Kansas City Royals
Established: 1969
Other Names:
none
2016 results: 81-81,
3rd in AL Central
2017 Prediction: 2nd
World Series Titles: 2
Most Recent: 2015
Last World Series
Appearance: 2015
Last Division Title: 2015
Ballpark: Kauffman
Stadium
Est: 1973
Best Season: 1985
Even though the Royals had made
the postseason six times in the previous nine years, it was the 1985 team that
finally broke through and became World Series Champions. They finished the
regular season with a 91-71 record, good enough to win the AL West Division by
one game. After falling behind the Toronto Blue Jays three games to one in the
ALCS, the Royals rebounded by winning three straight, including the final two
on the road, to win the AL pennant. Once in the World Series, the Royals again
fell behind three games to one, but rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for
their first championship. The Royals were led by pitchers Bret Saberhagen (a
20-game winner at the age of 21), Charlie Liebrandt and Hall-of-Fame closer Dan
Quisenberry. Another HOFer, third baseman George Brett, led the KC offensive
charge with help from Frank White, Willie Wilson and Steve Balboni.
Best All-time Player:
George Brett
Ted Williams was the last MLB to
hit .400 when he did it in 1941. Brett’s .390 average in 1980 is the closest
any player has gotten in the 75 years since. He played his entire 21-year
career with the Royals and was a 13-time All-Star, won the AL’s MVP award in
1980, won three Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove. He was also the ALCS
MVP in 1985. He won three batting titles and hit lower than .280 only twice in
his 20 full seasons. He finished his career with a .305 average, 3154 hits, 317
home runs, 1596 RBIs and 201 stolen bases. He was inducted into the Hall of
Fame in 1999.
Best Player on the
Current Roster: Lorenzo Cain
Cain had a bit of a down-year in
2016 (much like the entire Royals’ team) and played in only 103 games due to
injury. However he still hit .287, nine homers and 56 RBIs to go along with his
14 stolen bases. Cain was a key contributor to the Royals’ championship run in
2015. In his five years with the Royals (the Brewers must be kicking themselves
for letting him go), he has hit .286, including two seasons over .300 (2014 and
2015), 41 homers, 259 RBIs and 94 stolen bases. But what goes unnoticed is his
sterling defensive play. Over his career, Cain has only made 24 errors in 1588
chances for a .985 fielding percentage. His speed allows him to track balls
down with relatively ease just like another Royals centre fielder (Willie
Wilson) did during the Royals’ glory years in the 1980s.
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