LIVE BLOG: Kansas City Royals Opening Day

5:34 p.m. | KSHB 41 Sports reporter McKenzie Nelson reports over 28,000 attended Opening Day at The K.

3:52 p.m. | Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, was honored by the Royals with the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat for Opening Day.

He posted a picture on social media at the game with his granddaughter.

11:15 a.m. | The Royals announced their finalized Opening Day roster late this morning.

It was announced Tuesday that MLB's number one prospect 21-year-old infielder Bobby Witt Jr. would be starting Thursday.

Whitt is expected to become the youngest Royals player to make a Major League day on Opening Day, according to a release from the team. Collin Snider is also making his MLB debut.

The 28-man Opening day roster includes 15 players from the 2021 Opening Day roster, including pitchers Scott Barlow, Jake Brentz, Carlos Hernández, Brad Keller, Brady Singer and Josh Staumont; catchers Cam Gallagher and Salvador Perez; infielders Nicky Lopez and Carlos Santana; outfielders Andrew Benintendi, Kyle Isbel and Michael A. Taylor; and infielder/outfielders Hunter Dozier and Whit Merrifield.

Six of the players who made the Opening Day roster did so for the first time including pitchers Kris Bubic, Dylan Coleman, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Snider; and Witt Jr.

Zack Greinke also made the Opening Day roster, his 16th in his career, and he will make his sixth career Opening Day start.

"This marks his [Greinke] fifth Opening Day start in the last seven years, which matches Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola for the second most in the Majors since 2016, trailing only Madison Bumgarner," the release said.

Catcher Salvador Perez is making his eighth career Opening Day start, which is the most in franchise history at the catcher position.

Right-handed pitcher Joel Payamps has been placed on Family Medical Emergency, and right-handed pitcher Tyler Zuber is on the 60-day Injured List.

Click here to view the full 2022 Opening Day roster.

11 a.m. | There are Royals fans, but there is no one quite like Chris Coats a true Kansas City Royals superfan.

During this year's baseball season, Coats hopes to mark his 1,500th home game.

Coats even got married on home plate at Kauffman Stadium!

10:30 a.m. | KSHB 41 talked with Royals CEO and Chairman John Sherman about the future of the Royals franchise.

Sherman talked about rookie Bobby Whit Jr., who will be playing in his first MLB game Thursday, and he said that it's important to bring up young athletes and surround them with veterans like Salvador Perez.

Sherman also talked about the prospect of moving the Royals to a downtown stadium, and he said that, while a site hasn't been selected for a potential new stadium, the team is more focused on the Missouri side of the state line.

9:30 a.m. | Royals CEO and Chairman John Sherman told KSHB 41 News that the University of Kansas men's basketball team, who won the NCAA Championship Monday night, will be at the game this afternoon.

The team later confirmed the national championship team's attendance on social media.

8:30 a.m. | Kansas City Royals season ticket holders can expect a cool surprise waiting on their seats Opening Day.

The season ticket holder seats will have stickers on them with their names and the years they've held those seats.

8:15 a.m. | What's a baseball game without food?

KSHB 41 talked with an executive chef at Kauffman Stadium about the new concession additions, which include some interesting combinations.

GALLERY: ROYALS 2022 CONCESSION ADDITIONS

7:45 a.m. | Baseball has a rich history in Kansas City and all roads lead back to Municipal Stadium.

The stadium is where the Kansas City Monarchs played and where the Royals first played when they came to KC in 1969.

KSHB 41 News reporter Charlie Keegan tracked down Nelson Thomas, who worked concessions at the Royals' first game in KC and later worked as a bat boy.

Municipal Stadium is no longer standing, but in its place is Monarch Plaza. KSHB 41 News anchor Lindsay Shively talked with Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick about the importance of Municipal Stadium in baseball history, as well as plans to restore Monarch Plaza.

7:25 a.m. | Thursday's Kansas City Royals Opening Day game will be in the history books.

The Royals will be playing the Cleveland Guardians for the first time since the team changed their name.

Our friends at WEWS explained to us where the name the "Guardians" came from.

7:15 a.m. | Opening Day means that Royals fans may need to stock up on some new apparel.

The 2022 season jerseys will have a retro look to them, and Rally House also said that vintage is in when it comes to fan apparel this year.

6: 50 a.m. | KSHB 41 News anchors Taylor Hemness and Lindsay Shively received a surprise appearance from Royals mascot Sluggerrr Thursday morning.

6:45 a.m. | After over a decade away from the Royals, Zack Greinke is returning to the pitching mound.

A lot has changed since 2010, when Greinke last played for the Royals, including a World Series win in 2015.

But, Royals fans are still excited to see their Cy Young winning pitcher return, and no one is more excited than Austin Johnston.

Johnston is a huge Greinke fan, and KSHB 41 News anchor Taylor Hemness talked with him about his favorite pitcher returning to the Royals.

RELATED | 16 years after Zack Greinke stepped away from Royals, mental health in sports viewed differently

6:15 a.m. | Royals fans have a lot to look forward to this season, including theme games.

Two of those themes games are happening next Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, April 15, the Royals are honoring the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Players are expected to wear Jackie Robinson's number 42 that day, and the first 10,000 fans will receive a 42 sweatshirt.

On Saturday, April 16, it's University Day Border War: KU vs. Mizzou.

Fans can sit on the first-base side, which will be the University of Missouri side, or the third-base side, which will be the University of Kansas side.

Those who attend the game will also receive a Royals jersey in either the MU or KU colors.

6 a.m. | There has been some speculation as to whether the Royals plan to move from Kauffman Stadium, after their contract ends with the Truman Sports Complex in 2030, into a downtown stadium.

John Sherman, the chairman and CEO of the Kansas City Royals Major League Baseball franchise, said during spring training that the team is studying the possibility of building a new ballpark.

KSHB 41 News reporter Charlie Keegan broke down the history of Kauffman Stadium as well as the discussions between Kansas City, Missouri, residents and leaders about the potential for a new downtown stadium.

ORIGINAL STORY | Baseball is back at Kauffman Stadium.

It's Opening Day for the Kansas City Royals, and KSHB 41 will be bringing you live coverage from the stadium.

The season was delayed this year due to negotiations between the MLB and the MLB Players Association, which led to a lockout that started on Dec. 2, 2021 until an agreement was reached in late March.

Fans can expect to see their favorite players like Whit Merrifield and Salvador Perez as well as some new faces like MLB's number one prospect Bobby Witt Jr.

The Royals are set to take on the Cleveland Guardians Thursday at 3:10 p.m. at the K.