Kansas City Royals facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kansas City Royals
2025 Kansas City Royals season
Established in 1969
Team logo Cap insignia
Major league affiliations
American League (1969–present) Central Division (1994–present) West Division (1969–1993)
Current uniform
Retired numbers	5 10 20 42
Colors
Royal blue, white, powder blue, gold
Name
Kansas City Royals (1969–present)
Other nicknames
The Blue Crew Boys In Blue The Crowns
Ballpark
Kauffman Stadium (1973–present) Municipal Stadium (1969–1972)
Major league titles
World Series titles (2)	1985 2015
AL Pennants (4)	1980 1985 2014 2015
Central Division titles (1)	2015
West Division titles (7)	1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1984 1985
Wild card berths (2)	2014 2024
Front office
Principal owner(s)	John Sherman
President of baseball operations	J. J. Picollo
General manager	J. J. Picollo
Manager	Matt Quatraro

The Kansas City Royals are a professional baseball team from Kansas City, Missouri. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team started in 1969 as a new expansion team.

The Royals have played in the World Series four times. They won in 1985 and 2015, and were runners-up in 1980 and 2014. They had a very strong period from 1976 to 1985, and another exciting comeback from 2013 to 2015.

The name "Royals" comes from the American Royal, a famous livestock and horse show held every year in Kansas City. It also honors two former Negro league baseball teams that played in the city. In 1968, a contest was held to name the new team, and "Royals" was chosen from over 17,000 ideas. The team's owner, Ewing Kauffman, initially didn't like the name but later changed his mind.

The Royals were created after the city's previous team, the Athletics, moved away. A U.S. Senator from Missouri, Stuart Symington, pushed for Kansas City to get a new team. Since 1973, the Royals have played at Kauffman Stadium, which was first called Royals Stadium.

The team quickly became successful, reaching the playoffs seven times between 1976 and 1985. They won a World Series in 1985 and another AL pennant in 1980. Key players from that era included George Brett, Frank White, and Bret Saberhagen. After a long time without making the playoffs (1986–2013), the Royals made a big comeback in 2014. They reached the World Series but lost. Then, in 2015, led by stars like Salvador Perez and Lorenzo Cain, they won their second World Series title!

As of 2024, the Royals have a win-loss record of 4,208 wins and 4,623 losses. The team is currently owned by John Sherman.

Team History

Baseball Returns to Kansas City

When the Kansas City Athletics baseball team moved to Oakland in 1967, Kansas City was left without a major league team. This made many people upset, including Senator Stuart Symington. He worked hard to make sure Kansas City got a new team. Major League Baseball agreed, and the Kansas City Royals were formed to start playing in 1969.

Ewing Kauffman, a businessman, became the owner of the new team. He held a contest to find the best name. Sanford Porte suggested "Royals" because of Missouri's large livestock industry and the famous American Royal show in Kansas City. The name was chosen, and the team's logo, a crown on a shield with "KC," was designed by an artist from Hallmark Cards.

Taking Off (1969–1979)

The Royals wore their famous powder blue road uniforms from 1973 to 1991. They brought them back in 2008 as an alternate jersey.

The Royals played their first game on April 8, 1969, and won! In their first season, Lou Piniella won the Rookie of the Year Award. The team quickly got stronger by trading for players like Amos Otis, John Mayberry, and Hal McRae. They also developed their own young stars like George Brett, Frank White, and pitchers Paul Splittorff and Dennis Leonard.

In 1973, the Royals started wearing their famous "powder blue" road uniforms. They also moved from Municipal Stadium to the new Kauffman Stadium (then called Royals Stadium). Kauffman Stadium hosted the 1973 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Under manager Whitey Herzog, the Royals became a top team in their division. They won three division championships in a row from 1976 to 1978. However, they lost to the New York Yankees in the playoffs each time.

From Pennant to Pine Tar (1980–1984)

A game at Kauffman Stadium (then Royals Stadium) in September 1976.

In 1980, the Royals, led by George Brett who had an amazing .390 batting average, finally beat the New York Yankees in the playoffs! This sent them to their first World Series, but they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.

A famous moment happened in 1983, known as the "Pine Tar Incident". George Brett hit a home run against the Yankees, but the umpires said his bat had too much pine tar on it and called him out. Brett got very angry! Later, the league president said the home run counted, and the Royals won the game.

In 1984, the Royals won their division again, thanks to Brett's hitting and a strong group of young pitchers like Bret Saberhagen and Mark Gubicza. But they were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the playoffs.

The I-70 Series (1985)

The bat used by George Brett in the "Pine Tar Incident" in 1983.

The 1985 season was incredible! The Royals won their division again. In the playoffs, they faced the Toronto Blue Jays and were down 3 games to 1. But they made an amazing comeback, winning three games in a row to reach the World Series!

The 1985 World Series was special because it was against their cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. It was called the "I-70 Series" because both cities are on Interstate 70. The Royals fell behind again, 3 games to 1. But just like before, they fought back! In Game 6, a controversial call at first base helped the Royals score two runs and win the game. Then, in Game 7, Bret Saberhagen pitched a shutout, and the Royals won 11–0, becoming World Series champions for the first time!

Staying Competitive (1986–1994)

After their World Series win, the Royals continued to be a good team in the late 1980s. They had new stars like Bo Jackson and Tom Gordon. In 1989, they had one of the best records in baseball but still missed the playoffs.

George Brett batting in 1990.

The early 1990s saw the end of George Brett's amazing career. He won his third batting title in 1990, becoming the first player to win batting titles in three different decades! He also got his 3,000th hit. In 1994, the Royals moved to the new AL Central division.

Challenges and Rebuilding (1995–2012)

After owner Ewing Kauffman passed away in 1993, the team faced some tough years. They traded away many of their star players to save money, and the team struggled. In 2002, the Royals lost 100 games for the first time.

In 2003, the team had a winning season, which was a nice surprise! Manager Tony Peña won Manager of the Year. But from 2004 to 2012, the Royals had nine losing seasons in a row. They lost 100 games in three straight years (2004-2006).

During this time, Kauffman Stadium got a big renovation in 2009, making it even better for fans. Pitcher Zack Greinke had an incredible season in 2009, winning the American League Cy Young Award for being the best pitcher. In 2010, Ned Yost became the new manager. The Royals also hosted the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium.

Return to Success (2013–2017)

Kauffman Stadium after its renovations in 2009, including a new high-definition scoreboard.

In 2012, the Royals made a big trade, getting pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis. This trade helped turn the team around! In 2013, the Royals had their first winning season since 2003.

Return to the World Series (2014)

The 2014 season was truly historic! The Royals made the playoffs for the first time in 29 years, ending the longest playoff drought in major American sports. Their bullpen, with pitchers like Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland, was one of the best ever.

The Royals won the Wild Card game in an exciting extra-innings comeback. Then they swept the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Baltimore Orioles in the playoffs. They won eight playoff games in a row, setting a new MLB record! This sent them to the 2014 World Series against the San Francisco Giants. The Royals fought hard but lost in a very close Game 7.

World Series Champions (2015)

The Royals celebrating their 2015 World Series win.

In 2015, the Royals kept their momentum going. They won their first division title since 1985 and had the best record in the American League. They traded for star pitcher Johnny Cueto and versatile player Ben Zobrist to make the team even stronger.

In the playoffs, they faced the Houston Astros and were down 2-1 in the series. In Game 4, they made another amazing comeback, scoring 5 runs in the 8th inning to win! They then beat the Toronto Blue Jays to reach the 2015 World Series again, this time against the New York Mets.

The Royals beat the Mets 4 games to 1 to become the 2015 World Series champions! They won Game 5 in extra innings, scoring 5 runs in the 12th inning. Catcher Salvador Pérez was named the World Series MVP. It was the Royals' first World Series title since 1985!

End of an Era (2016–2017)

After their championship, the Royals had a couple of average seasons. The 2017 season was sad for the team as they honored pitcher Yordano Ventura, who passed away. They wore special patches on their jerseys to remember him. After these seasons, key players like Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer left the team.

John Sherman Era (2018–Present)

In 2018, the Royals began a new rebuilding phase, focusing on young players like Adalberto Mondesi and Whit Merrifield. Merrifield became a star, leading MLB in hits and stolen bases.

In 2019, John Sherman bought the team. Manager Ned Yost retired after ten seasons, and Mike Matheny became the new manager. In 2020, the season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Salvador Pérez had a fantastic year, leading MLB in home runs and RBIs. Young star Bobby Witt Jr. also continued to develop.

In 2022, J. J. Picollo became the general manager. The team played many rookies, finishing with a 65–97 record. Mike Matheny was then replaced by Matt Quatraro for the 2023 season.

The 2024 Royals made a big jump, going from over 100 losses in 2023 to clinching a playoff spot! They swept the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card round but lost to the New York Yankees in the next round.

Future Stadium Plans

The Royals plan to move from Kauffman Stadium by the end of 2030. They are looking at different locations in Kansas City, Missouri, and even in Johnson County, Kansas. The team wants to build a new stadium that would seat about 34,000 fans.

Uniform History

Original Look (1969–1972)

The first home uniforms were blue and white with "Royals" written in script. The road uniforms were similar but said "Kansas City." In 1971, the road uniforms changed to block letters. The blue cap with "KC" was introduced and is still used today.

Pullover and Powder Blue (1973–1982)

The Royals switched to pullover uniforms in 1973. The home uniform stayed similar, but the road uniform became a light "powder blue" with white letters. Player names were added to the back in 1978.

Button-Down Style Returns (1983–1991)

The team went back to buttoned uniforms in 1983. On the powder blue road uniform, "Royals" in script replaced "Kansas City." Numbers were added to the left chest of both uniforms.

Grey and Alternate Blue (1992–2001)

In 1992, the Royals started wearing grey road uniforms again, but they kept the "Royals" script. In 1994, a blue alternate uniform was added. The road uniforms later changed to have "Kansas City" in block letters.

Adding Black (2002–2005)

Black was added to the team's colors in 2002. The uniforms included black shadows on the letters. In 2003, the Royals wore sleeveless uniforms with blue or black undershirts. A black alternate uniform was also introduced.

New Alternates and Powder Blue Returns (2006–2021)

In 2006, black was removed from the uniforms. The team went back to sleeved uniforms. The road uniforms brought back the "Kansas City" script, but written diagonally. In 2008, the powder blue alternate uniform returned, now paired with white pants. After winning the 2015 World Series, a special white alternate uniform with gold lettering was introduced.

Block Road Letters and City Connect (2022–Present)

The Royals updated their uniforms in 2022. The road uniforms and blue road alternates brought back the block "Kansas City" wordmark from 1971-1982. The powder blue alternate uniform also changed to have numbers in the same color as the "Royals" script.

In 2022, the Royals also wore special "City Connect" uniforms. These navy blue uniforms honored Kansas City as the "City of Fountains" with a unique "KC" logo shaped like a fountain.

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

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

Home uniform (1983–1994), worn by David Howard.

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

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

Road uniform (2006–2011), worn by Billy Butler.

Road uniform (2012–2021), worn by Drew Butera.

Road uniform (2022–present), worn by Zack Greinke.

Home uniform (2006–present), worn by Terrance Gore.

Team Rivalries

St. Louis Cardinals

The Royals have a big rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals, another baseball team in Missouri. They often played exhibition games, but the real rivalry began when the Royals beat the Cardinals in the 1985 World Series. That series was called the "I-70 Series." The Cardinals' manager at the time, Whitey Herzog, used to manage the Royals!

New York Yankees

The Royals and New York Yankees had a fierce rivalry in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They played each other in the American League Championship Series four times in five years! The Yankees won three times, but the Royals finally beat them in 1980. Players from both teams have said they really disliked each other during that time.

Famous Players and Coaches

Baseball Hall of Famers

Ford C. Frick Award Winners

Other Notable Players

Alex Gordon

Amos Otis

Dan Quisenberry

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

Frank White

Team Captains

• George Brett 1989–1993
• Frank White 1989–1990
• Mike Sweeney 2003–2007
• Salvador Pérez 2023–present

Retired Numbers

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

The Royals have honored several important people by retiring their jersey numbers. Number 5 belongs to legendary player George Brett, and number 20 belongs to Frank White. Number 10 was retired for former manager Dick Howser after he passed away. Also, Jackie Robinson's number 42 is retired across all of Major League Baseball.

Managers

Minor League Teams

The Kansas City Royals have several minor league teams where young players develop their skills.

Team Records

Here are some of the best single-season and all-time records for the Kansas City Royals:

Single Season Records

• Highest Batting Average: .390, George Brett (1980)
• Most Games Played: 162, by several players including Al Cowens (1977) and George Soler (2019)
• Most Runs Scored: 136, Johnny Damon (2000)
• Most Hits: 230, Willie Wilson (1980)
• Most Home Runs: 48, Jorge Soler (2019) and Salvador Perez (2021)
• Most RBIs (Runs Batted In): 144, Mike Sweeney (2000)
• Most Stolen Bases: 83, Willie Wilson (1979)
• Most Wins by a Pitcher: 23, Bret Saberhagen (1989)
• Lowest ERA (Earned Run Average): 2.08, Roger Nelson (1972)
• Most Strikeouts by a Pitcher: 244, Dennis Leonard (1977)
• Most Saves: 47, Greg Holland (2013)

All-Time Career Records

• Most Games Played: 2,707, George Brett
• Most Runs Scored: 1,583, George Brett
• Most Hits: 3,154, George Brett
• Most Home Runs: 317, George Brett
• Most RBIs (Runs Batted In): 1,596, George Brett
• Most Stolen Bases: 612, Willie Wilson
• Most Wins by a Pitcher: 166, Paul Splittorff
• Lowest ERA (Earned Run Average): 2.55, Dan Quisenberry
• Most Strikeouts by a Pitcher: 1,458, Kevin Appier
• Most Saves: 304, Jeff Montgomery

Radio and TV

You can listen to Royals games on KFNZ-FM (96.5) and KFNZ (610 AM). The main radio announcers are Denny Matthews and Ryan Lefebvre.

Royals games are shown on TV on Bally Sports Kansas City. In 2007, Denny Matthews won the Ford C. Frick Award for his great work in baseball broadcasting.

Mascot

Sluggerrr is the official mascot of the Kansas City Royals. He is a friendly lion who first appeared in 1996. During games, Sluggerrr cheers on the team and fans, and even shoots hot dogs into the stands with an air cannon!

Images for kids

• 

  Zack Greinke pitching in 2009.

See also

In Spanish: Kansas City Royals para niños

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