Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are one of five teams in the Central Division of the American League.

Franchise history

Main article: History of the Kansas City Royals

Birth of the Royals

When the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland after the 1967 season, Kansas City was left without professional baseball for the first and only time since 1883.^[1] An enraged Senator Stuart Symington threatened to introduce legislation removing baseball's antitrust exemption unless Kansas City was granted a team in the next round of expansion.^[2] MLB complied during the 1967 winter meetings, awarding one of four expansion teams to Kansas City to start play in 1969. Pharmaceutical executive Ewing Kauffman won the bidding for the new Kansas City team, which he named the Royals after the American Royal Livestock Show held in Kansas City every year since 1899.

However, Symington was not satisfied and pressured MLB to allow the new teams to start play in 1969. Symington's intervention may have contributed to the collapse of one of the Royals' expansion brethren, the Seattle Pilots, who moved to Milwaukee as the Brewers after only one season.

1969-79: Taking off

The Royals began operations with General Manager Cedric Tallis, who soon developed a reputation as the best trader in the league. The first big trade was with fellow expansion team Seattle. It brought 1969 Rookie of the Year Lou Piniella. The Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-3 in 12 innings in their inaugural game, on April 8. Two pitching stars on the Baltimore Orioles team that won the 1966 World Series pitched in that inaugural game: Wally Bunker threw the franchise's very first pitch, and Moe Drabowsky won the game in relief. After a 5th place season, the Royals' next trade cemented their reputation as a speedy team. Third baseman Joey Foy was traded to the New York Mets for the speedy outfielder Amos Otis who was the Royals' first star. Further one sided trades brought second baseman Cookie Rojas, bullpen ace Ted Abernathy, shortstop Fred Patek, first baseman John Mayberry and left fielder Hal McRae. The Royals also invested in a strong farm system and in the early years 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 guiding them to a second-place finish. In 1973, under Jack McKeon, the Royals adopted their iconic "powder blue" road uniforms and moved from Kansas City Municipal Stadium to brand-new Royals Stadium (now Kauffman Stadium). The stadium had deep outfield walls and artificial turf, and gave future young stars the opportunity to build a playing style involving aggressive baserunning and good defense. Manager Whitey Herzog replaced McKeon in 1975. The Royals quickly became the dominant franchise in the American League Western Division, winning three straight division championships from 1976 to 1978. They lost to the New York Yankees in three straight American League Championship Series encounters, in spite of winning more regular season games two of those years, and believing themselves to be a better team. In two of those years, they lost the AL championship in the ninth inning of the fifth and final game after winning more games in the regular season than the Yankees. However, the three playoffs series helped George Brett become a larger than life superstar, as he homered three times in a losing effort in the final game of the 1978 playoff series. In addition to the nucleus of Brett, White, McRae,and Cowens, the Royals added pitchers Dennis Leonard and Larry Gura, closer Dan Quisenberry, and position players Willie Wilson, UL Washington and Darrell Porter.

1980-84: From pennant to pine tar

After the Royals finished in second place in 1979, Herzog was fired and replaced by Jim Frey. Most believe that the firing was due to Herzog's strained relationship with the Royals front office including General Manager Joe Burke, owner Ewing Kauffman, and Kauffman's wife, Muriel. Under Frey, the Royals rebounded in 1980, led by Brett, who flirted with a .400 batting average and won the AL MVP. Willie Wilson electrified crowds with stolen bases and inside the park home runs. The team advanced to the ALCS, where they again faced the Yankees. The Royals finally vanquished them in a three-game sweep punctuated by a George Brett dramatic home run off star closer Goose Gossage. Frank White was the playoffs MVP for all-around steady play and heroics. However, the Royals lost the 1980 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies in six games, who featured future Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, and Steve Carlton, as well as all time hit leader Pete Rose. Willie Aikens became the first player in World Series history to homer twice in two separate Series 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 1983, the Royals were headed for a second-place finish behind the Chicago White Sox when they were rocked by a drug scandal. Leadoff hitter and center fielder Willie Wilson, power-hitting first baseman Willie Aikens, power-hitting outfielder Jerry Martin, and starting pitcher Vida Blue, who had been released on August 5, were charged with attempting to purchase cocaine. The four were charged in October 1983, pled guilty, spent three months in prison, and were suspended by commissioner Bowie Kuhn for the entire 1984 season. The four appealed and were permitted to return on May 15. In response to the scandal, owner Ewing Kauffman founded the Ewing Marion Kauffman foundation to give back to the community, allowed Martin to depart via free agency, and traded Aikens, retaining only Wilson's services.

Fortunately, General Manager John Schuerholz had stocked the Royals' minor leagues with young talent. The youth movement paid off more quickly than expected. Under the leadership of manager Dick Howser, the Royals, relying on Brett's bat and the young pitching of Bret Saberhagen, Mark Gubicza, Charley Leibrandt, Bud Black and Danny Jackson, won their fifth division championship in 1984, although they were swept by the eventual World Champion Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.

"The I-70 Series": 1985 World Champions

Main article: 1985 Kansas City Royals season

In the 1985 regular season the Royals topped the Western Division for the sixth time in ten years, led by Bret Saberhagan's Cy Young Award-winning performance. In the last week of the season, Brett put on an amazing hitting streak that let the Royals climb from behind to defeat the California Angels. Throughout the ensuing playoffs against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Royals repeatedly put themselves into difficult positions, but improbably managed to escape each time. With the Royals down 2 games to zero, in game three, George Brett put on a hitting show, homering in his first two at bats and doubling to the same right field location in his third at bat, earning the playoffs MVP award.

Main article: 1985 World Series

In the 1985 World Series against the cross-state St. Louis Cardinals – the so-called "I-70 Series" because the two teams are both located in Missouri and connected by Interstate 70 – the Royals again fell behind 3-1. The key game in the Royals' comeback was Game Six. 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 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 Cardinals then lost their minds, dropping an easy popout, suffering a passed ball, and allowing the Royals to win on a bloop base hit by seldom used pinch hitter Dane Iorg, a former utility players for the same St. Louis Cardinals. Actually, the Cardinals' self-destruction began before the Series, when speedy outfielder Vince Coleman was injured on the field by a rolling tarp and missed the whole Series. Following the tension and frustration of Game Six, the Cardinals came undone in Game Seven, and the Royals won 11-0 to clinch the franchise's first World Series title.

1986-1994: Staying in the picture

The Royals were the trendy pre-season pick to return to the World Series in 1987, but the season proved bittersweet for the Royals. They won 83 out of 162 games (a seven win improvement from 1986), and wound up finishing two games behind the eventual World Champion Minnesota Twins in the Western Division. Further, on June 17, 1987, Dick Howser died after a year long battle with brain cancer. Howser's #10 soon became the first number that the Royals retired. In 1987, the team released longtime star Hal McRae and then selected John Wathan as their new manager in midseason after firing Billy Gardner, and after negotiating with McRae. McRae had a fierce competitive spirit, and the Royals were never again a dominant team after his release, although they came closest in 1994 when under manager McRae, they had a fourteen game winning streak before Bud Selig ended their season.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Royals developed young stars such as Bo Jackson, Tom Gordon, and Kevin Seitzer, patched together free-agent acquisitions, and generally posted winning records, but fell short of the post-season. They inexplicably traded native Kansas Citian and future perennial All Star David Cone for Ed Hearn, just as Cone matured. Hearn played for less than a month in Kansas City. They also traded their star pitchers for marginal talent: Charley Leibrandt for Gerald Perry, Bud Black for Pat Tabler, Danny Jackson for Kurt Stilwell, and Bret Saberhagen for Kevin McReynolds, Gregg Jefferies and Keith Miller. 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, through the strike-shortened 1994 season, the Royals still could generally be counted on to post winning records. The 1994 season was the club's last flirtation with greatness. The Royals had a fourteen game winning streak just before the season ended prematurely due to the players' strike, under fiery manager Hal McRae, center-fielder Brian McRae, and Cy Young winner David Cone, whom owner Ewing Kaufmann had re-signed prior to his death.

1995-2001: The decline

The Royals were devastated when team owner Ewing Kauffman died in 1993. Kauffman's death left the franchise without permanent ownership until Wal-Mart executive David Glass purchased the team for $96 million in 2000. Partly because of the resulting lack of leadership, after the frustrating 1994 season the Royals decided to reduce payroll by trading pitcher David Cone and outfielder Brian McRae, and firing manager Hal McRae in spite of the fourteen game winning streak. They then continued their salary dump in the 1995 season. In fact, the team payroll was sliced from $40.5 million in 1994 to $18.5 million in 1996.^[3] The Royals developed talent, including Carlos Beltran (rookie of the year in 1999), Johnny Damon, and Mike Sweeney, but always seemed to be a day late and a player short of elevating their overall play to perennial contender. As attendance slid and the average MLB salary continued to rise, the Royals found it difficult to retain their remaining stars, and the club traded players such as Kevin Appier, Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye for prospects rather than pay higher salaries or lose them to free agency. 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. Ewing Kaufmann, the longtime great owner of the team, had never had losses like that.

2002-2006: The sad days

In 2002, the Royals set a new team record for futility, losing 100 games for the first time in franchise history. 2003 saw a temporary end to the losing, when manager Tony Peña, in his first full season with the club, improbably guided the Royals to their first winning record since the 1994 season. He was named the American League Manager of the Year for his efforts.

Picked by many to win their division in 2004 after faring surprisingly well in the free agent market, the Royals got off to a disappointing start and by late June again were in 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. Worse yet, the younger players received in these trades did little to immediately restock the team or its farm system, although Mark Teahen, acquired in the Beltrán trade, would blossom in 2006 following his return from a demotion to Omaha.

In 2005, the Royals continued their youth movement, with one of the smallest payrolls in the Major Leagues and with six of their starting position players, three of their five starting pitchers, and their setup man and closer under the age of 30. After posting a miserable 8-25 record to start the season, Tony Peña resigned as manager on May 10; Buddy Bell was hired to replace him three weeks later. On August 9 came a game that many saw as symbolic of the franchise's plight. Having already lost 10 games in a row, the Royals had a 7-2 lead against the Cleveland Indians going into the ninth inning but committed three errors, allowing the Indians to score 11 runs and win 13-7. The Royals finally ended their losing streak at 19 on August 20, two losses short of the American League record, with a 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. 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.

Looking for a quick turnaround, General Manager Allard Baird signed several veteran players prior to the 2006 season. He secured starting pitchers Mark Redman, Joe Mays and Scott Elarton. Baird also signed free agent second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and inked veteran Reggie Sanders to a two-year, $10 million deal. Although the new players seemed promising, they did not result in many additional wins. 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.^[4] Following a major-league worst 13-37 start, the Royals fired Baird on May 31 and announced that Atlanta Braves assistant general manager Dayton Moore would be the team's new GM. Muzzy Jackson served as interim GM for the Royals, handling the first-year player draft, before Moore took over on June 8.

2007: Getting serious again

Main article: 2007 Kansas City Royals season

With team owner David Glass allowing more financial resources and authority to new general manager Dayton Moore upon his hiring in 2006, the Royals began an extensive overhaul of its front office, scouting and minor league operations, including a sixth minor league affiliate.

The new approach also carried over to the major league roster. During the 2006 offseason, Kansas City appeared to be opening up its wallet. They outbid the Cubs and Blue Jays for free agent righty Gil Meche, signing him to a five-year, $55 million contract. Reliever Octavio Dotel also inked a one-year, $5 milllion contract.

Kansas City enters the 2007 season looking to change course after four out of five seasons ending with 100 or more losses. Fans eagerly await the emergence of several promising young pitchers and position players, including Billy Butler, Luke Hochevar, Tyler Lumsden and Billy Buckner. Alex Gordon, the Royals' top minor leaguer in 2006, made the major league roster and will start at third base. Zack Greinke, who followed a promising debut in 2004 with a disappointing sophomore season in 2005 and psychological issues that caused him to miss much of the 2006 season, rebounded to win a spot in the Royals' starting rotation in 2007.

Other key young players for the Royals include outfielders David Dejesus and Mark Teahen, first baseman Ryan Shealy and catcher John Buck. Shortstop Angel Berroa, once considered a cornerstone of the team's future success, was sent down to the minor leagues after regressing offensively and defensively from his 2003 American League Rookie of the Year form. He was replaced by Tony Pena, Jr., son of former Royals manager Tony Pena, after the younger Pena was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a trade.

Quick facts

Founded: 1969 (American League expansion)

Uniform colors: Royal Blue, white, and gold

Logo design: Entwined "KC" on a blue shield topped with a gold crown

Team motto: True. Blue. Tradition

Playoff appearances (7): 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985

Winningest season: 1977 (102-60)

Losingest season: 2005 (56-106)

Local Television: RSTN (KMCI-38, MetroSports)

Local Radio: WHB, KCXM

Spring Training Facility: Surprise Stadium, Surprise, AZ

Biggest Fan: Mike Bonomo

Team Mascot: Sluggerrr (Info)

Players of note

Main article: Kansas City Royals roster

Baseball Hall of Fame

Players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame along with their primary position and years of service with the Royals:

• 5 George Brett, 3B, 1973-93
• 30 Orlando Cepeda, DH, 1974
• 3 Harmon Killebrew, DH, 1975
• 36 Gaylord Perry, P, 1983

Retired numbers

• 5 George Brett, 3B, 1973-93
• 10 Dick Howser, Manager, 1981-86
• 20 Frank White, 2B, 1973-90; Coach, 1997-present
• 42 Jackie Robinson, Retired throughout baseball

Royals Hall of Fame

Listed by year of induction:

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

• 2 Fred Patek, SS, 1971-79
• 5 George Brett, 3B, 1973-93
• 6 Willie Wilson, OF, 1976-90
• 11 Hal McRae, OF-DH, 1973-87; Manager, 1991-94
• 16 Bo Jackson, OF, 1987-90
• 20 Frank White, 2B, 1973-90
• 22 Dennis Leonard, P, 1974-86
• 29 Dan Quisenberry, P, 1979-88
• 34 Paul Splittorff, P, 1970-84
• 36 Gaylord Perry, P, 1983 (14 games)

Current roster

40-man roster
Last updated on April 5, 2007

• 25 Buddy Bell (Manager)
• 19 Billy Doran (Bench Coach)
• 27 Brian Poldberg (Third Base Coach)
• 17 Image:Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Luis Silverio (First Base Coach)
•  8 Mike Barnett (Hitting Coach)
• 18 Fred Kendall (Bullpen Coach)
• 33 Bob McClure (Pitching Coach)

Managers

*Interim manager

‡Record through 2006 season

Minor league affiliations

• AAA: Omaha Royals, Pacific Coast League
• AA: Wichita Wranglers, Texas League
• Advanced A: Wilmington Blue Rocks, Carolina League
• A: Burlington Bees, Midwest League
• Rookie: AZL Royals, Arizona League
• Rookie: Burlington Royals, Appalachian League
• Rookie: Idaho Falls Chukars, Pioneer League
• Rookie: DSL Royals, Dominican Summer League

Season records