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The Royals made a lofty sign this off-season when they acquired veteran right fielder Jose Guillen; this could be a sign that the franchise is finally beginning to move in the right dirrection.
The 1985 Kansas City Royals were World Series Champions! They are the only team to ever bring this title to the big K.C.
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The Kansas City Royals are obviously in a rebuilding stage. It does not seem they will compete in the highly talented American League for at least a few more years. Well, they can still compete to stay off the bottom of the standings this year.
Team History
The Royals began play in 1969 in Kansas City, Missouri. In their inaugural game, on April 8, 1969, the Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-3 in 12 innings. They would not win much that season and would finish 69-93.
In 1971, just their third year of existence, the Royals post their first winning season and finish in second place in the Western Division. At the time, it was the quickest an expansion team had achieved such success.
In 1973, the Royals move into brand new Royals Stadium. That first year the Royals also host the All-Star Game, which is won by the National League, 7-1. The new stadium features an artificial surface, and Royals management begins to build a team around speed and pitching -- a move that would pay off in a short period of time. The year also sees the debut of a young third baseman named George Brett, who would become the centerpiece of Royals baseball for the next 20 years.
Under manager Whitey Herzog, the Royals quickly became the dominant franchise in the American League 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.
After the Royals 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.
In the 1980 ALCS, the Royals finally vanquished the Yankees in a three-game sweep punctuated by a George Brett home run off Yankees' star closer Goose Gossage. However, after reaching their first World Series, the Royals fell to the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
In 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 July. In 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 home run. The umpires immediately disallowed the home run and ejected Brett, who stormed out of the dugout to argue his defense. The incident has now become part of baseball lore.
Retired Numbers
- 5 George Brett
- 10 Dick Howser
- 20 Frank White
Owners
General Managers
- Dayton Moore 2006-Present
- Allard Baird 2000-2006
- Herk Robinson 1990-2000
- John Schuerholz 1981-1990]]
- Joe Burke 1974-]]1981]]
- Cedric Tallis 1969-1974
Managers
- Trey Hillman 2008-Present
- Buddy Bell 2005-2007
- Tony Peña 2002-05
- John Mizerock 2002
- Tony Muser 1997-2002
- Bob Boone 1995-97
- Hal McRae 1991-94
- Bob Schaefer 1991
- John Wathan 1987-91
- Billy Gardner 1987
- Mike Ferraro 1986
- Dick Howser 1981-86
- Jim Frey 1980-81
- Whitey Herzog 1975-79
- Jack McKeon 1973-75
- Bob Lemon 1970-72
- Charlie Metro 1970
- Joe Gordon 1969
Awards
MVP
- George Brett (1980)
Rookie Of The Year
- Angel Berroa (2003)
- Carlos Beltran (1999)
- Bob Hamelin (1994)
- Lou Piniella (1969)
Cy Young
- David Cone (1994)
- Bret Saberhagen (1989}
- Bret Saberhagen (1985)
All-Time Team Leaders & Stats
Career Records
- Home Runs: George Brett 317
- Runs Batted In: George Brett 1595
- Batting Average (minimum 1,000 plate appearances): George Brett .305
- Batting Average (minimum 2,000 plate appearances): George Brett .305
- Batting Average (minimum 3,000 plate appearances): George Brett .305
- Batting Average (minimum 4,000 plate appearances): George Brett .305
- Hits: George Brett 3154
- Runs: George Brett 1583
- Doubles: George Brett 665
- Triples: George Brett 137
- Stolen Bases: Willie Wilson 612
- Walks: George Brett 1096
- Wins: Paul Splittorff 166
- Saves: Jeff Montgomery 304
- Strikeouts: Kevin Appier 1458
- Earned Run Average: Dan Quisenberry 2.55
Single Season Records
- Home Runs: Steve Balboni 36, 1985
- Runs Batted In: Mike Sweeney 144, 2000
- Batting Average: George Brett .390, 1980
- Hits: Willie Wilson 230, 1980
- Runs: Johnny Damon 136, 2000
- Doubles: Hal McRae 54, 1977
- Triples: Willie Wilson 21, 1985
- Stolen Bases: Willie Wilson 83, 1979
- Hitting Streak:
- Walks: John Mayberry 122, 1973
- Wins: Bret Saberhagen 29, 1989
- Saves: Jeff Montgomery 45, 1993
- Strikeouts: Dennis Leonard 244, 1977
- Earned Run Average: Roger Nelson 2.08, 1972
Record Per Season
| Season | Won | Lost | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 69 | 93 | .426 |
| 1970 | 65 | 97 | .401 |
| 1971 | 85 | 76 | .528 |
| 1972 | 76 | 78 | .494 |
| 1973 | 88 | 74 | .543 |
| 1974 | 77 | 85 | .475 |
| 1975 | 91 | 71 | .562 |
| 1976 | 90 | 72 | .556 |
| 1977 | 102 | 60 | .630 |
| 1978 | 92 | 70 | .567 |
| 1979 | 85 | 77 | .525 |
| 1980 | 97 | 65 | .599 |
| 1981 | 50 | 53 | .485 |
| 1982 | 90 | 72 | .556 |
| 1983 | 79 | 83 | .488 |
| 1984 | 84 | 78 | .519 |
| 1985 | 91 | 71 | .562 |
| 1986 | 76 | 86 | .469 |
| 1987 | 83 | 79 | .512 |
| 1988 | 84 | 77 | .522 |
| 1989 | 92 | 70 | .568 |
| 1990 | 75 | 86 | .466 |
| 1991 | 82 | 80 | .506 |
| 1992 | 72 | 90 | .444 |
| 1993 | 84 | 78 | .519 |
| 1994 | 64 | 51 | .557 |
| 1995 | 70 | 74 | .486 |
| 1996 | 75 | 86 | .466 |
| 1997 | 67 | 94 | .416 |
| 1998 | 72 | 89 | .447 |
| 1999 | 64 | 97 | .398 |
| 2000 | 77 | 85 | .475 |
| 2001 | 65 | 97 | .401 |
| 2002 | 62 | 100 | .383 |
| 2003 | 83 | 79 | .512 |
| 2004 | 58 | 104 | .358 |
| 2005 | 56 | 106 | .346 |
| 2006 | 62 | 100 | .383 |
| 2007 | 69 | 93 | .426 |
Current Roster
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Pitchers
* Not on active roster |
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
Designated hitters
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Pitchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
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60-day disabled list
Suspended list
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Minor League Teams
- AAA: Omaha Royals, Pacific Coast League
- AA: Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Texas League
- Advanced A: Wilmington Blue Rocks, Carolina League
- A: Burlington Bees, Midwest League
- Rookie: Arizona Royals, Arizona League
- Rookie: Burlington Royals, Appalachian League
- Rookie: Idaho Falls Chukars, Pioneer League
- Rookie: DSL Royals, Dominican Summer League
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See Also
