Kansas City Signs Left-Handed Hitting Outfielder

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Kansas City, KS — Kansas City Monarchs Manager Joe Calfapietra announced the signing of 26-year-old free agent Grant Richardson earlier today.  Richardson played all three outfield positions for four different ballclubs in 2025 with 9 doubles and 9 home runs with 32 runs batted in.

The Fishers, Indiana product who hits and throws left-handed was drafted in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft out of Indiana University by the New York Yankees.

“We are really happy to have Grant on the team moving forward,” said manager Joe Calfapietra. “He is an experienced left-handed bat with power and speed.”

Richardson’s 2025 baseball journey started with the Somerset Patriots – the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees, then to promoted to AAA and the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders also affiliates of the Yankees.  Next stop was the AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Miami Marlins organization with a promotion to AAA Jackson Jumbo Shrimp (Miami) his final stop in a very busy season.

The four-time league champion Monarchs will open their 2026 season on May 15 at Kane County with Opening Night at Legends Field being Tuesday May 19 at 6:35 p.m. versus the Chicago Dogs. To view the full schedule, fans can visit monarchsbaseball.com/schedule. Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now.

About the Kansas City Monarchs:

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2026 will be their 23rd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.

Monarchs Ink Three-Year Deal With Local Business

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs today announced an allegiance with United Consumers Credit Union for the next three seasons.

“This partnership is about supporting the team, the community in Wyandotte County and beyond,” said Jay Neathery, President of United Consumers Credit Union. “Our members and the UCCU team love going to the games and cheering on the Monarchs. The baseball team is fantastic, the games are fun and affordable for all of us.”

The partnership highlights a multi-year deal complete with in-game advertisement, UCCU member incentives, and community appearances with the team’s mascot, Monty the Monarch.

“We’re proud to have United Consumers Credit Union back for the 2026 season,” said Monarchs owner, Mark Brandmeyer. “They’re committed to working hard with the hardworking and we have a team here that works hard and is successful. The partnership goes hand in hand, and we’re excited to continue it for the next three years.”

Monarchs baseball is a family-fun environment that offers free parking, affordable pricing, and great baseball action. “The team behind the dugout works hard to make the season amazing for all of us. We’re excited to be a partner again. Let’s go Monarchs!” said Neathery.

The Monarchs open the 2026 season on the road on May 15th against the Kane County Cougars. The home opener is scheduled for May 19th against the Chicago Dogs at Legends Field with a first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm. To view the full schedule, please visit monarchsbaseball.com/schedule. Single game tickets are on sale now.

About the Kansas City Monarchs:

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2026 will be their 23rd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.

Monarchs Name Casino Partner

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs announced today a two-year partnership with Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway as the Official Casino Partner of the Kansas City Monarchs.

This partnership brings together two premier entertainment destinations located just minutes apart in Kansas City, Kansas – Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway and Legends Field, home of the four-time League Champion, Kansas City Monarchs – creating new opportunities for fans to elevate their game day experience.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Kansas City Monarchs and align two brands focused on unforgettable fan experiences,” said Lydia Garvey, Vice President and General Manager of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway. “With Hollywood Casino located just minutes from Legends Field, this partnership gives Monarchs fans even more ways to extend their game day experience through theme nights, exclusive Penn Play offers, and dynamic in-stadium activations that bring additional excitement to the games.”

As part of the agreement, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will receive integrated branding, in-stadium visibility, broadcast presence, hospitality assets, and exclusive promotional opportunities throughout the season. They will also carry the designation “Official Casino Partner of the Monarchs” throughout the term of the agreement.

As a title sponsor, Hollywood Casino will receive comprehensive exposure including signage under the Monarchs’ Home Run Patio, announcements and promotions at all regular season and post-season games, title sponsorship of a theme night for each year of the contract, social media inclusion, and more.

The Official Casino Partner will have their name on this year’s Top Gun theme night which will feature special jerseys with Hollywood Casino’s logo on them, along with movie clips, a costume parade, and a Tom Cruise look-a-like contest. The special jerseys will be available for purchase in a silent auction throughout the game on May 30th. Tickets are already on sale for this game.

“This is a great partnership that hits it out of the park,” said Monarchs owner, Mark Brandmeyer. “The Legends area is becoming a huge travel destination for people coming to Kansas City. Partnering with Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway allows us to elevate the fan experience beyond the ballpark, blending top-tier baseball with premier entertainment to create a unique, community-focused destination right here in Kansas City, Kansas.”

Monarchs’ attendees will have access to a new Post-Game Parlay Promotional Offer that includes $10 Penn Cash after every game for eligible participants, 15% off purchases in the Team Store when presenting a Penn Play card, and $2 off tickets at the Box Office when presenting a Penn Play card.

The partnership reinforces the Monarchs continued efforts to bring entertainment to Legends Field with local partners and it highlights Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway’s investment in sports and entertainment.

The Monarchs open the 2026 season on the road on May 15th against the Kane County Cougars. The home opener is scheduled for May 19th against the Chicago Dogs at Legends Field with a first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm. To view the full schedule, please visit monarchsbaseball.com/schedule. Single game tickets are on sale now.

About Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway:

Welcome to Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, where you’ll find The Sportsbook, over 1,500 thrilling slot machines, a live Poker Room, and a variety of Table Games including Blackjack, Double Deck Blackjack, Craps, Crapless Craps, Roulette, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker, High Card Flush, and Three Card Poker. Enjoy a delicious meal at one of our restaurants, including Final Cut steakhouse, Marquee Café, and Turn 2, which sports spectacular views of the Kansas Speedway. Must be 21 to enter Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, including restaurants. It is Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway’s policy that persons enrolled in self-exclusion programs in jurisdictions in which Penn Entertainment operates or who have been otherwise excluded from the participating property may not enter the facility. All games are owned and operated by The Kansas Lottery.

About the Kansas City Monarchs:

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2026 will be their 23rd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.

Monarchs Bring Big Leaguer to Kansas City

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Kansas City, KS — Former Major League pitcher Dakota Hudson has signed with the Kansas City Monarchs for the 2026 season.  Hudson previously pitched for the Saint Louis Cardinals in 2018 – 2022 and Colorado Rockies in 2024.  Hudson spent last season with the Salt Lake City Bees, the Los Angeles Angels AAA affiliate.  He posted an 8-7 record with the Bees recording 89 strikeouts over 136 innings.  He appeared in 28 games – 24 starts.

“We are very excited to announce former big league starter Dakota Hudson has agreed to join the Monarchs in 2026” said Manager Joe Calfapietra. “Dakota brings leadership on and off the field to the ballclub and obviously has a significant Major League pedigree that is very valuable to the pitching staff.”

Hudson was drafted in the first round of the Major League Draft by the Saint Louis Cardinals in 2016 – the 34th selection.  Hudson was previously drafted in 2013 out of Sequatchie County High School in the 36th round and attended Mississippi State University.

Hudson, his wife and four children live in Overland Park, Kansas said about making the Monarchs his next stop in his baseball career – “The Kansas City Monarchs are a great place for me to attain my goal of pitching back in the Major Leagues.  I studied the numbers – Joe puts players first and works hard to help players reach their goals and get back to MLB.  We are excited to be with the Monarchs.”

Hudson was the starting pitcher for the 2017 Texas League All Star Game and was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Year that same season. In 2018 while pitching for the AAA Memphis Redbirds he was named starting pitcher for the Pacific Coast League All Star Game and represented the Cardinals in the 2018 All Star Futures Game.  Later in 2018 Hudson made his Major League debut on July 27, 2018 and spent the rest of the season with the Cardinals going 4-1 with a 2.63 earned run average in 27 1/3 innings of relief.

Named to the Cardinals starting rotation in 2019, Hudson pitched in 33 games – 32 starts with a 16-7 record and a 3.35 ERA striking out 136 over 175 innings.  In 2020 the Dunlap, Tennessee native went 3-2 in 8 starts for Saint Louis and later underwent Tommy John Surgery.  Hudson returned to the Cardinals in in 2021 recovering from the surgery pitching in 8 2/3 innings.

In 2022 he was 8-7 with a 4.45 earned run average while having the lowest strikeout:walk ratio in the big leagues.  Hudson avoided salary arbitration in 2023 and signed a one-year contract with Saint Louis.  He started in 12 games and pitched in 81 innings going 6-3 with a 4.98 ERA and became a free agent after the end of the season.

In 2024 Hudson started 18 games for the Rockies and pitched 89 innings.  His record was 2-12 before being assigned to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes on July 7 and returned to the Rockies big league roster on August 10, 2024.

The four-time league champion Monarchs will open their 2026 season on May 15 at Kane County with Opening Night at Legends Field being Tuesday May 19 at 6:35 p.m. versus the Chicago Dogs. To view the full schedule, fans can visit monarchsbaseball.com/schedule. Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now.

About the Kansas City Monarchs:

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2026 will be their 23rd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.

Monarchs Welcome Back Gambrell for 2026

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Kansas City, KS — The Kansas City Monarchs bring back a solid contributor on the mound in right hander Grant Gambrell for the 2026 season. Manager Joe Calfapietra made the announcement on February 2.

“We are very excited to have Grant back” Calfapietra said. “He was a very consistent rotational piece for us on a good 2025 ballclub. We expect him to even be better in 2026.”

The 28-year-old went 2 and 2 with the Monarchs last year – started four games and made 3 appearances out of the bullpen. Struck out 23 hitters in 28 innings of work. His 2025 earned run average was 4.50 with Kansas City.

Gambrell also spent a brief amount of time in 2025 in the Mexican League with the Campeche and Tabasco teams. Prior to 2025, the 6’4” California native competed for the triple-A Worcester Red Sox in 2024 and 2023. Gambrell was recognized as SoxProspects.com’s 2023 Comeback Player of the Year after Gambrell missed all the 2022 season due to a benign tumor in his heel and the accompanying surgeries to remove the tumor.

Originally a third-round draft pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Oregon State where he pitched three seasons for the Beavers and part of the 2018 NCAA National Champions. Gambrell was one of two players to be named later acquired from the Royals as part of the three-team, seven-player trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City in February 2021.

The four-time league champion Monarchs will open their 2026 season on May 15 at Kane County with Opening Night at Legends Field being Tuesday May 19 at 6:35 p.m. versus the Chicago Dogs. To view the full schedule, fans can visit monarchsbaseball.com/schedule. Tickets for the 2026 season are on sale now.

About the Kansas City Monarchs:

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2026 will be their 23rd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.