Kansas City Royals
Encyclopedia
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
. The Royals have participated in two World Series
, winning in 1985.
The "Royals" name originates from the American Royal
, a livestock show, horse show, and rodeo held annually in Kansas City since 1899. The "Royals" name may also have been selected as a respectful recognition of the Kansas City Monarchs
of the Negro League and a nod to the Kansas City Blues
franchises of the Western League
and American Association
. This is reflected in the similarity of the Royals logo to that of the Monarchs. The name also followed a theme of the other professional franchises in the city, including the Kansas City Chiefs
football team and the-then Kansas City Kings
basketball franchise.
Entering Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise
in 1969, the club was founded by Ewing Kauffman
, a Kansas City businessman. The franchise was established following the actions of Stuart Symington
, then-United States Senator from Missouri, who demanded a new franchise for the city after the Athletics
—Kansas City's previous major league team from 1955 to 1967—moved to Oakland, California
.
The new team quickly became a powerhouse, appearing in the playoffs 7 out of 10 seasons from 1976 to 1985, including one World Championship
and another pennant
, led by stars such as George Brett
, Frank White and Bret Saberhagen
. The team remained competitive through the mid-1990s, but more recently has struggled, posting a winning record only once in the past 15 seasons.
in Kansas City, Missouri
. In their inaugural game, on April 8, 1969, the Royals
defeated the Minnesota Twins
4–3 in 12 innings.
The team was quickly built through a number of trades engineered by its first General Manager, Cedric Tallis
, including a trade for Lou Piniella
, who won the Rookie of the Year during the Royals' inaugural season. The Royals also invested in a strong farm system and soon developed such future stars as pitchers Paul Splittorff
and Steve Busby
, infielders George Brett
and Frank White, and outfielder Al Cowens
.
In 1971
, the Royals
had their first winning season, with manager Bob Lemon
leading them to a second-place finish. In 1973, under manager Jack McKeon
, the Royals adopted their iconic "powder blue" road uniforms and moved from Municipal Stadium
to the brand-new Royals Stadium
(now known as Kauffman Stadium).
Manager Whitey Herzog
replaced McKeon in 1975, and the Royals quickly became the dominant franchise in the American League's Western Division, winning three straight division championships from 1976 to 1978. However, the Royals lost to the New York Yankees
in three straight American League Championship Series
encounters.
finished in second place in 1979, Herzog was fired and replaced by Jim Frey
. Under Frey, the Royals
rebounded in 1980 and advanced to the ALCS
, where they again faced the Yankees
. The Royals vanquished the Yankees in a three-game sweep punctuated by a George Brett home run off of Yankees' star relief pitcher Goose Gossage
. After reaching their first World Series
, the Royals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies
in six games.
The Royals
returned to the post-season in 1981
, losing to the Oakland Athletics
in a unique divisional series resulting from the split-season caused by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike. In July 1983, while the Royals
were headed for a second-place finish behind the Chicago White Sox
another chapter in the team's rivalry with the Yankees occurred. In what has come to be known as "the Pine Tar Incident
," umpires discovered illegal placement of pine tar
(more than 18 inches up the handle) on third baseman
George Brett's bat after he had hit a two-run home run off Gossage that put the Royals up 5–4 in the top of the 9th.
After Yankee Manager Billy Martin
came out of the dugout to talk to home plate umpire Tim McClelland
, McClelland and the other umpires mulled over the bat(measuring it over home plate, touching it, etc.). McClelland then pointed to Brett in the dugout and then gave the out sign, thereby disallowing the home run. George Brett then stormed out of the dugout, angry and hysterical. McClelland ejected Brett. The homer was later reinstated by the AL President and the Royals went on to win after the game was resumed several weeks later. "The Pine Tar Incident" has now become part of baseball lore.
Despite this incident, the 1983 season
was also notable for some transitional changes. First, owner Ewing Kauffman
sold 49% of his interest to Memphis developer John Fogelman. Second, John Schuerholz
was named general manager. He would bolster the farm system with pitchers Bud Black
, Danny Jackson
, Mark Gubicza
, David Cone
, and Bret Saberhagen
, as well as hitters such as Kevin Seitzer
.
Thanks to the sudden and surprising maturation of most of the aforementioned players (specifically the pitching), the Royals
won their fifth division championship in 1984, relying on Brett's bat and the young pitching staff of Saberhagen, Gubicza, Charlie Leibrandt
, Black and Jackson. The Royals were then swept by the Detroit Tigers
in the American League Championship Series
. The Tigers went on to win the World Series
.
In the 1985 regular season
the Royals topped the Western Division for the sixth time in ten years, led by Bret Saberhagen's Cy Young Award
-winning performance. Throughout the ensuing playoffs, the Royals repeatedly put themselves into difficult positions, but managed to escape each time. With the Royals down three-games-to-one in the American League Championship Series
against the Toronto Blue Jays
, the Royals eventually rallied to win the series 4–3.
– the "I-70 Series" because the two teams are both located in the state of Missouri
and connected by Interstate 70
– the Royals again fell behind 3–1. The key game in the Royals' comeback was Game 6. Facing elimination, the Royals trailed 1–0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, before rallying to score two runs and win. The rally was helped by a controversial safe call at first base by umpire Don Denkinger
, which allowed Royals outfielder Jorge Orta
to reach base safely as the first baserunner of the inning. However, the Royals gave this out back later when Orta was thrown out at 2nd after a botched sacrifice bunt.
Following Orta's single, the Cardinals dropped an easy popout and suffered a passed ball, before the Royals went on to win with a bloop base hit by seldom used pinch hitter
Dane Iorg
. Following the tension of Game Six, the Cardinals pitching and defense came undone in Game 7 and their offense was shutdown by Saberhagen leading to the lowest batting average to date (.188 by the Cardinals, later broken by 2001 Yankees
) and fewest runs (13 for the Cardinals, still stands) of any team in a 7 game series, and the Royals won 11–0 to clinch the franchise's only World Series title.
, Tom Gordon
, and Kevin Seitzer
, made some successful free-agent acquisitions, and generally posted winning records, but always fell short of the post-season. For example, in 1989, the Royals won 92 games and posted the third-best record in baseball, but did not qualify for the playoffs.
Many of the team's highlights from this era instead centered around the end of Brett's career, such as his third and final batting title in 1990 – which made him the first player to win batting titles in three different decades – and his 3,000th hit
. Though the team dropped out of contention from 1990 to 1992, the Royals still could generally be counted on to post winning records through the strike-shortened 1994 season
.
departed in 1990 and team owner Ewing Kauffman
died in 1993. Shortly before Kauffmann's death, he set up an unprecedented complex succession plan to keep the team in Kansas City. The team was donated at his death to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts with operating decisions of the team decided by a five member group chaired by Wal-Mart
executive David Glass. According to the plan the Royals had six years to find a local owner for the team before opening ownership to an outside bidder. The new owners would be required to say they would keep the team in Kansas City. Kauffman had feared that new owners would move it noting, "No one would want to buy a baseball team that consistently loses millions of dollars and had little prospect of making money because it was in a small city." If no owner could be found the Kauffman restrictions were to end on January 1, 2002 and the team was to be sold to the highest bidder. In 1999, New York City lawyer and minor league baseball owner Miles Prentice
, vowing not to move the team, bid $75 million for the team. This was the minimum amount Kauffman had stipulated the team could be sold for. MLB rejected Prentice's first bid without specifying any reason. In a final round of bids on March 13, 2000, the Foundation voted to accept Glass' bid of $96 million, rejecting Prentice's revised bid of $115 million.
During the interregnum under Foundation ownership, the team declined.
In 1994 season, the Royals reduced payroll by trading pitcher David Cone
and outfielder Brian McRae
, then continued their salary dump in the 1995 season
. In fact, the team payroll, which had previously remained among the league's highest, was sliced in half from $40.5 million in 1994 (fourth-highest in the major leagues) to $18.5 million in 1996 (second-lowest in the major leagues).
As attendance slid and the average MLB salary continued to rise, rather than pay higher salaries or lose their players to free agency, the Royals traded their remaining stars such as Kevin Appier
, Johnny Damon
and Jermaine Dye
. By 1999
, the team's payroll had fallen again to $16.5 million. Making matters worse, most of the younger players that the Royals received in exchange for these All-Stars proved of little value, setting the stage for an extended downward spiral. Indeed, the Royals set a franchise low with a .398 winning percentage (64–97 record) in 1999, and lost 97 games again in 2001.
In the middle of this era, in 1997, the Royals declined the opportunity to switch to the National League
as part of a realignment plan to introduce the Arizona Diamondbacks
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
as expansion teams. The Milwaukee Brewers
made the switch instead.
, the Royals
set a new team record for futility, losing 100 games for the first time in franchise history. They fired manager Tony Muser
and he was replaced by Tony Peña
.
The 2003 season
saw a temporary end to the losing, when manager Tony Peña, in his first full season with the club, guided the Royals
to their first winning record (83–79) since the 1994 season. He was named the American League Manager of the Year
for his efforts and then shortstop Angel Berroa
was named AL Rookie of the Year. The team spent a majority of the season in first, but ended up in third place behind the Chicago White Sox
and Minnesota Twins, who won the AL Central.
Picked by many to win their division in 2004
after faring well in the free agent market, the Royals
got off to a disappointing start and by late June were back in a rebuilding mode, releasing veteran reliever Curtis Leskanic before financial incentives kicked in and trading veteran reliever Jason Grimsley
and superstar center fielder Carlos Beltrán
for prospects, all within a week of each other. The team subsequently fell apart completely, establishing a new low by losing 104 games. The Royals did, however, see promising seasons from two rookies, center fielder David DeJesus
and starting pitcher Zack Greinke
. Among the many mistakes of 2004, was acquiring Juan Gonzalez, Benito Santiago
, and keeping pitchers Darrell May
and Brian Anderson
, both of whom underachieved after a great 2003 season. They all were let go during the season or after the season's end.
In 2005, the Royals
continued a youth movement, with the second-lowest payroll in the Major Leagues. The Royals ended the 2005 season
with a 56–106 record (.346), a full 43 games out of first place. It was the third time in four seasons that the team reestablished the mark for worst record in the history of the franchise. During that season, the Royals also suffered a franchise record 19-game losing streak highlighted by a three-game stretch of blowout losses at home from August 6 through August 9; in that stretch the Royals lost 16–1 to the Oakland Athletics
, were shut out 11–0 by Oakland, and then in the third game, against the Cleveland Indians
, built a 7–2 lead in the eighth inning before allowing 11 runs to lose 13–7.
During the season manager Tony Peña
quit and was replaced by interim manager Bob Schaefer
until the Indians' bench coach Buddy Bell
was chosen as the next manager.
Looking for a quick turnaround, general manager Allard Baird
signed several veteran players prior to the 2006 season
, including Doug Mientkiewicz
, Mark Grudzielanek
, Joe Mays
and Scott Elarton
. Nevertheless, the Royals
struggled through another 100-loss season in 2006, becoming just the eleventh team in major league history to lose 100 games in three straight seasons. During the season Baird was fired as GM and replaced by Dayton Moore
.
Kansas City entered the 2007 season looking to rebound from four out of five seasons ending with at least 100 losses, and appeared to be opening up its wallet a bit, with a payroll exceeding $60 million dollars for the first time (rising to 22nd-highest in the major leagues). The Royals outbid the Cubs and Blue Jays for free agent righty Gil Meche
, signing him to five-year, $55 million contract. Reliever Octavio Dotel
also inked a one-year, $5 million contract. The team also added several new prospects, including Alex Gordon
and Billy Butler
. Among Dayton Moore
's first acts as General Manager was instating a new motto for the team: "True. Blue. Tradition."
In the 2007 MLB Draft
, the Royals selected shortstop Mike Moustakas
at #2 overall, signing him minutes before the deadline. In June 2007, the Royals had their first winning month since July 2003, following up in July with their second-consecutive winning month of the season. On August 1, manager Buddy Bell
announced his intentions to resign following the 2007 season. On September 12, the Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins
6–3 to win their 63rd game, guaranteeing that they would not lose 100 games in 2007. The victory ended the team's string of three consecutive seasons of 100 losses or more, but the team still finished in last place in its division with a record of 69–93.
Kansas City's 2008 season began with the team searching for its new manager after the departure of Buddy Bell. On October 19, the Royals hired Trey Hillman
, formerly the manager of the Nippon Ham Fighters and a minor league manager with the New York Yankees
, to be the 15th manager in franchise history.
The 2008 season
began with the release of fan favorite Mike Sweeney
, who had numerous injuries over the past five seasons and had declined in production. Angel Berroa
was traded to the Dodgers for minor leaguer Juan Rivera on June 6, 2008.
The Royals began the 2008 season 3–0 with a sweep over the Detroit Tigers
, a team that many thought might win the AL pennant. Through 13 games, the Royals were 8–5 and in first place, a vast improvement over their 3–10 start from the previous season. However, by the All-Star break, the Royals were again in losing territory, with their record buoyed only by a 13–5 record in interleague play, the best in the American League. The team finished the season in fourth place with a 75–87 record. It was the first time in five years the Royals did not finish last in their division. Closing pitcher Joakim Soria
, was the Royals' lone representative in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game
, finished the year with 42 saves.
).
The season was highlighted by starter Zack Greinke
, who did not allow an earned run in the first 24 innings of the season, went on to finish the year with a Major League-leading 2.16 earned run average
, and won the American League Cy Young award. Greinke joined Bret Saberhagen (in 1985 and 1989) and David Cone (in 1994) as the only three players in Royals history to receive the award. He also set a club record 15 strikeouts in a single game against the Cleveland Indians.
manager Ned Yost
took over as manager.
Through the first half of the 2010 season, the Royals led the MLB in team batting average. At the season's mid-point, Joakim Soria
was chosen to represent the Royals in the All-Star game in Anaheim. Meanwhile, Bud Selig
, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, confirmed that Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, will host the 2012 MLB All-Star Game
.
At the end of the 2010 season, the Royals finished with a 67–95 record, in last place in the division for the sixth time in seven years. The Royals also set a dubious franchise record during the season, allowing 42 runs in a three day span from July 25 to July 27. The team gave up 12 runs against the New York Yankees
on July 25, 19 runs against the Minnesota Twins
the next day, and another 11 against the Twins on July 27.
and Blake Wood
, debuting in 2010) and the call up of the infielders Eric Hosmer
; Mike Moustakas
; Manny Piña; Johnny Giavotella
; and Salvador Pérez
. Pitcher Aaron Crow
, was team's representative in the 2011 All-Star game
. Eric Hosmer won the AL Rookie of the Month award in July and September and Mike Moustakas collected a fifteen game hitting streak, which tied the largest streak by a Royal rookie. Salvador Pérez's call up was most notable for the call up being rushed, barely 21 years old. In what is most likely the greatest team highlight of this season, the Royals became the first team in Major League Baseball history to have three outfielders (Melky Cabrera, Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur) hit forty or more doubles as a outfielder in one season. The Royals in that time had a seven-game winning streak. To cap off the season, Alex Gordon, who had finished up a break-out season was rewarded with a Gold Glove for his prominent display of defense in Left Field.
, stemming back to the Royals' victory over the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series. The series is still a source of contention among fans, notably the controversial call in the bottom of the ninth of game 6 in which Jorge Orta
was called safe on a play that replays later showed him out. A Royals rally let them tie and later win the game and then later the series.
Interleague play
in 1997 allowed the I-70 Series to be revived in non-exhibition games. The first few seasons of the series were rather even, with the Cardinals holding a slight advantage with a 14–13 record through the 2003 season. Through the 2010 season, the Cardinals hold the series advantage 34–26. The Royals took two out of three from the Cardinals in 2010 behind victories from starting pitchers Zack Greinke
and Bruce Chen
.
. The rivalry stems largely from the period between 1976 and 1980, when both teams were in top form and met four times in five years for the American League Championship Series
. An older factor in Kansas City-New York relations is the "special relationship" between the Yankees and the Kansas City A's during the 1950s, in which Kansas City's best players (such as Roger Maris
and Ralph Terry
) were repeatedly sent to New York with little compensation. The Royals' recent lack of success, however, as well as the Yankees' more popular and historic rivalry with the Boston Red Sox
has caused this rivalry to lose its prominence. Also of note are division rivalries with the Cleveland Indians
, Chicago White Sox
, Detroit Tigers
, and Minnesota Twins
. The Detroit Tigers swept the Royals in the 1984 playoff season, and in the early 2000s, Detroit and Kansas City had a number of bench clearing brawls. In recent years the rivalry with Minnesota has become more prominent, with the Twins' consistent standings atop the division, as well as the relatively short drive between the two clubs in which many fans from Minnesota make the trip and heavily populate Royals home games versus the Twins. Previously, the Twins had narrowly beat out the Royals for the 1987 American League West pennant, in which the Twins later took the World Series versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
Forgotten in recent years is the old division rivalry between the Royals and the Oakland Athletics
. In the early 1970s, Oakland won three World Series titles from 1972–1974, and after the A's left Kansas City under less than honorable terms, a strong rivalry existed between the two teams during this period. This was soon forgotten by the late 1970s when the Royals came to prominence and the rivalry with New York began. Also strong in the late 70s was the rivalry against the California Angels
, particularly in the fights for the American League
West pennant in 1979.
The Royals have retired the numbers of former players George Brett
(#5) and Frank White (#20). Former manager Dick Howser
's number (#10) was retired following his death in 1987. Former Brooklyn Dodgers
player Jackie Robinson
's number (#42) is retired throughout Major League Baseball
.
1986
1987
1989
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1998
2000
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
2011
610AM and KMBZ 980AM depending on scheduling. As of 2011 All games are broadcasted on KCSP. The stations replace WHB
, which chose not to renew, and KCXM, now a Christian radio
station (as KLRX
). The radio announcers will be Denny Matthews
and Bob Davis, with Steve Stewart
and possibly Ryan Lefebvre
doing fill-in work whenever the Royals are not televised.
Meanwhile, the Royals have shut down Royals Sports Television Network
, and the full television schedule of 140 games will air on FSN Kansas City
, a newly-created branch of FSN Midwest
, leaving no over-the-air broadcast outlet for the Royals this season. The announcers there will be Lefebvre, Paul Splittorff
, and Frank White. Frank White filled in for Splittorff on a few games. Splittorff died on May 26, 2011 due to complications of Melanoma
and Oral cancer
in Blue Springs, Missouri
. A tribute to Splittorff aired the night of his death.
On February 22, 2007, Matthews was selected as the 2007 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award
, presented annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting.
In 2011, 140 games will be broadcast on FSKC HD being the highest total of Kansas City Royals games produced in HD to date.
of the Royals. Sluggerrr is a lion and made his first appearance on April 5, 1996.
On game day, Sluggerrr can be found giving aggressive encouragement to players, pitching in the "Little K", and firing hot dog
s from an air cannon into the stands between innings.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The Royals are a member of the Central Division
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's 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...
. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
. The Royals have participated in two World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
, winning in 1985.
The "Royals" name originates from the American Royal
American Royal
The American Royal in Kansas City, Missouri is a livestock show, horse show and rodeo held each year in October and November at Kemper Arena. The Future Farmers of America was founded during the Royal and Kansas City's professional baseball team the Kansas City Royals derive their name from the...
, a livestock show, horse show, and rodeo held annually in Kansas City since 1899. The "Royals" name may also have been selected as a respectful recognition of the Kansas City Monarchs
Kansas City Monarchs
The Kansas City Monarchs were the longest-running franchise in the history of baseball's Negro Leagues. Operating in Kansas City, Missouri and owned by J.L. Wilkinson, they were charter members of the Negro National League from 1920 to 1930. J.L. Wilkinson was the first Caucasian owner at the time...
of the Negro League and a nod to the Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues may refer to::*Kansas City Blues , a 1902-1954 minor-league baseball team*Kansas City Blues , a Rugby Super League team founded in 1966*Kansas City Blues , a minor-league hockey team...
franchises of the Western League
Western League
Western League may refer to:* Western League , the predecessor to North American baseball's modern American League* Western League , one of two professional baseball minor leagues in Japan...
and American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. This is reflected in the similarity of the Royals logo to that of the Monarchs. The name also followed a theme of the other professional franchises in the city, including the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
football team and the-then Kansas City Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
basketball franchise.
Entering Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise
Major North American professional sports teams
The following is a list of teams that play in one of the six major sports leagues in the United States and Canada: Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, the National Hockey League, the National Basketball Association, and Major League Soccer. All lists...
in 1969, the club was founded by Ewing Kauffman
Ewing Kauffman
Ewing Marion Kauffman was an American pharmaceutical magnate, philanthropist, and Major League Baseball owner....
, a Kansas City businessman. The franchise was established following the actions of Stuart Symington
Stuart Symington
William Stuart Symington was a businessman and political figure from Missouri. He served as the first Secretary of the Air Force from 1947 to 1950 and was a Democratic United States Senator from Missouri from 1953 to 1976.-Education and business career:...
, then-United States Senator from Missouri, who demanded a new franchise for the city after the Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
—Kansas City's previous major league team from 1955 to 1967—moved to Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
.
The new team quickly became a powerhouse, appearing in the playoffs 7 out of 10 seasons from 1976 to 1985, including one World Championship
1985 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...
and another pennant
1980 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 14, 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Royals jumped on Philly rookie starter Bob Walk early with a pair of two run bombs—one by Amos Otis in the second and another by Willie Aikens in the third...
, led by stars such as 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...
, Frank White and 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...
. The team remained competitive through the mid-1990s, but more recently has struggled, posting a winning record only once in the past 15 seasons.
Franchise history
1969–79: Taking off
The Royals began play in 19691969 Major League Baseball season
The 1969 Major League Baseball season was celebrated as the 100th anniversary of professional baseball, honoring the first professional touring baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings. A special silhouetted batter logo was created by Jerry Dior to commemorate the anniversary, and is still used...
in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. In their inaugural game, on April 8, 1969, the Royals
1969 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was the Royals' inaugural season. The team finished fourth in the newly established American League West with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses.- A franchise is born :...
defeated the Minnesota Twins
1969 Minnesota Twins season
Led by new manager Billy Martin, the Minnesota Twins won the newly formed American League West with a 97-65 record, nine games over the second-place Oakland Athletics...
4–3 in 12 innings.
The team was quickly built through a number of trades engineered by its first General Manager, Cedric Tallis
Cedric Tallis
Cedric Tallis was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as the first general manager of the expansion Kansas City Royals and later played an important role in the New York Yankees' dynasty of the late 1970s....
, including a trade for Lou Piniella
Lou Piniella
Louis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
, who won the Rookie of the Year during the Royals' inaugural season. The Royals also invested in a strong farm system and soon developed such future stars as pitchers Paul Splittorff
Paul Splittorff
Paul William Splittorff Jr. was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who spent his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. Listed at 6' 3", Splittorff batted and threw left handed.-Early years:Splittorff was born in Evansville, Indiana...
and Steve Busby
Steve Busby
Steven Lee Busby is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed.-Professional career:...
, infielders 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...
and Frank White, and outfielder Al Cowens
Al Cowens
Alfred Edward Cowens, Jr. was a right fielder in Major League Baseball. From through , Cowens played for the Kansas City Royals , California Angels , Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners . He batted and threw right-handed.A native of Los Angeles, California, Cowens was a product of the Kansas...
.
In 1971
1971 Major League Baseball season
The 1971 Major League Baseball season was also the final season for the Senators in Washington, D.C., before the team's relocation to the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb Arlington for the following season, as the Texas Rangers, leaving the Nation's capital without a baseball team of their own until...
, the Royals
1971 Kansas City Royals season
The 1971 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing second in the American League West with a record of 85 wins and 76 losses, 16 games behind the Oakland Athletics. This was also the first time in franchise history that the Royals had finished...
had their first winning season, with manager Bob Lemon
Bob Lemon
Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
leading them to a second-place finish. In 1973, under manager Jack McKeon
Jack McKeon
John Aloysius McKeon , nicknamed Trader Jack, is a former Major League Baseball manager. In 2003, he won a World Series with the Florida Marlins...
, the Royals adopted their iconic "powder blue" road uniforms and moved from Municipal Stadium
Municipal Stadium (Kansas City)
Kansas City Municipal Stadium was a baseball and football stadium that formerly stood in Kansas City, Missouri. It hosted the minor league Kansas City Blues of the American Association from 1923 to 1954 and the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues during the same period...
to the brand-new Royals Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
(now known as Kauffman Stadium).
Manager Whitey Herzog
Whitey Herzog
Dorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including...
replaced McKeon in 1975, and the Royals quickly became the dominant franchise in the American League's Western Division, winning three straight division championships from 1976 to 1978. However, the Royals lost to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in three straight American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
encounters.
1980–84: From pennant to pine tar incident
After the Royals1979 Kansas City Royals season
The 1979 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing second in the American League West with a record of 85 wins and 77 losses.- Offseason :...
finished in second place in 1979, Herzog was fired and replaced by Jim Frey
Jim Frey
James Gottfried Frey is a former manager and coach in Major League Baseball. He led the Kansas City Royals to their first American League championship in 1980, in his first year with the team...
. Under Frey, the Royals
1980 Kansas City Royals season
The 1980 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. The Royals finished first in the American League West with a record of 97 wins and 65 losses...
rebounded in 1980 and advanced to the ALCS
1980 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 1980 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriThe series opener saw the Yankees throw their ace, Ron Guidry, against the Royals' Larry Gura. In the top of the second, the Bronx Bombers jumped out to a 2–0 lead when Rick Cerone and Lou Piniella smacked back-to-back...
, where they again faced the Yankees
1980 New York Yankees season
The 1980 New York Yankees season was the 78th season for the franchise in New York, and its 80th season overall. The team finished with a record of 103-59, finishing in first place in the American League East, 3 games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. The Kansas City Royals swept the Yanks in the...
. The Royals vanquished the Yankees in a three-game sweep punctuated by a George Brett home run off of Yankees' star relief pitcher Goose Gossage
Goose Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
. After reaching their first World Series
1980 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 14, 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Royals jumped on Philly rookie starter Bob Walk early with a pair of two run bombs—one by Amos Otis in the second and another by Willie Aikens in the third...
, the Royals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies
1980 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1980 Philadelphia Phillies season was a season in American baseball. The team finished with a regular-season record of 91 wins and 71 losses, which was good enough to regain the National League East title by just one game over the Montreal Expos...
in six games.
The Royals
1981 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 50 wins and 53 losses...
returned to the post-season in 1981
1981 Major League Baseball season
-First half:-Second half:-Overall record:-Statistical leaders:-Postseason:NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
, losing to the Oakland Athletics
1981 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1981 season involved the A's finishing with the best overall record in the American League West with a record of 64 wins and 45 losses. The season was suspended for 50 days due to the infamous 1981 players strike, and the league resorted to a split-season format with the...
in a unique divisional series resulting from the split-season caused by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike. In July 1983, while the Royals
1983 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 2nd in the American League West with a record of 79 wins and 83 losses.- Offseason :* December 8, 1982: Tim Ireland was released by the Royals....
were headed for a second-place finish behind the Chicago White Sox
1983 Chicago White Sox season
The Chicago White Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the White Sox winning the American League West championship. It marked their first postseason appearance since the 1959 World Series.-Offseason:...
another chapter in the team's rivalry with the Yankees occurred. In what has come to be known as "the Pine Tar Incident
Pine Tar Incident
The Pine Tar Incident was a controversial incident during an American League game played between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees on July 24, 1983 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. With his team trailing 4–3 in the top half of the ninth inning, George Brett of the Royals hit a 2-run...
," umpires discovered illegal placement of pine tar
Pine tar
Pine tar is a sticky material produced by the high temperature carbonization of pine wood in anoxic conditions . The wood is rapidly decomposed by applying heat and pressure in a closed container; the primary resulting products are charcoal and pine tar.Pine tar consists primarily of aromatic...
(more than 18 inches up the handle) on third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
George Brett's bat after he had hit a two-run home run off Gossage that put the Royals up 5–4 in the top of the 9th.
Billy Martin
Alfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
came out of the dugout to talk to home plate umpire Tim McClelland
Tim McClelland
Timothy Reid McClelland is an umpire in Major League Baseball who has worked in the American League from 1983 to 1999 and throughout both leagues since 2000. He has called many important games, from post-season games to the George Brett "Pine Tar" game in...
, McClelland and the other umpires mulled over the bat(measuring it over home plate, touching it, etc.). McClelland then pointed to Brett in the dugout and then gave the out sign, thereby disallowing the home run. George Brett then stormed out of the dugout, angry and hysterical. McClelland ejected Brett. The homer was later reinstated by the AL President and the Royals went on to win after the game was resumed several weeks later. "The Pine Tar Incident" has now become part of baseball lore.
Despite this incident, the 1983 season
1983 Major League Baseball season
The 1983 Major League Baseball season ended with the Baltimore Orioles defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth game of the World Series. Rick Dempsey was named MVP of the Series...
was also notable for some transitional changes. First, owner Ewing Kauffman
Ewing Kauffman
Ewing Marion Kauffman was an American pharmaceutical magnate, philanthropist, and Major League Baseball owner....
sold 49% of his interest to Memphis developer John Fogelman. Second, John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is the President of the Atlanta Braves of the National League. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's General Manager. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world...
was named general manager. He would bolster the farm system with pitchers 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...
, Danny Jackson
Danny Jackson
Danny Lynn Jackson was a pitcher with a 15-year career from to . He played for the Kansas City Royals of the American League and the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St...
, 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...
, David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
, and 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...
, as well as hitters such as Kevin Seitzer
Kevin Seitzer
Kevin Lee Seitzer is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.-Career:...
.
Thanks to the sudden and surprising maturation of most of the aforementioned players (specifically the pitching), the Royals
1984 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 1st in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses.- Offseason :* October 17, 1983: Eric Rasmussen was released by the Royals....
won their fifth division championship in 1984, relying on Brett's bat and the young pitching staff of Saberhagen, Gubicza, 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...
, Black and Jackson. The Royals were then swept by the Detroit Tigers
1984 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. The season was their 84th since they entered the American League in 1901 and their fourth World Series championship. Detroit relief pitcher Willie Hernandez won the Cy Young Award and was chosen as the...
in the American League Championship Series
1984 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 2, 1984 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriGame 1 was a blowout in Kansas City, as Jack Morris pitched seven innings and allowed a single run, with Willie Hernandez pitching the final two innings. The Tigers scored eight runs...
. The Tigers went on to win the World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
.
1985: Missouri's finest and the "I-70 Series"
1985 Major League Baseball season
In 1985, the Major League Baseball season ended with the Kansas City Royals defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the seventh game of the I-70 World Series. Bret Saberhagen, the regular season Cy Young Award winner, was named MVP of the Series...
the Royals topped the Western Division for the sixth time in ten years, led by Bret Saberhagen's Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
-winning performance. Throughout the ensuing playoffs, the Royals repeatedly put themselves into difficult positions, but managed to escape each time. With the Royals down three-games-to-one in the American League Championship Series
1985 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, OntarioThe Toronto Blue Jays entered the series as the favorite to win the series. The first game featured Toronto pitcher Dave Stieb and Kansas City pitcher Charlie Leibrandt at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto...
against the Toronto Blue Jays
1985 Toronto Blue Jays season
The Toronto Blue Jays season saw the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 99 wins and 62 losses. The win total of 99 is a franchise record, and the division title was the franchise's first....
, the Royals eventually rallied to win the series 4–3.
1985 World Series
In the 1985 World Series against the cross-state St. Louis Cardinals1985 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals' 1985 season was the team's 104th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 94th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 101-61 during the season and finished in first place in the National League East division by three games over the New York Mets...
– the "I-70 Series" because the two teams are both located in the state of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and connected by Interstate 70
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
– the Royals again fell behind 3–1. The key game in the Royals' comeback was Game 6. Facing elimination, the Royals trailed 1–0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, before rallying to score two runs and win. The rally was helped by a controversial safe call at first base by umpire Don Denkinger
Don Denkinger
Donald Anton Denkinger is a former Major League Baseball umpire who worked in the American League from 1969 to 1998. Denkinger wore uniform number 11, when the AL adopted uniform numbers in 1980. He is best remembered for an incorrect call he made at first base in Game 6 of the 1985 World...
, which allowed Royals outfielder Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta Núñez is a retired professional baseball player.He made his debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 15, 1972. Through the 1970s, he played usually second baseman but also third baseman and also some outfield...
to reach base safely as the first baserunner of the inning. However, the Royals gave this out back later when Orta was thrown out at 2nd after a botched sacrifice bunt.
Following Orta's single, the Cardinals dropped an easy popout and suffered a passed ball, before the Royals went on to win with a bloop base hit by seldom used pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
Dane Iorg
Dane Iorg
Dane Charles Iorg is a retired Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder. He played for ten seasons for four teams, including eight seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the brother of former third basemen Garth Iorg; they played against each other in the 1985 American League...
. Following the tension of Game Six, the Cardinals pitching and defense came undone in Game 7 and their offense was shutdown by Saberhagen leading to the lowest batting average to date (.188 by the Cardinals, later broken by 2001 Yankees
2001 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 2001 season was the 99th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 95-65 finishing 13.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. Roger Clemens had sixteen straight wins, tying an American...
) and fewest runs (13 for the Cardinals, still stands) of any team in a 7 game series, and the Royals won 11–0 to clinch the franchise's only World Series title.
1986–94: Staying in the picture
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Royals developed young stars such as Bo JacksonBo Jackson
Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985....
, 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...
, and Kevin Seitzer
Kevin Seitzer
Kevin Lee Seitzer is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball with the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.-Career:...
, made some successful free-agent acquisitions, and generally posted winning records, but always fell short of the post-season. For example, in 1989, the Royals won 92 games and posted the third-best record in baseball, but did not qualify for the playoffs.
Many of the team's highlights from this era instead centered around the end of Brett's career, such as his third and final batting title in 1990 – which made him the first player to win batting titles in three different decades – and his 3,000th hit
3000 hit club
In Major League Baseball , the 3,000 hit club is a term applied to the group of batters who have collected 3,000 or more regular-season hits in their careers. Cap Anson was the first to join the club on July 18, 1897, although his precise career hit total is unclear. Two players—Nap Lajoie and...
. Though the team dropped out of contention from 1990 to 1992, the Royals still could generally be counted on to post winning records through the strike-shortened 1994 season
1994 Major League Baseball season
The 1994 Major League Baseball season ended with the infamous players strike ending the season on August 11, 1994.-Strike:As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ended prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason was played...
.
1995–2001: Decline in the post-Kauffman era
At the start of the 1990s, the Royals had been hit with a double-whammy when General Manager John SchuerholzJohn Schuerholz
John Schuerholz is the President of the Atlanta Braves of the National League. Before joining Atlanta, he spent twenty-two years with the Kansas City Royals organization, including nine as the club's General Manager. Among the teams he has built are the 1985 Royals and 1995 Braves, both world...
departed in 1990 and team owner Ewing Kauffman
Ewing Kauffman
Ewing Marion Kauffman was an American pharmaceutical magnate, philanthropist, and Major League Baseball owner....
died in 1993. Shortly before Kauffmann's death, he set up an unprecedented complex succession plan to keep the team in Kansas City. The team was donated at his death to the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Affiliated Trusts with operating decisions of the team decided by a five member group chaired by Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
executive David Glass. According to the plan the Royals had six years to find a local owner for the team before opening ownership to an outside bidder. The new owners would be required to say they would keep the team in Kansas City. Kauffman had feared that new owners would move it noting, "No one would want to buy a baseball team that consistently loses millions of dollars and had little prospect of making money because it was in a small city." If no owner could be found the Kauffman restrictions were to end on January 1, 2002 and the team was to be sold to the highest bidder. In 1999, New York City lawyer and minor league baseball owner Miles Prentice
Miles Prentice
E. Miles Prentice, III is an attorney in New York City and owner of minor league baseball teams.Prentice was born in New Jersey and received an AB from Washington & Jefferson College in 1964 and his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1967 and was admitted to the bar in New York in 1973...
, vowing not to move the team, bid $75 million for the team. This was the minimum amount Kauffman had stipulated the team could be sold for. MLB rejected Prentice's first bid without specifying any reason. In a final round of bids on March 13, 2000, the Foundation voted to accept Glass' bid of $96 million, rejecting Prentice's revised bid of $115 million.
During the interregnum under Foundation ownership, the team declined.
In 1994 season, the Royals reduced payroll by trading pitcher David Cone
David Cone
David Brian Cone is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1986-2003 for six different teams. Cone pitched the sixteenth perfect game in baseball history. He also set the MLB record for most years between 20-win seasons. He was a member of five...
and outfielder Brian McRae
Brian McRae
Brian Wesley McRae is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays from to . McRae is the son of former major league All-Star, Hal McRae, and was also managed by the elder McRae for four...
, then continued their salary dump in the 1995 season
1995 Major League Baseball season
Due to the 1994 Major League Baseball strike which carried into the 1995 season, a shortened 144 game schedule commenced on April 25, when the Florida Marlins played host to the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Regular season:...
. In fact, the team payroll, which had previously remained among the league's highest, was sliced in half from $40.5 million in 1994 (fourth-highest in the major leagues) to $18.5 million in 1996 (second-lowest in the major leagues).
As attendance slid and the average MLB salary continued to rise, rather than pay higher salaries or lose their players to free agency, the Royals traded their remaining stars such as Kevin Appier
Kevin Appier
Robert Kevin Appier is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and Anaheim Angels.-Kansas City Royals:...
, Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon
Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
and Jermaine Dye
Jermaine Dye
Jermaine Trevell Dye is a retired American Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. Dye played with the Atlanta Braves , Kansas City Royals , Oakland Athletics , and the Chicago White Sox . Dye won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005...
. By 1999
1999 Major League Baseball season
The previous record of most home runs hit in a season, set at 5,064 in 1998, was broken once again as the American League and National League combined to hit 5,528 home runs. Moreover, it was the first season in 61 years to feature a team that scored 1,000 runs in a season, as the Cleveland Indians...
, the team's payroll had fallen again to $16.5 million. Making matters worse, most of the younger players that the Royals received in exchange for these All-Stars proved of little value, setting the stage for an extended downward spiral. Indeed, the Royals set a franchise low with a .398 winning percentage (64–97 record) in 1999, and lost 97 games again in 2001.
In the middle of this era, in 1997, the Royals declined the opportunity to switch to the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
as part of a realignment plan to introduce the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
and Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
as expansion teams. The Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
made the switch instead.
2002–06: Rock bottom
In 20022002 Major League Baseball season
The Major League Baseball season finished with the Anaheim Angels defeating the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.-Major league baseball final standings:...
, the Royals
2002 Kansas City Royals season
The 2002 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 4th in the American League Central with a record of 62 wins and 100 losses.-Offseason:*December 18, 2001: Chuck Knoblauch was signed as a Free Agent with the Kansas City Royals....
set a new team record for futility, losing 100 games for the first time in franchise history. They fired manager Tony Muser
Tony Muser
Anthony Joseph Muser is currently a roving instructor in the San Diego Padres organization. From 1997 until 2002, Muser served as the manager of the Kansas City Royals...
and he was replaced by Tony Peña
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
.
The 2003 season
2003 Major League Baseball season
*World Series MVP: Josh Beckett**American League Championship Series MVP: Mariano Rivera**National League Championship Series MVP: Iván Rodríguez*All-Star Game, July 15 at U.S...
saw a temporary end to the losing, when manager Tony Peña, in his first full season with the club, guided the Royals
2003 Kansas City Royals season
The 2003 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League Central with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses...
to their first winning record (83–79) since the 1994 season. He was named the American League Manager of the Year
Manager of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Manager of the Year Award is an honor given annually since 1983 to the best managers in the American League and the National League . The winner is voted on by 28 members of the Baseball Writers Association of America . Each places a vote for first, second, and third...
for his efforts and then shortstop Angel Berroa
Angel Berroa
Ángel Maria Berroa Selmo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. Berroa was selected as the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year.-Early career:...
was named AL Rookie of the Year. The team spent a majority of the season in first, but ended up in third place behind the Chicago White Sox
2003 Chicago White Sox season
The 2003 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 104th season. They finished with a record 86–76, good enough for second place in the American League Central, four games behind the champion Minnesota Twins....
and Minnesota Twins, who won the AL Central.
Picked by many to win their division in 2004
2004 Major League Baseball season
* Playoff MVPs** Manny Ramírez ** David Ortiz ** Albert Pujols * All-Star Game, July 13 at Minute Maid Park: American League, 9-4; Alfonso Soriano, MVP-References:* *...
after faring well in the free agent market, the Royals
2004 Kansas City Royals season
The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League Central with a record of 58 wins and 104 losses. It was one of the most disappointing seasons in Royals' history. The team had been picked by many sporting magazines to win...
got off to a disappointing start and by late June were back in a rebuilding mode, releasing veteran reliever Curtis Leskanic before financial incentives kicked in and trading veteran reliever Jason Grimsley
Jason Grimsley
Jason Alan Grimsley is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He made his debut on September 8, , and pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Anaheim Angels, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, and most recently, the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Major league...
and superstar center fielder Carlos Beltrán
Carlos Beltrán
Carlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...
for prospects, all within a week of each other. The team subsequently fell apart completely, establishing a new low by losing 104 games. The Royals did, however, see promising seasons from two rookies, center fielder David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
and starting pitcher Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
. Among the many mistakes of 2004, was acquiring Juan Gonzalez, Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played for twenty seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the San Diego Padres...
, and keeping pitchers Darrell May
Darrell May
Darrell Kevin May is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who last played for the New York Yankees. May stands at 6'2" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
and Brian Anderson
Brian Anderson (pitcher)
Brian James Anderson is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played 13 season for five teams, as well as a sports broadcaster and coach. Currently, Anderson is the color commentator on the Rays TV crew on Sun Sports....
, both of whom underachieved after a great 2003 season. They all were let go during the season or after the season's end.
In 2005, the Royals
2005 Kansas City Royals season
The 2005 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League Central with a record of 56 wins and 106 losses. The Royals had a very disappointing losing streak of 19 games that started from July 28 to August 19.-Offseason:...
continued a youth movement, with the second-lowest payroll in the Major Leagues. The Royals ended the 2005 season
2005 Major League Baseball season
Click on any series score to link to that series' page.Higher seed had home field advantage during Division Series and League Championship Series.The American League champion had home field advantage during the World Series as a result of the AL victory in the 2005 All-Star...
with a 56–106 record (.346), a full 43 games out of first place. It was the third time in four seasons that the team reestablished the mark for worst record in the history of the franchise. During that season, the Royals also suffered a franchise record 19-game losing streak highlighted by a three-game stretch of blowout losses at home from August 6 through August 9; in that stretch the Royals lost 16–1 to the Oakland Athletics
2005 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 2005 season involved the A's finishing 2nd in the American League West with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses.The A's started 17-32, but went on a hot streak to find themselves battling for first place by mid-August...
, were shut out 11–0 by Oakland, and then in the third game, against the Cleveland Indians
2005 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians' 2005 season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Indians attempting to win the American League Central division.-Offseason:* November 3, 2004: Ernie Young was signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians....
, built a 7–2 lead in the eighth inning before allowing 11 runs to lose 13–7.
During the season manager Tony Peña
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
quit and was replaced by interim manager Bob Schaefer
Bob Schaefer
Robert Walden Schaefer is a former interim manager, bench coach and farm system official in American Major League Baseball. He is currently the special assistant to the general manager with the Washington Nationals....
until the Indians' bench coach Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
was chosen as the next manager.
Looking for a quick turnaround, general manager Allard Baird
Allard Baird
Allard Baird is the former general manager of the Kansas City Royals. He now works for the Boston Red Sox as vice president, player personnel, serving under general manager Ben Cherington...
signed several veteran players prior to the 2006 season
2006 Major League Baseball season
In , the Major League Baseball season ended with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series with the lowest regular season victory total in history. The American League continued its domination at the All-Star Game by winning its fourth straight game; the A.L. has won nine...
, including Doug Mientkiewicz
Doug Mientkiewicz
Douglas Andrew Mientkiewicz is a first baseman who last appeared in the majors in with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed...
, Mark Grudzielanek
Mark Grudzielanek
Mark James Grudzielanek is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop. Grudzielanek played six different teams during his 15-season career. He batted and threw right-handed.-Early years:...
, Joe Mays
Joe Mays
Joeseph Emerson Mays is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher.Mays is a 1994 graduate of Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida. He also attended Manatee Community College in Bradenton. He and his wife, Melinda , have two children.Mays began his major league career with the...
and Scott Elarton
Scott Elarton
Vincent Scott Elarton is a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent...
. Nevertheless, the Royals
2006 Kansas City Royals season
The 2006 Kansas City Royals season involved the Royals finishing 5th in the American League Central with a record of 62 wins and 100 losses.-Roster:-Batting:Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg...
struggled through another 100-loss season in 2006, becoming just the eleventh team in major league history to lose 100 games in three straight seasons. During the season Baird was fired as GM and replaced by Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore is the general manager of the Kansas City Royals. He succeeded Allard Baird.-Childhood and education:Born February 17th, 1967, in Wichita, Kansas, Moore grew up a Royals fan. He claims to have watched the 1985 World Series in Kansas City from I-70...
.
2007: "True. Blue. Tradition."
Gil Meche
Gilbert Allen Meche is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Shoulder and back problems caused the former first round pick to retire in at just 32 years old.-Early years:...
, signing him to five-year, $55 million contract. Reliever Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
also inked a one-year, $5 million contract. The team also added several new prospects, including Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon
Alex Jonathan Gordon is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Kansas City Royals.-Early years:...
and Billy Butler
Billy Butler (baseball)
Billy Ray Butler is a Major League Baseball Designated Hitter for the Kansas City Royals. He has also played first base, left field and right field...
. Among Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore is the general manager of the Kansas City Royals. He succeeded Allard Baird.-Childhood and education:Born February 17th, 1967, in Wichita, Kansas, Moore grew up a Royals fan. He claims to have watched the 1985 World Series in Kansas City from I-70...
's first acts as General Manager was instating a new motto for the team: "True. Blue. Tradition."
In the 2007 MLB Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
, the Royals selected shortstop Mike Moustakas
Mike Moustakas
Michael Christopher Moustakas is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted second overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft....
at #2 overall, signing him minutes before the deadline. In June 2007, the Royals had their first winning month since July 2003, following up in July with their second-consecutive winning month of the season. On August 1, manager Buddy Bell
Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
announced his intentions to resign following the 2007 season. On September 12, the Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins
2007 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins' 2007 season started off with the Twins trying to repeat as champions of the AL Central.-Offseason:* January 11, 2007: Agreed to terms with Ramon Ortiz on a one-year contract....
6–3 to win their 63rd game, guaranteeing that they would not lose 100 games in 2007. The victory ended the team's string of three consecutive seasons of 100 losses or more, but the team still finished in last place in its division with a record of 69–93.
2008: "New. Blue. Tradition."
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
, formerly the manager of the Nippon Ham Fighters and a minor league manager with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, to be the 15th manager in franchise history.
The 2008 season
2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
began with the release of fan favorite Mike Sweeney
Mike Sweeney
Michael John "Mike" Sweeney is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to first base. Sweeney has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia...
, who had numerous injuries over the past five seasons and had declined in production. Angel Berroa
Angel Berroa
Ángel Maria Berroa Selmo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. Berroa was selected as the 2003 American League Rookie of the Year.-Early career:...
was traded to the Dodgers for minor leaguer Juan Rivera on June 6, 2008.
The Royals began the 2008 season 3–0 with a sweep over the Detroit Tigers
2008 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers 2008 season was the team's 108th season in Major League Baseball's American League. After being picked by many to win the AL Central Division and the World Series, the Tigers started the season a disappointing 0-7, being swept by the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox....
, a team that many thought might win the AL pennant. Through 13 games, the Royals were 8–5 and in first place, a vast improvement over their 3–10 start from the previous season. However, by the All-Star break, the Royals were again in losing territory, with their record buoyed only by a 13–5 record in interleague play, the best in the American League. The team finished the season in fourth place with a 75–87 record. It was the first time in five years the Royals did not finish last in their division. Closing pitcher Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
, was the Royals' lone representative in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
, finished the year with 42 saves.
2009: Return to last place
Prior to the 2009 season, the Royals renovated Kauffman Stadium. After the season began, the Royals ended April at the top of the AL Central, all of which raised excitement levels among fans. However, the team faded as the season progressed and finished the year with a final record of 65–97, in a last-place tie in its division (tied with the Cleveland Indians2009 Cleveland Indians season
The 2009 Cleveland Indians season marks the 109th season for the franchise, with the Indians attempting to improve on their 81-81 record and third place finish in the AL Central in 2008...
).
The season was highlighted by starter Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
, who did not allow an earned run in the first 24 innings of the season, went on to finish the year with a Major League-leading 2.16 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, and won the American League Cy Young award. Greinke joined Bret Saberhagen (in 1985 and 1989) and David Cone (in 1994) as the only three players in Royals history to receive the award. He also set a club record 15 strikeouts in a single game against the Cleveland Indians.
2010
The Royals began the 2010 season with a rocky start, and after the team's record fell to 12–23, General Manager Dayton Moore fired manager Trey Hillman. After Hillman's departure, former Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
manager Ned Yost
Ned Yost
Edgar Frederick "Ned" Yost III is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the Kansas City Royals. He is the former manager of the Milwaukee Brewers.-Playing career:...
took over as manager.
Through the first half of the 2010 season, the Royals led the MLB in team batting average. At the season's mid-point, Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
was chosen to represent the Royals in the All-Star game in Anaheim. Meanwhile, Bud Selig
Bud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
, Commissioner of Major League Baseball, confirmed that Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, will host the 2012 MLB All-Star Game
2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be the 83rd edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It will be held on July 10, 2012, during the 2012 Major League Baseball season at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the Kansas City Royals...
.
At the end of the 2010 season, the Royals finished with a 67–95 record, in last place in the division for the sixth time in seven years. The Royals also set a dubious franchise record during the season, allowing 42 runs in a three day span from July 25 to July 27. The team gave up 12 runs against the New York Yankees
2010 New York Yankees season
The 2010 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers...
on July 25, 19 runs against the Minnesota Twins
2010 Minnesota Twins season
The Minnesota Twins season was the 50th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 110th overall in the American League.It was their first season in their new stadium, Target Field, which made its regular-season debut on April 12 as the Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5–2...
the next day, and another 11 against the Twins on July 27.
2011
Unlike the 2010 season, the Royals began 2011 with a hot start, tying for the best record in the American League with a 10–4 record after fourteen games. The quick start followed a successful spring training season for the Royals. Success faded as the season progressed, however. The Royals last had a .500 record at 22-22, and then lost five games in a row. By the All-Star break, the Royals had a record of 37-54, the worst in the American League. 2011 marked the year that the "Process" (patiently collecting prospects) unraveled. Almost all of the Royal's bullpen was called up in 2011 (with the exception being Greg HollandGreg Holland
Greg Holland is an American country musician. Holland grew up in Douglas, Georgia, where he performed as a youngster in local play productions and on television. He recorded a demo before reaching his teens and opened in concert for Ronnie Milsap when he was 12 years old...
and Blake Wood
Blake Wood
Blake Daniel Wood is a major league baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.-Early life:Prior to playing professionally, he attended North Gwinnett High School and then Georgia Tech...
, debuting in 2010) and the call up of the infielders Eric Hosmer
Eric Hosmer
Eric John Hosmer is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
; Mike Moustakas
Mike Moustakas
Michael Christopher Moustakas is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted second overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft....
; Manny Piña; Johnny Giavotella
Johnny Giavotella
Johnny A. Giavotella is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Kansas City Royals.Giavotella was called up to the majors for the first time on August 5, 2011. On August 7, 2011, Giavotella hit his first major league career home run off Max Scherzer.-External links:...
; and Salvador Pérez
Salvador Pérez
Salvador Pérez Diaz is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Kansas City Royals.Pérez was called up to the majors for the first time on August 10, 2011. On August 29, Salvador Pérez hit his first major league home run against Max Scherzer of the Tigers. In that game, Pérez was a triple away from...
. Pitcher Aaron Crow
Aaron Crow
Aaron J. Crow is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
, was team's representative in the 2011 All-Star game
2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 82nd in-season exhibition game between the All-Stars of the National League and the American League ; the leagues composing Major League Baseball. The event was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the...
. Eric Hosmer won the AL Rookie of the Month award in July and September and Mike Moustakas collected a fifteen game hitting streak, which tied the largest streak by a Royal rookie. Salvador Pérez's call up was most notable for the call up being rushed, barely 21 years old. In what is most likely the greatest team highlight of this season, the Royals became the first team in Major League Baseball history to have three outfielders (Melky Cabrera, Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur) hit forty or more doubles as a outfielder in one season. The Royals in that time had a seven-game winning streak. To cap off the season, Alex Gordon, who had finished up a break-out season was rewarded with a Gold Glove for his prominent display of defense in Left Field.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Royals' most prominent rivalry is with the intrastate St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, stemming back to the Royals' victory over the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series. The series is still a source of contention among fans, notably the controversial call in the bottom of the ninth of game 6 in which Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta Núñez is a retired professional baseball player.He made his debut with the Chicago White Sox on April 15, 1972. Through the 1970s, he played usually second baseman but also third baseman and also some outfield...
was called safe on a play that replays later showed him out. A Royals rally let them tie and later win the game and then later the series.
Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
in 1997 allowed the I-70 Series to be revived in non-exhibition games. The first few seasons of the series were rather even, with the Cardinals holding a slight advantage with a 14–13 record through the 2003 season. Through the 2010 season, the Cardinals hold the series advantage 34–26. The Royals took two out of three from the Cardinals in 2010 behind victories from starting pitchers Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
and Bruce Chen
Bruce Chen
Bruce Kastulo Chen is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.-Background:...
.
Historical Rivalries
Historically, one of the Royals' major rivalries was with the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. The rivalry stems largely from the period between 1976 and 1980, when both teams were in top form and met four times in five years for the American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
. An older factor in Kansas City-New York relations is the "special relationship" between the Yankees and the Kansas City A's during the 1950s, in which Kansas City's best players (such as Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
and Ralph Terry
Ralph Terry
Ralph Willard Terry is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Kansas City Athletics , Cleveland Indians and New York Mets...
) were repeatedly sent to New York with little compensation. The Royals' recent lack of success, however, as well as the Yankees' more popular and historic rivalry with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
has caused this rivalry to lose its prominence. Also of note are division rivalries with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The 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...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The 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...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
, and Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. The Detroit Tigers swept the Royals in the 1984 playoff season, and in the early 2000s, Detroit and Kansas City had a number of bench clearing brawls. In recent years the rivalry with Minnesota has become more prominent, with the Twins' consistent standings atop the division, as well as the relatively short drive between the two clubs in which many fans from Minnesota make the trip and heavily populate Royals home games versus the Twins. Previously, the Twins had narrowly beat out the Royals for the 1987 American League West pennant, in which the Twins later took the World Series versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
Forgotten in recent years is the old division rivalry between the Royals and the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. In the early 1970s, Oakland won three World Series titles from 1972–1974, and after the A's left Kansas City under less than honorable terms, a strong rivalry existed between the two teams during this period. This was soon forgotten by the late 1970s when the Royals came to prominence and the rivalry with New York began. Also strong in the late 70s was the rivalry against the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
, particularly in the fights for 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 pennant in 1979.
Baseball Hall of Famers
Ford C. Frick Award recipients
Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
| Kansas City Royals in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Missouri Sports Hall of Fame The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield, Missouri, USA, showcases sports memorabilia of Missouri athletes and interactive displays.-Inductees:-External links:*... |
|||
| Number | Player | Position | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Fred Patek | Shortstop Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
1971—1979 |
| 5 | 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... |
Third baseman Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
1973—1993 |
| 6 | Willie Wilson | Outfielder Outfielder Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder... |
1976—1990 |
| 11 | Hal McRae Hal McRae Harold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed... |
Outfielder Outfielder Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder... /Designated hitter Designated hitter In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to... /Manager Manager (baseball) In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized... |
1973—1987 1991—1994 |
| 16 | Bo Jackson Bo Jackson Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is a former American baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985.... |
Outfielder Outfielder Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder... |
1987—1990 |
| 20 | Frank White | Second baseman Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
1973—1990 |
| 22 | Dennis Leonard Dennis Leonard Dennis Patrick Leonard was one of the Kansas City Royals' most dominating pitchers of the late '70s and early '80s, but a promising career cut short due to injuries. In 1975, his first full year he managed to bust out with a 15-7 record... |
Starting pitcher Starting pitcher In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.... |
1974—1986 |
| 29 | 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... |
Relief pitcher Relief pitcher A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter... |
1979—1988 |
| 34 | Paul Splittorff Paul Splittorff Paul William Splittorff Jr. was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who spent his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. Listed at 6' 3", Splittorff batted and threw left handed.-Early years:Splittorff was born in Evansville, Indiana... |
Starting pitcher Starting pitcher In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.... |
1970—1984 |
| 36 | Gaylord Perry Gaylord Perry Gaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average... |
Starting pitcher Starting pitcher In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.... |
1983 |
Retired numbers
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... 3B: 1973–93 Retired 1994 |
Dick Howser Dick Howser Richard Dalton Howser was an American Major League Baseball shortstop, coach and manager. He is best known as the manager of the Kansas City Royals during the 1980s, and for guiding them to the franchise's only World Series title in 1985.-Playing career:A native of Miami, Florida, Howser grew up... M: 1981–86 Retired 1987 |
Frank White 2B: 1973–90 Retired 1995 |
Jackie Robinson Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947... Retired by all of MLB Retired 1997 |
The Royals have retired the numbers of former players 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...
(#5) and Frank White (#20). Former manager Dick Howser
Dick Howser
Richard Dalton Howser was an American Major League Baseball shortstop, coach and manager. He is best known as the manager of the Kansas City Royals during the 1980s, and for guiding them to the franchise's only World Series title in 1985.-Playing career:A native of Miami, Florida, Howser grew up...
's number (#10) was retired following his death in 1987. Former Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
player Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
's number (#42) is retired throughout Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Royals Hall of Fame
Listed by year of induction:1986
- 40 Steve BusbySteve BusbySteven Lee Busby is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed.-Professional career:...
, SP - 26 Amos OtisAmos OtisAmos Joseph Otis is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets , Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed....
, CF
1987
- 10 Dick HowserDick HowserRichard Dalton Howser was an American Major League Baseball shortstop, coach and manager. He is best known as the manager of the Kansas City Royals during the 1980s, and for guiding them to the franchise's only World Series title in 1985.-Playing career:A native of Miami, Florida, Howser grew up...
, Manager - 1 Cookie RojasCookie RojasOctavio Victor Rojas Rivas , better known as Cookie Rojas, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Royals. After retiring as a player he went on to both coach and manage in the...
, 2B - 34 Paul SplittorffPaul SplittorffPaul William Splittorff Jr. was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who spent his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. Listed at 6' 3", Splittorff batted and threw left handed.-Early years:Splittorff was born in Evansville, Indiana...
, SP
1989
- 22 Dennis LeonardDennis LeonardDennis Patrick Leonard was one of the Kansas City Royals' most dominating pitchers of the late '70s and early '80s, but a promising career cut short due to injuries. In 1975, his first full year he managed to bust out with a 15-7 record...
, SP - 11 Hal McRaeHal McRaeHarold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed...
, DH
1992
- Joe BurkeJoe Burke (baseball executive)Joseph R. Burke was a front office executive in American Major League Baseball who served as general manager or club president of the Kansas City Royals during the most successful period in that franchise's history....
, GM and President - 32 Larry GuraLarry GuraLawrence Cyril Gura is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from to . He went to Arizona State University and spent 16 years in the Major Leagues. He played for the Chicago Cubs of the National League, and the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals , both of the American League...
, SP - 2 Freddie PatekFreddie PatekFrederick Joseph Patek is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. At 5'5" tall , he was the shortest player of his time.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, SS
1993
- Ewing KauffmanEwing KauffmanEwing Marion Kauffman was an American pharmaceutical magnate, philanthropist, and Major League Baseball owner....
, owner and tributary of name of Kauffman Stadium
1994
- 5 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...
, 3B
1995
- 20 Frank White, 2B
1996
- Muriel KauffmanMuriel KauffmanMuriel Irene McBrien Kauffman was a civic leader and philanthropist in Kansas City, Mo. She was the wife and partner of Ewing Kauffman...
, executive and wife of Ewing - 7 John MayberryJohn MayberryJohn Claiborn Mayberry is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees from 1968 to 1982.-High school and minor leagues:...
, 1B
1998
- 29 Dan QuisenberryDan QuisenberryDan Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals...
, RP
2000
- 24 Whitey HerzogWhitey HerzogDorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including...
, Manager - 6 Willie Wilson, CF
2003
- 21 Jeff Montgomery, RP
2004
- Denny MatthewsDenny MatthewsDennis G. "Denny" Matthews is an American sportscaster, best known as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals since the team's inception in .-Early history:...
, radio announcer
2005
- 18 Bret SaberhagenBret SaberhagenBret 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...
, SP
2006
- 23 Mark GubiczaMark GubiczaMark 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...
, SP
2008
- Art StewartArt StewartArt Stewart is a former scout and Director of Scouting for the Kansas City Royals, a Major League Baseball team.- Career :Stewart is the longest tenured Kansas City Royals associate who was inducted to the Kansas City Royals Baseball Hall of Fame during 2008 season, on June 28...
, scout
2011
- Kevin AppierKevin AppierRobert Kevin Appier is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and Anaheim Angels.-Kansas City Royals:...
, SP
Minor league affiliations
| Level | Team | League | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAA | Omaha Storm Chasers | Pacific Coast League Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The... |
Papillion, NE Papillion, Nebraska Papillion is a city in Sarpy County in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is a suburb to the southwest of neighboring Omaha, and is the county seat of Sarpy County. The population of Papillion was 18,894 at the 2010 census. In 2009, Papillion was named the #3 best place to live in the United States by... |
| AA | Northwest Arkansas Naturals Northwest Arkansas Naturals The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are a Minor League Baseball team based in Springdale, Arkansas. The team is member of the Texas League, and serves as the Double-A affiliate to the Kansas City Royals. They relocated to Springdale from Wichita, Kansas in 2008. They were previously known as the... |
Texas League Texas League The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892... |
Springdale, AR Springdale, Arkansas As of the census of 2010, there were 69,797 people, 22,805 households, and 16,640 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 64.7% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 1.8% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 5.7% Pacific Islander, 22% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more... |
| Advanced A | Wilmington Blue Rocks Wilmington Blue Rocks The Wilmington Blue Rocks are a Minor League Baseball team located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Blue Rocks play in the Northern Division of the Carolina League.-Franchise history:... |
Carolina League Carolina League The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth... |
Wilmington, DE Wilmington, Delaware Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley... |
| A | Kane County Cougars Kane County Cougars The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Geneva, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago.... |
Midwest League Midwest League The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort... |
Geneva, IL Geneva, Illinois Geneva is the county seat of Kane County, Illinois. It is located on the western fringe of the Chicago suburbs. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 26,652. Geneva is part of a tri-city area, along with St. Charles and Batavia... |
| Rookie | AZL Royals Arizona League Royals The Arizona League Royals are a minor league baseball team in Surprise, Arizona, USA. They are a Class R team in the Arizona League and have been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since 2003. The Royals play home games at Surprise Stadium. Opened in 2002, Surprise Stadium seats 10,500... |
Arizona League Arizona League The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the... |
Surprise, AZ Surprise, Arizona Surprise is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. The population was 30,848 at the 2000 census; however, rapid growth has boosted the city's population to 117,517 at the 2010 census, an increase of 281%... |
| Burlington Royals Burlington Royals The Burlington Royals are a minor league baseball team in Burlington, North Carolina, USA. They are a Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Kansas City Royals since September 1, 2006. For the previous 21 years, the team had been affiliated with the Cleveland... |
Appalachian League Appalachian League The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee... |
Burlington, NC Burlington, North Carolina Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located. The population was 49,963 at the 2010... |
|
| Idaho Falls Chukars Idaho Falls Chukars The Idaho Falls Chukars are a minor league baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at Melaleuca Field which holds 3,400 fans. The dimensions of the ball park are 340'left, 400'center, 350'right. The playing surface is Natural Grass... |
Pioneer League | Idaho Falls, ID Idaho Falls, Idaho Idaho Falls is a city in and the county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho, United States, and the largest city in Eastern Idaho. As of the 2010 census, the population of Idaho Falls was 56,813, with a metro population of 130,374.... |
|
| DSL Royals Dominican Summer Royals The Dominican Summer Royals are a minor league baseball team in the Dominican Summer League. The team plays in the Boca Chica South division and is affiliated with the Kansas City Royals.-External links:*... |
Dominican Summer League Dominican Summer League The Dominican Summer League is a branch of affiliated minor league baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. The 2011 72-game season begins May 28 and ends August 20... |
Dominican Republic Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries... |
Season records
- Highest Batting Average: .390, 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...
(1980) - Most Games: 162, Al CowensAl CowensAlfred Edward Cowens, Jr. was a right fielder in Major League Baseball. From through , Cowens played for the Kansas City Royals , California Angels , Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners . He batted and threw right-handed.A native of Los Angeles, California, Cowens was a product of the Kansas...
(1977), Hal McRaeHal McRaeHarold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed...
(1977) and Carlos BeltranCarlos BeltránCarlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...
(2002) - Most Runs: 136, Johnny DamonJohnny DamonJohnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
(2000) - Most Hits: 230, Willie Wilson (1980)
- Highest Slugging %: .664, 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...
(1980) - Most Doubles: 54, Hal McRaeHal McRaeHarold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed...
(1977) - Most Triples: 21, Willie Wilson (1985)
- Most Home Runs: 36, 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...
(1985) - Most Grand Slams: 3, Danny TartabullDanny TartabullDanilo 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 ,...
(1988) - Most RBIs: 144, Mike SweeneyMike SweeneyMichael John "Mike" Sweeney is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to first base. Sweeney has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia...
(2000) - Most Stolen Bases: 83, Willie Wilson (1979)
- Most Wins: 23, Bret SaberhagenBret SaberhagenBret 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...
(1989) - Lowest ERA: 2.08, Roger NelsonRoger Nelson (baseball)Roger Eugene Nelson is a former professional baseball pitcher. Nelson pitched all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1967 and 1976 with a record of 29 wins, 32 losses, and 5 saves....
(1972) - Strikeouts: 244, Dennis LeonardDennis LeonardDennis Patrick Leonard was one of the Kansas City Royals' most dominating pitchers of the late '70s and early '80s, but a promising career cut short due to injuries. In 1975, his first full year he managed to bust out with a 15-7 record...
(1977) - Most Strikeouts, Single Game: 15, Zack GreinkeZack GreinkeDonald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
(2009) - Complete Games: 21, Dennis LeonardDennis LeonardDennis Patrick Leonard was one of the Kansas City Royals' most dominating pitchers of the late '70s and early '80s, but a promising career cut short due to injuries. In 1975, his first full year he managed to bust out with a 15-7 record...
(1977) - Saves: 45, Dan QuisenberryDan QuisenberryDan Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals...
(1983) and Jeff Montgomery (1993)
Radio and television
, the Royals flagship stations are KCSPKCSP (AM)
KCSP is a sports/talk radio station located in Kansas City, Missouri. The Entercom-owned station broadcasts on 610 kHz. Beginning March 31, 2011, its programming is simulcast on KMBZ-FM's 98.1-HD2 subchannel....
610AM and KMBZ 980AM depending on scheduling. As of 2011 All games are broadcasted on KCSP. The stations replace WHB
WHB
WHB is a commercial sports radio station in Kansas City, Missouri, and is known as the first full-time Top 40 station in the country...
, which chose not to renew, and KCXM, now a Christian radio
Christian radio
Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering...
station (as KLRX
KLRX
KLRX is a radio station in the Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas area that plays contemporary Christian music It launched in December 2007, replacing an all-sports station....
). The radio announcers will be Denny Matthews
Denny Matthews
Dennis G. "Denny" Matthews is an American sportscaster, best known as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals since the team's inception in .-Early history:...
and Bob Davis, with Steve Stewart
Steve Stewart
Steve Stewart is an American sportscaster, currently serving as a pregame host and play-by-play announcer on the Kansas City Royals Radio Network...
and possibly Ryan Lefebvre
Ryan Lefebvre
Ryan Lefebvre is an American sportscaster, best known as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals since 1999. In 2008, he became the primary announcer for Royals' television broadcasts on Fox Sports Kansas City...
doing fill-in work whenever the Royals are not televised.
Meanwhile, the Royals have shut down Royals Sports Television Network
Royals Sports Television Network
The Royals Sports Television Network or RSTN was a regional sports network serving the Kansas City area, Kansas, western Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Iowa owned by the Kansas City Royals...
, and the full television schedule of 140 games will air on FSN Kansas City
FSN Kansas City
Fox Sports Kansas City stylized as FS KANSAS CITY is a regional sports network serving the Kansas City region and surrounding areas in parts of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa...
, a newly-created branch of FSN Midwest
FSN Midwest
Fox Sports Midwest is a regional sports network that operates in eastern and central Missouri , central & southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Nebraska, and Iowa.-History:...
, leaving no over-the-air broadcast outlet for the Royals this season. The announcers there will be Lefebvre, Paul Splittorff
Paul Splittorff
Paul William Splittorff Jr. was a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who spent his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. Listed at 6' 3", Splittorff batted and threw left handed.-Early years:Splittorff was born in Evansville, Indiana...
, and Frank White. Frank White filled in for Splittorff on a few games. Splittorff died on May 26, 2011 due to complications of Melanoma
Melanoma
Melanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
and Oral cancer
Oral cancer
Oral cancer is a subtype of head and neck cancer, is any cancerous tissue growth located in the oral cavity. It may arise as a primary lesion originating in any of the oral tissues, by metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by extension from a neighboring anatomic structure, such as the...
in Blue Springs, Missouri
Blue Springs, Missouri
Blue Springs is a city in Jackson County, Missouri and is a satellite city of Kansas City, Missouri. As of the 2010 census the population at 52,575.- Geography :...
. A tribute to Splittorff aired the night of his death.
On February 22, 2007, Matthews was selected as the 2007 recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award
Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball." It is named for Ford Christopher Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball...
, presented annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting.
In 2011, 140 games will be broadcast on FSKC HD being the highest total of Kansas City Royals games produced in HD to date.
Mascot
Sluggerrr is the mascotMascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of the Royals. Sluggerrr is a lion and made his first appearance on April 5, 1996.
On game day, Sluggerrr can be found giving aggressive encouragement to players, pitching in the "Little K", and firing hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
s from an air cannon into the stands between innings.