2008 Kansas City Royals

Pessimists might say that the Kansas City Royals had a disappointing 2007 season, with a win average of .426, but optimists would point out that it’s an improvement over their 2006 season win average of .383. Determined to build on that momentum, the Royals made quite a few changes in the off season, such as replacing manager Buddy Bell with Trey Hillman, who previously managed the Nippon Ham Fighters and the New York Yankees’ minor league team. They also added exciting new prospects José Guillén and Yasuhiko Yabuta to an already strong roster that includes Zack Greinke, Alex Gordon, and Billy Butler. Will it be enough to get them to the playoffs? See for yourself with tickets to Kauffman Stadium to watch the Kansas City Royals live in 2008!

Creation

Despite their recent struggles, the Kansas City Royals have a proud and successful history. As part of baseball’s expansion in 1969, the Royals were awarded to Kansas City to replace the A’s who departed a year earlier. Placed in the newly created American League West the team quickly became competitive finishing second three times in their first 7 seasons.

Success at Last

Then, in 1976 the most successful 10 years of baseball in Kansas City began. Led by future Hall of Famer and batting leader George Brett, the Royals finally made the playoffs. Once there they faced the better and more experienced New York Yankees. Those Yankee teams would go on to defeat the Royals in the playoffs three straight years. Finally, in 1980 the team broke through and reached the World Series. Once there, they were defeated and would have to wait 5 more years for their next appearance and first World Series title. In 1985 the Royals faced cross-state rival the St. Louis Cardinals in what the press dubbed the “Interstate 70 World Series”. The Royals went on to defeat the Cardinals in 7 games to bring the first and so far only World Series title to Kansas City.

Hard Times

Brett, the greatest player in Royals history, retired following the 1993 season and the team went into a steady decline that they hope to emerge from soon. Making a return to .500 more difficult is the fact that the Royals play in baseball’s toughest division, the AL Central. Playing against the Tigers, White Sox, Twins, and Indians does not make winning games easy. For their entire history the Royals have played in beautiful Kaufman Stadium (formerly Royals Stadium). Some of the stadium’s unique features include a 12 story high scoreboard and 322 foot wide water spectacular beyond the outfield walls.