Chiefs’ Andy Reid carries Lombardi onto field at The K, throws strike to George Brett

It may be a first-pitch first.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid walked toward the Kauffman Stadium mound to conduct his ceremonial duty with a baseball in his right hand and a Lombardi Trophy in the left.

Wearing a Royals windbreaker for his pre-game first pitch before KC took on the Minnesota Twins Thursday afternoon, Reid handed the trophy to Chiefs president Mark Donovan. Donovan was already holding a Lombardi Trophy as he stood alongside team chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, who cradled yet another Lombardi Trophy.

For those keeping score, that’s three Lombardi Trophies — the Chiefs’ haul from the past five seasons, including the past two NFL championships.

Reid, who was a baseball player and fan as a kid in Los Angeles (he could see the Dodger Stadium lights from his house), went into a windmill windup and got the ball to the mitt of his catcher, Hall of Famer and Royals legend George Brett.

After posing for photos with Brett, Hunt, Donovan, Royals mascot Sluggerrr and Chiefs mascot KC Wolf, Reid left the field without taking questions. So his take on the NFL’s new kickoff and hip-drop tackle rules, or Chiefs newcomer Louis Rees-Zammit, will wait for another day.

By not burying his pitch in the dirt, or making Brett leap out of his crouch to corral it, Reid performed his duty without a hitch. He also made it two straight successful first pitches for Chiefs.

Last June, Travis Kelce tossed a first-pitch strike as the Chiefs celebrated their Super Bowl LVII victory. Kelce got the chance to throw out the first pitch after spiking one in the dirt before a game played by his hometown Cleveland Guardians.

Opening day ceremonies and Super Bowl trophies weren’t the only emphasis at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday. Campaign messaging also was part of the day.

With a “Yes” vote on April 2 for the continuation of a 3/8-cent sales tax in Jackson County, the Royals plan to build a new ballpark in the Crossroads District, and the Chiefs intend to upgrade Arrowhead Stadium.

Blue and yellow T-shirts reading “Vote Yes on 1” (and “Keep KC Big League” on the back) were hanging in the Royals players’ clubhouse cubicles before the game, and manager Matt Quatraro wore one to his pre-game news conference.

Yard signs with the same message were also available to fans at the stadium.