1988 Kansas City Royals season
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Royals
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Royals finishing 3rd in the American League
West with a record of 84 wins and 77 losses.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Royals finishing 3rd in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
West with a record of 84 wins and 77 losses.
Offseason
- December 10, 1987: Melido PérezMelido PérezMélido Turpen Gross Pérez , is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher from through for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. He made his major league debut for the Kansas City Royals on September 4, 1987. In that game, Pérez pitched seven innings of shutout...
, John DavisJohn Davis (pitcher)John Kirk Davis , is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during four seasons at the major league level for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and San Diego Padres. He was drafted by the Royals in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft...
, Greg HibbardGreg HibbardJames Gregory Hibbard is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues from -. Currently, he is the pitching coach for the Class-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the Cleveland Indians organization.-External links:*...
, and Chuck Mount (minors) were traded by the Royals to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Floyd BannisterFloyd BannisterFloyd Franklin Bannister is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched for the Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , and the Texas Rangers .-History:In 1973, as a high school...
and Dave CochraneDave CochraneDavid Carter Cochrane is a former Major League Baseball utility player for the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox. Cochrane was listed as 6'2 with a weight of 180 pounds. He was a switch hitter and threw right-handed.Cochrane attended Troy High School in Fullerton, California then went to...
.
Regular season
- On Opening Day, the Royals faced the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. The Blue Jays' George Bell set a record for the most home runs hit on Opening Day with three.
Notable transactions
- May 13, 1988: Bill BucknerBill BucknerWilliam Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
was signed as a free agent by the Royals. - May 27, 1988: Steve BalboniSteve BalboniStephen Charles Balboni is a retired Major League Baseball player with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers. He was a player with home run power and a tendency to strike out. He was nicknamed "Bye Bye" because of his home run hitting prowess...
was released by the Royals. - June 1, 1988: 1988 Major League Baseball Draft1988 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1988 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-External links:*...
- Bob HamelinBob HamelinRobert James Hamelin is a former first baseman and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. From 1993 through 1998, Hamelin played for the Kansas City Royals , Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw left-handed.In a six-season career, Hamelin posted a .246 batting average...
was drafted by the Royals in the 2nd round. Player signed June 11, 1988. - Kerwin MooreKerwin MooreKerwin Lamar Moore is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played for the Oakland Athletics in 1996.-External links:...
was drafted by the Royals in the 16th round. Player signed June 3, 1988.
- Bob Hamelin
- June 3, 1988: Bud BlackBud BlackHarry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...
was traded by the Royals to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Pat TablerPat TablerPatrick Sean "Pat" Tabler is a former Major League Baseball player and currently a color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays on the Canadian sports television network Rogers Sportsnet and formerly with Rod Black on TSN....
. - August 31, 1988: Ted PowerTed PowerTheodore Henry Power is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1981-1993 for eight different teams.Power was born on January 31, 1955 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The right-handed pitcher and right-handed batter went to college at Kansas State University...
was traded by the Royals to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Rey PalaciosRey PalaciosRobert Rey Palacios is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Kansas City Royals from 1988 to 1990, playing in 101 career games. As a minor leaguer he was traded with Mark Lee from the Detroit Tigers to the Kansas City Royals for Ted Power during...
and Mark LeeMark Lee (left-handed pitcher)Mark Owen Lee is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Lee pitched in all or part of four seasons between and . As a minor leaguer he was traded with Rey Palacios from the Detroit Tigers to the Kansas City Royals for Ted Power during the 1988 season.-External links:...
.
Roster
| 1988 Kansas City Royals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | George Brett George Brett (baseball) George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th... |
157 | 589 | 180 | .306 | 24 | 103 |
| 2B | Frank White | 150 | 537 | 126 | .235 | 8 | 58 |
| CF | Willie Wilson | 147 | 591 | 155 | .262 | 1 | 37 |
| RF | Danny Tartabull Danny Tartabull Danilo Tartabull Mora , also known as Danny Tartabull, is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. Born to Cuban parents in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he is the son of José Tartabull, who played in the major leagues from 1962 to 1970.-Playing career:Danny played for the Seattle Mariners ,... |
146 | 507 | 139 | .274 | 26 | 102 |
| DH | Bill Buckner Bill Buckner William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6... |
89 | 242 | 62 | .256 | 3 | 34 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Tabler Pat Tabler Patrick Sean "Pat" Tabler is a former Major League Baseball player and currently a color analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays on the Canadian sports television network Rogers Sportsnet and formerly with Rod Black on TSN.... |
89 | 301 | 93 | .309 | 1 | 49 |
| Larry Owen Larry Owen Lawrence Thomas Owen is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of six seasons in the majors, between and , for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. His hometown is in Hilliard, Ohio.... |
37 | 81 | 17 | .210 | 1 | 3 |
| Steve Balboni Steve Balboni Stephen Charles Balboni is a retired Major League Baseball player with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers. He was a player with home run power and a tendency to strike out. He was nicknamed "Bye Bye" because of his home run hitting prowess... |
21 | 63 | 9 | .143 | 2 | 5 |
| Luis de los Santos Luis de los Santos Luis Manuel de los Santos Martinez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman... |
11 | 22 | 2 | .091 | 0 | 1 |
| Rey Palacios Rey Palacios Robert Rey Palacios is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for three seasons. He played for the Kansas City Royals from 1988 to 1990, playing in 101 career games. As a minor leaguer he was traded with Mark Lee from the Detroit Tigers to the Kansas City Royals for Ted Power during... |
5 | 11 | 1 | .091 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Gubicza Mark Gubicza Mark Steven Gubicza is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for 14 seasons for the Kansas City Royals and Anaheim Angels . He currently does color commentary for Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim games on Fox Sports... |
35 | 269.2 | 20 | 8 | 2.70 | 183 |
| Charlie Leibrandt Charlie Leibrandt Charles Louis "Charlie" Leibrandt, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1979 to 1993 for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. Leibrandt was a productive pitcher throughout his 14 year career, and a member of the 1985 World Series... |
35 | 243 | 13 | 12 | 3.19 | 125 |
| Bret Saberhagen Bret Saberhagen Bret William Saberhagen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Early years:Bret Saberhagen attended Grover Cleveland High School, located in Reseda, California. Saberhagen starred in both basketball and baseball... |
35 | 260.2 | 14 | 16 | 3.80 | 171 |
| Floyd Bannister Floyd Bannister Floyd Franklin Bannister is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched for the Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , and the Texas Rangers .-History:In 1973, as a high school... |
31 | 189.1 | 12 | 13 | 4.33 | 113 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Power Ted Power Theodore Henry Power is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1981-1993 for eight different teams.Power was born on January 31, 1955 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. The right-handed pitcher and right-handed batter went to college at Kansas State University... |
22 | 80.1 | 5 | 6 | 5.94 | 44 |
| Tom Gordon Tom Gordon Thomas Gordon , nicknamed "Flash", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played with the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , Chicago Cubs , Houston Astros , Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Phillies and the... |
5 | 15.2 | 0 | 2 | 5.17 | 18 |
| José DeJesús Jose DeJesus José Luis DeJesús is a right-handed batter and pitcher. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and now lives in Cidra, Puerto Rico. From 1988-1989 he only played in 5 games with a 0-1 record. He played 1990 and 1991 in Philadelphia where he went 7-8 and 10-9 respectively... |
2 | 2.2 | 0 | 1 | 27.00 | 2 |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Farr Steve Farr Steven Michael Farr , is a former professional baseball player who pitched primarily as a closer in the Major Leagues from 1984-1994. Farr attended DeMatha High School outside of Washington, D.C. and then American University. He gave up Jim Thome's first home run of his career.-External links:*... |
62 | 5 | 4 | 20 | 2.50 | 72 |
| Jeff Montgomery | 45 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3.45 | 47 |
| Gene Garber Gene Garber Henry Eugene Garber is a former sidearm relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the amateur draft, and pitched for the Pirates, the Kansas City Royals, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Atlanta Braves.Upon his retirement in , his... |
26 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 3.58 | 20 |
| Dan Quisenberry Dan Quisenberry Dan Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals... |
20 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3.55 | 9 |
| Israel Sánchez Israel Sánchez Israel Sánchez Matos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched in 19 games for the Kansas City Royals during the 1988 Kansas City Royals season and 11 games during the 1990 Kansas City Royals season.-External links:... |
19 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4.54 | 14 |
| Bud Black Bud Black Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview... |
17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4.91 | 19 |
| Mark Lee Mark Lee (left-handed pitcher) Mark Owen Lee is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Lee pitched in all or part of four seasons between and . As a minor leaguer he was traded with Rey Palacios from the Detroit Tigers to the Kansas City Royals for Ted Power during the 1988 season.-External links:... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.60 | 0 |
Awards and records
- George BrettGeorge Brett (baseball)George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...
, Silver SluggerSilver SluggerThe Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
award - Willie Wilson, American League Leader, Triples
- Willie Wilson, Tied Sam CrawfordSam CrawfordSamuel Earl Crawford , nicknamed "Wahoo Sam", was a Major League Baseball player who played outfield for the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1957....
’s American League record, Leading AL in Triples five times