Highlighting Omaha's Black Stars: Frank White
A member of the Kansas City Royals' Hall of Fame, second baseman Frank White is one of six people (and three players) to have their number retired at Werner Park. Despite appearing in less than 90 games for the Omaha Royals in the 1973 season, White had one of the
A member of the Kansas City Royals' Hall of Fame, second baseman Frank White is one of six people (and three players) to have their number retired at Werner Park. Despite appearing in less than 90 games for the Omaha Royals in the 1973 season, White had one of the longest and most illustrious big-league careers of any prospect that has come through Omaha.
In 86 games with Omaha, White slashed .264/.341/.365 with 19 doubles, as part of a lineup that also featured future Hall of Famer George Brett. While he spent most of the 1973 season with the Omaha Royals, White also made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals in 1973, debuting on June 12 in Baltimore and going on to play in 51 games for Kansas City in ’73.
White spent his entire 18-year Major League career with Kansas City, a five-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove recipient – including six consecutive seasons 1977 to 1982 and four All-Star nods in that time period as well.
The Mississippi native appeared in 2,324 games with the Royals between 1973 and 1990, including an astounding 1,914 games together with his former Omaha teammate in Brett, which at the time was a major-league record.
In 1980, White helped lead the Royals to their first World Series appearance and was named the inaugural American League Championship Series MVP as the Royals defeated the New York Yankees. Five years later in 1985, White helped lead Kansas City to the team’s first World Series title while becoming the first second baseman since Jackie Robinson to bat cleanup in a World Series game. His best World Series performance game in Game 3, when he doubled, homered, and drove in three to give the Royals their first win of the series.
Also a Silver Slugger Award recipient in 1986, White hit for the cycle twice in his career, on September 26, 1979 and on August 3, 1982.
After his playing career ended, White spent time on the Royals’ coaching staff, as Kansas City’s first base coach from 1997 to 2001. He managed the Double-A Wichita Wranglers for a period as well, before moving to the front office and, eventually, the broadcast booth on FSN Kansas City broadcasts of Royals games.
White was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, then was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame and his number 20 retired by Kansas City in July 1995. A bronze statue of White is located out Kauffman Stadium and White’s number was retired by Omaha as well, along with George Brett, Dick Howser, Mike Jirschele, Brian Poldberg and Jackie Robinson.
Chasers Drop Finale to Columbus, Split Series
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the series finale to the Columbus Clippers, losing 9-6 to split the series, three game each. The two teams went back-and-forth for much of the afternoon, with Omaha holding a lead two separate times, while Columbus led three separate times. The Clippers
Chasers Fall to Clippers 8-2
PAPILLION, NEB. – Despite Nelson Velázquez’s third home run of the week, the Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Columbus Clippers, 8-2 Saturday night at Werner Park. The first 13 Storm Chasers hitters of the night were retired by Columbus starter Will Dion, and a solo homer from Velázquez with
Melendez Homer Walks Off Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth and MJ Melendez hit a walk-off home run to beat the Columbus Clippers 9-7. The first half of the game was even – with both teams scoring a run in the second inning –
Chasers Comeback Falls Short in 14-10 Loss to Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers nearly completed a miraculous comeback Thursday night at Werner Park, but fell to the Columbus Clippers 14-10. Columbus controlled the first half of the game, scoring 9 runs over the first 5.0 innings. Omaha starter Luinder Avila opened the game with a scoreless
Three Homers Power Chasers to 8-3 win over Clippers
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a second straight game over the Columbus Clippers, as three homers and a quality start paved the way for an 8-3 victory Wednesday night at Werner Park. John Rave walked to open the bottom of the first inning, then quickly scored on
Storm Chasers win Series Opener Over Clippers 9-3
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won the series opener over the Columbus Clippers, a 9-3 win Tuesday night at Werner Park. Chandler Champlain earned his first win of the season, holding the Clippers to 1 run over 5.0 innings, while allowing just one walk and striking out six.
Chasers Walked off in Louisville to Split Series With Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers were walked off on by the Louisville Bats, 4-3 in the nine innings, to force a series split at Louisville Slugger Field. The two teams traded scoreless frames in the first three innings, but the Bats got on the board in the fourth,
Avila Spins Gem in 9-0 Omaha win at Louisville
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers won a third straight game over the Louisville Bats, a 9-0 win Saturday at Louisville Slugger Field. Right-hander Luinder Avila compiled his best outing at the Triple-A level and one of the best of his professional career, as the righty held the Bats
Chasers Even Series With 5-2 win over Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers evened this week’s series with the Louisville Bats at one win apiece, with a 5-2 win Friday night at Louisville Slugger Field. The two teams traded runs early, with both sides scoring a run in the first. John Rave and Nick Loftin drew
Hatch First Quality Start as Chasers Beat Bats
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Omaha Storm Chasers scored six runs in the sixth inning, en route to a 6-1 win over the Louisville Bats Thursday at Louisville Slugger Field. Omaha starter Thomas Hatch threw his first quality start of the season, holding the Bats to one run over 6.0 innings.
Rave Homers Twice but Omaha Falls in Louisville 6-5
LOUISVILLE, KY. – Despite a pair of home runs from John Rave, the Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Louisville Bats, 6-5 at Louisville Slugger Field Wednesday afternoon. Rave opened the game with a solo homer, his third such long ball of the season, giving Omaha a 1-0 lead. He
Omaha falls to Louisville 9-1
LOUISVILLE, KY. - Despite promising early defense, the Omaha Storm Chasers’ bats remained stagnant and an explosive 8th inning from the Louisville Bats saw Omaha fall in the series opener 9-1. Noah Cameron made his first Triple-A start since making his dominant MLB Debut with the Royals at Tampa Bay,
Five Homers Fuel Omaha’s 8-1 Win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers forced a series split with the Indianapolis Indians, as a season-high five home runs and dominant pitching led to Omaha’s largest winning margin of the season, 8-1. Omaha scored two runs in the first and stayed ahead for the rest of the game.
Chasers Bullpen Holds Indy Scoreless in 5-1 win
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers played back into the win column Saturday night, with a 5-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians. Omaha threw a bullpen game, opened by Anthony Simonelli, who tossed a scoreless first inning. Simonelli allowed an unearned run in the second, then Omaha’s bullpen kept
Chasers Held to 2 Hits in 6-0 Loss to Indy
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost a second straight game and third of four this week with the Indianapolis Indians, a 6-0 shutout loss Friday night at Werner Park. The Indians scored a run in the third on an RBI single off Omaha starter Thomas Hatch and led
Omaha Falls to Indianapolis 7-2
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers fell to the Indianapolis Indians 7-2 Thursday night at Werner Park, trailing for all nine innings in the game. The contest opened as a pitchers’ duel, with just one hit between the two sides over the first three innings. Omaha’s Ryan Ramsey allowed
Noah Cameron Makes MLB Debut With Kansas City Royals
PAPILLION, NEB. – Omaha Storm Chasers left-handed starting pitcher Noah Cameron made his MLB debut for the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in their game at George M. Steinbrenner Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, the fourth Storm Chaser to debut in the Major Leagues this season
Chasers Score Seven Unanswered to Snap Losing Streak
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers ended their eight-game losing streak Wednesday night, clinching a comeback win to defeat the Indianapolis Indians 9-6 to collect their first win since April 18. Omaha starter Chandler Champlain set the tone early, retiring the first seven batters he faced. Peyton Wilson collected
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener to Indians
PAPILLION, NEB. – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost an eighth consecutive game, dropping Tuesday’s series opener to the Indianapolis Indians 9-7. Indianapolis plated four runs in the first inning on a grand slam and led the rest of the day, with a sacrifice fly in the third inning adding another
Storm Chasers Fall 2-0 to Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers lost a seventh straight game, falling to the Toledo Mud Hens 2-0 Sunday afternoon, as the Mud Hens swept the Storm Chasers in the six-game series. Toledo scored its first run in the second inning and led the rest of the way, as
Omaha Swept by Toledo in Doubleheader
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers were swept in a doubleheader Saturday at Fifth Third Field, losing to the Toledo Mud Hens by scores of 3-1 and 4-1. GAME 1: Toledo 3, Omaha 1 After both teams saw their opening pitcher fire two scoreless innings, including 2.0 hitless innings
Omaha Drops Third Straight to Toledo
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped a third straight game to the Toledo Mud Hens losing 4-3 in 9 innings in the second walk-off defeat of the week for Omaha. Omaha starter Chandler Champlain started strong, retiring his first five batters before four straight singles and an error
Chasers Drop Second Straight to Mud Hens
TOLEDO, OHIO - The Omaha Storm Chasers let twice and kept the game close but couldn’t keep up with the Toledo Mud Hens, falling 8-4 Wednesday at Fifth Third Field. Omaha started hot in the top of the first with a leadoff single from Dustin Dickerson. MJ Melendez followed with
Storm Chasers Drop Series Opener to Mud Hens in 13 Innings
TOLEDO, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the series opener to the Toledo Mud Hens Tuesday night, a 9-8 loss in 13 innings that lasted over 4 hours. The first four batters of the game reached base for Omaha, with Luke Maile drawing a bases-loaded walk to take a
April 20th Omaha Storm Chasers Game Cancelled
PAPILLION, NEB. – Due to current rain showers and impending inclement weather throughout the day, the Omaha Storm Chasers’ home game against the Norfolk Tides has been cancelled today – Sunday, April 20th – due to inclement weather. With today’s game being the final time Omaha and Norfolk play each