the team and ultimately propelled them to win it all in September. Manager Joe Calfapietra secured his third championship with the team, previously winning in 2018 and 2021.
