Honestly, if you grew up in Kansas City, the sound of a summer evening isn't just crickets or the hum of an AC unit. It’s the low, steady cadence of a baseball game drifting through a screen door. For over half a century, KC royals play by play has been the heartbeat of the Midwest, anchored by a voice that has literally outlasted nine U.S. presidents.
I'm talking about Denny Matthews. The man is a living monument. While most broadcasters jump ship for bigger markets or retire when the travel gets old, Denny is entering his 57th season in 2026. Think about that. He’s been there since the franchise’s very first pitch in 1969. When you tune into 96.5 The Fan or catch a game on the Royals Radio Network, you aren’t just getting a score update; you're getting a masterclass in "old school" storytelling that feels like sitting on a porch with an uncle who knows every secret of the game.
The Evolution of the Broadcast Booth
The vibe in the booth has shifted lately, and frankly, it’s for the better. For a long time, there was this specific "Royals style"—very dry, very technical, and maybe a little too reserved for the modern era. But the current mix of veterans and "new blood" has injected some serious energy into the 162-game marathon.
The Radio Vanguard
On the radio side, Denny Matthews remains the gold standard, but the load-sharing with Steve Stewart and Jake Eisenberg is where the magic happens now. Steve Stewart is the ultimate pro. He’s been around the block, having spent nearly two decades with the club, and he brings a "lunch pail" reliability to the airwaves.
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Then there’s Jake Eisenberg. People were kinda skeptical when he joined in 2023 at just 28 years old—making him the youngest full-time play-by-play guy in MLB at the time. But he’s a wizard. Eisenberg has this rhythmic, almost novelistic way of describing a Bobby Witt Jr. triple that makes you feel the dirt flying. He’s the bridge between the analytics-heavy modern era and the traditional storytelling Denny pioneered.
The TV Experience on FanDuel Sports Network
Television is where things have gotten a bit... complicated. If you've tried to find the game lately, you know the regional sports network (RSN) landscape is basically a soap opera. As of early 2026, the games are primarily on FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City (formerly Bally Sports).
Ryan Lefebvre is the face of the TV broadcast. He’s in his 27th season now, and his chemistry with Rex Hudler is basically "The Odd Couple" of baseball. Lefebvre is the straight man—polished, prepared, and smooth. "Hud," on the other hand, is a chaotic firework of enthusiasm. Whether you love or hate Hudler’s "Hud-isms," you can’t deny the man loves the Royals. He brings a player’s perspective that’s high-energy, even in the dog days of August when the team is ten games back.
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Where to Catch KC Royals Play by Play Right Now
If you're trying to figure out how to actually hear the game, the options have changed since the old 610 AM days.
- Radio Flagship: 96.5 FM The Fan (KFNZ). This move to FM was huge for sound quality. No more static during those late-night West Coast swings.
- The Network: Over 50 stations across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa still carry the feed.
- Streaming: The Audacy app is the go-to for local listeners, while the MLB app (At Bat) remains the only legal way to get the radio feed if you're outside the blackout zone.
- TV/Digital: If you aren't on cable, the FanDuel Sports Network direct-to-consumer app is usually the path, though many fans are now moving toward the Amazon Prime Video add-on for a more stable stream.
Why the "Play by Play" Still Wins Over TV
There’s a weird phenomenon in Kansas City where people will mute their television and turn on the radio. Why? Because KC royals play by play on the radio captures the nuance that cameras miss. When Denny or Jake describes the way a pitcher is fiddling with the rosin bag or how the shadows are creeping across the infield at The K, it paints a picture that 4K resolution can't match.
Denny Matthews, specifically, is famous for his "economy of words." He doesn't feel the need to fill every second with chatter. He lets the crowd noise breathe. You hear the "pop" of the glove and the vendors in the background. It’s immersive in a way that feels authentic, not manufactured.
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The Technical Art of the Call
A lot of fans don't realize the sheer prep that goes into a three-hour broadcast. Jake Eisenberg has mentioned in interviews that he spends hours before every game poring over "game notes"—those massive binders of stats provided by the PR team. But the real skill is knowing when to throw the stats away.
When the Royals made their 2024 postseason run, the play-by-play wasn't about "Expected Weighted On-Base Average." It was about the tension. It was about the roar of the crowd. The best broadcasters, like Lefebvre and Matthews, know that their job is to be the eyes for the blind. They describe the arc of the ball, not just the result.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Voice
We have to be real: Denny Matthews won't be in the booth forever. He’s already cut back on travel, mostly handling home games and select road trips. The succession plan is clearly in place with Eisenberg and Stewart.
The challenge for the next generation of KC royals play by play is maintaining that "Kansas City sound"—which is friendly, slightly cynical (we’ve seen a lot of losing seasons, after all), and deeply knowledgeable—while adapting to a faster-paced game. With the pitch clock and the "new" MLB, broadcasters have less time to tell those long, winding stories. They have to be punchier.
Actionable Ways to Better Enjoy the Broadcast
- Sync the Audio: Use an app like "TunedIn" or a digital delay tool if you want to listen to the radio call while watching the TV. The TV usually lags by about 5-10 seconds.
- Follow the "Insider": Josh Vernier handles the pre and post-game on 96.5 The Fan. If you want the "why" behind the "what," he’s the guy to listen to.
- Check the Minor Leagues: If you want to hear the next great Royals voice, listen to the Omaha Storm Chasers broadcasts. That’s where Jake Eisenberg cut his teeth, and the talent pipeline for broadcasters is just as deep as it is for players.
Whether you're driving down I-70 or sitting in a cubicle with one earbud in, the Royals broadcast remains one of the few constants in a world that feels like it's changing too fast. It’s more than just sports; it’s the soundtrack of the city.