Kansas City Royals

Quick Facts

  • Founded: 1969

  • Original Name/City: Kansas City Royals

  • Current Ballpark: Kauffman Stadium

  • World Series Titles: 2 (1985, 2015)

  • Franchise Nicknames: The Boys in Blue

A History of the Kansas City Royals

Born from a tumultuous period that saw Kansas City's previous team, the Athletics, depart for Oakland, the Royals were founded as an expansion franchise in 1969. Named after the American Royal livestock show, the team quickly bucked the trend of struggling expansion clubs.

Under the leadership of innovative general manager Ewing Kauffman, the Royals committed to player development and became a winning organization faster than any other expansion team, earning their first division title in 1976 and establishing a fierce rivalry with the New York Yankees.

The franchise's first golden era was defined by one player: George Brett. The hard-hitting third baseman led the Royals to six division titles and two pennants between 1976 and 1985.

After years of playoff heartbreak, the team finally reached the pinnacle in 1985, rallying to win both the ALCS and the World Series in a dramatic seven-game fashion over their cross-state rival St. Louis Cardinals. This series will be forever remembered for its controversial call in Game 6. The team played in Kauffman Stadium, a park praised for its innovative fountains and modern design.

After the 1985 championship, the franchise entered a nearly 30-year playoff drought. That all changed in 2014, when a new homegrown core of players like Salvador Pérez and Eric Hosmer took the city on a magical run.

Known for their incredible defense, speed, and bullpen, the Royals captured the AL Pennant as a Wild Card team. They returned in 2015, even more determined, and defeated the New York Mets to win their second World Series title. That championship team embodied the city's spirit and brought a new generation of fans to "The K."

Franchise Timeline

  • 1969: Founded as an expansion team.

  • 1973: Moved into Royals Stadium (now Kauffman Stadium).

  • 1976: Won their first AL West division title.

  • 1985: Won their first World Series.

  • 2014: Returned to the postseason after a 29-year drought, winning the AL Pennant.

  • 2015: Won their second World Series.

Legendary Players

George Brett (1973-1993)

  • The greatest player in franchise history, Brett was the fiery, competitive heart of the Royals for two decades. A Hall of Fame third baseman, he is one of only four players to finish his career with 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, and a .300 batting average. His chase for .400 in 1980 and the "Pine Tar Incident" are iconic moments in baseball lore.

Frank White (1973-1990)

  • A slick-fielding second baseman, Frank White was a Kansas City native who became a hometown hero. He won eight Gold Gloves and formed a legendary long-running infield partnership with George Brett.

Bret Saberhagen (1984-1991)

  • The ace of the early Royals teams, Saberhagen was a two-time Cy Young Award winner. As a 21-year-old in 1985, he won his first Cy Young and was named the World Series MVP, cementing his place as a franchise legend.

Salvador Pérez (2011-Present)

  • "Salvy" is the cheerful, durable catcher and leader of the modern Royals. He was the MVP of the 2015 World Series and is beloved for his power-hitting, cannon arm, and infectious joy for the game. He has been the face of the franchise for the entire 21st-century era of success.