- 1969
- 1973
- 1985
- 2003
- 2015
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Kansas City Royals Team Formation
When the Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland after the 1967 season, Kansas City was left without major league baseball or, for the first time since 1883, professional baseball at all. An enraged Senator Stuart Symington threatened to introduce legislation removing baseball’s antitrust exemption unless Kansas City was granted a team in the next round of expansion. Major League Baseball ... -
Kauffman Stadium Opens
Kauffman Stadium was built specifically for baseball during an era where building multi-sport “cookie-cutter” stadiums were commonplace. It is often held up along with Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles as one of the best examples of modernist stadium design. It is one of two ballparks in the American League to currently be named after a person (Ewing Kauffman), the other ... -
World Series Winner 1985
In the 1985 World Series against the cross-state St. Louis Cardinals (nicknamed the “I-70 Series” because the two teams are both located in the state of Missouri and connected by Interstate 70, the Royals again fell behind 3–1. The key game in the Royals’ comeback was Game 6. Facing elimination, the Royals trailed 1–0 in the bottom of the ninth ... -
David Glass Ownership
David Glass became the interim CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royals on September 23, 1993, following the death of the founding owner, Ewing Kauffman. Under Glass’s leadership, the board cut the payroll budget from $41 million to $19 million. During the Major League Baseball strike of 1994 – 1995, Glass opposed any settlement with the ... -
World Series Winner 2015
The 2015 World Series was the 111th edition of Major League Baseball’s championship series, a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champions New York Mets and the American League (AL) champions Kansas City Royals. The series was played between October 27 and November 1, with the Royals winning the series 4 games to 1. It was the first time ...
History of the Royals
The Kansas City Royals are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB). Established in 1969, the Royals have been a perennial powerhouse for over four decades. They’ve won two World Series titles and seven American League pennants, making them one of baseball’s most successful teams over that span.
In their early years, the team was led by stars such as George Brett and Hal McRae, who helped lead them to three consecutive division championships from 1976-1978. In 1985 they made it to their first-ever World Series title with an exciting 7-game series win over St Louis Cardinals. The team featured a dynamic offense featuring players such as Willie Wilson and Frank White and great pitching from Bret Saberhagen & Dan Quisenberry, which propelled them to victory!
After several rebuilding efforts throughout the 1990s & 2000s, things began turning around again when Dayton Moore took control of General Manager duties at the start 2006 season. He immediately created a winning formula by drafting future stars like Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas & Salvador Perez. This core group eventually led KC back into playoffs after a 29-year drought during the 2014 season, where they would make another run at crowning themselves champions once again!
Unfortunately, though, this time around, it wasn’t meant to be as San Francisco Giants were able to take home the trophy in four games 2, but still, there is no denying how far these boys blue had come since those dark days before Moore arrived in town; proving anything possible if you believe hard enough work towards achieving your dreams!
Royals Products
Established
1969
City
Kansas City
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1969 – 1999 / American League
Team History
1969 – Present / Kansas City Royals
Nickname
Royals – As a sports fan, you may be familiar with the Kansas City Royals Major League Baseball team. But do you know where their nickname comes from? The origins of this name are rooted in the city’s history and connection to royalty.
The franchise was founded in 1969 as an expansion team for the American League. During that time, there were many suggestions for what to call them – some wanted “Mules” or “Monarchs,” while others favored something more closely related to cowboys and horses, such as “Rough Riders” or even just plain old “Royals." However, it wasn't until 1969 when owner Ewing Kauffman settled on "Royals" after being inspired by Kansas City's long-standing relationship with royalty—notably through its association with King Louis IX of France, who had been given control over much of modern-day Missouri during his reign (1226–1270). This link between royal bloodlines and Kansas City is also seen today in various places around town, such as Crown Center Square, which features statues honoring different members of European royal families throughout history.
In addition to paying homage to historical figures associated with local culture, the Royals' name has become symbolic among baseball fans across America, mainly because they won their first World Series title back in 1985 against all odds! Since then, they have gone on two other championship runs (2015 & 2019), cementing themselves firmly into MLB lore - making them one of only eight teams since 1976 who have won multiple titles within 10 years! So next time you hear someone mention "the Royals," remember that they are talking about one excellent baseball team representing centuries of cultural heritage from around our great nation!
Championship
World Series 2
2015, 1985
Stadium
1973 – Present / Kauffman Stadium
1969 – 1972 / Municipal Stadium
Owner
2019 - Present / John Sherman
2000 – 2019 / David Glass
1993 – 2000 / Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
1969 – 1993 / Ewing Kauffman
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
5 / George Brett
10 / Dick Howser
20 / Frank White
42 / Jackie Robinson
*Blue is this team’s history
