Take it from this new Swiftie: This is Kansas City’s 2nd-greatest year in history | Opinion

Age takes away so much, but it offers a precious gift — the gift of perspective. From my vantage, this past year has been the second best in Kansas City’s esteemed history.

While I was not around in 1869, believe it or not, to join 40,000 fellow Kansas Citians in celebrating the completion of the Hannibal Bridge, I know how important that project was in the history of our great city.

Will you indulge me as I make the argument that this past year is second best? The highlights include:

• A new international airport

• The Chiefs Super Bowl win over the Eagles

• Taylor Swift

• Six World Cup matches coming to Kansas City, the soccer capital of America

• Bobby Witt’s long-term contract extension with the Royals

• The NFL Draft at picturesque Union Station

• CPKC Stadium, the world’s first venue purpose-built for a women’s professional sports team

• Sporting Kansas City’s victory over the top-seeded St. Louis City SC in the MLS playoffs

My 92nd birthday is coming up on Feb. 17. If I had two wishes, they’d be: 1) a win in Las Vegas on Sunday, and 2) Kansas Citians vote yes on April 2, delivering a new downtown stadium for the Royals and a renovated Arrowhead for the Chiefs.

Take it from a long-time resident and short-time Swiftie: We are living in a golden era for Kansas City.

Charles W. Battey served as chairman of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce in 1986, and as president of Commerce Bank and Sprint.