KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 10: A general view as a Stealth bomber performs a flyover as Melissa Etheridge sings the National Anthem ahead of the Royals 2017 home opener between the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on April 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Royals had been associated with greatness before a long period of dormancy. Which of their former stars comprise the franchise Mount Rushmore?
There had been a time when the Kansas City Royals were considered the best run franchise in baseball. They came to be known for their innovation, creating a baseball academy in southern Florida to teach great athletes how to play the game. In doing so, they uncovered a few future major league players, with Frank White, UL Washington, and Jeff Cox all coming from the academy.
Shortly after becoming a franchise in 1969, they began their ascension to baseball royalty. The Royals reached the postseason for the first time in 1976, and remained perennial contenders for the next decade. Although they ran into the Yankees dynasty from the late 1970s, they made the World Series twice. Finally, in 1985, with the help of Don Denkinger, the Royals broke through, bringing a championship to Kansas City.
Afterwards, the Royals endured a long, hard break from the postseason. Although Ewing Kauffman continued to pour money into the franchise, they were unable to return to the postseason. Then, after his passing, the Royals were run for a profit, selling off every viable asset. From 1995 through 2012, the Royals had just one winning season. The formerly proud franchise had become a laughingstock.
However, towards the latter part of that streak, the Royals were starting to build a foundation. Players like Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, and Eric Hosmer began to develop. They build a formidable bullpen with the Cerberus of Greg Holland, Wade Davis, and Kelvin Herrera. In 2013, they finally had a winning record, leaving the fan base cautiously optimistic.
The following two years were what the fans had dreamed of. They made the postseason in 2014 as a Wild Card, winning a thrilling come from behind game against the A’s to advance. Then, they swept through the American League, taking the Giants to seven games before succumbing to the force that was Madison Bumgarner. However, in 2015, the Royals played with a chip on their shoulder, literally fighting everyone as they returned to the postseason. This time, they finished the job, defeating the Mets in five games to bring home a second World Series title.
Since then, the Royals have been unable to return to the playoffs. Last season was a lost year, as the team never seemed to recover from the tragic passing of young pitcher Yordano Ventura. Now, with several players on the free agent market, the Royals are at a crossroads. Will their window to compete remain open, or is it time to embark upon another rebuild?
For today, we will just look back into the past, without worrying about the future. Let us take a look at the Kansas City Royals Mount Rushmore.
Although the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy only lasted for a few short years, Frank White has made certain that its legacy will endure.
A brilliant defensive player, White became known for his excellent glove throughout his career. He won eight Gold Glove awards, becoming one of the most decorated defensive players at his position. In his 18 year career, White saved 126 runs at second, the second most in baseball history.
While White’s defense was his calling card, his offense steadily improved throughout his career. He was a five time All Star, and the 1987 Silver Slugger at second. White had four seasons where he reached double digits in homers and steals, and eventually came to hit 22 homers in a season twice before tapering off.
Overall, White’s offensive production was decent. He had a career .255/.293/.383 batting line, hitting 407 doubles and 160 homers. White stole 178 bases, stealing 20 or more bases three times. He ended his career with 2006 hits, a tremendous total for a player who had barely played the game in his younger days.
The most successful product of the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy, Frank White was a beloved figure amongst the fanbase. His legacy, and the legacy of the academy, will remain throughout the history of the franchise.
A top pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, Bret Saberhagen had a tendency to pitch well in odd years, although he would struggle in those even seasons.
Saberhagen was a two time All Star with the Royals, and won two Cy Young awards. Interestingly, neither of his All Star selections came in those seasons, despite his overall brilliance. He was a workhorse, with four seasons of over 200 innings, and won 20 games in a season twice. In 1989, Saberhagen led the American League with 23 wins, a 2.16 ERA, 12 complete games, and 262.1 innings pitched.
He was at his best during the 1985 World Series, Saberhagen won both of his starts, allowing just one run on 11 hits and one walk. In his 18 innings, he struck out ten batters, as he threw a complete game in each contest. His dominant shutout in Game Seven clinched the championship, as he was named the World Series MVP.
Overall during his time with the Royals, Saberhagen posted a solid 110-78 record, along with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.134 WHiP. In his 1660.1 innings, Saberhagen struck out 1093 batters. Known for his incredible control, he issued only 331 walks. Saberhagen led the league in strikeout to walk rate twice during his time with the Royals, foreshadowing his incredible 1994 campaign when he was with the Mets. That year, he struck out 143 batters, and issued only 13 walks in 177.1 innings.
Bret Saberhagen pitched one of the most important games in Kansas City Royals history, helping them to their first title. His name will remain carved into the history of the franchise.
The great Kansas City Royals teams of the late 1970s and 1980s needed someone to set the table for their sluggers. Willie Wilson was a perfect fit for the job.
Although he only made two All Star Games, Wilson’s importance was felt on the Royals. His blazing speed helped him on the hard turf of Kauffman Stadium, as he turned those balls hit into the alleyways into doubles and triples. Wilson led the league in triples five times, and even managed to take the stolen base crown in 1979 before Rickey Henderson owned the category.
His greatest season came in 1980. Helping the Royals to their first World Series, he led the American League with 133 runs, 219 hits, and 15 triples. His .326/.357/.421 batting line helped him to a fourth place finish in the MVP vote, and the first of his two Silver Slugger awards.
During his time with the Royals, Wilson posted a .289/.329/.382 batting line, hitting 241 doubles and 133 triples. He stole 612 bases, and had seven seasons with more than 40 steals. His impressive speed helped him in the outfield as well, as Wilson led all AL outfielders in runs saved three times.
An important part of the Kansas City Royals offense, Willie Wilson helped set the table for the offense. His speed helped the first Golden Age of Royals baseball come to fruition.
It is easy to see why. The first true superstar in franchise history, the fiery Brett became the heart and soul of the team. He was willing to fight anyone, any time, to ensure that the Royals came out ahead. From punching Graig Nettles in a playoff game to his infamous meltdown during the Pine Tar Game, no one crossed Brett without feeling the repercussions.
That fiery attitude came across in his play. He was a 13 time All Star and the 1980 MVP, a season where he challenged the .400 mark down to the final weeks of the season. A great hitter, Brett was the first player to win a batting title in three different decades. He was also a great defensive player, earning a Gold Glove and ranking ninth all time in range factor per nine innings at third.
Brett’s career made him an easy decision as a first ballot Hall of Famer. He posted a lifetime .305/.369/.487 batting line, recording 3154 hits during his storied career. Brett was one of the better sluggers in Royals history, with 665 doubles and 317 homers, with eight seasons of 20 or more homers. He also had excellent speed earlier in his career, stealing 201 bases and 137 triples, even leading the league three times in the latter category.
The greatest player in Kansas City Royals history, George Brett has been omnipresent since his first days with the franchise. He truly personifies the idea of being Forever Royal.
