Another food themed promotion in MiLB

With many Minor League clubs having a food-themed promotion, the Omaha StormChasers are doing the same. On June 9, the AAA farm team of the Kansas City Royals will adopt the name Omaha Runzas as they name themselves after a typical Nebraskan snack.

A Runza is a warm bun stuffed with peppery beef, wilted cabbage, and long-sauteed onions. Even though the Runza is Nebraska’s “national” dish, every restaurant has its own version. The history of the Runza dates back about 250 years. Back then German-born empress Catharina the Great of Russia lured a lot of Germans to Russia. Even though the Germans lived separated, they got some influence from the Russian kitchen. They learned of the pierogi, a stuffed dumpling. Their version was most likely filled with meat, onions, and cabbage, like the ones we know. The main difference: The Germans used a yeasted bread bun instead of an unleavened one like the Russians. The stuffed sandwiches were known by a handful of names: bierocks, kraut kuche or kraut bierocks. “Runza” is a version of the low German word runsa, which translates into “bun shape” or the soft shape of a round belly. They were a standard of the diets of field workers and families.

Under the rule of Catherina the Great, they were left alone by the Russian government. But after Catherina’s son took over, things changed. The Germans had to speak Russian, something they didn’t like at all. They sent scouts to a faraway country to see if they could settle there. And so they moved to Nebraska and that is how the Runza ended up in that state.

Of course, the team will get dressed in a special themed jersey and cap. The colors, green, yellow, and white differ quite a lot from the StromChasers’ original colors blue and white. Of course, the hats will be available later this year. The jerseys will be auctioned on the evening of June 9.