Who's driving the Be Royal Fan Express? Hud, of course

Ralph Kramden wasn't available, so there truly was only one choice to drive the Be Royal Fan Express bus Thursday afternoon.

Rex Hudler, naturally.

Hudler, the FOX Sports Kansas City analyst who champions the game's top performer as the player who "drives the bus" that day, was behind the wheel when the team unveiled the bus that will transport Royals fans from across the Midwest to Kauffman Stadium this summer. Hudler took the bus for a ceremonial first spin to Gate A at The K.

Sluggerrr, the Royals' mascot, was along for the ride as well, "Teen Wolf"-style.

Ralph Kramden -- Jackie Gleason's character on 'The Honeymooners' -- is perhaps the only bus driver more famous than Hud.

The Be Royal Fan Express, branded by the Royals and FOX Sports Kansas City, will carry fans in designated markets -- St. Joseph, Springfield, Topeka, Wichita, Lincoln, Omaha and Des Moines -- from their respective cities to Kauffman Stadium for specific Royals games.

Participants will be selected through a contest with select Royals Radio Network affiliates in those markets. In addition, the Royals and FOX Sports Kansas City will provide 20 complimentary passes on each trip for a community or military group.

Guests will receive tickets to the game, a game program, an FSKC-branded Royals jersey, a Royals hat and bottled water.

The maiden journey of the Be Royal Fan Express will be this Saturday, June 7. Fans from Topeka will travel to The K to watch the Royals play the Yankees.