Editing Kansas City Royals

{{Short description|Major League Baseball franchise in Kansas City}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox MLB
| established = 1969
| misc =
| logo = Kansas City Royals Primary Logo.svg
| uniformlogo = Kansas City Royals Insignia.svg
| current league = American League
| y1 = 1969
| division = [[American League Central|Central Division]]
| y2 = 1994
| past division = [[American League West|West Division]]
| y5 = 1969
| y6 = 1993
| Uniform = MLB-ALC-KC-Uniform.png
| retirednumbers = {{hlist| [[George Brett|5]] | [[Dick Howser|10]] | [[Frank White (baseball)|20]] | [[Jackie Robinson|42]]}}
| colors = Royal blue, gold, powder blue, white<!-- The color codes for royal blue & gold are official, per https://images.ctfassets.net/iiozhi00a8lc/t118_url_logoroyals_url_svg/61ee81b127e5feb49aa4839e6b95ed7d/royalscom-landingpage.svg. Please do not change them. Thank you. --><ref>{{cite press release|title=Royals Presented with 2015 World Series Championship Rings|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/royals-presented-with-2015-world-series-championship-rings-170617084|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=July 29, 2024|quote=The ring top features the KC logo masterfully created from custom-cut blue sapphires surrounded by a yellow gold outline placed atop a field of 14-karat white gold and brilliant round diamonds. The words WORLD CHAMPIONS surround the top and bottom edges of the ring in yellow gold.}}</ref><ref name="KCRoyalsUni2022">{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Anne|title=Royals unveil uniform update for 2022|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-unveil-uniform-update-for-2022-season|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref><ref name="RoyalsUniUpdate">{{cite press release|title=Royals unveil uniform update for 2022 season|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-royals-unveil-uniform-update-for-2022-season|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=November 19, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref><br />{{color box|#004687}} {{color box|#C09A5B}} {{color box|#7AB2DD}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}}
| name = Kansas City Royals
| y3 = 1969
| nicknames = The Blue Crew
* Boys In Blue
* The Crowns
| pastnames =
| ballpark = [[Kauffman Stadium]]
| y4 = 1973
| pastparks =
* [[Municipal Stadium (Kansas City)|Municipal Stadium]] ({{by|1969}}–{{by|1972}})
| WS = (2)
| WORLD CHAMPIONS = {{hlist| {{wsy|1985}} | {{wsy|2015}}}}
| LEAGUE = AL
| P = (4)
| PENNANTS = {{hlist| {{alcsy|1980}} | {{alcsy|1985}} | {{alcsy|2014}} | {{alcsy|2015}}}}
| misc1 =
| OTHER PENNANTS = 
| DIV = Central
| DV = (1)
| Division Champs = [[2015 Kansas City Royals season|2015]]
| misc5 = '''West Division titles''' (6)
| OTHER DIV CHAMPS = {{hlist| [[1976 Kansas City Royals season|1976]] | [[1977 Kansas City Royals season|1977]] | [[1978 Kansas City Royals season|1978]] | [[1980 Kansas City Royals season|1980]] | [[1984 Kansas City Royals season|1984]] | [[1985 Kansas City Royals season|1985]] }}
| WC = (2)
| Wild Card = {{hlist| [[2014 Kansas City Royals season|2014]] | [[2024 Kansas City Royals season|2024]] }}
| owner = [[John Sherman (businessman)|John Sherman]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=Major League Baseball owners unanimously approve John Sherman and partners to purchase Kansas City Royals|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/press-release/press-release-mlb-owners-approve-royals-purchase|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=Royals.com|date=November 21, 2019|access-date=May 17, 2021|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517213218/https://www.mlb.com/royals/press-release/press-release-mlb-owners-approve-royals-purchase|url-status=live}}</ref>
| president = R. Brooks Sherman Jr. (President of Business Operations)
| presbo = [[J. J. Picollo]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Anne|title=Why J.J. Picollo is 'the right person' to lead Royals|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/jj-picollo-takes-over-royals-baseball-operations|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com|Royals.com]]|date=September 21, 2022|access-date=November 20, 2023|archive-date=November 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120172934/https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/jj-picollo-takes-over-royals-baseball-operations|url-status=live}}</ref>
| manager = [[Matt Quatraro]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Anne|title=Royals hire Matt Quatraro as next manager|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/matt-quatraro-next-royals-manager|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com|Royals.com]]|date=October 30, 2022|access-date=January 14, 2024|archive-date=January 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117085028/https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/matt-quatraro-next-royals-manager|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gm = [[J. J. Picollo]]
| website = {{url|https://www.mlb.com/royals|mlb.com/royals}}
}}

The '''Kansas City Royals''' are an American professional [[baseball]] team based in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. The Royals compete in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) as a member club of the [[American League]] (AL) [[American League Central|Central Division]]. The team was founded as [[1969 Major League Baseball expansion|an expansion franchise]] in 1969, and have made four [[World Series]] trips, winning in {{wsy|1985}} and {{wsy|2015}}, and losing in {{wsy|1980}} and {{wsy|2014}}. 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 the [[American Royal]], a livestock show, horse show, rodeo, and championship barbecue competition held annually in Kansas City since 1899,<ref name="KCRoyalsTeamNameOrigin">{{cite news|last=Flanagan|first=Jeffrey|title=How they came to be called the Royals|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kansas-city-royals-team-name-origin|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=December 1, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chase|first=Chris|title=The Kansas City Royals are named for cows, not kings and queens|url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/kansas-city-royals-name-origin-why-cows-lorde-world-series|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924022218/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/kansas-city-royals-name-origin-why-cows-lorde-world-series|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as the identical names of two former [[Negro league baseball]] teams 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 Midwest<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25077007/kansas_city_royals_1924/ |title=Kansas City Royals 1924 |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=June 7, 1924 |access-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104011939/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25077007/kansas_city_royals_1924/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the other was a [[California Winter League]] team based in Los Angeles in the 1940s that was managed by [[Chet Brewer]] and included [[Satchel Paige]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25075074/kansas_city_royals_1947/ |title=Kansas City Royals 1947 |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=October 20, 1947 |access-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121022204/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25075074/kansas_city_royals_1947/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://irp.cdn-website.com/33d0c3d0/files/uploaded/Chet-Brewer.pdf|title=StackPath|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327230941/http://www.cnlbr.org/Portals/0/Hero/Chet-Brewer.pdf|archive-date=March 27, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Jackie Robinson]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Nelson|first=Curt|title=Jackie Robinson: Kansas City Royal?|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/jackie-robinson-kansas-city-royal/c-28736714|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=Royals.com|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819120802/https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/jackie-robinson-kansas-city-royal/c-28736714|url-status=live}}</ref> on its roster).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/17796357/?terms=Kansas%2BCity%2BRoyals |title=7 Jun 1924, Page 5 – The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune at |publisher=Newspapers.com |date=June 7, 1924 |access-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-date=November 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104010349/https://www.newspapers.com/image/17796357/?terms=Kansas%2BCity%2BRoyals |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] of the NFL, the former [[Kansas City Kings]] of the NBA, and the former [[Kansas City Monarchs]] of the [[Negro National League (1920–1931)|Negro 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 of [[Overland 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 owner [[Ewing Kauffman]], who eventually changed his vote and said the name had grown on him.<ref name="KCRoyalsTeamNameOrigin" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Chase|first=Chase|title=The Kansas City Royals are named for cows, not kings and queens|url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/kansas-city-royals-name-origin-why-cows-lorde-world-series|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=December 6, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924022218/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/kansas-city-royals-name-origin-why-cows-lorde-world-series|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Diamond |first=Jared |last2=Helliker |first2=Kevin |date=2014-10-16 |title=Think the Kansas City Royals Are Named for Kings? That’s a Bunch of Bull |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/did-you-know-the-kansas-city-royals-were-named-after-cows-not-kings-1413426602 |access-date=2025-04-17 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

Entering the American League in 1969 along with the [[Seattle Pilots]], the club was founded by Kansas City businessman Ewing Kauffman. The franchise was established following the actions of [[Stuart Symington]], then-[[List of United States senators from Missouri|U.S. Senator from Missouri]], who demanded a new franchise for the city after the [[Oakland Athletics|Athletics]] (Kansas City's previous major league team that played from 1955 to 1967) moved to [[Oakland, California]], in 1968. Since April 10, 1973, the Royals have played at [[Kauffman Stadium]], formerly known as Royals Stadium.

The new team quickly became a powerhouse, appearing in the playoffs seven times from 1976 to 1985, winning one [[1985 World Series|World Series championship]] and another [[1980 World Series|AL pennant]], led by stars such as [[Amos Otis]], [[Hal McRae]], [[John Mayberry]], [[George Brett]], [[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]], [[Willie Wilson (baseball)|Willie Wilson]], and [[Bret 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 the [[Major League Baseball postseason|MLB postseason]], one of the longest [[List of Major League Baseball franchise postseason droughts|postseason droughts]] during baseball's current wild-card era. The team broke this streak in [[2014 Kansas City Royals season|2014]] by securing the franchise's first [[Major League Baseball wild card|wild card berth]] and advancing to the [[2014 World Series]], where they lost to the [[2014 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in seven games. The Royals, led by players like [[Salvador Perez]], [[Alex Gordon]], [[Johnny Cueto]], [[Danny Duffy]], [[Eric Hosmer]], [[Mike Moustakas]],  [[Lorenzo Cain]], and an elite group of [[bullpen]] pitchers, followed this up by winning the team's first AL Central division title in [[2015 Kansas City Royals season|2015]] and defeating the [[2015 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] in five games in the [[2015 World Series]] to win their second [[List of World Series champions|World Series championship]].

From 1969 to 2024, the Royals have an all time win–loss record of {{Win–loss record|w=4,208|l=4,623}} ({{winpct|4208|4623|2}}).<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas City Royals Team History & Encyclopedia|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/index.shtml|access-date=September 30, 2024|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|archive-date=October 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027092724/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/index.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Entering the 2023 season, the team is valued at [[USD|US$]]1.2 billion, placing them 27th out of MLB's 30 teams.<ref name=Forbes>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2023/03/23/baseballs-most-valuable-teams-2023-price-tags-are-up-12-despite-regional-tv-woes/?sh=7b1faf246501|title=Baseball's Most Valuable Teams 2023: Price Tags Are Up 12% Despite Regional TV Woes|website=Forbes|last1=Ozanian|first1=Mike|last2=Teitelbaum|first2=Justin|date=March 23, 2023|access-date=March 28, 2023|archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329001319/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2023/03/23/baseballs-most-valuable-teams-2023-price-tags-are-up-12-despite-regional-tv-woes/?sh=7b1faf246501|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2019, the team has been owned by majority owner [[John Sherman (businessman)|John Sherman]], amongst many other Kansas City business owners and entrepreneurs.

==Franchise history==
{{Main|History of the Kansas City Royals}}
{{For|historical Kansas City baseball franchises|List of past and present Kansas City sports teams}}

===Baseball returns to Kansas City===
[[File:1989 Kansas City Royals away uniform.jpg|thumb|The Royals wore their trademark powder blue road uniforms from 1973 to 1991 and reintroduced it in 2008 as an alternate jersey.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 5, 2007 |title=Royals to create new uniform tradition with powder blue alternates for 2008 |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071205&content_id=2318572&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031035855/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071205&content_id=2318572&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Kansas City Royals |publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP}}</ref>]]When the [[Kansas City Athletics]] moved to [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] after the [[1967 in baseball|1967 season]], Kansas City was left without major league baseball or, for the first time since 1883, professional baseball at all. The team was led by [[Charlie Finley]], who explored many elaborate relocation plans and essentially shunned Kansas City before the team even relocated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cities-that-almost-had-an-mlb-team|title=Cities that almost had an MLB team|last=Castrovince|first=Anthony|website=MLB.com|date=January 9, 2022|access-date=January 20, 2022|language=en}}</ref> An enraged [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Stuart Symington]] of Missouri threatened to introduce legislation removing baseball's antitrust exemption unless Kansas City was granted a team in the next round of expansion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wshs.org/wshs/columbia/articles/0200-a2.htm |title=The Seattle Pilots—Major League Baseball's First Venture in the Pacific Northwest<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 5, 2021 |archive-date=April 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422003453/http://www.wshs.org/wshs/columbia/articles/0200-a2.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>  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, the [[Seattle 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 executive [[Ewing Kauffman]] won 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 the [[American Royal]] best 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 the [[Kansas City Monarchs]], a [[Negro leagues]] team.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlb-teams.com/royals.php |title=Kansas City Royals : Royals news, history and pictures<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=May 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817225631/http://www.mlb-teams.com/royals.php |archive-date=August 17, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The team's logo, a crown atop a shield with the letters "KC" inside the shield, was created by Shannon Manning, an artist at [[Hallmark Cards]], based in Kansas City.<ref name="Crowning Achievement">Forr, James. [http://seamheads.com/2011/12/07/crowning-achievement-the-man-behind-the-kansas-city-royals-logo/ Crowning Achievement: The Man Behind the Kansas City Royals Logo] ''Seamheads.com'', December 7, 2011.</ref>

===1969–1979: Taking Off===
[[File:Royals Stadium 1976.jpg|thumb|upright|A game versus the [[Chicago White Sox]] at [[Kauffman Stadium]] (then Royals Stadium), September 1976]]
The Royals began play in 1969 in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. In their inaugural game, on April 8, 1969, the [[1969 Kansas City Royals season|Royals]] defeated the [[1969 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] 4–3 in 12 innings. The Royals went 69–93 in their first season, highlighted by [[Lou Piniella]], who won the [[MLB Rookie of the Year|AL 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 fielder [[Amos Otis]], who became the team's first star, first baseman [[John Mayberry]], who provided power, second baseman [[Cookie Rojas]], shortstop [[Fred Patek]], and designated hitter [[Hal McRae]]. The Royals also invested in a strong farm system and developed future star pitchers [[Paul Splittorff]], [[Dennis Leonard]], and [[Steve Busby]], infielders [[George Brett]] and [[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]], and outfielder [[Al Cowens]]. Under these young players, the Royals built a core set up for future success.

In 1971, the [[1971 Kansas City Royals season|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 (Kansas City)|Municipal Stadium]] to the brand-new [[Royals Stadium]] (now known as Kauffman Stadium).

The [[1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1973 All-Star Game]] was hosted at Royals Stadium, with Otis and Mayberry in the AL starting lineup. The event was previously held at Municipal Stadium in [[1960 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (first game)|1960]], when the [[Kansas City Athletics|Athletics]] were based in Kansas City.

Manager [[Whitey Herzog]] replaced McKeon in [[1975 Kansas City Royals season|1975]], 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 in [[1977 Kansas City Royals season|1977]]. However, the Royals lost to the [[New York Yankees]] in three straight [[American League Championship Series]] encounters.

===1980–1984: From Pennant to Pine Tar Incident===
After the [[1979 Kansas City Royals season|Royals]] finished in second place in 1979, Herzog was fired and replaced by [[Jim Frey]]. Under Frey and a legendary .390 season from George Brett, the [[1980 Kansas City Royals season|Royals]] rebounded in 1980 and advanced to the [[1980 American League Championship Series|ALCS]], where they again faced the [[1980 New York Yankees season|Yankees]]. The Royals vanquished the Yankees in a three-game sweep punctuated by Brett's home run off of Yankees' star relief pitcher [[Goose Gossage]]. After reaching their first [[1980 World Series|World Series]], the Royals fell to the [[1980 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] in 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.<ref name=Sandomir>{{cite journal|last1=Sandomir|first1=Richard|title=Baseball World Series: Postseason Vanishing From Broadcast Networks|journal=The New York Times|date=October 18, 2014|volume=CLXIV|issue=56,657|pages=D4|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/18/sports/cables-ascent-tests-baseball-fans-and-their-fingers.html|access-date=October 25, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027112826/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/18/sports/cables-ascent-tests-baseball-fans-and-their-fingers.html|archive-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:George brett pine tar bat rotated.JPG|thumb|500px|The [[baseball bat]] used by third baseman [[George Brett]] in the "Pine Tar Incident" on July 24, 1983, versus the [[New York Yankees]]]]

In July 1983, while the [[1983 Kansas City Royals season|Royals]] were headed for a second-place finish behind the [[1983 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] another chapter in the team's rivalry with the New York Yankees occurred. In what has come to be known as "the [[Pine Tar Incident]]", umpires discovered illegal placement of [[pine tar]] (more than 18&nbsp;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 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 by [[List of American League presidents|AL President]] [[Lee 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, owner [[Ewing Kauffman]] sold 49% of his interest to Memphis developer [[Avron Fogelman]]. Second, [[John Schuerholz]] was named general manager. Schuerholz soon bolstered 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 (specifically, in pitching) of most of the aforementioned players, the [[1984 Kansas City Royals season|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 [[1984 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] in the [[1984 American League Championship Series|American League Championship Series]]. The Tigers went on to win the [[1984 World Series|World Series]].

===1985: "The I-70 Series"===
{{further|1985 Kansas City Royals season}}
In the [[1985 Major League Baseball season|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 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 the [[1985 American League Championship Series|American 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 the [[1985 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]], the Royals eventually rallied to win the series 4–3, highlighted by a go-ahead 3-run triple from [[Jim Sundberg]] against Blue Jay's ace [[Dave Stieb]] in Game 7.

====1985 World Series====
{{Main|1985 World Series}}

In the 1985 World Series (nicknamed the "I-70 Series" because the two teams are both located in the state of [[Missouri]] and connected by [[Interstate 70]]) against the cross-state [[1985 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. 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, when [[Jorge Orta]] led off, hitting a bouncing ground ball to Cardinals 1st basemen [[Jack Clark (baseball)|Jack Clark]], who flipped the ball back to pitcher [[Todd Worrell]] at first base. The ball beat Orta to the bag, but umpire [[Don Denkinger]] called 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 hitter [[Dane Iorg]] to send the series to game seven. In game seven [[Bret Saberhagen]] shutout the Cardinals as Kansas City dominated the Cardinals 11–0, clinching their first title in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|title=1985 World Series Kansas City Royals over St Louis Cardinals|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1985_WS.shtml|access-date=June 30, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130235354/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1985_WS.shtml|archive-date=November 30, 2007}}</ref>

===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 1985 [[1985 World Series|World Series championship]], while developing young stars such as [[Bo Jackson]], [[Tom Gordon]], and [[Kevin Seitzer]].<ref name="KCR History">{{cite web|title=Kansas City Royals Team History & Encyclopedia – Baseball-Reference.com|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/|access-date=April 16, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423050937/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/|archive-date=April 23, 2012}}</ref> The Royals finished the [[1989 Kansas City Royals season|1989 season]] with 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.<ref name="KCR History" />

[[File:George Brett 1990 CROP.jpg|thumb|upright|[[George Brett]] bats during a 1990 game at [[Kauffman Stadium]] (then Royals Stadium)]]

At the end of the 1989 season, the team boasted a powerhouse pitching rotation, including the AL [[Cy Young Award]]-winner Bret Saberhagen (who set franchise record 23 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|wins]] that year), two-time All-Star Mark Gubicza (a 15-game winner in 1989) and 1989 AL [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] runner-up Tom Gordon (who won 17 games that year).<ref name="Royals lineup">{{cite news | last = Horst | first = Craig | title = Royals' lineup for 1990 is virtually set | page = 15 | work = The Daily Union | date = March 25, 1990 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XahEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1247,6829820&dq=1990+royals&hl=en | access-date = April 18, 2012 | archive-date = November 18, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211118114559/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XahEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1247%2C6829820&dq=1990+royals&hl=en | url-status = live }}</ref> But the organization felt it was still missing a few necessary pieces to give its divisional rival Oakland Athletics a run for their money.<ref name="Cautionary">{{cite web |url=http://kingsofkauffman.com/2011/12/17/the-cautionary-tale-of-the-1990-royals/ |title=The Cautionary Tale of the 1990 Royals |author=Engel, Michael |publisher=FanSided |date=December 17, 2011 |work=Kings of Kauffman |access-date=April 17, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113112011/http://kingsofkauffman.com/2011/12/17/the-cautionary-tale-of-the-1990-royals/ |archive-date=January 13, 2012 }}</ref>  So prior to the 1990 season, the Royals acquired [[Mark Davis (pitcher)|Mark Davis]], the 1989 [[National League (baseball)|National League]] Cy Young Award-winner and league leader in [[Save (baseball)|saves]], signing him to a 4-year, $13 million contract (the largest annual salary in baseball history at the time).<ref name="Royals Sign Davis">{{cite news | last = Nightengale | first = Bob | title = Royals Sign Mark Davis to $13-Million Contract | page = C1 | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 12, 1989 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-12-sp-154-story.html | access-date = April 16, 2012 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130412112247/http://articles.latimes.com/1989-12-12/sports/sp-154_1_mark-davis-home | archive-date = April 12, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The Royals also signed starting pitcher [[Storm Davis]], who was coming off a career-high 19-game win season (third-best in the AL), to a three-year $6 million contract.<ref name="Royals Sign Davis"/> Despite the promising off-season moves, the team suffered critical bullpen injuries while both newly signed Davises experienced lackluster seasons in 1990.<ref name="Cautionary" />  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.<ref>{{cite news | last = Horst | first = Craig | title = Bo no go, waive star | page = 2B | work = Kentucky New Era | agency = Associated Press | date = March 19, 1991 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1t0rAAAAIBAJ&pg=3785,1631264&dq=kansas+city+royals+1991+preview&hl=en | access-date = October 3, 2012 | archive-date = December 4, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211204224543/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1t0rAAAAIBAJ&pg=3785%2C1631264&dq=kansas+city+royals+1991+preview&hl=en | url-status = live }}</ref>

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 [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened]] [[1994 Kansas City Royals season|1994 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 his [[3,000 hit club|3,000th hit]].

In 1994, the Royals moved from the AL West to the newly created [[AL Central]] along with the [[Chicago White Sox]] and [[Minnesota Twins]], joined by the [[Cleveland Indians]] and [[Milwaukee Brewers]] from the [[AL East]]. The Brewers left for the [[NL Central]] in 1998, replaced by the [[Detroit Tigers]] that 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 Manager [[John Schuerholz]] departed in 1990 and team owner [[Ewing Kauffman]] died 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 by [[Wal-Mart]] executive [[David Glass (businessman)|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."<ref>{{cite web|author=Published |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/52015 |title=New Royals Owner: Greater Kansas City Community Foundation – SportsBusiness Daily, SportsBusiness Journal |publisher=SportsBusiness Daily |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref>  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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/1999/11/10/royals_sale_ap|title=Baseball rejects Prentice's bid for Royals|work=CNN|date=November 11, 1999|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629004757/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/1999/11/10/royals_sale_ap/|archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref>  In 1999, New York City lawyer and minor league baseball owner [[Miles Prentice]], vowing not to move the team, bid $75&nbsp;million for the team. This was the minimum amount Kauffman had stipulated the team could be sold for.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-19413094.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106012228/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-19413094.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|title=Royals board approves team sale to Prentice group}}</ref>  MLB rejected Prentice's first bid without specifying any reason.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sabr.org/cmsFiles/Files/OTL2000-2.pdf |title=Microsoft Word – newsltr.002 |access-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205153442/http://www.sabr.org/cmsFiles/Files/OTL2000-2.pdf |archive-date=February 5, 2011 }}</ref><ref>"Baseball strikes out Prentice; Royals must again start hunt for bidders", Kansas City ''Star'', November 11, 1999</ref>  In a final round of bids on March 13, 2000, the Foundation voted to accept Glass' bid of $96&nbsp;million, rejecting Prentice's revised bid of $115&nbsp;million.<ref>"Lengthy sale process could prove beneficial", Kansas City ''Star'', March 15, 2000, Jason Whitlock author</ref>

During the interregnum under Foundation ownership, the team declined. In the 1994 season, the Royals reduced payroll by trading pitcher [[David Cone]] and outfielder [[Brian 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&nbsp;million in 1994 (fourth-highest in the major leagues) to $18.5&nbsp;million in 1996 (second-lowest in the major leagues).<ref name=salary>{{Cite news|last=Dutton |first=Bob |title=Royals to Open 2010 Season With $70.1&nbsp;million Payroll |newspaper=Kansas City Star |date=April 4, 2010 |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/04/1856456/royals-to-open-2010-season-with.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409055851/http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/04/1856456/royals-to-open-2010-season-with.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=April 5, 2010 }}</ref><ref name=USAToday>{{Cite news | title = USA Today Salaries Database | newspaper = USA Today | url = http://content.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/totalpayroll.aspx?year=1996 | access-date = April 5, 2010 | date = October 24, 2007 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091110134148/http://content.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/totalpayroll.aspx?year=1996 | archive-date = November 10, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

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&nbsp;million.<ref name=salary/>  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 (baseball)|National League]] as part of a realignment plan to introduce the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] and [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Devil Rays]] as expansion teams. The [[Milwaukee Brewers]] made the switch instead.

In [[2002 Kansas City Royals season|2002]], 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]].

===2003: A Winning Season===
The [[2003 Kansas City Royals season|2003 season]] saw 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 a third-place finish in the AL Central. He was named the American League [[Manager of the Year Award|Manager of the Year]] for his efforts and shortstop [[Ángel Berroa]] was named [[AL Rookie of the Year]].

===2004–2008: Rock Bottom===
From the [[2004 Kansas City Royals season|2004 season]] through the [[2012 Kansas City Royals season|2012 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 in [[2005 Kansas City Royals season|2005]]).

Picked by many{{who|date=April 2012}} to win their division in [[2004 Kansas City Royals season|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]] 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, losing 104 games and breaking the franchise record set just two years earlier. The Royals did, however, see promising seasons from two rookies, center fielder [[David DeJesus]] and starting pitcher [[Zack 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 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 (pitcher)|Joe Mays]] and [[Scott Elarton]]. Nevertheless, the [[2006 Kansas City Royals season|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/baseball/mlb/kansas_city_royals/15634743.htm|title=KC Breaking News, Sports, Weather & More – KansasCity.com & The Kansas City Star}}{{dead link|date=January 2017}}</ref> 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. The Royals outbid the Cubs and Blue Jays for free agent righty [[Gil Meche]], signing him to a five-year, $55&nbsp;million contract, the largest contract in Royals history. Reliever [[Octavio Dotel]] also inked a one-year, $5&nbsp;million contract. The team also added several new prospects, including [[Alex Gordon]] and [[Billy Butler (baseball)|Billy Butler]]. Among [[Dayton Moore]]'s first acts as General Manager was instating a new motto for the team: "True. Blue. Tradition."<ref>Flanagan, Jeffrey. [http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/16647959.htm Royals reach to past with newest slogan]{{dead link|date=January 2017}} ''Kansas City Star'', February 28, 2007.</ref> 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. Manager [[Buddy Bell]] resigned following the 2007 season.<ref name="Bell stepping down">{{cite web |author=Dick Kaegel |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2122768&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |title=Bell stepping down as Royals skipper |website=KansasCity.Royals.MLB.com |date=May 31, 2005 |access-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519174939/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2122768&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=May 19, 2011 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="Royals introduce">{{cite web |author=Dick Kaegel |url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071022&content_id=2276225&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |title=Royals introduce Hillman as new manager, MLB.com, 22&nbsp;October 2007 |publisher=Kansascity.royals.mlb.com |access-date=May 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519180546/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071022&content_id=2276225&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc |archive-date=May 19, 2011 }}</ref>  The [[2008 Kansas City Royals season|2008 season]] began with the release of fan-favorite [[Mike Sweeney]] and the trade of [[Ángel Berroa]] to the Dodgers. Through 13 games in 2008, the Royals were 8–5 and in first place in the [[AL 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===

[[File:NewKauffman.jpg|thumb|Kauffman Stadium underwent renovations in 2009, including the addition of a [[high-definition television|high-definition]] scoreboard.|left]]

[[File:Zack Greinke on July 29, 2009.jpg|thumb|[[Zack Greinke]] did 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 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 only the third player in Royals history to receive the award.

The Royals began the [[2010 Kansas City Royals season|2010 season]] with a rocky start, and after the team's record fell to 12–23, manager Trey Hillman was fired. Former [[Milwaukee Brewers]] skipper [[Ned Yost]] took 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 infielders [[Eric Hosmer]], [[Mike Moustakas]], [[Johnny Giavotella]], and catchers [[Salvador Pérez]] and [[Manny Piña]]. Hosmer won the AL [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Month Award|Rookie of the Month]] award 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 the [[2011 Kansas City Royals season|2011 season]] with a 71–91 record, in fourth place in the AL Central. The [[2012 Kansas City Royals season|2012 team]] saw more of the same, as they improved by one game to 72–90, but finished one spot better in the division.

The [[2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] was hosted by the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 10, 2012 (in addition to the 2012 [[Home Run Derby (Major League Baseball)|Home Run Derby]], [[All-Star Futures Game]] and [[Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game]] during the All-Star break), which the National League won 8–0. The [[2012 Kansas City Royals season|2012 season]] marked the third time the "[[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|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 for [[Tampa Bay Rays|Rays]] pitchers [[James Shields (baseball)|James Shields]] and [[Wade Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]], giving Tampa top prospects [[Wil Myers]], [[Jake Odorizzi]], [[Mike Montgomery (baseball)|Mike Montgomery]], and [[Patrick Leonard (baseball)|Patrick Leonard]] in return. This trade helped catalyze a return to winning records.

For most of the [[2013 Kansas City Royals season|2013 season]], the Royals hovered near .500. The team also did not commit an error in its first seven games (for {{fract|64|2|3}} innings) 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===

The [[2014 Kansas City Royals season|2014 season]] featured a return to the postseason for the first time in 29 years, and what would unfold as a historic playoff run from the [[Major League Baseball wild card|Wild Card]] all the way to the [[2014 World Series]].

Anchored by the "HDH" trio of [[Kelvin Herrera]], [[Wade Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]], and [[Greg 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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/96183/royals-end-longest-active-playoff-drought|title=Royals end longest active playoff drought|first=Paul|last=Carr|work=ESPN.com|date=September 26, 2014|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref> On July 21, 2014, the Royals had a losing record (48–50) and were eight games behind the [[2014 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] in 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.<ref name=KCS2014>{{cite news|last=McCullough|first=Andy|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article1199725.html|title=Royals reclaim first place in Central with 3–2 victory over Oakland|newspaper=[[Kansas City Star]]|date=August 11, 2014|access-date=August 18, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814225528/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article1199725.html|archive-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref> This marked the latest date the Royals had led their division since August 29, 2003.<ref name=KCS2014/>  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 since [[1989 Kansas City Royals season|1989]]. 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 the [[2014 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] in the [[2014 American League Wild Card Game]] and won 9–8 on a [[Salvador Pérez]] walk-off single in the 12th inning, having earlier rallied back from a 7–3 deficit in the eighth. The Royals then swept the [[2014 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season|Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] in the [[2014 American League Division Series]]. In Game 1 of the ALDS, the score was 2–2 going into the 11th inning, when [[Mike Moustakas]] hit 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article2375748.html |title=Royals win AL Wild Card Game in walk-off thriller, 9–8|first=Andy|last=McCullough|date=September 30, 2014|access-date=September 30, 2014|newspaper=Kansas City Star |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001104450/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article2375748.html |archive-date=October 1, 2014}}</ref> The Royals then completed the sweep at home, winning 8–3 in game three and advancing to the [[2014 American League Championship Series]] against the [[2014 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=McCullough|first1=Andy|title=Royals to play for American League pennant after sweeping Angels with 8–3 win|url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article2526969.html|work=Kansas City Star|access-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101733/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article2526969.html|archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref name=BerthaMLB>{{cite web|last1=Bertha|first1=Mike|title=The small-ball Royals have more extra-inning, postseason home runs than any team ever|url=http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2014/10/11/98225982|website=MLB.com Cut4|publisher=MLB.com|access-date=October 11, 2014|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017204425/http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2014/10/11/98225982|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In the second ALCS game, the Royals again beat the Orioles 6–4, behind [[Lorenzo Cain]]'s four hits, including an RBI single.<ref>McCullough, Andy.  [http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article2684872.html Royals rally in ninth inning to beat Baltimore 6–4, take 2–0 lead in ALCS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013003503/http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article2684872.html |date=October 13, 2014}}, Kansas City Star, October 12, 2014.</ref> 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. Pitcher [[Jeremy Guthrie]] allowed 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 since [[1985 World Series|1985]]. The win marked the team's eighth consecutive postseason win in one year, breaking a major league record previously held by the [[2007 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies in 2007]] and [[1976 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/10/14/alcs-game-3-royals-orioles-mike-moustakas-one-win-from-world-series/17282993/|title=Royals one win from World Series, lead ALCS 3–0|date=October 14, 2014|work=USA Today|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015042423/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/10/14/alcs-game-3-royals-orioles-mike-moustakas-one-win-from-world-series/17282993/|archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref>

{{See also |2014 World Series}}

The Royals faced the [[2014 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in the [[2014 World Series]]. They had home-field advantage, due to the [[American League]]'s win in the [[2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2014 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 starter [[Madison 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 starter [[Madison Bumgarner]]. In game six, the Royals beat the Giants 10–0. In game seven, the Royals started [[Jeremy Guthrie]] against Giants pitcher [[Tim Hudson]]. Guthrie lasted {{frac|3|1|3}} innings before he was replaced by [[Kelvin Herrera]], who himself lasted {{frac|2|2|3}} innings. He was then replaced by [[Wade Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]], who pitched in two innings. Closer [[Greg Holland (baseball)|Greg Holland]] ended the game. On the Giants side, Hudson lasted only {{frac|1|2|3}} innings before he was replaced by [[Jeremy Affeldt]], who was later replaced by [[Madison 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, when [[Salvador Pérez]] fouled out to [[Pablo Sandoval]] to end the game and the series.

===2015: World Series Champions===
{{see also|2015 World Series}}
[[File:Royals Celebrating Winning the 2015 World Series.jpg|thumb|Royals celebrating winning the [[2015 World Series]]]]
After earning a wild card entry to the playoffs in [[2014 Kansas City Royals season|2014]], in [[2015 Kansas City Royals season|2015]], the Royals won the franchise's first division title since [[1985 Kansas City Royals season|1985]] and first [[American League Central|Central division]] title ever. The Royals went on to win the [[2015 World Series]] – the first championship for the Royals since 1985 – beating the [[2015 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] four games to one.<ref name="grasswire.com">{{cite web|url=https://grasswire.com/story/561/2015-World-Series|title=Kansas City Royals Beat New York Mets 7–2 to Win World Series|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208065626/https://grasswire.com/story/561/2015-World-Series|archive-date=December 8, 2015|access-date=November 2, 2015}}</ref>

The Royals entered the 2015 All-Star break with the best record in the [[American League]] at 52–34. The team continued its momentum into the second half of the season, and on July 26, Royals management traded three prospects [[Brandon Finnegan]], [https://www.mlb.com/player/john-lamb-543424 John Lamb], and [[Cincinnati Reds minor league players|Cody Reed]] for 2014 All-Star pitcher [[Johnny Cueto]] to help bolster its starting pitching rotation, as well as trading two pitchers to the Oakland Athletics for super-utility player [[Ben Zobrist]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Jazayerli|first=Rany|title=No More Royal Pains|website=Grantland|date=July 27, 2015|url= https://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-mlb-trade-deadline-johnny-cueto-kansas-city-royals-cincinnati-reds/|access-date=July 27, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728003833/http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-mlb-trade-deadline-johnny-cueto-kansas-city-royals-cincinnati-reds/|archive-date=July 28, 2015}}</ref> 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 since [[1980 Kansas City Royals season|1980]].

The Royals faced the [[2015 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] in the [[2015 American League Division Series|ALDS]]. 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 in [[2015 American League Division Series|Game 5]] powered the Royals to a second consecutive [[American League Championship Series|ALCS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/c-154484536|title=Johnny Cueto pitches Royals to ALDS victory|work=Major League Baseball|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016123136/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/154484536/johnny-cueto-pitches-royals-to-alds-victory|archive-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref> The Royals defeated the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] in Game 6, to win the [[2015 American League Championship Series|2015 ALCS]] and earn a trip to face the [[New York Mets]] in the [[2015 World Series]].

The Royals beat the [[New York Mets]] 4 games to 1 to become the [[2015 World Series]] champions.<ref name="grasswire.com"/> 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 from [[Christian Colon]] and doubles from both [[Alcides Escobar]] and [[Lorenzo Cain]], scoring runs from [[Jarrod Dyson]], Colon, [[Paulo Orlando]] (who reached base on an error by [[Daniel Murphy (baseball)|Daniel Murphy]]), Escobar and [[Ben Zobrist]] (who was intentionally walked). [[Wade Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]], who hadn't allowed a run yet that postseason, closed out the game with a flawless 12th, allowing one hit and striking out [[Wilmer Flores]] to end the game and win the World Series for the Royals.<ref>{{cite web|title = Kansas City Royals vs. New York Mets – Play By Play – November 01, 2015 |url = https://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=351101121|website = ESPN.com|access-date = November 2, 2015|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151102194216/http://espn.go.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=351101121|archive-date = November 2, 2015|df = mdy-all}}</ref> Upon conclusion of the final game, catcher [[Salvador Pérez|Salvador Perez]] was named World Series MVP.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kahrl|first=Christina|date=November 2, 2015|title=Royals Catcher Salvador Perez Named World Series MVP|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2015/story/_/id/14034579/salvador-perez-kansas-city-royals-named-world-series-mvp|access-date=July 6, 2021|website=ESPN|archive-date=October 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012093505/https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2015/story/_/id/14034579/salvador-perez-kansas-city-royals-named-world-series-mvp|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2016–2017: End of an Era===
The Royals followed up their World Series victory with an underachieving, injury-riddled campaign in [[2016 Kansas City Royals season|2016]]. 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 star [[Whit Merrifield]]. The [[2017 Kansas City Royals season|2017 season]] marked the end of the World Series core: pitcher [[Yordano Ventura]] was 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 Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]] was 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. Stars [[Lorenzo Cain]] and [[Eric Hosmer]] became free agents after the season and signed contracts with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] and [[San Diego Padres]], respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crasnick |first=Jerry |date=2018-01-25 |title=Source: Lorenzo Cain reaches $80M agreement with Brewers |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22214991/milwaukee-brewers-sign-center-fielder-lorenzo-cain-formerly-kansas-city-royals |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=[[ESPN]] |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219072110/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22214991/milwaukee-brewers-sign-center-fielder-lorenzo-cain-formerly-kansas-city-royals |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cassavell |first=AJ |date=2018-02-17 |title=Padres make 8-year deal with Hosmer official |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-to-sign-eric-hosmer-c266674754 |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=mlb.com |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125080425/https://www.mlb.com/news/padres-to-sign-eric-hosmer-c266674754 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, through both of these years the Royals were one of the most successful teams in the league at [[Instant replay in Major League Baseball|challenging umpire calls via instant replay]] thanks to the work of replay coordinator [[Bill Duplissea (baseball)|Bill Duplissea]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dodd |first=Rustin |date=September 17, 2017 |title=The Royals remain the best at questioning umpires. Here's their secret |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article173836901.html |access-date=September 27, 2023 |newspaper=Kansas City Star |language=en |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514132830/https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article173836901.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2018–present: John Sherman era===

Although Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain left in free agency, the Royals were able to re-sign [[Mike Moustakas]] and [[Alcides Escobar]]. In [[2018 Kansas City Royals season|2018]], the team started a new rebuild, trading Moustakas mid-season for prospects, and giving playing time to young players like [[Adalberto Mondesi]], [[Ryan O'Hearn]], and [[Brad Keller (baseball)|Brad 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 selected [[Bobby Witt Jr.]] with the second pick in the MLB draft. Widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball,<ref>{{cite web|date=July 6, 2021|title=Top 100 Baseball Prospects|url=https://www.mlb.com/prospects|access-date=July 6, 2021|website=MLB.com|archive-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705050402/https://www.mlb.com/prospects|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 the [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]], had agreed to purchase the team from David Glass for a reported amount of $1 billion.<ref>{{cite web|last=McDowell|first=Sam|date=August 30, 2019|title=David Glass agrees to sell KC Royals to John Sherman|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article234557137.html|access-date=April 22, 2021|website=[[Kansas City Star]]|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119174636/https://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article234557137.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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 the [[2019 Kansas City Royals season|2019 season]] one game better than 2018, at 59–103. Whit Merrifield once again led the league in hits, while [[Jorge Soler]] led the American League with 48 home runs and three Royals players paced the league in triples (Mondesi, Merrifield and [[Hunter 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bumbaca|first=Chris|date=October 31, 2019|title=Kansas City Royals hire Mike Matheny as manager|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/royals/2019/10/31/mike-matheny-kansas-city-royals-hire-new-mlb-manager/2496108001/|work=USA Today|location=Tysons, Virginia|access-date=August 23, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823104028/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/royals/2019/10/31/mike-matheny-kansas-city-royals-hire-new-mlb-manager/2496108001/|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[2020 Kansas City Royals season|2020]], the season was [[2020 Major League Baseball season|shortened to 60 games]] because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]; the Royals finished with a 26–34 record (a .433 winning percentage), good for fourth place in the AL Central. Overall in [[2021 Kansas City Royals season|2021]], 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 catcher [[Salvador Pérez]] led MLB in both home runs and runs batted in and [[Bobby Witt Jr.]] continued to emerge as one of the top prospects in [[Minor League Baseball]].

Beginning with the 2022 season, Dayton Moore was promoted to the team's President of Baseball Operations and [[J. J. Picollo]] began his tenure as general manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-front-office-promotions|title=Royals promoting Moore, Picollo|last=Rogers|first=Anne|website=Royals.com|language=en|date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915000758/https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-front-office-promotions|url-status=live}}</ref> Moore was fired by the end of the season.<ref name=Doolittle>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34637287/kansas-city-royals-fire-long-front-office-executive-dayton-moore|title=With 'a gap right now between where we are and where we expected to be,' Kansas City Royals fire Dayton Moore|last=Doolittle|first=Bradford|website=ESPN.com|date=September 21, 2022|access-date=September 21, 2022|language=en|archive-date=September 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921193202/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34637287/kansas-city-royals-fire-long-front-office-executive-dayton-moore|url-status=live}}</ref> The Royals spent 2022 blending their roster with several rookies (including [[Bobby Witt Jr.]], [[MJ Melendez]], and [[Vinnie Pasquantino]] among others), often fielding lineups with six or more rookies on a given night.<ref name=Doolittle/> The team finished in fourth place of the AL Central with a 65–97 record, and [[Mike Matheny]] was fired after their season finale in Cleveland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Anne |title=Royals part ways with manager Mike Matheny |url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/mike-matheny-will-not-return-to-royals |access-date=October 6, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=October 5, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006033622/https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/mike-matheny-will-not-return-to-royals |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kansas City Royals fire manager Mike Matheny |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34736121/kansas-city-royals-fire-manager-mike-matheny |access-date=October 6, 2022 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com |date=October 5, 2022 |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006032739/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34736121/kansas-city-royals-fire-manager-mike-matheny |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Matt Quatraro]] was hired as manager for the [[2023 Kansas City Royals season|2023 season]], and the team finished with a record of 56–106. Leading into the [[2024 Kansas City Royals season|2024 season]], the Royals were aggressive in the offseason signing pitchers such as [[Michael Wacha]] and [[Seth Lugo]]. The 2024 Royals became the second team ever to go from over 100 losses from the season prior to a [[playoff berth]] in the next. They clinched their first playoff berth since 2015 on September 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Anderson |first=R.J. |title=Royals clinch playoff berth: Kansas City becomes second MLB team ever to go from 100 losses to postseason |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/royals-clinch-playoff-berth-kansas-city-becomes-second-mlb-team-ever-to-go-from-100-losses-to-postseason/ |website=[[CBS Sports]] |date=September 27, 2024 |access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref> They swept the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card round and lost to the New York Yankees in the American League Division series.

In February 2025, former manager [[Ned Yost]] rejoined the team as a senior advisor to general manager [[J. J. Picollo]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royals Hire Ned Yost As Senior Advisor|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/royals-hire-ned-yost-as-senior-advisor.html|access-date=February 12, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref>

====Future stadium plans====
{{seealso|New Royals Stadium}}

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.<ref name=Downtown>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-pursuing-new-downtown-kansas-city-ballpark|title=Royals pursuing new downtown Kansas City ballpark|website=Royals.com|last=Rogers|first=Anne|date=November 15, 2022|access-date=November 15, 2022|language=en|archive-date=November 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116020428/https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-pursuing-new-downtown-kansas-city-ballpark|url-status=live}}</ref> The team announced in June 2023 that the two final sites under consideration for the stadium district were the [[East Village, Kansas City|East Village neighborhood]] and [[North Kansas City, Missouri|North Kansas City]],<ref name=Truong>{{cite web|url=https://www.kshb.com/sports/royals-narrow-potential-ballpark-sites-to-north-kansas-city-east-village|title=Royals narrow potential ballpark sites to North Kansas City, East Village|last=Truong|first=Wilson|website=KSHB.com|date=June 15, 2023|access-date=June 15, 2023|language=en|archive-date=June 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615153005/https://www.kshb.com/sports/royals-narrow-potential-ballpark-sites-to-north-kansas-city-east-village|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/despite-luke-warm-season-royals-fans-are-fired-up-for-new-ballpark|title=Despite luke-warm season, Royals fans are fired up for new ballpark|last=Maddrick|first=Bryant|website=KSHB.com|date=October 1, 2023|access-date=October 2, 2023|language=en|archive-date=November 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116232800/https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/despite-luke-warm-season-royals-fans-are-fired-up-for-new-ballpark|url-status=live}}</ref> but a third site in the [[Crossroads, Kansas City|Crossroads district]] emerged as the final site chosen by the team in February 2024.<ref name=Dailey>{{cite web|url=https://www.kctv5.com/2024/02/13/royals-relocate-club-announces-move-truman-sports-complex-crossroads/|title=Royals Relocate: Club announces move from Truman Sports Complex to the Crossroads|last=Dailey|first=Greg|website=kctv5.com|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=February 13, 2024|language=en|archive-date=February 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213210558/https://www.kctv5.com/2024/02/13/royals-relocate-club-announces-move-truman-sports-complex-crossroads/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Skretta>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-kansas-city-stadiums-e9605296b85e91699441e4ba10e83212|title=Voters reject stadium tax for Royals and Chiefs, leaving future in KC in question|publisher=Associated Press|last=Skretta|first=Dave|date=April 3, 2024|access-date=April 30, 2024|language=en|archive-date=April 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430231139/https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-royals-kansas-city-stadiums-e9605296b85e91699441e4ba10e83212|url-status=live}}</ref> The team plans to open a new stadium by the start of the 2027 or 2028 MLB season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/article277944563.html|title=Inside Chiefs' plans for Arrowhead's future as Royals drive Kansas City stadium debate|last=McDowell|first=Sam|date=August 4, 2023|access-date=August 4, 2023|publisher=The Kansas City Star|language=en}}</ref> and it would have a seating capacity of about 34,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39519845/royals-unveil-plans-ballpark-downtown-kansas-city-missouri-entertainment-district|title=Royals unveil plans for ballpark in downtown Kansas City|website=ESPN.com|date=February 13, 2024|access-date=February 13, 2024|language=en|archive-date=February 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214001556/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39519845/royals-unveil-plans-ballpark-downtown-kansas-city-missouri-entertainment-district|url-status=live}}</ref> The Royals are also considering relocating across the state border to [[Kansas City, Kansas]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fox4kc.com/sports/royals/royals-exploring-new-stadium-in-kansas-after-recent-star-bond-discussions/|title=Royals open to new Kansas stadium if lawmakers approve STAR Bonds|first=Olivia|last=Johnson|date=June 8, 2024|access-date=June 16, 2024|language=en|website=fox4kc.com|publisher=Fox 4 KC|archive-date=June 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615115442/https://fox4kc.com/sports/royals/royals-exploring-new-stadium-in-kansas-after-recent-star-bond-discussions/|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as considering building a downtown ballpark in Washington Square Park, an area located between [[Union Station (Kansas City)|Union Station]] and [[Crown Center]] on the Missouri side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mcdowell/article291020570.html|title=Royals, city of KC studying new downtown stadium site. Mayor Lucas wants to avoid vote|work=[[The Kansas City Star]]|last=McDowell|first=Sam|date=August 14, 2024|access-date=August 21, 2024|language=en}}</ref> In November 2024, it was reported that the Royals were also examining "two or three" potential stadium sites in [[Johnson County, Kansas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-city-royals-exploring-options-johnson-county-kansas/62886179|title=Royals reportedly exploring multiple stadium locations in Johnson County, Kansas|work=[[KMBC-TV]]|last=Sloan|first=Nick|date=November 12, 2024|access-date=November 13, 2024 |language=en }}</ref>

==Uniform history==

===1969–1972: 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.

===1973–1982: 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.

===1983–1991: 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=One and done|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=lukas/07082|author=Paul Lukas|date=August 23, 2007|access-date=July 29, 2020|work=ESPN|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128230955/http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=lukas/07082|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Royals unveil uniform updates for the 2012 season|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-unveil-uniform-updates-for-the-2012-season/c-26023758|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=November 22, 2011|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kaegel|first=Dick|title=New Royals uniforms enhance 'KC' logo|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/new-kansas-city-royals-uniforms-enhance-kc-logo/c-64193158|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=November 25, 2013|access-date=January 26, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126125640/https://www.mlb.com/news/new-kansas-city-royals-uniforms-enhance-kc-logo/c-64193158|url-status=live}}</ref> After winning the 2015 World Series, the Royals began wearing an alternate white uniform, featuring "Royals" in metallic gold with blue trim.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cosman|first=Ben|title=The Royals added some gold to their unis to remind you that they're World Series champs|url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/royals-add-world-series-gold-to-opening-day-uniforms-c168150048|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=March 19, 2016|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref> 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.<ref name="KCRoyalsUni2022" /><ref name="RoyalsUniUpdate" />

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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Royals unveil City Connect uniform|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-city-connect-uniform|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|work=Kansas City Royals|date=April 25, 2022|access-date=April 25, 2022|archive-date=April 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425163143/https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-city-connect-uniform|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Anne|title='We heard you': Royals bring back full powder blues|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-to-wear-full-powder-blue-uniforms-in-2023|publisher=[[MLB Advanced Media]]|website=[[MLB.com]]|date=February 3, 2023|access-date=February 4, 2023|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203225923/https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-to-wear-full-powder-blue-uniforms-in-2023|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2025, the Royals' full powder blue uniform would be worn every Saturday home game,<ref>{{cite news|last=Bishop|first=Curt|title=Royals Make Major Announcement Regarding Uniforms For 2025|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/royals/news/royals-make-major-announcement-regarding-uniforms-for-2025-curt9|publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=March 18, 2025|access-date=March 18, 2025}}</ref> and would be paired with their batting practice cap featuring the classic "KCR" crown logo in a white panel along with a powder blue crown and royal blue brim.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas City Royals Going Full Powder for Home Saturday Games, Add New Cap |url=https://uni-watch.com/2025/03/19/kansas-city-royals-going-full-powder-for-home-saturday-games-add-new-cap/|access-date=2025-03-20|website=UniWatch}}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| header = 
| header_align = left/right/center
| header_background = 
| footer = 
| footer_align = left/right/center
| footer_background = 
| image1 = U.L. Washington - Kansas City Royals - 1980.jpg
| caption1 = Road pullover uniform (1973–1982), worn by [[U. L. Washington]]
| image2 = Jerry Terrell Royals.jpg
| caption2 = Home pullover uniform (1973–1982), worn by [[Jerry Terrell]].
| image3 = David Howard (6198899828) (cropped).jpg
| caption3 = Home uniform (1983–1994), worn by [[David Howard (baseball)|David Howard]].
| total_width = 600
}}

{{multiple image
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| direction = horizontal
| header = 
| header_align = left/right/center
| header_background = 
| footer = 
| footer_align = left/right/center
| footer_background = 
| image1 = Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Aaron Crow (43).jpg
| caption1 = Alternate blue uniform (2006–2013), worn by [[Aaron Crow]]. This uniform was worn exclusively on the road starting in 2008.
| image2 = Brett Phillips, Houston Astros 4, Kansas City Royals 1, Kaufmann Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri (48730234246) (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = Home alternate uniform (2017–2021), worn by [[Brett Phillips]].
| image3 = Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler.jpg
| caption3 = Road uniform (2006–2011), worn by [[Billy Butler (baseball)|Billy Butler]].
| image4 = Drew Butera on June 6, 2016.jpg
| caption4 = Road uniform (2012–2021), worn by [[Drew Butera]].
| image5 = ZackGreinkeKcvsStl2023 (cropped).jpg
| caption5 = Road uniform (2022–present), worn by [[Zack Greinke]].
| image6 = Terrance Gore pinch running for the Kansas City Royals on September 1, 2015 (Cropped).jpg
| caption6 = Home uniform (2006–present), worn by [[Terrance Gore]].
| total_width = 1000
}}

==Rivalries==

===St. Louis Cardinals===
{{Main|Show Me Series}}

The Royals' most prominent rivalry is with the intrastate [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. For geographic reasons, the teams long played exhibition games, but a true rivalry began with the Royals' victory over the Cardinals in the [[1985 World Series]], known as the "I-70 Series." Notably, the manager for the Cardinals in the series was  [[Whitey 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 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 2023 season, the Cardinals hold the series advantage 75–49.<ref>{{cite web |title=Royals vs. Cardinals head to head |url=https://stathead.com/baseball/vs/kansas-city-royals-vs-st-louis-cardinals |website=stathead.com |access-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308174027/https://stathead.com/baseball/vs/kansas-city-royals-vs-st-louis-cardinals |url-status=live }}</ref>

===New York Yankees===
From 1976 to 1980, the Royals faced the [[New York Yankees]] four times in five years in the [[American League Championship Series]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dodd |first1=Rustin |title='We hated each other': When the Yankees and Royals turned baseball into a blood feud |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5819781/2024/10/05/yankees-royals-1970s-rivalry/ |access-date=5 October 2024 |work=New York Times |date=5 October 2024}}</ref> The Yankees won in 1976, 1977 and 1978, while the Royals won in 1980. The teams did not face each other in the postseason again until the 2024 American League Division Series, with the Yankees winning in four games. In a 2013 article about the 1983 [[Pine Tar Incident]] involving the two teams, [[Lou Pinella]] said: "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..."<ref name=Yankees>{{cite magazine|title=Pine Tar Game: George Brett and most controversial HR ever|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2016/07/22/pine-tar-game-brett-gossage-royals-yankees|access-date=January 24, 2017|magazine=Sports Illustrated|publisher=Sports Illustrated|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116142906/http://www.si.com/mlb/2016/07/22/pine-tar-game-brett-gossage-royals-yankees|archive-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref> George Brett agreed: "I hated everyone on the Yankees, I really did. I hated 'em all, back in that era."<ref name=Yankees/> Kansas City also held historic grudges against the Yankees in general, as during the Athletics' residency under [[Arnold Johnson (industrialist)|Arnold Johnson]]'s ownership, it was effectively a ''de facto'' "farm team" for the Bronx Bombers due to lopsided trades in favor of New York.

==Baseball Hall of Famers==
{{Baseball hall of fame list
|Current Team Name = Kansas City Royals
|   All Team Names = Royals
|          ColorA# = 004687
|          ColorB# = FFFFFF
|          ColorC# = C09A5B
|          ColorD# = 000000
|      Team Name 1 = '''Kansas City Royals'''
|         List 1.1 = '''[[George Brett]]''' *
|         List 1.2 = [[Orlando Cepeda]]<br>[[Joe Gordon]]
|         List 1.3 = [[Whitey Herzog]]<br>[[Harmon Killebrew]]
|         List 1.4 = [[Bob Lemon]]<br>[[Gaylord Perry]]
|         List 1.5 = [[John Schuerholz]]
|      Team Name 2 = 
|         List 2.1 = 
|         List 2.2 = 
|         List 2.3 = 
|         List 2.4 = 
|         List 2.5 = 
|      Team Name 3 = 
|         List 3.1 = 
|         List 3.2 = 
|         List 3.3 = 
|         List 3.4 = 
|         List 3.5 = 
|      Team Name 4 =
|         List 4.1 =
|         List 4.2 =
|         List 4.3 =
|         List 4.4 =
|         List 4.5 = 
|        Footnote1 = * Kansas City Royals listed as primary team according to the Hall of Fame
|        Footnote2 =
|        Footnote3 =
|        Footnote4 =
}}

===Ford C. Frick Award recipients===
{{Ford C. Frick award list
|Current Team Name = Kansas City Royals
|   All Team Names = Royals
|          ColorA# = 004687
|          ColorB# = FFFFFF
|          ColorC# = C09A5B
|          ColorD# = 000000
|         List 1   = 
|         List 2   = 
|         List 3   = '''[[Denny Matthews]]'''
|         List 4   = 
|         List 5   = 
|        Footnote1 =
|        Footnote2 =
|        Footnote3 =
|        Footnote4 =
}}

==Other players of note==
{{see also|Kansas City Royals award winners and league leaders}}
[[File:Alex Gordon (27140253467).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Alex Gordon]]]]
[[File:Amos Otis - Kansas City Royals.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Amos Otis]]]]
[[File:Dan Quisenberry 1986.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dan Quisenberry]]]]
[[File:Jackie Robinson Kansas City Monarchs.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jackie Robinson]] (#42 retired throughout MLB) played for the Negro League's [[Kansas City Monarchs]]]]
[[File:Frank White Royals.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]]]]

===Team captains===
* [[George Brett]] 1989–1993<ref name="captains">{{cite web |title=Royals' Perez named 4th captain in team history |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36006372/royals-make-salvador-perez-4th-captain-franchise-history |website=ESPN.com |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=April 1, 2023 |language=en |date=March 30, 2023 |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401220315/https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36006372/royals-make-salvador-perez-4th-captain-franchise-history |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]] 1989–1990<ref name="captains" />
* [[Mike Sweeney]] 2003–2007<ref name="captains" />
* [[Salvador Pérez]] 2023–present<ref name="captains" />

===Missouri Sports Hall of Fame===
{{Main|Missouri Sports Hall of Fame}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="5" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|'''Kansas City Royals in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame'''
|-
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|No.
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Player
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Position
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Tenure
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|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]] || [[General Manager|GM]] || 2006–2021 || 
|-
| 2, 37 || [[Fred Patek]] || [[Shortstop|SS]] || 1971–1979 ||  
|-
| 3 || [[Ned Yost]] || [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]] || 2010–2019 || 
|-
| 4, 7 || [[Alex Gordon]] || [[Left fielder|LF]] || 2007–2020 || 
|-
| 5, 25 || [[George Brett]] || [[Third baseman|3B]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]]/[[First baseman|1B]] || 1973–1993 ||
|-
| 6 || [[Terry Pendleton]] || [[Third baseman|3B]] || 1998 ||
|-
| 6, 19, 32 || [[Willie Wilson (baseball)|Willie Wilson]] || [[Center fielder|CF]]/[[Left fielder|LF]] || 1976–1990 ||
|-
| 8, 22 || [[Jim Eisenreich]] || [[Outfielder|OF]] || 1987–1992 ||
|-
| 7 || [[John Mayberry]] || [[First baseman|1B]] || 1972–1977 ||
|-
| 8, 15, 28 || [[Mike MacFarlane]] || [[Catcher|C]] || 1987–1994<br />1996–1998 ||
|-
| 11 || [[Hal McRae]] || [[Outfielder|OF]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]]/Coach<br>[[Manager (baseball)|Manager]] || 1973–1987<br />1991–1994 ||
|-
| 12 || [[John Wathan]] || [[Catcher|C]]<br>[[Manager (baseball)|Manager]] || 1976–1985<br />1987–1991 ||
|-
| 15 || [[Darrell Porter]] || [[Catcher|C]] || 1977–1980 || Born in Joplin
|-
| 16 || [[Bo Jackson]] || [[Outfielder|OF]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]] || 1987–1990 ||
|-
| 9, 10, 18 || [[Jamie Quirk]] || [[Catcher|C]] || 1975–1976<br>1978–1982<br>1985–1988 ||
|- 
| 19, 20 || [[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]] || [[Second baseman|2B]] || 1973–1990 || Attended Longview Community College in Lee's Summit
|-
| 21 || [[Jeff Montgomery (baseball)|Jeff Montgomery]] || [[Relief pitcher|RP]] || 1988–1999 ||
|-
| 22 || [[Dennis Leonard]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1974–1986 ||
|-
| 23 || [[Mark Gubicza]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1984–1996 ||
|-
| 24 || [[Whitey Herzog]] || [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]] || 1975–1979 || 
|-
| 26 || [[Amos Otis]] || [[Center fielder|CF]] || 1970–1983 ||
|-
| 29, 40 || [[Vince Coleman (baseball)|Vince Coleman]] || [[Left fielder|LF]] || 1994–1995 || 
|-
| 29 || [[Dan Quisenberry]] || [[Relief pitcher|RP]] || 1979–1988 ||
|-
| 29 || [[Mike Sweeney]] || [[Catcher|C]]/[[First baseman|1B]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]] || 1995–2007 ||
|-
| 30 || [[Orlando Cepeda]] || [[First baseman|1B]] || 1974 ||
|-
| 25, 34 || [[Paul Splittorff]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1970–1984 ||
|-
| 36 || [[Gaylord Perry]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1983 ||
|-
| 37 || [[Jeff Suppan]] || [[Pitcher|P]] || 1998–2002 || 
|-
| 39 || [[Al Hrabosky]] || [[Relief pitcher|RP]] || 1978–1979 ||
|-
| 40 || [[Steve Busby]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1972–1980 ||
|}

===Retired numbers===
{{See also|List of Major League Baseball retired numbers}}

{{retired number list|
{{retired number|image=Royals_5_GeorgeBrett.png|alt=5|name=[[George Brett|George<br>Brett]]|pos=3B|date=<br />1994}}
{{retired number|image=Royals_10_DickHowser.png|alt=10|name=[[Dick Howser|Dick<br>Howser]]|pos=Manager|date=<br />1987}}
{{retired number|image=Royals_20_FrankWhite.png|alt=20|name=[[Frank White (baseball)|Frank<br>White]]|pos=2B|date=<br />1995}}
{{retired number|image=Royals_42_JackieRobinson.png|alt=42|name=[[Jackie Robinson|Jackie<br/>Robinson]]<br/>All MLB|honored=April 15, 1997}}
}}

The Royals have retired the numbers of former players [[George Brett]] (No. 5) and [[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]] (No. 20). Former manager [[Dick Howser]]'s No. 10 was retired following his death in 1987. Former [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] player [[Jackie Robinson]]'s No. 42 is retired throughout [[Major League Baseball]].

====Out of circulation, but not retired====
No. 29, worn by Royals greats [[Dan Quisenberry]] (238 saves, 2.55 ERA) and [[Mike Sweeney]] (.299 batting average, 197 home runs, 837 RBI), has not been assigned since Sweeney's departure in 2007.

===Hall of Fame===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Key
!scope="row" |Year
|Year inducted
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#ffb;"|'''Bold''' 
|Member of the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|National Baseball Hall of Fame]]
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#ffb;"|{{center|{{dagger}}}}
|Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Royals
|-
!scope="row" style="background:#cfc;"|  '''Bold'''
|Recipient of the Hall of Fame's [[Ford C. Frick Award]]
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
| colspan="5" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|'''Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame'''
|-
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Inducted
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|No.
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Player
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Position
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Tenure
|-
|rowspan=2|1986 || 40 || [[Steve Busby]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1972–1980
|-
| 26 || [[Amos Otis]] || [[Center fielder|CF]] || 1970–1983
|-
|rowspan=3|1987 || 10 || [[Dick Howser]] || Manager || 1981–1986
|-
| 1 || [[Cookie Rojas]] || [[Second baseman|2B]] || 1970–1977
|-
| 25, 34 || [[Paul Splittorff]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1970–1984
|-
|rowspan=2|1989 || 22 || [[Dennis Leonard]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1974–1986
|-
| 11 || [[Hal McRae]] || [[Outfielder|OF]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]]/Coach<br>[[Manager (baseball)|Manager]] || 1973–1987<br />1991–1994
|-
|rowspan=3|1992 || — || [[Joe Burke (baseball executive)|Joe Burke]] || GM<br>President || 1974–1981<br>1981–1992
|-
| 32, 37 || [[Larry Gura]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1976–1985
|-
| 2, 37 || [[Freddie Patek]] || [[Shortstop|SS]] || 1971–1979
|-
| 1993 || — || [[Ewing Kauffman]] || Owner and tributary of name of Kauffman Stadium || 1969–1993
|-
| 1994 || 5, 25 || style="background:#ffb;"|'''[[George Brett]]'''{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || [[Third baseman|3B]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]]/[[First baseman|1B]] || 1973–1993 
|-
| 1995 || 19, 20 || [[Frank White (baseball)|Frank White]] || [[Second baseman|2B]] || 1973–1990
|-
|rowspan=2|1996 || — || [[Muriel Kauffman]] || Executive and wife of Ewing || 1969–1995
|-
| 7 || [[John Mayberry]] || [[First baseman|1B]] || 1972–1977
|-
| 1998 || 29 || [[Dan Quisenberry]] || [[Relief pitcher|RP]] || 1979–1988
|-
|rowspan=2|2000 || 24 || style="background:#ffb;"|'''[[Whitey Herzog]]''' || Manager || 1975–1979
|-
| 6, 19, 32 || [[Willie Wilson (baseball)|Willie Wilson]] || [[Center fielder|CF]]/[[Left fielder|LF]] || 1976–1990 
|-
| 2003 || 21 || [[Jeff Montgomery (baseball)|Jeff Montgomery]] || [[Relief pitcher|RP]] || 1988–1999
|-
| 2004 || — || style="background:#cfc;"|'''[[Denny Matthews]]'''{{sup|{{dagger}}}} || Radio announcer || 1969–present
|-
| 2005 || 18, 31 || [[Bret Saberhagen]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1984–1991
|-
| 2006 || 23 || [[Mark Gubicza]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1984–1996
|-
| 2008 || — || [[Art Stewart]] || Scout || 1969–2021
|-
| 2011 || 17, 55 || [[Kevin Appier]] || [[Starting pitcher|SP]] || 1989–1999<br>2003–2004
|-
| 2012 || — || [[George Toma]] || Groundskeeper || 1969–1999
|-
| 2015 || 29 || [[Mike Sweeney]] || [[Catcher|C]]/[[First baseman|1B]]/[[Designated hitter|DH]] || 1995–2007
|-
| 2023 || 3 || [[Ned Yost]] || Manager || 2010–2019
|-
| 2024 || 16 || [[Bo Jackson]] || [[Left fielder|LF]] || 1986–1990
|-
| 2025 || 4 || [[Alex Gordon]] || [[Left fielder|LF]] || 2007–2020 
|}

==Roster==
{{Kansas City Royals roster}}

==Managers==
{{main|List of Kansas City Royals managers}}

''Statistics current through 2024 season''
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="unsortable" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|#{{ref label|Number|a|a}} !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Manager !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Seasons !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Wins !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Losses !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|Pct !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|PA !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|PW !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|PL !! style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|WS
|-
| 1 || style="background:#ffb;"| {{sort|Gordon|[[Joe Gordon]]<sup>†</sup>}} || 1969 || {{sort|0069|69}} || {{sort|0093|93}} || {{winpct|69|93}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 2 || {{sort|Metro|[[Charlie Metro]]}} || 1970 || {{sort|0019|19}} || {{sort|0033|33}} || {{winpct|19|33}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 3 || style="background:#ffb;"| {{sort|Lemon|[[Bob Lemon]]<sup>†</sup>}} || 1970–1972 || {{sort|0207|207}} || {{sort|0218|218}} || {{winpct|207|218}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 4 || {{sort|McKeon|[[Jack McKeon]]}} || 1973–1975 || {{sort|0215|215}} ||{{sort|0205|205}} || {{winpct|215|205}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 5 || style="background:#ffb;"| {{sort|Herzog|[[Whitey Herzog]]<sup>†</sup>}} || 1975–1979 || {{sort|0410|410}} || {{sort|0304|304}} || {{winpct|410|304}} || {{sort|000|3}} || {{sort|000|5}} || {{sort|000|9}} || {{sort|000|0}}
|-
| 6 || {{sort|Frey|[[Jim Frey]]}} || 1980–1981 || {{sort|0127|127}} || {{sort|0105|105}} || {{winpct|127|105}} || {{sort|000|1}} || {{sort|000|5}} || {{sort|000|4}} || {{sort|000|0}}
|-
| 7 || {{sort|Howser|[[Dick Howser]]}} || 1981–1986 || {{sort|0404|404}} || {{sort|0365|365}} || {{winpct|404|365}} || {{sort|000|3}} || {{sort|000|8}} || {{sort|000|12}} || {{sort|000|1}}
|-
| 8 || {{sort|Ferraro|[[Mike Ferraro]]}} || 1986 || {{sort|0036|36}} || {{sort|0038|38}} || {{winpct|36|38}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 9 || {{sort|Gardner|[[Billy Gardner]]}} || 1987 || {{sort|0062|62}} || {{sort|0064|64}} || {{winpct|62|64}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 10 || {{sort|Wathan|[[John Wathan]]}} || 1987–1991 || {{sort|0287|287}} || {{sort|0270|270}} || {{winpct|287|270}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 11 || {{sort|Schaefer|[[Bob Schaefer]]}} || 1991|| {{sort|0001|1}} || {{sort|0000|0}} || {{winpct|1|0}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 12 || {{sort|McRae|[[Hal McRae]]}} || 1991–1994 || {{sort|0286|286}} || {{sort|0277|277}} || {{winpct|286|277}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 13 || {{sort|Boone|[[Bob Boone]]}} || 1995–1997 || {{sort|0181|181}} || {{sort|0206|206}} || {{winpct|181|206}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 14 || {{sort|Muser|[[Tony Muser]]}} || 1997–2002 || {{sort|0317|317}} || {{sort|0431|431}} || {{winpct|317|431}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 15 || {{sort|Mizerock|[[John Mizerock]]}}  || 2002 || {{sort|0005|5}} || {{sort|0008|8}} || {{winpct|5|8}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 16 || {{sort|Peña|[[Tony Peña]]}} || 2002–2005 || {{sort|0198|198}} || {{sort|0285|285}} || {{winpct|198|285}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| — || {{sort|Schaefer|[[Bob Schaefer]]}} || 2005 || {{sort|0005|5}} || {{sort|0012|12}} || {{winpct|5|12}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 17 || {{sort|Bell|[[Buddy Bell]]}} || 2005–2007 || {{sort|0174|174}} || {{sort|0262|262}} || {{winpct|174|262}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 18 || {{sort|Hillman|[[Trey Hillman]]}} || 2008–2010 || {{sort|0152|152}} || {{sort|0207|207}} || {{winpct|152|207}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
| 19 || {{sort|Yost|[[Ned Yost]]}} || 2010–2019 ||{{sort|0687|687}} || {{sort|0736|736}} || {{winpct|687|736}} || {{sort|000|2}} || {{sort|000|22}} || {{sort|000|9}} || {{sort|000|1}}
|-
| 20 || {{sort|Matheny|[[Mike Matheny]]}} || 2020–2022 || {{sort|0165|165}} || {{sort|0219|219}} || {{winpct|165|219}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}} || {{sort|000|—}}
|-
|21  || {{sort|Quatraro|[[Matt Quatraro]]}} || 2023–present || 142 || 182 || {{winpct|142|182}} ||{{sort|000|1}} || {{sort|000|3}} || {{sort|000|3}} || {{sort|000|0}}
|- class="sortbottom"
!colspan="3" style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|'''''Totals''''' !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|4,205 !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|4,623 !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"| {{winpct|4,205|4,623}} !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|10 !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|43 !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|37 !! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};"|2
|}

==Minor league affiliations==
{{Main|List of Kansas City Royals minor league affiliates}}

The Kansas City Royals [[farm team|farm system]] consists of seven [[Minor League Baseball|minor league]] affiliates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/affiliate.cgi?id=KCR|title=Kansas City Royals Minor League Affiliates|website=Baseball-Reference|publisher=Sports Reference|access-date=October 4, 2024|archive-date=May 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528062932/https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/affiliate.cgi?id=KCR|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
!scope="col" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}}"|Class
!scope="col" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}}"|Team
!scope="col" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}}"|League
!scope="col" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}}"|Location
!scope="col" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}}"|Ballpark
!scope="col" style="{{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}}"|Affiliated
|-
| [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]]
!scope="row"| [[Omaha Storm Chasers]]
| [[International League]]
| [[Papillion, Nebraska]]
| [[Werner Park]]
| align="right"| 1969
|-
| [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]]
!scope="row"| [[Northwest Arkansas Naturals]]
| [[Texas League]]
| [[Springdale, Arkansas]]
| [[Arvest Ballpark]]
| align="right"| 2008
|-
| [[High-A]]
!scope="row"| [[Quad Cities River Bandits]]
| [[Midwest League]]
| [[Davenport, Iowa]]
| [[Modern Woodmen Park]]
| align="right"| 2021
|-
| [[Single-A]]
!scope="row"| [[Columbia Fireflies]]
| [[Carolina League]]
| [[Columbia, South Carolina]]
| [[Segra Park]]
| align="right"| 2021
|-
| rowspan=3| [[Rookie league|Rookie]]
!scope="row"| [[Arizona Complex League Royals|ACL Royals]]
| [[Arizona Complex League]]
| [[Surprise, Arizona]]
| [[Surprise Stadium]]
| align="right"| 2022
|-
!scope="row"| [[Dominican Summer League Royals|DSL Royals Fortuna]]
| rowspan=2| [[Dominican Summer League]]
| rowspan=2| [[Boca Chica]], [[Santo Domingo Province|Santo Domingo]]
| rowspan=2| Kansas City Royals Complex
| rowspan=2 align="right"| 2024
|-
!scope="row"| [[Dominican Summer League Royals|DSL Royals Ventura]]
|}

==Season records==
{{Main|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 (baseball)|Billy Butler]] (2013), [[Alcides Escobar]] (2014, 2016), [[Whit Merrifield]] (2019), [[Jorge Soler]] (2019)
* Most runs: 136, [[Johnny Damon]] (2000)
* Most hits: 230, [[Willie Wilson (baseball)|Willie Wilson]] (1980)
* Highest slugging %: .664, [[George Brett]] (1980)
* Most doubles: 54, [[Hal McRae]] (1977)
* Most triples: 21, [[Willie Wilson (baseball)|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 (baseball)|Willie Wilson]] (1979)
* Most wins: 23, [[Bret Saberhagen]] (1989)
* Lowest ERA: 2.08, [[Roger Nelson (baseball)|Roger Nelson]] (1972)
* Strikeouts: 244, [[Dennis Leonard]] (1977)
* Most strikeouts, single game: 16, [[Danny Duffy]] (2016)
* Most strikeouts, Reliever: 109, [[Wade Davis (baseball)|Wade Davis]] (2014)
* Complete games: 21, [[Dennis Leonard]] (1977)
* Shutouts: 6, [[Roger Nelson (baseball)|Roger Nelson]] (1972)
* Saves: 47, [[Greg Holland (baseball)|Greg Holland]] (2013)

==All-time records==
* Highest batting average: .306, [[George Brett]]
* 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 (baseball)|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 (baseball)|Jeff Montgomery]]

==Radio and television==
{{As of|2024}}, the Royals flagship radio stations are [[KFNZ-FM]] (96.5) and [[KFNZ (AM)|KFNZ]] (610 AM).<ref name="kcs-kcsptokfnz">{{cite news |last1=Grathoff |first1=Pete |title=Kansas City Chiefs and Royals games will have a new radio home starting next week |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article290861049.html |access-date=August 9, 2024 |work=[[The Kansas City Star]] |date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> As KCSP, 610 AM had been carrying games since 2008,<ref name="kansascitybusinessjournal">{{Cite web |title=Royals sign contracts with radio broadcaster, minor-league club |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2015/11/17/royals-sign-contracts-with-radio-broadcaster-minor.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=www.bizjournals.com |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421091110/http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2015/11/17/royals-sign-contracts-with-radio-broadcaster-minor.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and entered into a new four-year deal starting from the 2020 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royals Radio Network {{!}} Kansas City Royals |url=https://www.mlb.com/royals/schedule/royals-radio-network |access-date=September 22, 2022 |website=MLB.com |language=en |quote=The Royals and 610 Sports Radio extended their agreement in 2020, with the deal running through 2024. |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922215911/https://www.mlb.com/royals/schedule/royals-radio-network |url-status=live }}</ref> The radio announcers are [[Denny Matthews]] and Ryan Lefebvre, with Steve Stewart and [[Steve Physioc]].<ref name="mlbradio2012">[http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/schedule/royals_radio_network.jsp Royals Radio Network] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216102727/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/schedule/royals_radio_network.jsp |date=February 16, 2012 }}, MLB.com. Retrieved March 10, 2012.</ref>

Televised games are aired on [[FanDuel Sports Network Kansas City]], a branch of [[FanDuel Sports Network Midwest]]. For the 2012 season, [[Ryan Lefebvre]] was joined by [[Jeff Montgomery (baseball)|Jeff Montgomery]] for about 20 games while the rest of the broadcasts were covered by former [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|Angels]] announcer duo of [[Rex Hudler]] and [[Steve Physioc]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.610sports.com/a/51922081/steve-physioc.htm?q=Rex+Hudler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908120815/http://media.610sports.com/a/51922081/steve-physioc.htm?q=Rex+Hudler |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |title=Steve Physioc |website=Media.610Sports.com |date=February 16, 2012 |access-date=July 13, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.610sports.com/a/51759602/2-10-ww-hour-3.htm?q=Rex+Hudler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813182454/http://media.610sports.com/a/51759602/2-10-ww-hour-3.htm?q=Rex+Hudler |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |title=2/10 WW Hour 3 |website=Media.610Sports.com |access-date=July 13, 2012}}</ref> During the 2016 season, the Royals averaged an 11.7 rating and 105,000 viewers on primetime TV broadcasts.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2016/09/28/here-are-the-2016-mlb-prime-time-television-ratings-for-each-team/2/ Here Are The 2016 MLB Prime Time Television Ratings For Each Team] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102185804/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2016/09/28/here-are-the-2016-mlb-prime-time-television-ratings-for-each-team/ |date=January 2, 2021 }} – Maury Brown, Forbes SportsMoney, September 28, 2016</ref> Selected Royals games previously aired in the 2000s on the Royals Network, and its former flagship was [[KMCI-TV]].

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10015210 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111091020/http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10015210 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2013 |title=Royals announcer Matthews wins Frick Award – MLB – CBSSports.com Live Scores, Stats, Schedules |publisher=Sportsline.com |date=February 22, 2007 |access-date=May 18, 2011}}</ref>

==Mascot==
[[Sluggerrr]] is the [[mascot]] of the Royals. Sluggerrr is a lion, and made his first appearance on April 5, 1996.<ref>[https://www.mlb.com/royals/fans/sluggerrrs-den/about-sluggerrr About Sluggerrr] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613084706/https://www.mlb.com/royals/fans/sluggerrrs-den/about-sluggerrr |date=June 13, 2018 }}, ''MLB.com'', Retrieved June 12, 2018.</ref>
On game day, Sluggerrr can be found giving aggressive encouragement to players and fans, pitching in the "Little K", and firing [[hot dog]]s from an [[Spud Gun|air cannon]] into the stands between innings.

==See also==
* [[Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy]]
* [[List of Kansas City Royals seasons]]
* [[Sports in the Kansas City metropolitan area]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kansas City Royals}}
* {{MLBTeam|KansasCity|Royals|KC}}
* [http://royals.mlblogs.com/ Around the Horn in KC – Official MLBlog of the Kansas City Royals front office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813062228/http://royals.mlblogs.com/ |date=August 13, 2006 }}
* [http://sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/KC CBS SportsLine.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060808201245/http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/teams/page/KC/ |date=August 8, 2006 }}
* [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/kc/royals.html Sports E-Cyclopedia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918195224/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/al/kc/royals.html |date=September 18, 2016 }}

{{S-start-collapsible|header={{S-ach}}}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Detroit Tigers]]<br />[[1984 World Series|1984]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = World Series champions|years = [[1985 World Series|1985]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[New York Mets]]<br />[[1986 World Series|1986]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[San Francisco Giants]]<br />[[2014 World Series|2014]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = World Series champions|years = [[2015 World Series|2015]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Chicago Cubs]]<br />[[2016 World Series|2016]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Baltimore Orioles]]<br />[[1979 American League Championship Series|1979]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = American League champions|years=[[1980 American League Championship Series|1980]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[New York Yankees]]<br />[[1981 American League Championship Series|1981]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Detroit Tigers]]<br />[[1984 American League Championship Series|1984]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = American League champions|years=[[1985 American League Championship Series|1985]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Boston Red Sox]]<br />[[1986 American League Championship Series|1986]]}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Boston Red Sox]]<br />[[2013 American League Championship Series|2013]]}}
{{s-ttl|title = American League champions|years=[[2014 American League Championship Series|2014]]–[[2015 American League Championship Series|2015]]}}
{{s-aft|after = [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]]<br />[[2016 American League Championship Series|2016]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Kansas City Royals}}
{{Navboxes|titlestyle={{Baseball primary style|Kansas City Royals|border=2}};|list1 =
{{1985 Kansas City Royals}}
{{2015 Kansas City Royals}}
{{Kansas City Royals general managers}}
{{Kansas City Royals managers}}
{{Kansas City Royals retired numbers}}
{{MLB}}
{{American League}}
{{Missouri Sports}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Baseball|United States}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kansas City Royals| ]]
[[Category:Cactus League]]
[[Category:1969 establishments in Missouri]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball teams]]
[[Category:Baseball teams established in 1969]]
[[Category:Baseball teams in Kansas City, Missouri|Royals]]