TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local middle school met with a baseball legend on Friday.
Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer Frank White Jr. visited Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School to celebrate Black History Month.
White played 18 years with the Royals and is currently the first base coach for the Kansas City Monarchs. However, prior to his baseball career, he was a union worker, scraping grout and sealing floors on the construction of modern Kauffman Stadium. Making him the only major league player to play in a stadium he helped build.
White shared stories with students from his past and playing career. Hoping to set an example for the kids, to know they can achieve anything regardless of their background.
“Let them know, you don’t have to be rich to be successful,” White said. “You just have to be someone who has a goal in mind, who wants to follow that dream. And sometimes, like I told the kids, sometimes you have to go alone.
He also says students who believe in self-discipline and hard work will help lead to long-term success.
One of the most popular Royals players ever, Frank’s accomplishments led to his being inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 1995, his number 20 being retired, and a bronze statue of Frank stands at Kauffman Stadium.
