1969 Kansas City Royals season
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Royals
season was the Royals' inaugural season. The team finished fourth in the newly established American League West
with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses.
franchise. On October 18, , A.L. owners at last gave Charles O. Finley permission to move the Athletics to Oakland for the 1968 season
. According to some reports, Joe Cronin
promised Finley that he could move the team after the 1967 season as an incentive to sign the new lease with Municipal Stadium
. The move came in spite of approval by voters in Jackson County, Missouri
of a bond issue for a brand new baseball stadium (the eventual Kauffman Stadium
) to be completed in . When U.S. Senator Stuart Symington
threatened to have baseball's antitrust exemption revoked, the owners responded with a hasty round of expansion. Kansas City was awarded an American League expansion team, the Royals
. They were initially slated to begin play in . However, Symington was not willing to have Kansas City wait three years for another team, and renewed his threat to have baseball's antitrust exemption revoked unless the teams began play in 1969. The owners complied.
for the Royals and the Seattle Pilots
was held on October 15.
Elmira affiliation shared with San Diego Padres
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
season was the Royals' inaugural season. The team finished fourth in the newly established American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses.
A franchise is born
The club's inception is connected to the AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
franchise. On October 18, , A.L. owners at last gave Charles O. Finley permission to move the Athletics to Oakland for the 1968 season
1968 in baseball
-The Year of the Pitcher:In Major League Baseball, the trend throughout the 1960s was of increased pitching dominance, caused by enforcing a larger strike zone beginning in 1963...
. According to some reports, Joe Cronin
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin was a Major League Baseball shortstop and manager.During a 20-year playing career, he played from 1926–45 for three different teams, primarily for the Boston Red Sox. Cronin was a major league manager from 1933–47...
promised Finley that he could move the team after the 1967 season as an incentive to sign the new lease with Municipal Stadium
Municipal Stadium (Kansas City)
Kansas City Municipal Stadium was a baseball and football stadium that formerly stood in Kansas City, Missouri. It hosted the minor league Kansas City Blues of the American Association from 1923 to 1954 and the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues during the same period...
. The move came in spite of approval by voters in Jackson County, Missouri
Jackson County, Missouri
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan...
of a bond issue for a brand new baseball stadium (the eventual Kauffman Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
) to be completed in . When U.S. Senator Stuart Symington
Stuart Symington
William Stuart Symington was a businessman and political figure from Missouri. He served as the first Secretary of the Air Force from 1947 to 1950 and was a Democratic United States Senator from Missouri from 1953 to 1976.-Education and business career:...
threatened to have baseball's antitrust exemption revoked, the owners responded with a hasty round of expansion. Kansas City was awarded an American League expansion team, the Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. They were initially slated to begin play in . However, Symington was not willing to have Kansas City wait three years for another team, and renewed his threat to have baseball's antitrust exemption revoked unless the teams began play in 1969. The owners complied.
Expansion draft
The 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft
The 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted to stock up the rosters of four expansion teams in Major League Baseball which would begin play in the 1969 season....
for the Royals and the Seattle Pilots
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
was held on October 15.
| Player | Former Team | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Roger Nelson Roger Nelson (baseball) Roger Eugene Nelson is a former professional baseball pitcher. Nelson pitched all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1967 and 1976 with a record of 29 wins, 32 losses, and 5 saves.... |
Baltimore Orioles | 1st |
| Joe Foy Joe Foy Joseph Anthony "Joe" Foy was a Major League Baseball third baseman.-Boston Red Sox:Born in New York City, Foy was signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962, but was selected in that year's minor league draft by the Boston Red Sox... |
Boston Red Sox | 4th |
| Jim Rooker Jim Rooker James Phillip Rooker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and broadcaster.A left-hander, Rooker pitched for the Detroit Tigers , Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates .... |
New York Yankees | 6th |
| Joe Keough Joe Keough Joseph William Keough is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1968 through 1973 for the Oakland Athletics , Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox . Keough batted and threw left-handed... |
Oakland A’s | 8th |
| Steve Jones Steve Jones (baseball) Steven Howell Jones is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1967 to 1969 for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators and Kansas City Royals. He is the brother of fellow former major leaguer Gary Jones.Prior to playing professional baseball, he attended Whittier... |
Washington Senators | 10th |
| Jon Warden Jon Warden Jon Warden is an American baseball player originally from Columbus, Ohio. A left-handed pitcher, he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 1966 amateur draft. In the 1968 season, he played 28 games and 37.3 innings for the Tigers, ending with a 4-1 record, 11 saves, and an... |
Detroit Tigers | 12th |
| Ellie Rodríguez Ellie Rodríguez Eliseo Rodríguez Delgado , is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played from 1968-1976 for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers.... |
New York Yankees | 13th |
| Dave Morehead Dave Morehead David Michael Morehead is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Morehead pitched for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals .... |
Boston Red Sox | 15th |
| Mike Fiore Mike Fiore Michael Gary Joseph Fiore is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. He was signed by the New York Mets before the season, drafted by the Baltimore Orioles from the Mets in the 1963 first-year draft , and later drafted by the Kansas City Royals from the Orioles as the 17th pick in the... |
Baltimore Orioles | 17th |
| Bob Oliver Bob Oliver Robert Lee Oliver is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees... |
Minnesota Twins | 19th |
| Bill Butler Bill Butler (baseball) William Franklin Butler is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for seven seasons. A left-hander, he played for the Kansas City Royals from 1969 to 1971, Cleveland Indians in 1972, and the Minnesota Twins from 1974 to 1975 and 1977.Butler's best MLB season was his rookie campaign,... |
Detroit Tigers | 22nd |
| Steve Whitaker Steve Whitaker (baseball) Stephen Edward Whitaker is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played from 1966-1970 for the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and the San Francisco Giants. He was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1962... |
New York Yankees | 23rd |
| Wally Bunker Wally Bunker Wallace Edward Bunker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Bunker pitched for the Baltimore Orioles from to and Kansas City Royals from to .-Biography:... |
Baltimore Orioles | 25th |
| Paul Schaal Paul Schaal Paul Schaal is a retired professional baseball player who played 11 seasons for the Los Angeles Angels, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball.... |
California Angels | 27th |
| Dan Haynes | Chicago White Sox | 29th |
| Dick Drago Dick Drago Richard Anthony "Dick" Drago is a former American League relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals , Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners... |
Detroit Tigers | 31st |
| Pat Kelly | Minnesota Twins | 34th |
| Billy Harris Billy Harris (baseball) James William Harris is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians in 1968 and the Kansas City Royals in 1969.-External links:... |
Cleveland Indians | 36th |
| Don O'Riley Don O'Riley Donald Lee O'Riley was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched in 18 games for the Kansas City Royals during the inaugural 1969 Kansas City Royals season and nine games during the 1970 Kansas City Royals season.-External links:... |
Oakland A’s | 38th |
| Al Fitzmorris Al Fitzmorris Alan James Fitzmorris , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1969 to 1978.-Drafts:... |
Chicago White Sox | 40th |
| Moe Drabowsky Moe Drabowsky Myron Walter Drabowsky was a Polish-American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , Milwaukee Braves , Cincinnati Reds , Kansas City Athletics , Baltimore Orioles , Kansas City Royals , St... |
Baltimore Orioles | 42nd |
| Jackie Hernández Jackie Hernandez Jacinto Hernández Zulueta is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman from 1965 to 1973.... |
Minnesota Twins | 43rd |
| Mike Hedlund Mike Hedlund Michael David Hedlund is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians in 1965 and 1968 and the Kansas City Royals from 1969 to 1972.-External links:... |
Cleveland Indians | 45th |
| Tom Burgmeier Tom Burgmeier Thomas Henry Burgmeier is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and Oakland A's from 1968 to 1984... |
California Angels | 47th |
| Hoyt Wilhelm Hoyt Wilhelm James Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.... |
Chicago White Sox | 49th |
| Jerry Adair Jerry Adair Kenneth Jerry Adair was a professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.-Baltimore Orioles:... |
Boston Red Sox | 51st |
| Jerry Cram Jerry Cram Gerald Allen Cram Cram spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets compiling an 0-3 record and 2.98 ERA over 23 career appearances... |
Minnesota Twins | 54th |
| Fran Healy Fran Healy (baseball) Francis Xavier Healy , is a former Major League Baseball catcher best known for his long tenure calling television broadcasts for the New York Mets on the MSG Network and Fox Sports Net New York.... |
Cleveland Indians | 56th |
| Scott Northey Scott Northey Scott Richard Northey is an American retired baseball player who played for the Kansas City Royals in 1969. He is the son of Ron Northey.... |
Chicago White Sox | 58th |
| Ike Brookens Ike Brookens Edward Dwain "Ike" Brookens , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Detroit Tigers. He batted and threw right-handed... |
Washington Senators | 60th |
Other offseason transactions
- June 7, 1968: Dane IorgDane IorgDane Charles Iorg is a retired Major League Baseball infielder and outfielder. He played for ten seasons for four teams, including eight seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals. He is the brother of former third basemen Garth Iorg; they played against each other in the 1985 American League...
was drafted by the Royals in the 16th round of the 1968 Major League Baseball Draft1968 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1968 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Los Angeles Dodgers laid the groundwork for their championship clubs of the 1970s with an outstanding draft...
, but did not sign. - August 14, 1968: Galen CiscoGalen CiscoGalen Bernard Cisco is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams between and . Listed at 6' 0", 200 lb., Cisco batted and threw right-handed...
was purchased by the Royals from the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - December 12, 1968: Hoyt WilhelmHoyt WilhelmJames Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985....
was traded by the Royals to the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for Ed KirkpatrickEd KirkpatrickEdgar Leon Kirkpatrick , nicknamed "Spanky", was a baseball utility player for the Los Angeles/California Angels , Kansas City Royals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , and Milwaukee Brewers .He helped the Pirates win the National League Eastern Division in 1974 and 1975...
and Dennis PaepkeDennis PaepkeDennis Ray Paepke is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for four seasons. He played for the Kansas City Royals in 1969, 1971, 1972, and 1974, playing in 80 career games.-External links:...
. - December 15, 1968: Dennis RibantDennis RibantDennis Joseph Ribant is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds.-References:...
was purchased by the Royals from the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - March 29, 1969: Dennis Ribant was purchased from the Royals by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Regular season
- May 4, 1969: Bob OliverBob OliverRobert Lee Oliver is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees...
became the first Royal to collect six hits in a nine-inning game.
Opening Day starters
- Jerry AdairJerry AdairKenneth Jerry Adair was a professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, and Kansas City Royals from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.-Baltimore Orioles:...
- Wally BunkerWally BunkerWallace Edward Bunker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Bunker pitched for the Baltimore Orioles from to and Kansas City Royals from to .-Biography:...
- Joe FoyJoe FoyJoseph Anthony "Joe" Foy was a Major League Baseball third baseman.-Boston Red Sox:Born in New York City, Foy was signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962, but was selected in that year's minor league draft by the Boston Red Sox...
- Chuck HarrisonChuck Harrison (baseball)Charles William Harrison is a retired American professional baseball player. He was a first baseman in Major League Baseball who played between through for the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals . Listed at , , Harrison batted and threw right-handed...
- Jackie HernándezJackie HernandezJacinto Hernández Zulueta is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman from 1965 to 1973....
- Ed KirkpatrickEd KirkpatrickEdgar Leon Kirkpatrick , nicknamed "Spanky", was a baseball utility player for the Los Angeles/California Angels , Kansas City Royals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , and Milwaukee Brewers .He helped the Pirates win the National League Eastern Division in 1974 and 1975...
- Bob OliverBob OliverRobert Lee Oliver is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Royals , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees...
- Lou PiniellaLou PiniellaLouis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
- Ellie RodríguezEllie RodríguezEliseo Rodríguez Delgado , is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played from 1968-1976 for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers....
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1969: Steve WhitakerSteve Whitaker (baseball)Stephen Edward Whitaker is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played from 1966-1970 for the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, and the San Francisco Giants. He was signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1962...
and John GelnarJohn GelnarJohn Richard Gelnar is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher.Gelnar attended the University of Oklahoma. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent in 1963...
were traded by the Royals to the Seattle PilotsMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Lou PiniellaLou PiniellaLouis Victor Piniella is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He has been nicknamed "Sweet Lou," both for his swing as a major league hitter and, facetiously, to describe his demeanor as a player and manager...
. - June 5, 1969: 1969 Major League Baseball Draft1969 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Washington Senators tabbed slugging outfielder Jeff Burroughs of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA as the nation's number one pick...
- Keith MarshallKeith MarshallKeith Alan Marshall is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played eight games for the Kansas City Royals in . He played in the minor leagues from until , all in the Royals' organization except his final year, when he played for the Cincinnati Reds' top farm club, the Indianapolis...
was drafted by the Royals in the 5th round. - Frank OrtenzioFrank OrtenzioFrank Joseph Ortenzio, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nine games for the Kansas City Royals in . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Nankai Hawks....
was drafted by the Royals in the 47th round.
- Keith Marshall
Scorecard
April 8, Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 1 |
| Kansas City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 0 |
| W: Drabowsky (1-0) L: Grzenda (0-1) | ||||||||||||
| HRs: Nettles (1) | ||||||||||||
Roster
| 1969 Kansas City Royals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 95 | 267 | 63 | .236 | 2 | 20 | |
| 1B | 107 | 339 | 93 | .274 | 12 | 35 | |
| 3B | 145 | 519 | 136 | .262 | 11 | 71 | |
| SS | 145 | 504 | 112 | .222 | 4 | 40 | |
| CF | 118 | 394 | 100 | .254 | 13 | 43 | |
| RF | 112 | 417 | 110 | .264 | 8 | 32 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 315 | 81 | .257 | 14 | 49 | |
| 75 | 213 | 47 | .221 | 3 | 18 | |
| 61 | 205 | 54 | .263 | 1 | 13 | |
| 70 | 166 | 31 | .187 | 0 | 7 | |
| 12 | 27 | 3 | .111 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 7 | 2 | .286 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 222.2 | 12 | 11 | 3.23 | 130 | |
| 34 | 193.2 | 9 | 10 | 3.90 | 156 | |
| 29 | 193.1 | 7 | 13 | 3.31 | 82 | |
| 28 | 158.1 | 4 | 16 | 3.75 | 108 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 200.2 | 11 | 13 | 3.77 | 108 | |
| 34 | 125 | 3 | 6 | 3.24 | 74 | |
| 20 | 44.2 | 2 | 3 | 4.23 | 31 | |
| 5 | 16.2 | 0 | 1 | 3.24 | 10 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 2.94 | 76 | |
| 31 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4.17 | 23 | |
| 21 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5.73 | 32 | |
| 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6.94 | 10 | |
| 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3.63 | 18 | |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4.22 | 3 |
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: OmahaElmira affiliation shared with San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...