Royals manager Matt Quatraro pulled double-duty Thursday.
In addition to managing the game against the Cardinals, Quatraro was a catcher for the ceremonial first pitch from England national soccer team manager Thomas Tuchel.
“I just hope I catch it,” Quatraro said before the game. “I’m trying to figure if I should be fully geared up or just go uniform. Should I use a glove? Should I use Sluggerrr’s glove?”
Quatraro fretted needlessly as he caught Tuchel’s pitch. The ceremonial throw was part of a visit by some of the Team England players to Kauffman Stadium.
Standing behind Tuchel were English players Dan Burn, Djed Spence, Jason Steele (a training goalkeeper not on the roster) and star striker Harry Kane.
Perhaps it was self-preservation, but Kane was impressed by the throw.
“He got a strike, so fair play to him,” said Kane, who has thrown out a first pitch at Yankees and Cubs games. “It’s not easy. It’s actually … that was the first time I’ve been up mound in 12 years, so you forget how far away it actually is.
“So, watching the professionals do it, and they’re launching that ball at 90, 100 miles per hour, it’s pretty impressive. So the boss has done pretty well. I’ll give him that. He was a little nervous before.”
Kane admitted he wouldn’t have been at Kauffman Stadium had England not beaten Croatia 4-2 a day earlier in Texas.
Team England trained with Sporting Kansas City earlier on Thursday and Kane was thrilled to get some downtime to catch a baseball game.
“We really appreciate it,” Kane said. “I can say for us to come here and get the treatment that we have already is obviously great. And I’m not sure where we’re sitting, but I’m sure the seats will be great, as well. So, yeah, all we can say is thank you to them.”
Quatraro decided against the catcher’s gear, but he quipped about not wanting used equipment.
“I’d need my own, had something with my own name on it,” Quatraro joked. “You know, build my brand.”
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