LAKEVIEW — Danny Beck is bringing some of Kansas City to the Windy City on Saturday to salute his beloved Royals' first trip to the World Series since 1985.
Beck, the owner of Toons Bar and Grill in Lakeview, will be roasting a 140-pound pig from 4-6 p.m. at the establishment, 3857 N. Southport Ave., as part of a pregame party for Game 4 of the World Series. The pork will be complimentary for anyone purchasing a drink at Toons, which has become a well-known Royals fan hangout, especially since Kansas City began its playoff run.
"This is our tailgate," said Beck, a lifelong Royals supporter. "The tailgates at [Kansas City's] Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium are legendary and usually the best in the sports world."
Beck grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas, a three-hour drive from Kansas City. He was a student at the University of Kansas 29 years ago when the Royals beat the Cardinals in seven games to claim their only World Series title.
"A bunch of my hometown buddies came up after they won, and several of my classmates all skipped school, and we all went to the championship parade and celebration," Beck said.
Beck, whose has a background as a chef, loves a good barbeque. On Saturday, he'll have the cooking assistance of Johnny Van, of Uptown-based Johnny Van's Smoke House.
Beck, who's been at Toons for 16 years, said his place always has had Chiefs and Royals fans watch their games. He said as many as 100 Royals backers have shown up throughout October's postseason.
"It is really cool to watch this thing grow," Beck said. "Some of my buddies who have been coming here since day one for the games look around in amazement of how cool it is to have grown this thing."
The Royals and the San Francisco Giants are tied at one game apiece heading into Friday's Game 3 at 7:07 p.m. (Fox Chicago) at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
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