A Kansas City voice hits a stunning milestone: Denny Matthews to call his 8,000th Royals game

Kansas City's Denny Matthews prepares to reach a remarkable milestone: his 8,000th game broadcast with the Royals. The 83-year-old broadcaster, one of only four in major league history to achieve such longevity with the same team, is set to call his 8,000th game on Friday night when the Royals face the Cleveland Guardians. Matthews, who began his broadcast career in 1969 at the age of 26, has called seven division titles, four pennants, and World Series titles in 1985 and 2015.

Over his 58-season career, spanning seven decades, he has called the games of exactly 1,058 different players who donned a Royals uniform. Born in Illinois and a former student of Illinois Wesleyan, Matthews was initially hesitant to accept the broadcasting position, dreaming instead of moving to Chicago or St. Louis. However, his decision to stay in Kansas City proved to be a wise one, as he has become a constant presence in the city's baseball broadcasts, describing everything from George Brett's first game to the team's return after a labor stoppage.