active team Kansas City Royals Team History & Encyclopedia December 21, 2018October 25, 2020 active team SearchSearch Events, Dates and More Date (Newest)Title (A - Z) October 18, 1967 American League owners approve the transfer of the Kansas City A’s to Oakland in time for the start of the 1968 season March 21, 1968 One of the two American League expansion teams announces its nickname, The Kansas City “Royals” December 12, 1968 Kansas City Royals trade pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm to the California Angels April 1, 1969 Lou Pinella Traded by Pilots to Kansas City Royals April 8, 1969 Lou Piniella was the first batter in Kansas City Royals history. October 14, 1969 1969 Expansion Draft is held November 25, 1969 Lou Piniella of the Kansas City Royals wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. December 3, 1969 Outfielder Amos Otis is traded to the Royals for third baseman Joe Foy in one of the worst trades in Mets History August 2, 1970 Orioles score five times in the first inning and hold on to beat the Royals, 10-8. The win marks Baltimore’s 23rd consecutive victory against Kansas City over two years, setting a major league mark. April 13, 1971 Twins and Royals set record for hit batters June 28, 1971 Vida Blue News Clip from 1971 during his Cy Young and MVP Season December 2, 1971 First baseman John Mayberry is traded to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Jim York July 14, 1972 Haller Brothers work the plate as catcher and umpire August 7, 1972 Dick Drago hits Sal Bando and Catfish Hunter to deliver a win October 4, 1972 Ted Williams manages his final game as the Texas Rangers lose to the Kansas City Royals, 4 – 0, in the last game played at Municipal Stadium. Williams will be replaced by Whitey Herzog. November 30, 1972 Major league teams pull off 12 trades involving 36 players – Including Hal McRae who becomes a star in Kansas City April 6, 1973 Richard Nixon becomes the first president to throw the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in a contest held outside of Washington, D.C. April 10, 1973 John Mayberry homers in Royal Stadium Debut April 27, 1973 Steve Busby fires Royals first no hitter in team history May 15, 1973 California’s Nolan Ryan strikes out 12 and hurls his first career no-hitter May 18, 1973 Bill North’s attacks Royals rookie reliever Doug Bird May 24, 1973 The Twins’ Bert Blyleven one-hits the Royals to win‚ 2 – 0. Ed Kirkpatrick’s bunt single in the 5th is the only hit. July 13, 1973 Bobby Murcer hits three home runs in Royal beating August 8, 1973 Orlando Cepeda at the end of his career ties record for 4 doubles in a game December 7, 1973 The Royals deal outfielder Lou Piniella and pitcher Ken Wright to the Yankees for veteran pitcher Lindy McDaniel. March 26, 1974 Boston Red Sox release two future Hall of Famers June 19, 1974 Steve Busby of the Kansas City Royals fires his second career no-hitter January 16, 1975 Harmon Killebrew released by twins May 31, 1975 Three players, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew and Lindy McDaniel all debut before Robin Yount the starting shortstop was born July 18, 1975 Jim Rice clouts a tremendous homer over the CF wall at Fenway Park just the 6th player to accomplish this feat July 24, 1975 Kansas City Royals fire Jack McKeon as manager and replace him with Whitey Herzog September 18, 1975 Harmon Killebrew hits his 573rd and final career home run November 10, 1975 Kansas City Royals release veteran slugger Harmon Killebrew May 13, 1976 For the sixth consecutive game, George Brett collects at least three hits, batting an incredible .692 during the span. June 26, 1976 Marty Pattin and Steve Mingori combine on a one-hit shutout beating Nolan Ryan 3-0 August 17, 1976 After stroking a one-out single in the tenth inning, George Brett steals second base and advances to third base on a throwing error by Cleveland catcher Rick Cerone. With Dave Nelson at bat, the Kansas City third baseman steals home, giving the team a 4-3 walk-off victory over the Tribe at Royals Stadium. September 9, 1976 George Brett is 5 for 5 to lead the Royals to a 6 – 5 win over the Angels in 10 innings. October 10, 1976 The Royals gain their first postseason victory in franchise history when they beat the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALCS October 14, 1976 The Yankees dramatically win their 30th pennant on Chris Chambliss’ home run in the bottom of the ninth inning January 3, 1977 Kansas City Royals release veteran reliever Lindy McDaniel January 17, 1977 KANSAS CITY ROYALS RELEASE 18-YEAR VETERAN TOMMY DAVIS, ENDING HIS CAREER May 14, 1977 The first no-hitter is thrown by a Kansas City pitcher at Royals Stadium when Jim Colborn blanks the Rangers, 6-0. California’s fireballer Nolan Ryan recorded the first no-hitter in the ballpark during its inaugural season in 1971. August 15, 1977 Jim Rice becomes the first Boston player since Ted Williams in 1939 to hit 20 homers, 20 doubles and 10 triples in a season September 15, 1977 Royals set club record of 16 straight wins September 27, 1977 Hal McRae vs Willie Randolph in 1977. October 9, 1977 New York Yankees stun Royals with three runs in the ninth inning to capture ALCS May 12, 1978 At Royals Stadium, a potential game-ending routine fly ball becomes an Amos Otis walk-off inside-the-park home run as Reggie Jackson and Mickey Rivers collide in the outfield. The misplay turns a sure Goose Gossage save into a sour loss for the current World Champion New York Yankees. May 23, 1978 First Place Oakland A’s Manager quits A’s finish last October 4, 1978 The Kansas City Royals notch 16 hits off three Yankees pitchers to even the ALCS with a 10 – 4 triumph. A two-run home run by Freddie Patek seals the victory. October 6, 1978 George Brett hits three home runs in ALCS – but Royals lose on Munson Homerun June 9, 1979 Willie Wilson hits walkoff inside the Park homerun June 28, 1979 George Brett hits for the cycle in the Royals’ 5-4 victory over Baltimore. The third baseman’s second home run of the game gives Kansas City a 5-4 walk-off victory in the bottom of the 16th inning. July 22, 1979 George Brett clubs three home runs and piles up five RBIs against the Texas Rangers September 17, 1979 1979 – The Royals’ George Brett collects his 20th triple of the season in a 16 – 4 romp over the Angels. Brett becomes the 6th player ever, and the first since Willie Mays in 1957, to collect 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 home runs in the same season. He will finish with totals of 42, 20 and 23. September 26, 1979 Frank White becomes the fourth player in the team’s 11-year history to hit for the cycle when he triples in the ninth inning of the Royals’ 4-0 victory over California at Anaheim Stadium. The Kansas City second baseman joins Freddie Patek (1971), John Mayberry (1977), and George Brett (1979), who also have completed the rare feat playing for the franchise. April 13, 1980 The first Q battery in major league history occurs, when Dan Quisenberry (pitcher) and Jamie Quirk (catcher) of the Kansas City Royals face the Detroit Tigers. Detroit wins, 3 – 2. June 10, 1980 George Brett tears ligaments in his ankle and misses a month July 18, 1980 George Brett begins a 30-game hitting streak which boosts his average to .404 July 24, 1980 1980 – Hours after signing a new five-year contract that will boost his salary to $1 million per year, Kansas City’s George Brett goes 2 for 4 in a 12 – 4 win over Chicago to raise his batting average to .379. The Royals lead 2nd-place Texas by 11 games in the American League West. August 17, 1980 George Brett extend his hitting streak to 29 games August 19, 1980 Jon Matlack holds George Brett hitless, snapping his hitting streak at 30 consecutive games, but Kansas City rallies for three runs in the 9th to beat Texas, 4 – 3. Brett batted .467 during the streak and knocked in 42 runs. August 20, 1980 George Brett pushes his average to .406 with a 3 for 3 outing in a 5 – 3 win over Texas. September 18, 1980 Willie Wilson steals second and third base in the 2nd inning of Kansas City’s 5 – 2 win over the Angels, giving him an American League-record 28 consecutive stolen bases without being caught. Ron LeFlore had set the previous record in 1978. September 19, 1980 In the Royals’ 13-3 victory over the visiting A’s, George Brett goes 2-for-4. The third baseman’s two singles keep his batting average at .400, the latest date in the season the plateau has been reached since the feat was last accomplished in 1941 by Ted Williams. October 10, 1980 George Brett hits an upper-deck three-run home run off relief ace Goose Gossage to give the Kansas City Royals a 4 – 2 victory and a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. October 18, 1980 Dickie Noles flips Brett and the 1980 World Series on one pitch October 19, 1980 Kansas City Royals owner Ewing Kauffman freezes season tickets October 21, 1980 Phillies win their first World Series ever in the 98-year history of the franchise October 21, 1980 Pete Rose saves Bob Boone on a Frank White foul pop 1980 World Series November 18, 1980 Despite having missed 45 games with injuries, George Brett is named American League Most Valuable Player December 31, 1980 Major League Season Recap 1980 January 21, 1981 Four-time Gold Glove Award winner Cesar Gerónimo is traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Kansas City Royals March 13, 1981 Gum replaces tootpick for UL Washington March 22, 1981 American League President Lee MacPhail suspends Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver May 27, 1981 Lenny Randle Blows a ball foul June 3, 1981 Jerry Grote sets Royals RBI record – straight out of retirement May 12, 1982 Paul Molitor hits 3 homeruns in Brewers loss to Royals August 5, 1982 Al Bumbry leads off a game for the second straight day with a homerun August 24, 1982 John Wathan breaks Ray Schalk’s 1916 record for stolen bases by a catcher with his 31st stolen base of the season April 20, 1983 George Brett belts three home runs including game winner July 18, 1983 At Toronto, George Brett is robbed of an apparent triple by his teammate Mike Armstrong. Brett hits a liner down the RF line that Armstrong, sitting in the bullpen, thinks is foul and retrieves. Umpire Bill Kunkel decides to send U.L. Washington, who scored on the play, back to third base, and Brett is sent to second. Brett has a homer off Jim Clancy but Kansas City eventually loses, 8 – 2. July 24, 1983 George Brett and The Pine Tar Game July 28, 1983 American League President Lee MacPhail rules in favor of George Brett August 18, 1983 Yankees and Royals conclude the pine tar game December 19, 1983 Former Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue is sentenced to 90 days in prison March 18, 1984 famed batting coach Charley Lau dies from cancer at the age of 50 April 19, 1984 Saberhagen stops tigers streak at 9, collects first career win May 16, 1984 Carlton Fisk of the Chicago White Sox hits for the cycle August 21, 1984 Red Sox rookie Roger Clemens strikes out 15 and walks none as Boston whips Kansas City, 11 – 1. September 17, 1984 Reggie Jackson hits homerun number 500 January 18, 1985 In a four-team trade, the Milwaukee Brewers send catcher Jim Sundberg to the Kansas City Royals May 17, 1985 Lonnie Smith traded to Kansas City June 5, 1985 Teddy Higuera and the Brewers top the Royals‚ 10-2 September 30, 1985 1985 – Bret Saberhagen pitches a complete game win over the Angels to win his 20th game of the year. The win gives the Royals a tie for 1st place in the AL West. George Brett and Jim Sundberg homer for KC. October 11, 1985 In Game 3 of the ALCS, the Royals beat the Blue Jays, 6-5, with George Brett contributing to the victory by going 4-for-4, driving in three runs, and scoring four times. The Kansas City third baseman, who will hit .348 with a .500 on-base percentage during the seven-game set with Toronto, will be selected as the series Most Valuable Player. October 19, 1985 Cardinals ace John Tudor is a 3 – 1 winner in the I-70 World Series opener against in-state opponent Kansas City. October 20, 1985 Terry Pendelton delivers key hit to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-0 lead in the World Series. October 22, 1985 Pitcher Bret Saberhagen gives the Kansas City Royals their first World Series victory with a complete game 6 – 1 decision in Game 3 October 23, 1985 John Tudor pitches a five-hit, 3 – 0 victory over the Kansas City Royals, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-1 lead in the World Series. October 24, 1985 Danny Jackson’s five-hitter cuts St. Louis’ lead to 3-2 in the World Series as the Royals take Game 5, 6 – 1 October 26, 1985 Don Denkinger’s controversial ninth-inning call at first base enables the Royals to beat the Cardinals forcing a game 7 October 27, 1985 The Kansas City Royals become only the sixth team in major league history to rally from a three-games-to-one deficit to win the World Series December 31, 1985 Major League Season Recap 1985 March 31, 1986 the father-and-son team of Hal and Brian McRae appears together in an exhibition game for the Kansas City Royals. June 21, 1986 Heisman Trophy winner stuns Football and signs with the Royals September 18, 1986 At Age 40, Reggie Jackson belts three homers in a game February 2, 1987 Dennis Leonard announces his retirement February 23, 1987 Three days into spring training Dick Howser’s attempted comeback after undergoing brain tumor surgery comes to an end June 17, 1987 former Kansas City Royals manager Dick Howser dies from brain cancer at the age of 51 August 27, 1987 The Royals fire manager Billy Gardner, who replaced Dick Howser in spring training, and replace him with John Wathan November 6, 1987 Reds trade for Danny Jackson who wins 23 games April 4, 1988 George Bell smacks 3 homeruns on opening day April 6, 1988 Pat Borders becomes the first player in American League history to drive in five runs in his major league debut when he collects two singles and a triple in the Blue Jays’ 11-4 victory over Kansas City at Royals Stadium. The 24 year-old rookie catcher joins Walter Mueller (1922 Pirates) and Joe Cunningham (1954 Cardinals), who both accomplished the feat in the Senior Circuit. July 29, 1988 Bo Jackson Homers after Ump fails to grant timeout April 6, 1989 In the Royals’ 3 – 2 win over the Blue Jays as Kansas City batters combine for just 20 at bats. This is one shy of the major league record. April 16, 1989 Blue Jay third baseman Kelly Gruber becomes the first player to hit for the cycle in franchise history when he singles in the eighth inning of the team’s 15-8 win against Kansas City. The 27 year-old All-Star infielder’s Toronto teammates buy him a tricycle in recognition of the Exhibition Stadium accomplishment. May 15, 1989 The Twins lose Kent Hrbek, who dislocates his left shoulder diving for a ball for 6 weeks May 23, 1989 Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals hits a monstrous 461-foot home run against Nolan Ryan June 5, 1989 Bo Jackson throws out Harold Reynolds September 8, 1989 1989 – Kansas City’s George Brett singles for his 2,500th career hit in a 6 – 0 win over the Twins. July 17, 1990 Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals hits home runs in three consecutive at-bats before separating his shoulder July 25, 1990 Following his first-inning single, a triple in the third, and a fifth frame two-bagger, George Brett hits a leadoff homer in the seventh to complete the cycle in the Royals’ 6-1 victory over Toronto at the SkyDome. The Kansas City third baseman, who will retire with a lifetime .305 batting average, also accomplished the rare feat against Baltimore in 1979. August 5, 1990 8/5/1990: George Brett lost a homer to rain in Baltimore. The hit was off Ben McDonald in the first inning with no one on base. The game that lasted only 1/2 inning. September 3, 1990 Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox sets a major league record by notching his 47th save of the year September 30, 1990 Kansas City infielders Frank White, playing in his last major league game after spending his entire 18-year career with the Royals, and George Brett establish a new mark when they appear in their 1,914th game together, the most by any American League teammates. October 3, 1990 George Brett becomes the only player to win three batting crowns in three different decades (1976-.333; 1980-.390) June 24, 1991 Dave Winfield hits for cycle and becomes the oldest player to collect five hits in a game September 30, 1992 George Brett of the Kansas City Royals goes 4-for-4 to reach the 3,000-hit plateau February 5, 1993 The Toronto Blue Jays acquire minor league first baseman Cecil Fielder from the Kansas City Royals February 22, 1993 The Kansas City Royals trade IF Gregg Jefferies and Ed Gerald to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for OF Felix Jose and IF/OF Craig Wilson. May 13, 1993 George Brett of the Kansas City Royals hits his 300th home run August 29, 1993 Joining Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, George Brett becomes only the third player in baseball history to swipe his 200th stolen base as well as collecting 3,000 hits and 300 home runs. The Royals’ third baseman’s historic heist takes place during a 5-4, 12-inning victory over the Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium. September 29, 1993 George Brett plays his last game at Kauffman Stadium, and after the Royals’ 3-2 ninth inning walk-off victory, a post-game tribute is held to honor the future Hall of Famer. At the conclusion of the ceremony, with fireworks lighting up the sky, the KC third baseman circles the stadium in a golf cart and then kneels down and kisses home plate. January 5, 1994 The Mets trade Vince Coleman to the Royals along with $500,000, reacquiring Kevin McReynolds July 29, 1995 The Royals top the Tigers, 5 – 4, on Jon Nunnally’s home run in the 16th inning, Kansas City’s first extra-base hit in the game following 21 singles, including five by OF Vince Coleman. The American League record is 26 set by the Brewers in 1992. Nine players hit in the 9th slot, including winning pitcher Hipolito Pichardo, who bats twice. He is the first Royals’ pitcher to go to the plate since Mark Littell in 1977, though infielder David Howard, who tossed two innings in 1994, batted while pitching. June 10, 1997 Jim Edmund’s makes a sensational catch January 20, 1998 Veteran reliever Lee Smith and third baseman Terry Pendleton sign minor league contracts with the Kansas City Royals August 7, 1999 The Royals honor George Brett’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame with an on-field ceremony prior to the game against Minnesota. The former third baseman played his entire 21-year career in Kansas City, compiling a .305 lifetime batting average. September 27, 1999 Tigers play their last game at Tiger stadium May 11, 2000 Manny Ramirez hits a 1st-inning grand slam and adds a two-run home run to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 16 – 0 rout of the Kansas City Royals April 20, 2001 Carlos Delgado of the Toronto Blue Jays hits three home runs for the second time this season July 7, 2001 2001 – Jeff Bagwell ties a club record with seven RBIs in a 10-8 slugfest in Kansas City. His day starts with a three-run shot off Paul Byrd and finishes with a two-run double in the eighth to give the Astros breathing room. Lance Berkman strokes four safeties to run his hitting streak to 20 games. September 7, 2001 Ranger infielder Alex Rodriguez breaks his American League record (42 in 1998 and 1999 for the Mariners) for home runs by a shortstop with his 43rd long ball of the season. In 1958, Cub Hall of Famer Ernie Banks established the major league record for homers for that position with 47. April 10, 2003 Tigers’ manager Alan Trammell becomes the 1st new manager to begin 0-8 since 1904 October 1, 2005 The Royals establish team record with 105 defeats February 8, 2006 Emil Brown defeats the Kansas City Royals in salary arbitration and will get his request for $1,775,000 August 13, 2006 Travis Hafner, during Cleveland’s 11-run first inning at Jacobs Field, ties Don Mattingly’s single-season mark for grand slams September 9, 2006 Dustin Pedroia hit his first career home run October 1, 2006 Tigers fall out of first on last game of season October 3, 2007 $250 million renovations of Kauffman Stadium will keep the Royals in Kansas City until 2030 May 19, 2008 Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox hurls a no-hitter at Fenway vs Kansas City June 7, 2008 Johnny Damon becomes the first player to collect six hits in a game at Yankee Stadium February 24, 2010 A Kansas man files a lawsuit against the Royals as a result of being hit in the eye by a hot dog thrown by Sluggerrr, the team’s mascot August 13, 2010 The Giants obtain Jose Guillen from Kansas City April 25, 2012 Royals end 12 game losing streak October 1, 2012 Tigers clinch AL Central Title on Miguel Cabrera 44th HR April 20, 2013 Boston Red Sox play first game after Marathon Bombings October 3, 2014 Royals take a 2-0 lead in their ALDS stunning the Angels in extras December 26, 2014 Major League Season RecapMajor League Baseball Season Recap 2014 April 20, 2015 Paulo Orlando hits 5 Triples in First Seven Games November 1, 2015 The Royals win the 2015 World Series by defeating the Mets, 7 – 2, in Game 5 December 26, 2015 Major League Season RecapMajor League Baseball Season Recap 2015 May 2, 2018 Mookie Betts hits three solo homers to lead the Red Sox to a 5 – 4 win over the Royals
