Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals
2024 Kansas City Royals season
Established in1969
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
American League(1969–present) Central Division(1994–present) West Division(1969–1993)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	5 10 20 42
Colors
Royal blue, gold, powder blue, white
Name
Kansas City Royals (1969–present)
Other nicknames
The Blue crew Boys In Blue The Crowns
Ballpark
Kauffman Stadium(1973–present) Municipal Stadium(1969–1972)
Major league titles
World Series titles(2)	1985 2015
AL Pennants(4)	1980 1985 2014 2015
Central Division titles(1)	2015
West Division titles(6)	1976 1977 1978 1980 1984 1985
Wild card berths(1)	2014
Front office
Principal owner(s)	John Sherman
President of baseball operations	J. J. Picollo
General manager	J. J. Picollo
Manager	Matt Quatraro
Website	mlb /royals

TheKansas City Royalsare an Americanprofessional baseballteam based inKansas City, Missouri.The Royals compete inMajor League Baseball(MLB) as a member club of theAmerican League(AL)Central Division.The team was founded asan expansion franchisein 1969, and have made fourWorld Seriestrips, winning in1985and2015,and losing in1980and2014.Outside of a dominant 10-year stretch between 1976 and 1985, and a brief, albeit dominant, resurgence from 2013 to 2015, the Royals have combined for a bottom-ten all time winning percentage in MLB history.

The name "Royals" pays homage to theAmerican Royal,a livestock show, horse show, rodeo, and championship barbecue competition held annually in Kansas City since 1899,as well as the identical names of two formerNegro league baseballteams that played in the first half of the 20th century (one was a semi-pro team based in Kansas City in the 1910s and 1920s that toured the Midwestand the other was aCalifornia Winter Leagueteam based in Los Angeles in the 1940s that was managed byChet Brewerand includedSatchel PaigeandJackie Robinsonon its roster).The Los Angeles team had personnel connections to the Monarchs but could not use the Monarchs name. The name also fits into something of a theme for other professional sports franchises in the city, including theKansas City Chiefsof the NFL, the formerKansas City Kingsof the NBA, and the formerKansas City Monarchsof theNegro National League.

In 1968, the team held a name-the-team contest that received more than 17,000 entries. Sanford Porte, a bridge engineer from the suburb ofOverland Park, Kansas,was named the winner for his “Royals” entry. His reason had nothing to do with royalty. “Kansas City’s new baseball team should be called the Royals because of Missouri’s billion-dollar livestock income, Kansas City’s position as the nation’s leading stocker and feeder market and the nationally known American Royal parade and pageant,” Porte wrote. The team's board voted 6–1 on the name, with the only opposition coming from team ownerEwing Kauffman,who eventually changed his vote and said the name had grown on him.

Entering the American League in 1969 along with theSeattle Pilots,the club was founded by Kansas City businessman Ewing Kauffman. The franchise was established following the actions ofStuart Symington,then-U.S. Senator from Missouri,who demanded a new franchise for the city after theAthletics(Kansas City's previous major league team that played from 1955 to 1967) moved toOakland, Californiain 1968. Since April 10, 1973, the Royals have played atKauffman Stadium,formerly known as Royals Stadium.

The new team quickly became a powerhouse, appearing in the playoffs seven times from 1976 to 1985, winning oneWorld Series championshipand anotherAL pennant,led by stars such asAmos Otis,Hal McRae,John Mayberry,George Brett,Frank White,Willie Wilson,andBret Saberhagen.The team remained competitive throughout the early 1990s, but then had only one winning season from 1995 to 2012. For 28 consecutive seasons (1986–2013), the Royals did not qualify to play in theMLB postseason,one of the longestpostseason droughtsduring baseball's current wild-card era. The team broke this streak in2014by securing the franchise's firstwild card berthand advancing to the2014 World Series,where they lost to theSan Francisco Giantsin seven games. The Royals, led by players likeSalvador Perez,Alex Gordon,Johnny Cueto,Danny Duffy,Eric Hosmer,Mike Moustakas,Lorenzo Cain,and an elite group ofbullpenpitchers, followed this up by winning the team's first AL Central division title in2015and defeating theNew York Metsin five games in the2015 World Seriesto win their secondWorld Series championship.

Through 2023, the Royals have an all time win–loss record of4,122–4,547–2(.475).Entering the 2023 season, the team is valued atUS$1.2 billion, placing them 27th out of MLB's 30 teams.Since 2019, the team has been owned by majority ownerJohn Sherman,amongst many other Kansas City business owners and entrepreneurs.

Franchise history

Main article:History of the Kansas City Royals

For historical Kansas City baseball franchises, seeList of past and present Kansas City sports teams.

Baseball returns to Kansas City

The Royals wore their trademark powder blue road uniforms from 1973 to 1991 and reintroduced it in 2008 as an alternate jersey.

When theKansas City Athleticsmoved toOaklandafter the1967 season,Kansas City was left without major league baseball or, for the first time since 1883, professional baseball at all. The team was led byCharlie Finley,who explored many elaborate relocation plans and essentially shunned Kansas City before the team even relocated.An enragedSenatorStuart Symingtonof Missouri threatened to introduce legislation removing baseball's antitrust exemption unless Kansas City was granted a team in the next round of expansion.Major League Baseball complied with a hasty round of expansion at the 1967 winter meetings. Kansas City was awarded one of four teams to begin play in 1971. However, Symington was not satisfied with having Kansas City wait three years for baseball to return, and pressured MLB to allow the new teams to start play in 1969. Symington's intervention may have contributed to the financial collapse of the Royals' companion expansion team, theSeattle Pilots,who had to begin play in 1969 before they were ready (the league required new franchises to enter in pairs to preserve symmetry for scheduling purposes).

Pharmaceutical executiveEwing Kauffmanwon the bidding for the new Kansas City team. He conducted a contest to determine the best and most appropriate name for the new franchise. Sanford Porte from Overland Park, Kansas submitted the name Royals, in recognition of Missouri's billion-dollar livestock industry. His suggestion was that theAmerican Royalbest exemplified Kansas City through its pageantry and parade, so the new team should be named the Royals. The name was selected out of 17,000 submissions and the Royals Board voted 6–1 to adopt the name. The one dissenting vote was Kauffman's. He eventually changed his mind after the name grew on him. (Some sources say it was in honor of theKansas City Monarchs,aNegro leaguesteam.)The team's logo, a crown atop a shield with the letters "KC" inside the shield, was created by Shannon Manning, an artist atHallmark Cards,based in Kansas City.

1969–1979: Taking Off

A game versus theChicago White SoxatKauffman Stadium(then Royals Stadium), September 1976

The Royals began play in 1969 inKansas City, Missouri.In their inaugural game, on April 8, 1969, theRoyalsdefeated theMinnesota Twins4–3 in 12 innings. The Royals went 69–93 in their first season, highlighted byLou Piniella,who won theAL Rookie of the Year Award.

The team was quickly built through a number of trades engineered by its first General Manager,Cedric Tallis,who picked up center fielderAmos Otis,who became the team's first star, first basemanJohn Mayberry,who provided power, second basemanCookie Rojas,shortstopFred Patek,and designated hitterHal McRae.The Royals also invested in a strong farm system and developed future star pitchersPaul Splittorff,Dennis Leonard,andSteve Busby,infieldersGeorge BrettandFrank White,and outfielderAl Cowens.Under these young players, the Royals built a core set up for future success.

In 1971, theRoyalshad their first winning season, with managerBob Lemonleading them to a second-place finish. In 1973, under managerJack McKeon,the Royals adopted their iconic "powder blue"road uniforms and moved fromMunicipal Stadiumto the brand-newRoyals Stadium(now known as Kauffman Stadium).

The1973 All-Star Gamewas hosted at Royals Stadium, with Otis and Mayberry in the AL starting lineup. The event was previously held at Municipal Stadium in1960,when theAthleticswere based in Kansas City.

ManagerWhitey Herzogreplaced McKeon in1975,and the Royals quickly became the dominant franchise in the American League's Western Division. After a second-place, 91 win season, they won three straight division championships from 1976 to 1978, including the franchise's only 100-win season in1977.However, the Royals lost to theNew York Yankeesin three straightAmerican League Championship Seriesencounters.

1980–1984: From Pennant to Pine Tar Incident

After theRoyalsfinished in second place in 1979, Herzog was fired and replaced byJim Frey.Under Frey and a legendary.390 season from George Brett, theRoyalsrebounded in 1980 and advanced to theALCS,where they again faced theYankees.The Royals vanquished the Yankees in a three-game sweep punctuated by Brett's home run off of Yankees' star relief pitcherGoose Gossage.After reaching their firstWorld Series,the Royals fell to thePhiladelphia Philliesin six games. Game 6 was also significant because it remains the most-watched game in World Series history with a television audience of 54.9 million viewers.

Thebaseball batused by third basemanGeorge Brettin the "Pine Tar Incident" on July 24, 1983, versus theNew York Yankees

In July 1983, while theRoyalswere headed for a second-place finish behind theChicago White Soxanother chapter in the team's rivalry with the New York Yankees occurred. In what has come to be known as "thePine Tar Incident",umpires discovered illegal placement ofpine tar(more than 18 inches up the handle) onthird basemanGeorge 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 ManagerBilly Martincame out of the dugout to talk to home plate umpireTim 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 gave the "out" sign, disallowing the home run. Enraged, Brett stormed out of the dugout toward McClelland and Martin, and McClelland ejected Brett. The homer was later reinstated byAL PresidentLee MacPhail,and the Royals won the game after it was resumed several weeks later.

The 1983 season was also notable for some transitional changes in the Royals organization. First, ownerEwing Kauffmansold 49% of his interest to Memphis developerAvron Fogelman.Second,John Schuerholzwas named general manager. Schuerholz soon bolstered the farm system with pitchersBud Black,Danny Jackson,Mark Gubicza,David Cone,andBret Saberhagen,as well as hitters such asKevin Seitzer.

Thanks to the sudden and surprising maturation (specifically, in pitching) of most of the aforementioned players, theRoyalswon 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 theDetroit Tigersin theAmerican League Championship Series.The Tigers went on to win theWorld Series.

1985: "The I-70 Series"

Further information:1985 Kansas City Royals season

In the1985 regular seasonthe Royals topped the Western Division for the sixth time in ten years, led by Bret Saberhagen'sCy Young Award-winning performance and George Brett's self-described best "all around year." Throughout the ensuing playoffs, the Royals incurred both a 2-0 and a 3–1 series deficit in both rounds of the playoffs, but always managed to claw their way back into the series. In game three of theAmerican League Championship Series,with KC down 2 games to 0, George Brett homered twice and doubled off the fence in right field to put Kansas City back into the series. With the Royals down three games to one in the American League Championship Series against theToronto Blue Jays,the Royals eventually rallied to win the series 4–3, highlighted by a go-ahead 3-run triple fromJim Sundbergagainst Blue Jay's aceDave Stiebin Game 7.

1985 World Series

Main article:1985 World Series

In the 1985 World Series (nicknamed the "I-70 Series" because the two teams are both located in the state ofMissouriand connected byInterstate 70) against the cross-stateSt. Louis Cardinals,the Royals again fell behind, three games to one. After Danny Jackson pitched the Royals to a 6–1 win in game five, the Cardinals and Royals headed back to Kansas City for game six. Facing elimination, the Royals trailed 1–0 in the bottom of the 9th inning, whenJorge Ortaled off, hitting a bouncing ground ball to Cardinals 1st basemenJack Clark,who flipped the ball back to pitcherTodd Worrellat first base. The ball beat Orta to the bag, but umpireDon Denkingercalled him safe, and following a dropped popup by Clark and a passed ball, the Royals rallied to score two runs, winning on a walk-off single from pinch hitterDane Iorgto send the series to game seven. In game sevenBret Saberhagenshutout the Cardinals as Kansas City dominated the Cardinals 11–0, clinching their first title in franchise history.

1986–1994: Staying in the Picture

The Royals maintained a reputation as one of the American League West's top teams throughout the late 1980s. The club posted a winning record in three of the four seasons following its 1985World Series championship,while developing young stars such asBo Jackson,Tom Gordon,andKevin Seitzer.The Royals finished the1989 seasonwith a 92–70 record (third-best in the major leagues) but did not qualify for the playoffs, finishing second in their division behind the eventual World Series champion Oakland Athletics.

George Brettbats during a 1990 game atKauffman Stadium(then Royals Stadium)

At the end of the 1989 season, the team boasted a powerhouse pitching rotation, including the ALCy Young Award-winner Bret Saberhagen (who set franchise record 23winsthat year), two-time All-Star Mark Gubicza (a 15-game winner in 1989) and 1989 ALRookie of the Yearrunner-up Tom Gordon (who won 17 games that year).But the organization felt it was still missing a few necessary pieces to give its divisional rival Oakland Athletics a run for their money.So prior to the 1990 season, the Royals acquiredMark Davis,the 1989National LeagueCy Young Award-winner and league leader insaves,signing him to a 4-year, $13 million contract (the largest annual salary in baseball history at the time).The Royals also signed starting pitcherStorm Davis,who was coming off a career-high 19-game win season (third-best in the AL), to a three-year $6 million contract.Despite the promising off-season moves, the team suffered critical bullpen injuries while both newly signed Davises experienced lackluster seasons in 1990.The Royals concluded the season with a 75–86 record, in second-to-last place in the AL West (and with the worst franchise record since 1970). Bo Jackson—the team's potential future franchise player—suffered a devastating hip injury while playing football in the off-season, so the Royals waived him during spring training in 1991.

Though the team dropped out of contention from 1990 to 1992, the Royals still could generally be counted on to post winning records through thestrike-shortened1994 season.With no playoff appearances despite the winning records during this era, many of the team's highlights instead centered around the end of George 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 his3,000th hit.

In 1994, the Royals moved from the AL West to the newly createdAL Centralalong with theChicago White SoxandMinnesota Twins,joined by theCleveland IndiansandMilwaukee Brewersfrom theAL East.The Brewers left for theNL Centralin 1998, replaced by theDetroit Tigersthat moved from the AL East.

1995–2002: Decline in the Post-Kauffman Era

At the start of the 1990s, the Royals had been hit with a double-whammy when General ManagerJohn Schuerholzdeparted in 1990 and team ownerEwing Kauffmandied in 1993. Shortly before Kauffman'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 byWal-MartexecutiveDavid 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 ownerMiles 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 the 1994 season, the Royals reduced payroll by trading pitcherDavid Coneand outfielderBrian McRae,then continued their salary dump in the 1995 season. 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 asKevin Appier,Johnny DamonandJermaine 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 theNational Leagueas part of a realignment plan to introduce theArizona DiamondbacksandTampa Bay Devil Raysas expansion teams. TheMilwaukee Brewersmade the switch instead.

In2002,the Royals set a new team record for futility, losing 100 games for the first time in franchise history. They fired managerTony Muser,and he was replaced byTony Peña.

2003: A Winning Season

The2003 seasonsaw a temporary end to the losing, when manager Tony Peña, in his first full season with the club, guided the team to its first winning record (83–79) since 1994 and finished in third place in the AL Central. He was named the American LeagueManager of the Yearfor his efforts and shortstopÁngel Berroawas namedAL Rookie of the Year.

2004–2008: Rock Bottom

From the2004 seasonthrough the2012 season,the Royals posted nine consecutive losing records, the longest streak in team history. In six of those seasons, the team finished in last place in the American League Central, and in eight of those nine seasons the team lost at least 90 games. The worst seasons came in 2004–2006, when the Royals lost at least 100 games each year and set the franchise's all-time record for losses (56–106 in2005).

Picked by manyto win their division in2004after 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 relieverCurtis Leskanicand trading veteran relieverJason Grimsleyand superstar center fielderCarlos Beltránfor prospects, all within a week of each other.

The team subsequently fell apart completely, losing 104 games and breaking the franchise record set just two years earlier. The Royals did, however, see promising seasons from two rookies, center fielderDavid DeJesusand starting pitcherZack Greinke.The team continued a youth movement in 2005, but finished with a 56–106 record (.346), a full 43 games out of first place, marking the third time in four seasons that the team reestablished the mark for worst record in franchise history. The season also saw the Royals lose 19 games in a row, a franchise record. During the season managerTony Peñaquit and was replaced by interim managerBob Schaeferuntil the Indians' bench coachBuddy Bellwas chosen as the next manager. Looking for a quick turnaround, general managerAllard Bairdsigned several veteran players prior to the 2006 season, includingDoug Mientkiewicz,Mark Grudzielanek,Joe MaysandScott Elarton.Nevertheless, theRoyalsstruggled 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 byDayton Moore.

Kansas City entered the 2007 season looking to rebound from four out of five seasons ending with at least 100 losses. The Royals outbid the Cubs and Blue Jays for free agent rightyGil Meche,signing him to a five-year, $55 million contract, the largest contract in Royals history. RelieverOctavio Dotelalso inked a one-year, $5 million contract. The team also added several new prospects, includingAlex GordonandBilly Butler.AmongDayton Moore's first acts as General Manager was instating a new motto for the team: "True. Blue. Tradition."In June 2007, the Royals had their first winning month since July 2003 and followed it up with a winning July. The Royals finished the season 69–93, but 2007 marked the club's first season with fewer than 100 losses since 2003. ManagerBuddy Bellresigned following the 2007 season.

The Royals hiredTrey Hillman,formerly the manager of theNippon Ham Fightersand a minor league manager with theNew York Yankees,to be the 15th manager in franchise history.The2008 seasonbegan with the release of fan-favoriteMike Sweeneyand the trade ofÁngel Berroato the Dodgers. Through 13 games in 2008, the Royals were 8–5 and in first place in theAL Central,a vast improvement over their 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 in the division with a 75–87 record.

2009–2012: Kauffman Renovations and Further Rebuilding

Kauffman Stadium underwent renovations in 2009, including the addition of ahigh-definitionscoreboard.

Zack Greinkedid not allow an earned run in the first 24 innings of the 2009 season as a starter.

Prior to the 2009 season, the Royals renovated Kauffman Stadium, and after the season began, the Royals ended April at the top of the AL Central, both 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 tie for fourth place in the AL Central. The season was highlighted by starterZack 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 2.16earned run average,and won the American League Cy Young Award. Greinke joined Bret Saberhagen (in 1985 and 1989) and David Cone (in 1994) as only the third player in Royals history to receive the award.

The Royals began the2010 seasonwith a rocky start, and after the team's record fell to 12–23, manager Trey Hillman was fired. FormerMilwaukee BrewersskipperNed Yosttook over as the 16th manager in franchise history, 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 27. The Royals began 2011 with a hot start, compiling 10–4 record after 14 games, but success faded as the season progressed. The Royals last had a.500 record at 22–22, and by the All-Star break, the Royals had a record of 37–54, the worst in the American League. Almost all of the Royals' bullpen was made up of 2011 minor league call ups, in addition to the infieldersEric Hosmer,Mike Moustakas,Johnny Giavotella,and catchersSalvador PérezandManny Piña.Hosmer won the ALRookie of the Monthaward in July and September and finished the season with 19 home runs. Moustakas collected a fifteen-game hitting streak, which tied the longest such streak by a Royals rookie. The Royals finished the2011 seasonwith a 71–91 record, in fourth place in the AL Central. The2012 teamsaw more of the same, as they improved by one game to 72–90, but finished one spot better in the division.

The2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Gamewas hosted by the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 10, 2012 (in addition to the 2012Home Run Derby,All-Star Futures GameandTaco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Gameduring the All-Star break), which the National League won 8–0. The2012 seasonmarked the third time the "Midsummer Classic"was held in Kansas City.

2013: Return to Respectability

On December 10, 2012, in an attempt to strengthen the pitching staff (which was among the worst in baseball in 2012), the Royals traded forRayspitchersJames ShieldsandWade Davis,giving Tampa top prospectsWil Myers,Jake Odorizzi,Mike Montgomery,andPatrick Leonardin return. This trade helped catalyze a return to winning records.

For most of the2013 season,the Royals hovered near.500. The team also did not commit an error in its first seven games (for64+2⁄3innings) for the first time in team history. On September 22, the Royals won their 82nd game of the season to clinch the franchise's first winning season since 2003. The Royals finished the season 86–76 and in third place in the AL Central, securing the team's best winning percentage since 1994.

2014: Return to the World Series

The2014 seasonfeatured a return to the postseason for the first time in 29 years, and what would unfold as a historic playoff run from theWild Cardall the way to the2014 World Series.

Anchored by the "HDH" trio ofKelvin Herrera,Wade Davis,andGreg Holland,the bullpen became one of the most dominant in MLB history.

Entering the 2014 season, the Royals had the longest playoff drought of any team in the four main American professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA ).On July 21, 2014, the Royals had a losing record (48–50) and were eight games behind theDetroit Tigersin the AL Central standings. But spurred by a 22–5 record from July 22 to August 19 coinciding with a mediocre 12–15 stretch by the Tigers, the team surged into first place in the AL Central. The Royals reached the top of the division standings on August 11, after winning their eighth game in a row.This marked the latest date the Royals had led their division since August 29, 2003.The team retained its division lead for a month, before falling out of first-place permanently on September 12. They finished the 2014 regular season with a record 89–73, still the most wins for the Royals since1989.Though the team finished one game behind Detroit in the AL Central, the Royals secured their first-ever wild card berth.

After qualifying for the postseason, the Royals embarked on a record-setting eight-game winning streak. They hosted theOakland Athleticsin the2014 American League Wild Card Gameand won 9–8 on aSalvador Pérezwalk-off single in the 12th inning, having earlier rallied back from a 7–3 deficit in the eighth. The Royals then swept theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheimin the2014 American League Division Series.In Game 1 of the ALDS, the score was 2–2 going into the 11th inning, whenMike Moustakashit a game-winning solo home run. The next day, Kansas City beat the Angels 4–1 in another extra-innings affair, in the process setting an MLB postseason record of three straight extra-inning wins.The Royals then completed the sweep at home, winning 8–3 in game three and advancing to the2014 American League Championship Seriesagainst theBaltimore Orioles.

In the opening game of the ALCS on October 11, 2014, the Royals defeated the Orioles 8–6, with two home runs in the 10th inning. Thus, in eight extra innings over five postseason games in 2014, they succeeded in hitting four homers in extra innings, more than any team in the history of Major League Baseball.In the second ALCS game, the Royals again beat the Orioles 6–4, behindLorenzo Cain's four hits, including an RBI single.After game three, the ALCS was delayed one day due to rainy weather, when the Royals hosted the Orioles at Kauffman Stadium on October 14, 2014. PitcherJeremy Guthrieallowed only one run as KC beat the Orioles 2–1, taking a 3–0 lead in the series. In game four, the Royals completed the sweep of the Orioles with another 2–1 win to advance to the World Series for the first time since1985.The win marked the team's eighth consecutive postseason win in one year, breaking a major league record previously held by theColorado Rockies in 2007andCincinnati Reds in 1976.It also marked the Royals' 11th win in a row overall in postseason play, dating back to the franchise's final three wins of the 1985 Series, the third-longest multi-year postseason streak in baseball history.

See also:2014 World Series

The Royals faced theSan Francisco Giantsin the2014 World Series.They had home-field advantage, due to theAmerican League's win in the2014 All-Star Game.

After setting an AL record by winning eight straight games to reach the World Series, the Royals opened the series by losing 7–1 in the first game against starterMadison Bumgarner.The Royals bounced back with a 7–2 win in game two to tie the series at 1–1. The Royals won game three in San Francisco 3–2 to take the series lead for the first time. In game four, the Royals lost 11–4, which tied the series with the Giants. In game five, they lost 5–0 to the Giants against starterMadison Bumgarner.In game six, the Royals beat the Giants 10–0. In game seven, the Royals startedJeremy Guthrieagainst Giants pitcherTim Hudson.Guthrie lasted3+1⁄3innings before he was replaced byKelvin Herrera,who himself lasted2+2⁄3innings. He was then replaced byWade Davis,who pitched in two innings. CloserGreg Hollandended the game. On the Giants side, Hudson lasted only1+2⁄3innings before he was replaced byJeremy Affeldt,who was later replaced byMadison Bumgarner.The Royals lost game seven, 3–2, with the tying run (Alex Gordon) on third base in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, whenSalvador Pérezfouled out toPablo Sandovalto end the game and the series.

2015: World Series Champions

See also:2015 World Series

Royals celebrating winning the2015 World Series

After earning a wild card entry to the playoffs in2014,in2015,the Royals won the franchise's first division title since1985and firstCentral divisiontitle ever. The Royals went on to win the2015 World Series– the first championship for the Royals since 1985 – beating theNew York Metsfour games to one.

The Royals entered the 2015 All-Star break with the best record in theAmerican Leagueat 52–34. The team continued its momentum into the second half of the season, and on July 26, Royals management traded three prospectsBrandon Finnegan,John LambArchivedApril 7, 2016, at theWayback Machine,andCody Reedfor 2014 All-Star pitcherJohnny Cuetoto help bolster its starting pitching rotation, as well as trading two pitchers to the Oakland Athletics for super-utility playerBen Zobrist.The team ended the regular season with a record of 95–67, the best in the entire American League, and the organization's best record since1980.

The Royals faced theHouston Astrosin theALDS.Down 2–1 in the series and trailing 6–2 in the 8th inning of Game 4, the Royals rallied for 5 runs en route to a 9–6 win before Cueto's gem inGame 5powered the Royals to a second consecutiveALCS.The Royals defeated theToronto Blue Jaysin Game 6, to win the2015 ALCSand earn a trip to face theNew York Metsin the2015 World Series.

The Royals beat theNew York Mets4 games to 1 to become the2015 World Serieschampions.It was the Royals' first World Series title since 1985. The series win was sealed after the Royals beat the Mets 7–2 in the 12th inning of Game 5. The Royals rallied in the 9th inning down 2–0 to tie the score 2–2, forcing the game into extra innings. The five-run 12th inning was initiated by a Salvador Pérez single, with Jarrod Dyson pinch-running for him. This was followed by a single fromChristian Colonand doubles from bothAlcides EscobarandLorenzo Cain,scoring runs fromJarrod Dyson,Colon,Paulo Orlando(who reached base on an error byDaniel Murphy), Escobar andBen Zobrist(who was intentionally walked).Wade Davis,who hadn't allowed a run yet that postseason, closed out the game with a flawless 12th, allowing one hit and striking outWilmer Floresto end the game and win the World Series for the Royals.Upon conclusion of the final game, catcherSalvador Perezwas named World Series MVP.

2016–2017: End of an Era

The Royals followed up their World Series victory with an underachieving, injury-riddled campaign in2016.The Royals had an inconsistent season in which they ultimately finished 81–81, third place in the division and out of playoff contention. This season is notable for the debut of future starWhit Merrifield.The2017 seasonmarked the end of the World Series core: pitcherYordano Venturawas killed in a car accident on January 22, and the Royals wore patches that said 'ACE 30' on their jerseys for the 2017 season to honor him;Wade Daviswas traded in the offseason. In 2017, the Royals finished similarly to 2016 at 80–82, third place in the division, and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year. StarsLorenzo CainandEric Hosmerbecame free agents after the season and signed contracts with theMilwaukee BrewersandSan Diego Padres,respectively.However, through both of these years the Royals were one of the most successful teams in the league atchallenging umpire calls via instant replaythanks to the work of replay coordinatorBill Duplissea.

2018–present: John Sherman era

Although Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain left in free agency, the Royals were able to re-signMike MoustakasandAlcides Escobar.In2018,the team started a new rebuild, trading Moustakas mid-season for prospects, and giving playing time to young players likeAdalberto Mondesi,Ryan O'Hearn,andBrad Keller.Despite this, the team finished with only 58 wins, the team's lowest win total since 2005. The 2018 season also marked the emergence of Whit Merrifield as a star, as he led MLB in hits (192) and stolen bases (45).

On June 3, 2019, the Royals selectedBobby Witt Jr.with the second pick in the MLB draft. Widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball,Witt is regarded as one of the biggest prospects to be drafted by Kansas City since Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.

On August 30, 2019, it was announced that John Sherman, a minority owner of theCleveland Indians,had agreed to purchase the team from David Glass for a reported amount of $1 billion.In September, manager Ned Yost announced that he would retire at the end of the season after ten seasons and a franchise-record 746 wins. The Royals finished the2019 seasonone game better than 2018, at 59–103. Whit Merrifield once again led the league in hits, whileJorge Solerled the American League with 48 home runs and three Royals players paced the league in triples (Mondesi, Merrifield andHunter Dozier,with 10 apiece). On October 31, 2019, the Royals announced the hiring of former St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to replace Ned Yost.In2020,the season wasshortened to 60 gamesbecause of theCOVID-19 pandemic;the Royals finished with a 26–34 record (a.433 winning percentage), good for fourth place in the AL Central. Overall in2021,the Royals finished with a 74–88 record (a.457 winning percentage), landing in fourth place in the AL Central but seeing improvement over both 2019 and 2020, as catcherSalvador Pérezled MLB in both home runs and runs batted in andBobby Witt Jr.continued to emerge as one of the top prospects inMinor League Baseball.

Beginning with the 2022 season, Dayton Moore was promoted to the team's President of Baseball Operations andJ. J. Picollobegan his tenure as general manager.Moore was fired by the end of the season.The Royals spent 2022 blending their roster with several rookies (includingBobby Witt Jr.,MJ Melendez,andVinnie Pasquantinoamong others), often fielding lineups with six or more rookies on a given night.The team finished in fourth place of the AL Central with a 65–97 record, andMike Mathenywas fired after their season finale in Cleveland.

Future stadium plans

Team owner John Sherman announced in November 2022 that the team plans to leave Kauffman Stadium prior to the end of their lease which expires at the end of the 2030 MLB season.The team announced in June 2023 that the two final sites under consideration for the stadium district were theEast Village neighborhoodandNorth Kansas City,but a third site in theCrossroads districtemerged as the final site chosen by the team in February 2024.In April 2024, Jackson County voters rejected a ballot initiative to help fund the stadium. The Royals, who had pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, wanted to use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district.The team plans to open a new stadium by the start of the 2027 or 2028 MLB season,and it would have a seating capacity of about 34,000.The Royals are also considering relocating across the state border toKansas City, Kansas.

Uniform history

1969–72: Original look

The Royals' home uniform remained almost unchanged from its first season. The original design featured blue arm and neck piping, along with "Royals" in blue and in script lettering. The road uniform was inverted from the home uniform, with "Kansas City" written in blue, in script lettering and in an arch arrangement. For the 1971 season the "Kansas City" on the road uniforms were changed to block lettering, while both uniforms added a roundel containing the team logo on the left sleeve. The blue cap with "KC" stitched in front was also introduced and remains in use today.

1973–82: Pullover and powder blue uniforms

The Royals switched to pullover uniforms for the 1973 season. While the home uniform did not deviate much from its original design, the road uniform changed to a powder blue base and white letters. Names were added in the 1978 season.

1983–91: Return to button-down style

The Royals returned to wearing buttoned uniforms for the 1983 season. The most notable change came on the powder blue uniform, where "Royals" in script replaced "Kansas City". Both uniforms added numbers on the left chest.

1992–2001: Return to grey uniforms and alternate blue uniforms

For the 1992 season, the Royals resumed wearing grey uniforms on the road, but the uniforms retained the "Royals" script and letters in blue with white trim. In 1994 a blue alternate uniform was introduced, with "Royals" script and letters in white. The following season, the road uniforms were tweaked to feature "Kansas City" in block letters, while neck piping was removed. A grey cap with blue brim and "KC" in blue was also used for a few games.

2002–2005: Addition of black

Before the 2002 season, the Royals added black to the color scheme, and this was also reflected on the team's uniforms. Initially, the home uniforms were only updated to remove blue piping and include black drop shadows, but in 2003, the Royals went with sleeveless uniforms with blue undershirts. The grey uniforms also removed the sleeves and piping, and were paired with black undershirts and a black cap with blue brim. Letters were also given black drop shadows. The Royals also went with a black alternate uniform, featuring blue piping and "Royals" written in blue with white trim. The sleeve patch was updated without the roundel on the home and blue alternate uniforms, while a new "Royals" roundel logo was placed on the grey undershirt and black alternates. The logo removed the "R" from the shield, enlarged the "KC" and added black drop shadows, and the crown was changed to black.

2006–2021: New alternates and return to powder blue

In 2006, black was eliminated from the uniforms, and the Royals returned to wearing sleeved uniforms with arm piping. The crown on the "KC" shield logo reverted back to gold, but the black drop shadows were not removed until 2019. The road uniforms brought back the "Kansas City" script, albeit written diagonally, with a slight adjustment in size prior to the 2012 season.For a few games in 2006, the black uniforms were used, albeit with the "Kansas City" script, before it was retired.In 2008, the Royals introduced a new powder blue alternate with "Royals" in blue with white trim, and letters in white with blue trim; the color lettering scheme in front was reversed starting in 2012. The uniforms were briefly paired with a powder blue cap with blue brim in 2010. Unlike the previous powder blue uniform, this set is paired with the home white pants. As a result, the royal blue alternates were worn exclusively on select road games.

Powder blue was added as a trim color when the Royals issued a new blue alternate in 2014. The "KC" insignia replaced "Royals" and the number in front, while piping was added.After winning the 2015 World Series, the Royals began wearing an alternate white uniform, featuring "Royals" in metallic gold with blue trim. In 2017, the uniform was updated with the team name in blue with gold trim, and numbers in gold and blue trim. A new blue cap with "KC" in gold was paired with this uniform.

2022–present: Block road letters return; City Connect

The Royals unveiled a fresh uniform set for the 2022 season. The primary home uniform remained the same save for the thicker sleeve stripes. The road primary and blue road alternate returned to the block "Kansas City" wordmark the team used from 1971 to 1982, adding chest numbers on both uniforms. The alternate home powder blue uniform removed the royal blue elements, with the numbers taking the same color as the "Royals" script.

Also in 2022, the Royals wore "City Connect" uniforms in homage to Kansas City's "City of Fountains" moniker. The top of the uniform is navy blue with powder blue accents, with a stylized "KC" insignia on the left chest. The "KC" insignia was shaped to resemble a fountain of water shooting up. Pants worn are white with a powder blue stripe on each side. Caps are all-navy while helmets are navy with powder blue brim; both designs incorporate the "KC" in front.

Beginning in 2023, the Royals' powder blue alternate uniform would be worn with powder blue pants for select games, a combination not worn since the 1991 season.

Road pullover uniform (1973–1982), worn byU. L. Washington

Home pullover uniform (1973–1982), worn byJerry Terrell.

Home uniform (1983–1994), worn byDavid Howard.

Alternate blue uniform (2006–2013), worn byAaron Crow.This uniform was worn exclusively on the road starting in 2008.

Home alternate uniform (2017–2021), worn byBrett Phillips.

Road uniform (2006–2011), worn byBilly Butler.

Road uniform (2012–2021), worn byDrew Butera.

Road uniform (2022–present), worn byZack Greinke.

Home uniform (2006–present), worn byTerrance Gore.

Rivalries

St. Louis Cardinals

Main article:Cardinals–Royals rivalry

The Royals' most prominent rivalry is with the intrastateSt. Louis Cardinals.For geographic reasons, the teams long played exhibition games, but a true rivalry began with the Royals' victory over the Cardinals in the1985 World Series,known as the "I-70 Series." Notably, the manager for the Cardinals in the series wasWhitey Herzog,who had been the Royals' manager from 1975 to 1979, and led Kansas City to the franchise's first three playoff appearances – in 1976, 1977, and 1978 – before getting fired just shortly after the Royals were eliminated from playoff contention in 1979.Interleague playin 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 2023 season, the Cardinals hold the series advantage 75–49.

New York Yankees

From 1976 to 1980, the Royals faced theNew York Yankeesfour times in five years in theAmerican League Championship Series.The Yankees won in 1976, 1977 and 1978, while the Royals won in 1980. In a 2013 article about the 1983Pine Tar Incidentinvolving the two teams,Lou Pinellasaid: "As a team, we didn't really like Kansas City. We had played them in the '76, '77 and '78 postseason and beaten them every time. There was no love lost between the teams. We didn't like each other. They were our big rivals..."George Brett agreed: "I hated everyone on the Yankees, I really did. I hated 'em all, back in that era."Kansas City also held historic grudges against the Yankees in general, as during the Athletics' residency underArnold Johnson's ownership, it was effectively ade facto"farm team" for the Bronx Bombers due to lopsided trades in favor of New York.

Baseball Hall of Famers

Kansas City Royals Hall of Famers
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Kansas City Royals George Brett* Orlando Cepeda Joe Gordon Whitey Herzog Harmon Killebrew Bob Lemon Gaylord Perry John Schuerholz Players and managers listed inboldare depicted on their Hall of Fame plaques wearing a Royals cap insignia. * Kansas City Royals listed as primary team according to the Hall of Fame

Ford C. Frick Award recipients

Kansas City RoyalsFord C. Frick Awardrecipients
Affiliation according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Denny Matthews Names in boldreceived the award based primarily on their work as broadcasters for the Royals.

Other players of note

See also:Kansas City Royals award winners and league leaders

Alex Gordon

Amos Otis

Dan Quisenberry

Jackie Robinson(#42 retired throughout MLB) played for the Negro League'sKansas City Monarchs

Frank White

Team captains

• George Brett1989–1993
• Frank White1989–1990
• Mike Sweeney2003–2007
• Salvador Pérez2023–present

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

Main article:Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

Kansas City Royals in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
No.	Player	Position	Tenure	Notes
–	Ewing Kauffman	Founder/Owner	1969–1993	Born near Garden City, grew up in Kansas City
–	Art Stewart	Scout	1969–2021
–	George Toma	Groundskeeper	1969–1999
—	Dayton Moore	GM	2006–2021
2, 37	Fred Patek	SS	1971–1979
3	Ned Yost	Manager	2010–2019
4, 7	Alex Gordon	LF	2007–2020
5, 25	George Brett	3B/DH/1B	1973–1993
6	Terry Pendleton	3B	1998
6, 19, 32	Willie Wilson	CF/LF	1976–1990
8, 22	Jim Eisenreich	OF	1987–1992
7	John Mayberry	1B	1972–1977
8, 15, 28	Mike MacFarlane	C	1987–1994 1996–1998
11	Hal McRae	OF/DH/Coach Manager	1973–1987 1991–1994
12	John Wathan	C Manager	1976–1985 1987–1991
15	Darrell Porter	C	1977–1980	Born in Joplin
16	Bo Jackson	OF/DH	1987–1990
9, 10, 18	Jamie Quirk	C	1975–1976 1978–1982 1985–1988
19, 20	Frank White	2B	1973–1990	Attended Longview Community College in Lee's Summit
21	Jeff Montgomery	RP	1988–1999
22	Dennis Leonard	SP	1974–1986
23	Mark Gubicza	SP	1984–1996
24	Whitey Herzog	Manager	1975–1979
26	Amos Otis	CF	1970–1983
29, 40	Vince Coleman	LF	1994–1995
29	Dan Quisenberry	RP	1979–1988
29	Mike Sweeney	C/1B/DH	1995–2007
30	Orlando Cepeda	1B	1974
25, 34	Paul Splittorff	SP	1970–1984
36	Gaylord Perry	SP	1983
37	Jeff Suppan	P	1998–2002
39	Al Hrabosky	RP	1978–1979
40	Steve Busby	SP	1972–1980

Retired numbers

See also:List of Major League Baseball retired numbers

George Brett 3B Retired 1994 Dick Howser Manager Retired 1987 Frank White 2B Retired 1995 Jackie Robinson All MLB HonoredApril 15, 1997

The Royals have retired the numbers of former playersGeorge Brett(No. 5) andFrank White(No. 20). Former managerDick Howser's No. 10 was retired following his death in 1987. FormerBrooklyn DodgersplayerJackie Robinson's No. 42 is retired throughoutMajor League Baseball.

Out of circulation, but not retired

No. 29, worn by Royals greatsDan Quisenberry(238 saves, 2.55 ERA) andMike Sweeney(.299 batting average, 197 home runs, 837 RBI), has not been assigned since Sweeney's departure in 2007.

Hall of Fame

Key

Year	Year inducted
Bold	Member of theNational Baseball Hall of Fame
†	Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Royals
Bold	Recipient of the Hall of Fame'sFord C. Frick Award

Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame
Inducted	No.	Player	Position	Tenure
1986	40	Steve Busby	SP	1972–1980
	26	Amos Otis	CF	1970–1983
1987	10	Dick Howser	Manager	1981–1986
	1	Cookie Rojas	2B	1970–1977
	25, 34	Paul Splittorff	SP	1970–1984
1989	22	Dennis Leonard	SP	1974–1986
	11	Hal McRae	OF/DH/Coach Manager	1973–1987 1991–1994
1992	—	Joe Burke	GM President	1974–1981 1981–1992
	32, 37	Larry Gura	SP	1976–1985
	2, 37	Freddie Patek	SS	1971–1979
1993	—	Ewing Kauffman	Owner and tributary of name of Kauffman Stadium	1969–1993
1994	5, 25	George Brett†	3B/DH/1B	1973–1993
1995	19, 20	Frank White	2B	1973–1990
1996	—	Muriel Kauffman	Executive and wife of Ewing	1969–1995
	7	John Mayberry	1B	1972–1977
1998	29	Dan Quisenberry	RP	1979–1988
2000	24	Whitey Herzog	Manager	1975–1979
	6, 19, 32	Willie Wilson	CF/LF	1976–1990
2003	21	Jeff Montgomery	RP	1988–1999
2004	—	Denny Matthews†	Radio announcer	1969–present
2005	18, 31	Bret Saberhagen	SP	1984–1991
2006	23	Mark Gubicza	SP	1984–1996
2008	—	Art Stewart	Scout	1969–2021
2011	17, 55	Kevin Appier	SP	1989–1999 2003–2004
2012	—	George Toma	Groundskeeper	1969–1999
2015	29	Mike Sweeney	C/1B/DH	1995–2007
2023	3	Ned Yost	Manager	2010–2019
2024	16	Bo Jackson	LF	1986–1990

Roster

Kansas City Royals roster
Active roster				Inactive roster		Coaches/Other
Pitchers Starting rotation 67Seth Lugo 48Alec Marsh 55Cole Ragans 51Brady Singer 52Michael Wacha Bullpen 50Kris Bubic 56Hunter Harvey 73Sam Long 46John Schreiber 31Will Smith 35Chris Stratton 61Ángel Zerpa Closer(s) 66James McArthur		Catchers 34Freddy Fermín 13Salvador Pérez Infielders 26Adam Frazier 11Maikel García 2Garrett Hampson 12Nick Loftin 19Michael Massey 9Vinnie Pasquantino 7Bobby Witt Jr. Outfielders 44Dairon Blanco 28Kyle Isbel 16Hunter Renfroe		Pitchers 62Jonathan Bowlan 64Steven Cruz 43Carlos Hernández 36Will Klein 41Daniel Lynch IV 58John McMillon 65Walter Pennington 69Anthony Veneziano Catchers 14Austin Nola Infielders 40CJ Alexander 32Nick Pratto Outfielders 27Tyler Gentry 1MJ Melendez 17Nelson Velázquez 6Drew Waters		Manager 33Matt Quatraro Coaches 68José Alguacil(infield) 84Zach Bove(assistant pitching) 80Allan de San Miguel(bullpen catcher) --Joe Dillon(assistant hitting) 80Ryan Eigsti(bullpen catcher) 39Damon Hollins(first base) 26Paul Hoover(bench) 18Rusty Kuntz(coach) 70Parker Morin(bullpen catcher) 57Mitch Stetter(bullpen) 85Brian Sweeney(pitching) 25Vance Wilson(third base) 31Alec Zumwalt(hitting) 60-day injured list 54Dan Altavilla 38Josh Taylor 30Kyle Wright Restricted list 24Jordan Lyles 25 active, 15 inactive 7-, 10-, or 15-dayinjured list #Personal leave Rosterandcoachesupdated July 16, 2024 Transactions •Depth chart →All MLB rosters

Managers

Main article:List of Kansas City Royals managers

Statistics current through December 1, 2018

#[a]	Manager	Seasons	Wins	Losses	Pct	PA	PW	PL	WS
1	Joe Gordon†	1969	69	93	.426	—	—	—	—
2	Charlie Metro	1970	19	33	.365	—	—	—	—
3	Bob Lemon†	1970–1972	207	218	.487	—	—	—	—
4	Jack McKeon	1973–1975	215	205	.512	—	—	—	—
5	Whitey Herzog†	1975–1979	410	304	.574	3	5	9	0
6	Jim Frey	1980–1981	127	105	.547	1	5	4	0
7	Dick Howser	1981–1986	404	365	.525	3	8	12	1
8	Mike Ferraro	1986	36	38	.486	—	—	—	—
9	Billy Gardner	1987	62	64	.492	—	—	—	—
10	John Wathan	1987–1991	287	270	.515	—	—	—	—
11	Bob Schaefer	1991	1	0	1.000	—	—	—	—
12	Hal McRae	1991–1994	286	277	.508	—	—	—	—
13	Bob Boone	1995–1997	181	206	.468	—	—	—	—
14	Tony Muser	1997–2002	317	431	.424	—	—	—	—
15	John Mizerock	2002	5	8	.385	—	—	—	—
16	Tony Peña	2002–2005	198	285	.410	—	—	—	—
—	Bob Schaefer	2005	5	12	.294	—	—	—	—
17	Buddy Bell	2005–2007	174	262	.399	—	—	—	—
18	Trey Hillman	2008–2010	152	207	.423	—	—	—	—
19	Ned Yost	2010–2019	687	736	.483	2	22	9	1
20	Mike Matheny	2020–2022	165	219	.430	0	0	0	0
21	Matt Quatraro	2023–Present	56	106	.346	0	0	—	—
Totals			4,119	4,547	.475	9	40	34	2

Minor league affiliations

Main article:List of Kansas City Royals minor league affiliates

The Kansas City Royalsfarm systemconsists of sevenminor leagueaffiliates.

Class	Team	League	Location	Ballpark	Affiliated
Triple-A	Omaha Storm Chasers	International League	Papillion, Nebraska	Werner Park	1969
Double-A	Northwest Arkansas Naturals	Texas League	Springdale, Arkansas	Arvest Ballpark	2008
High-A	Quad Cities River Bandits	Midwest League	Davenport, Iowa	Modern Woodmen Park	2021
Single-A	Columbia Fireflies	Carolina League	Columbia, South Carolina	Segra Park	2021
Rookie	ACL Royals	Arizona Complex League	Surprise, Arizona	Surprise Stadium	2022
	DSL Royals Blue	Dominican Summer League	Boca Chica,Santo Domingo	Kansas City Royals Complex	2023
	DSL Royals Gold

Season records

Main article:List of Kansas City Royals seasons

• Highest batting average:.390,George Brett(1980)
• Most games: 162,Al Cowens(1977),Hal McRae(1977),Carlos Beltrán(2002),Billy Butler(2013),Alcides Escobar(2014, 2016),Whit Merrifield(2019),Jorge Soler(2019)
• Most runs: 136,Johnny Damon(2000)
• Most hits: 230,Willie Wilson(1980)
• Highest slugging %:.664,George Brett(1980)
• Most doubles: 54,Hal McRae(1977)
• Most triples: 21,Willie Wilson(1985)
• Most home runs: 48,Jorge Soler(2019),Salvador Perez(2021)
• Most grand slams: 3,Danny Tartabull(1988)
• Most RBIs: 144,Mike Sweeney(2000)
• Most stolen bases: 83,Willie Wilson(1979)
• Most wins: 23,Bret Saberhagen(1989)
• Lowest ERA: 2.08,Roger Nelson(1972)
• Strikeouts: 244,Dennis Leonard(1977)
• Most strikeouts, single game: 16,Danny Duffy(2016)
• Most strikeouts, Reliever: 109,Wade Davis(2014)
• Complete games: 21,Dennis Leonard(1977)
• Shutouts: 6,Roger Nelson(1972)
• Saves: 47,Greg Holland(2013)

All-time records

• Highest batting average:.306,Jose Offerman
• Most games: 2,707,George Brett
• Most runs: 1,583,George Brett
• Most hits: 3,154,George Brett
• Highest Slugging %:.518,Danny Tartabull
• Most doubles: 665,George Brett
• Most triples: 137,George Brett
• Most home runs: 317,George Brett
• Most RBIs: 1,596,George Brett
• Most stolen bases: 612,Willie Wilson
• Most wins: 166,Paul Splittorff
• Lowest ERA: 2.55,Dan Quisenberry
• Strikeouts: 1,458,Kevin Appier
• Complete games: 103,Dennis Leonard
• Shutouts: 23,Dennis Leonard
• Saves: 304,Jeff Montgomery

Radio and television

As of 2022,the Royals affiliate radio station isKCSP610AM, the station having entered into a new four-year deal starting from the 2020 season.The station had been carrying games since 2008.The radio announcers areDenny Matthewsand Ryan Lefebvre, withSteve StewartandSteve Physioc.

Televised games are aired onBally Sports Kansas City,a branch ofBally Sports Midwest.For the 2012 season,Ryan Lefebvrewas joined byJeff Montgomeryfor about 20 games while the rest of the broadcasts were covered by formerAngelsannouncer duo ofRex HudlerandSteve Physioc.During the 2016 season, the Royals averaged an 11.7 rating and 105,000 viewers on primetime TV broadcasts.Selected Royals games previously aired in the 2000s on the Royals Network, and its former flagship wasKMCI-TV.

On February 22, 2007, Matthews was selected as the 2007 recipient of theFord C. Frick Award,presented annually for major contributions to baseball broadcasting.

Mascot

Sluggerrris themascotof 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 and fans, pitching in the "Little K", and firinghot dogsfrom anair cannoninto the stands between innings.

See also

• Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy
• List of Kansas City Royals seasons
• Sports in the Kansas City metropolitan area

External links

• Kansas City Royals official website
• Around the Horn in KC – Official MLBlog of the Kansas City Royals front officeArchivedAugust 13, 2006, at theWayback Machine
• CBS SportsLineArchivedAugust 8, 2006, at theWayback Machine
• Sports E-CyclopediaArchivedSeptember 18, 2016, at theWayback Machine

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Detroit Tigers 1984	World Series champions 1985	Succeeded by New York Mets 1986
Preceded by San Francisco Giants 2014	World Series champions 2015	Succeeded by Chicago Cubs 2016
Preceded by Baltimore Orioles 1979	American League champions 1980	Succeeded by New York Yankees 1981
Preceded by Detroit Tigers 1984	American League champions 1985	Succeeded by Boston Red Sox 1986
Preceded by Boston Red Sox 2013	American League champions 2014–2015	Succeeded by Cleveland Indians 2016