2008 Kansas City Royals season
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Royals
' 2008 season
began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman
, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
(Nippon Professional Baseball) manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.
The team looked to improve upon its record of 69–93 from 2007. The team's payroll for the 2008 season was initially estimated to be around $57 million, and wound up at $58 million (24th in the major leagues).
Despite another last-place finish in 2007, the Royals sought a breakout season in 2008. Renovations to Kauffman Stadium
were ongoing throughout the 2008 season and it was completed in time for Opening Day in 2009.
Following the team's 81st game, the mid-way point of the 2008 season, the Royals had a 37–44 record. The closest the team managed to crawl back to a .500 record after their 9–6 start to the season was within 6 games in mid-July. After compiling a 7–20 record in August, the Royals were eliminated from recording their first winning season since 2003. However, an 18–8 record in September let the Royals finish with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003.
announced his resignation at the end of the 2007 season after serving two and half seasons with the Royals. Early candidates to assume the manager's position included Royals bench coach Billy Doran, former Royals star Frank White, and Triple-A
Omaha
manager Mike Jirschele. Former Major League managers such as Joe Girardi
, Jim Fregosi
, Ken Macha
, and Jimy Williams
were also in consideration. Trey Hillman
, whom was considered a sleeper candidate, was chosen on October 19. Hillman was interviewed in 2007 by Texas
, San Diego
and Oakland
. He was mentioned as a possible successor to Joe Torre
with New York
. Hillman had never played, coached or managed in Major League Baseball
prior to his hiring by the Royals.
and Andruw Jones
atop their free-agent prospects list. Torii Hunter
was also considered by Kansas City before signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
. The Royals signed Guillén to a three-year, $36 million contract, while Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
The acquisition of Guillén was the Royals' only major move at the winter meetings. Just before the meetings, the Royals had ministered to another need by signing reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta
to a two-year deal with an option for 2010. Yabuta, from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, was seen as the likely successor to David Riske
in a right-handed setup role. Riske left the Royals for a three-year, $13 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
. Hiroki Kuroda
was on the Royals' radar, but several other teams were in pursuit as well, and the Dodgers signed him first.
In the Rule 5 Draft
, the Royals picked up left-handed pitcher Ray Liotta from the Chicago White Sox
.
with all of its players for the 2008 season.
Color Code Key
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
for IF Alberto Callaspo
.
uniforms returned in 2008. The new powder blue jerseys were unveiled to season-ticket holders on December 6, 2007 at a private event in downtown Kansas City
. Royals players John Buck, Mark Teahen
, Alex Gordon
, José Guillén
and David DeJesus
and manager Trey Hillman
modeled the new power blue tops and white pants, which will be an alternate home jersey in 2008. The Royals previously wore powder-blue uniforms in away games from 1973 to 1991.
The Royals debuted the jerseys on April 12 against the Minnesota Twins
. The first 20,000 fans for the game received a replica powder blue No. 16 Billy Butler
jersey. With that promotion, the game was a sellout. Manager Trey Hillman
and seven players—Brian Bannister
, Gil Meche
, Joey Gathright
, Tony Peña, Jr., John Bale, Zack Greinke
and Butler—helped hand out the free jerseys when the gates opened at 4 p.m. All 20,000 powder blue tops were handed out within 40 minutes after the gates opened.
was to be suspended for 15 days (12 games) for violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Kansas City signed Guillén knowing that he might have been suspended. Guillén was cited in the Mitchell Report
when it was released on December 13, 2007. Guillén's suspension was put on hold for 10 days allowing him to play in the team's season and home openers. The suspension was eventually upheld and Guillén never received any punishment.
Miguel Olivo
faced a five-game suspension for fighting at New York
in the 2007 season while a member of the Florida Marlins
, but the suspension was reduced to four games after an appeal. He was eligible to begin playing on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins
.
On March 31, the Detroit Tigers
hosted the Royals on Opening Day. Kansas City listed only 24 players on their active roster, as Miguel Olivo
began serving his four-game suspension. The roster listed 11 pitchers, 7 infielders, 4 outfielders, and 2 catchers. Gil Meche
made his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Royals, lasting six innings. The Royals won the game 5-4 in 11 innings, and went on to sweep the Tigers in the three-game series outscoring them 13-5. Kansas City hosted the New York Yankees
for their home-opening series at Kauffman Stadium
and won two of three games. Their 6–2 start was the franchise's best since 2003
.
The Royals hosted the Twins from April 11–13, where game-time temperatures reached as low as 29°F for the series. After losing the first two games and not scoring any runs, the Royals won the last game by a score of 5-1. Kansas City debuted their new alternate powder blue home jerseys to a sold-out crowd on April 12, with a replica jersey giveaway promotion. Brian Bannister
threw a complete game and allowed only three hits on April 13 in a 5-1 win. The following night, Zack Greinke
threw a complete game as well.
It was not until their 19th game of the season that the Royals fell under a .500 winning percentage in the middle of a seven game losing streak after going 9–6 to start the season. When the streak was snapped they were 10–13. In 2007, the Royals lost their second game of the year and remained under .500 for the remainder of the season, finishing with a record of 69–93.
, Kansas City-native David Cook
threw out the ceremonial first pitch
and sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the seventh inning stretch. At the time, Cook was a finalist on American Idol
, and he eventually won the competition.
Brian Bannister
threw a two-hitter on May 11 in a 4-0 win over Baltimore
for the Royals' first victory over the Orioles after losing 12 consecutive games to the franchise. Through 40 games, Joakim Soria
had a 0.00 ERA and ten saves, and the Royals signed him to a three-year contract extension through the 2011 season.
In early May, Kansas City completed their second series sweep against Detroit, advancing to 6-0 over the Tigers on the season. Jon Lester
of the Boston Red Sox
threw a no-hitter
against Kansas City on May 19. It was just the Royals' second game to register no hits against an opponent, and the first since May 15, 1973.
The Royals endured a 12-game losing streak following the loss to Lester and the Red Sox, sending them 11 games under .500 and in last place of the American League Central
. The Royals started their May 31 game against Cleveland
with the fewest runs, sacrifice flies, RBIs and walks in the major leagues, but beat reigning Cy Young Award
winner C. C. Sabathia 4-2 to end their losing streak.
The losing streak prompted José Guillén
to criticize his team's performance with the media after a 9-8 loss to Minnesota
:
The Royals' losing streak was the longest in the majors since Kansas City and Pittsburgh
both had 13-game losing streaks in 2006. While going almost two weeks without a win, Kansas City had allowed three grand slams, lost a five-run lead in the ninth inning of one game and scored three or fewer runs in nine others. It was the Royals' fourth time losing 12 consecutive games in franchise history, and all of the streaks have occurred since 1997. The losing caused Kansas City to make roster changes by sending the struggling Billy Butler
to Triple-A
affiliate Omaha
. Mike Aviles
was called-up in exchange.
Looking to rebound from their 12-game losing streak in May, the Royals started the month of June with 4 consecutive series wins over National League
opponents. Kansas City completed its first ever series sweep of the Cardinals
in St. Louis
. In 12 years of Interleague play
, the Cardinals still hold the I-70 Series lead, 26-22, but the Royals have done better in St. Louis, winning 11 of 21 games. On June 22, the Royals made an improbable comeback after trailing 6-0 and later 10-3 against the San Francisco Giants
. The Royals scored 8 unanswered runs and won the game and Joakim Soria
recorded his 20th save of the season in 21 tries. Following a sweep of the defending National League champion
Colorado Rockies
, the Royals boasted an MLB-best 12–3 record in Interleague play and won for the tenth time in 11 games. Following their 12-game skid ended in May, the Royals went 15–9, closed to within seven games of .500 and skipped out of last place of the American League Central
.
José Guillén
made controversial remarks about Royals fans following booing
in the June 25 game against the Rockies
which prompted him to apologize days later to the Royals fanbase and team management. Fans booed Guillén in the eighth inning of the Royals' 4-2 win. He grounded to Colorado Rockies
third baseman Garrett Atkins
and began a slow run toward first base. Atkins' throw was off target, forcing Todd Helton
to leave the bag. If Guillén had been at full speed, he might have been safe. Guillén had been battling several injuries which had caused him to play easier in order to avoid the disabled list
.
After defeating the Cardinals
at Kauffman Stadium
, the Royals boasted a six game winning-streak, the team's best since their 9-0 start in the 2003 season
. Billy Butler
rejoined the team after Alberto Callaspo
was involved in a drunk driving
incident.
At the Royals' home game against the Cardinals
, the team inducted Art Stewart
into the Royals Hall of Fame. Stewart became the first scout to be inducted into any of Major League Baseball's
franchise hall of fames, and the Royals' 23rd overall inductee.
In the final game of the month, the Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles
after Miguel Olivo
, on a 0-2 pitch, hit a game-tying home run into the left-field seats in the bottom of the 9th inning. José Guillén
batted in the Royals' game-winning run and Joakim Soria
closed out the game for his 22nd save. The Royals finished out the month of June with a 16–11 record.
Joakim Soria
was selected to be the Royals' lone representative in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
, and José Guillén
was named to the All-Star Final Vote
ballot. Guillén was involved in a heated argument with pitching coach Bob McClure
before the team's July 5 game against the Tampa Bay Rays
, but was not penalized for his actions.
At the All-Star break, the Royals boasted a record of 43–53, an improvement compared to their 38–50 record from 2007 and 31–56 record in 2006.
On July 21, the Royals suffered their worst defeat of the season, and the Tigers
registered their first victory over Kansas City in 2008 with a score of 19-4. By the seventh inning, it was 9-0 in favor of Detroit. The Tigers' 10-run eighth inning mostly came against Jimmy Gobble
, who was charged with all 10 runs. At one point in the inning, Gobble allowed six straight hits, the last being a home run by Gary Sheffield
. His ERA
spiraled from 7.99 to 11.31. Gobble faced 12 hitters in the inning before Hillman finally called for Leo Núñez
to substitute. The Royals, behind 19-0, finally broke through with four runs in their half of the eighth. They had five straight hits, including Billy Butler
's two-run single. Manager Trey Hillman
said following the game:
Hillman decided to enlist shortstop Tony Peña, Jr. to pitch the ninth inning for the Royals. Peña, who lost his starting shortstop job to Mike Aviles
, pitched a one-two-three inning and registered 90 mph-plus on the radar gun. This was his first competitive pitching since high school in the Dominican Republic
. Peña was the first position player pressed into pitching service by the Royals since July 17, 1998, when infielder Shane Halter
took a turn in an 18-5 loss at Seattle
.
On July 29, ESPN Deportes
reported that José Guillén
expressed his wish to be traded due to a bad relationship with manager Trey Hillman
. When Guillén signed with Kansas City he knew the team wouldn't be a contender in 2008, but he was promised that moves would be made to build a winning team in 2009. Kansas City had not shown any interest in trading Guillén. The source said Guillén was ready to defer his salary for 2009 and 2010 if it were to help increase his value on the trading block. A "visibly upset" Guillén met with Hillman and denied the report. The trade deadline passed on July 31 and the Royals made no trades.
on August 2 in a 9-7 win. The following day, Kansas City closed out the series against Chicago by winning 14-3. In two days, the Royals recorded 38 total hits for the first time in franchise history. The Royals finally fought back against the White Sox—who have dominated the Royals in years past—both literally and figuratively. Four players and both teams' managers were ejected from the game after confrontations over wild pitch
es.
The Royals and White Sox played again in mid-August and on August 14 Kansas City allowed four consecutive home runs in the sixth inning to White Sox batters, tying the MLB record. Joel Peralta
gave up the first three and Robinson Tejeda
allowed the last home run after a pitching change.
José Guillén
had to be restrained from a heckling fan during the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers
on August 26. Royals third base coach Luis Silverio
and others restrained Guillén, while security escorted to a new seat in Kauffman Stadium
. Guillen met with Royals general manager Dayton Moore
to discuss Guillén's public outburst, his fourth of the season. Royals manager Trey Hillman
did not see the incident take place. "I was actually in the toilet, so I didn't see it," Hillman said. "Managers do have to use the restroom and I guess I picked a bad time to be in the restroom. I found out about it a half inning later. We talked about it briefly. There's no sense on commenting on it."
Through 114 games, the Royals were just 7 games under .500, but winning only 7 out of 27 games in the month of August effectively assured Kansas City of another losing season.
, but the team's best September since the 1977 season helped erase the losing record in the previous month. The Royals took control of fourth place in the division with another three-game sweep of Detroit.
The Royals tied their win total from the 2007 season (69) with a victory over the Seattle Mariners
on September 18. The victory was the team's seventh consecutive victory.
In their final series of the season, the Twins hosted the Royals. The Twins hold a ½ game lead in the American League Central
over the White Sox, and the Royals won two of three games, leading to a one-game playoff between the Twins and White Sox.
The Royals finished the season with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003 thanks to an 18–8 mark in September.
, shared with Raúl Ibáñez
(Seattle Mariners
).
May 12–18: José Guillén
.
July 28–August 3: Mike Aviles
, shared with Xavier Nady
(New York Yankees
).
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...
' 2008 season
2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō,...
(Nippon Professional Baseball) manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.
The team looked to improve upon its record of 69–93 from 2007. The team's payroll for the 2008 season was initially estimated to be around $57 million, and wound up at $58 million (24th in the major leagues).
Despite another last-place finish in 2007, the Royals sought a breakout season in 2008. Renovations to 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...
were ongoing throughout the 2008 season and it was completed in time for Opening Day in 2009.
Following the team's 81st game, the mid-way point of the 2008 season, the Royals had a 37–44 record. The closest the team managed to crawl back to a .500 record after their 9–6 start to the season was within 6 games in mid-July. After compiling a 7–20 record in August, the Royals were eliminated from recording their first winning season since 2003. However, an 18–8 record in September let the Royals finish with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003.
Coaching search
Buddy BellBuddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
announced his resignation at the end of the 2007 season after serving two and half seasons with the Royals. Early candidates to assume the manager's position included Royals bench coach Billy Doran, former Royals star Frank White, and Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
Omaha
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
manager Mike Jirschele. Former Major League managers such as Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, Jim Fregosi
Jim Fregosi
James Louis Fregosi is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played from 1961–1978 for four different teams, primarily the Los Angeles and California Angels. In that franchise's first eleven years of play, he became its first star as the team's...
, Ken Macha
Ken Macha
Kenneth Edward Macha is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. During an 8-year managing career, he managed the Oakland Athletics , whom he guided to the American League's Western Division championship in both his first and final seasons with the team, and the Milwaukee Brewers...
, and Jimy Williams
Jimy Williams
James Francis "Jimy" Williams is an American former manager of three Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California.-Playing career:...
were also in consideration. Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
, whom was considered a sleeper candidate, was chosen on October 19. Hillman was interviewed in 2007 by Texas
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, San Diego
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...
and Oakland
Oakland 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....
. He was mentioned as a possible successor to Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
with New York
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Hillman had never played, coached or managed in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
prior to his hiring by the Royals.
Winter meetings
The Royals entered baseball's winter meetings in December 2007 with José GuillénJosé Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
and Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...
atop their free-agent prospects list. Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter
Torii Kedar Hunter is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hunter has taken away many home runs throughout his 13-year major league career by "climbing the fence" in the outfield. He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.Hunter resides...
was also considered by Kansas City before signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The 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...
. The Royals signed Guillén to a three-year, $36 million contract, while Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
The acquisition of Guillén was the Royals' only major move at the winter meetings. Just before the meetings, the Royals had ministered to another need by signing reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta
Yasuhiko Yabuta
is a Japanese baseball pitcher. He currently plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee....
to a two-year deal with an option for 2010. Yabuta, from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, was seen as the likely successor to David Riske
David Riske
David Richard Riske is a Major League Baseball Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher.-Career:Riske was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 56th round of the June amateur draft...
in a right-handed setup role. Riske left the Royals for a three-year, $13 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
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...
. Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
was on the Royals' radar, but several other teams were in pursuit as well, and the Dodgers signed him first.
In the Rule 5 Draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
, the Royals picked up left-handed pitcher Ray Liotta from the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Roster moves
Kansas City avoided arbitrationArbitration
Arbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
with all of its players for the 2008 season.
- (x) = club option for 2008
- (m) = mutual option for 2008
- (y) = player option for 2008
Color Code Key
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green | Player will return to team |
| Light Green | Player joins team |
| Crimson | Player will not return to team (released, option not exercised, signed with new team, or retired etc.) |
| White | Player's status undetermined |
| Player | Position | 2007 Team | 2008 Team | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emil Brown Emil Brown Emil Quincy Brown is an American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent.-Career:... |
OF | Royals | Athletics | Signed 1 Year, $1.45M |
| Brian Buchanan Brian Buchanan Brian James Buchanan is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia, where he excelled not only at hitting but at pitching as well and was named First Team All-Region for all of Northern Virginia. He once played for the St... |
OF | Hawks | Royals | Signed minor league contract |
| Fernando Cortez Fernando Cortez Fernando Cortez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. His most recent Major League Baseball team was the Kansas City Royals.Cortez was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 9th round of the 2001 Major... |
2B | Royals | White Sox | Signed minor league contract |
| Zach Day Zach Day Stephen Zachary Day is a former right-handed sinker-ball pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for three teams from 2002 to 2006.He currently resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Megan.-Career history:... |
RP | Twins | Elected Free agency | |
| José Guillén José Guillén José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997.... |
OF | Mariners | Royals | Signed a 3-year, $36 million deal |
| Jason LaRue Jason LaRue Michael Jason "Rusty" LaRue is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and St... |
C | Royals | Cardinals | Signed 1 Year, $850K |
| Brian Lawrence Brian Lawrence Brian Michael Lawrence is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed.-High school:Lawrence attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas... |
SP | Royals | Elected Free Agency | |
| Colby Lewis Colby Lewis Colby Preston Lewis is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers.Lewis was originally a first-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, and made his major league debut in... |
SP | Athletics | Central League Central League The or is one the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country,The Central League... (Japan) |
Claimed off waivers from Athletics, released, signed w/ Hiroshima Carp |
| Ron Mahay Ron Mahay Ronald Matthew Mahay is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins.... |
RP | Braves | Royals | Signed 2-years, $8M |
| Mike Maroth Mike Maroth Michael Warren Maroth is a former American Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Born in Orlando, Florida, and after attending the University of Central Florida, the left-handed Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers.-Early career:A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth... |
SP | Royals | Elected Free Agency | |
| Joe Nelson Joe Nelson Joseph George Nelson is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is known mainly for his "Vulcan" change up.-High school:... |
RP | Royals | Marlins | Signed Minor League Contract |
| Hideo Nomo Hideo Nomo is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from to... |
SP | Did Not Play | Royals | Signed Minor league Contract |
| Miguel Olivo Miguel Olivo Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:... |
C | Marlins | Royals | Signed 1-Year Contract w/ 2009 Mutual Option |
| Odalis Perez Odalis Pérez Odalis Amadol Pérez is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He played with the Atlanta Braves , the Los Angeles Dodgers , the Kansas City Royals , and the Washington Nationals .... |
SP | Royals | Nationals | Royals declined option; signed minor league contract |
| Paul Phillips Paul Phillips (baseball) Paul Anthony Phillips is an American professional baseball catcher. He attended the University of Alabama. He is a first cousin of infielder Andy Phillips.... |
C | Royals | White Sox | Spring training invitee |
| David Riske David Riske David Richard Riske is a Major League Baseball Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher.-Career:Riske was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 56th round of the June amateur draft... |
RP | Royals | Brewers | Signed 3-year, $13M contract |
| Reggie Sanders Reggie Sanders Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds... |
OF | Royals | Elected free agency | |
| Mike Sweeney Mike Sweeney Michael John "Mike" Sweeney is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Sweeney played his first 13 seasons in the majors with the Kansas City Royals, originally as a catcher and then moving to first base. Sweeney has also played for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Philadelphia... |
1B | Royals | Athletics | Signed minor league contract |
| John Thomson | SP | Royals | Elected free agency | |
| Brett Tomko Brett Tomko Brett Daniel Tomko is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St... |
SP | Padres | Royals | Signed 1-Year, $3M |
| Chin-hui Tsao Chin-hui Tsao Chin-Hui Tsao is a former Major League Baseball and CPBL pitcher. He is the second major league player and the first major league pitcher of Republic of China nationality, and like the first, former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Chin-Feng Chen, he is a Taiwanese aborigine... |
RP | Dodgers | Royals | Spring training invitee |
| Yasuhiko Yabuta Yasuhiko Yabuta is a Japanese baseball pitcher. He currently plays for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He competed in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and struck out Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Derrek Lee.... |
RP | Marines | Royals | Signed 2-years, $6M deal with 2010 club option |
Trades
December 15—Traded RHP Billy BucknerBilly Buckner
William Jennings "Billy" Buckner is a Major League Baseball pitcher. Despite their similar names, Buckner is not related to retired Major League Baseball player Bill Buckner.-Kansas City Royals:...
to the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
for IF Alberto Callaspo
Alberto Callaspo
Alberto José Callaspo is a baseball second baseman and third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Career:Callaspo was originally signed by the then-Anaheim Angels in , playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of Dominican Summer League...
.
Return of the Powder Blues
After a lengthy absence, the Royals' powder bluePowder blue
Powder blue may refer to two different colors.The paler variant is often associated with powder snow.-Powder blue :The web color powder blue is shown on the right....
uniforms returned in 2008. The new powder blue jerseys were unveiled to season-ticket holders on December 6, 2007 at a private event in downtown Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City
Downtown Kansas City is the central business district of Kansas City, Missouri and the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. It is located between the Missouri River in the north, to 31st Street in the south; and from the Kansas–Missouri state line east to Troost Avenue as defined by officials of the...
. Royals players John Buck, Mark Teahen
Mark Teahen
Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
, Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon
Alex Jonathan Gordon is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Kansas City Royals.-Early years:...
, José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
and David DeJesus
David DeJesus
David Christopher DeJesus is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Career:DeJesus was raised in Manalapan Township, New Jersey, and played high school baseball at Manalapan High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Mets in...
and manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
modeled the new power blue tops and white pants, which will be an alternate home jersey in 2008. The Royals previously wore powder-blue uniforms in away games from 1973 to 1991.
The Royals debuted the jerseys on April 12 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. The first 20,000 fans for the game received a replica powder blue No. 16 Billy Butler
Billy Butler (baseball)
Billy Ray Butler is a Major League Baseball Designated Hitter for the Kansas City Royals. He has also played first base, left field and right field...
jersey. With that promotion, the game was a sellout. Manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
and seven players—Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
, Gil Meche
Gil Meche
Gilbert Allen Meche is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Shoulder and back problems caused the former first round pick to retire in at just 32 years old.-Early years:...
, Joey Gathright
Joey Gathright
Joey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-Early life:...
, Tony Peña, Jr., John Bale, Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
and Butler—helped hand out the free jerseys when the gates opened at 4 p.m. All 20,000 powder blue tops were handed out within 40 minutes after the gates opened.
Suspensions
Outfielder José GuillénJosé Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
was to be suspended for 15 days (12 games) for violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Kansas City signed Guillén knowing that he might have been suspended. Guillén was cited in the Mitchell Report
Mitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
when it was released on December 13, 2007. Guillén's suspension was put on hold for 10 days allowing him to play in the team's season and home openers. The suspension was eventually upheld and Guillén never received any punishment.
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
faced a five-game suspension for fighting at New York
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
in the 2007 season while a member of the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, but the suspension was reduced to four games after an appeal. He was eligible to begin playing on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
March and April
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
hosted the Royals on Opening Day. Kansas City listed only 24 players on their active roster, as Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
began serving his four-game suspension. The roster listed 11 pitchers, 7 infielders, 4 outfielders, and 2 catchers. Gil Meche
Gil Meche
Gilbert Allen Meche is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Shoulder and back problems caused the former first round pick to retire in at just 32 years old.-Early years:...
made his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Royals, lasting six innings. The Royals won the game 5-4 in 11 innings, and went on to sweep the Tigers in the three-game series outscoring them 13-5. Kansas City hosted the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for their home-opening series at 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...
and won two of three games. Their 6–2 start was the franchise's best since 2003
2003 Kansas City Royals season
The 2003 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League Central with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses...
.
The Royals hosted the Twins from April 11–13, where game-time temperatures reached as low as 29°F for the series. After losing the first two games and not scoring any runs, the Royals won the last game by a score of 5-1. Kansas City debuted their new alternate powder blue home jerseys to a sold-out crowd on April 12, with a replica jersey giveaway promotion. Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
threw a complete game and allowed only three hits on April 13 in a 5-1 win. The following night, Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke
Donald Zackary "Zack" Greinke is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. Greinke won the American League Cy Young Award in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.-High school & minor leagues:Greinke was born in Orlando, Florida...
threw a complete game as well.
It was not until their 19th game of the season that the Royals fell under a .500 winning percentage in the middle of a seven game losing streak after going 9–6 to start the season. When the streak was snapped they were 10–13. In 2007, the Royals lost their second game of the year and remained under .500 for the remainder of the season, finishing with a record of 69–93.
May
At the Royals' May 9 game against the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Kansas City-native David Cook
David Cook (singer)
David Roland Cook is an American rock singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of the reality television show American Idol...
threw out the ceremonial first pitch
Ceremonial first pitch
The ceremonial first ball is a longstanding ritual of American baseball in which a guest of honor throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. Originally, the guest threw a ball from his/her place in the grandstand to the pitcher or catcher of the home team...
and sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the seventh inning stretch. At the time, Cook was a finalist on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
, and he eventually won the competition.
Brian Bannister
Brian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
threw a two-hitter on May 11 in a 4-0 win over Baltimore
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for the Royals' first victory over the Orioles after losing 12 consecutive games to the franchise. Through 40 games, Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
had a 0.00 ERA and ten saves, and the Royals signed him to a three-year contract extension through the 2011 season.
In early May, Kansas City completed their second series sweep against Detroit, advancing to 6-0 over the Tigers on the season. Jon Lester
Jon Lester
Jonathan Tyler Lester is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The 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"...
threw a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against Kansas City on May 19. It was just the Royals' second game to register no hits against an opponent, and the first since May 15, 1973.
The Royals endured a 12-game losing streak following the loss to Lester and the Red Sox, sending them 11 games under .500 and in last place of the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
. The Royals started their May 31 game against Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
with the fewest runs, sacrifice flies, RBIs and walks in the major leagues, but beat reigning Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
winner C. C. Sabathia 4-2 to end their losing streak.
The losing streak prompted José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
to criticize his team's performance with the media after a 9-8 loss to Minnesota
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
:
The Royals' losing streak was the longest in the majors since Kansas City and Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
both had 13-game losing streaks in 2006. While going almost two weeks without a win, Kansas City had allowed three grand slams, lost a five-run lead in the ninth inning of one game and scored three or fewer runs in nine others. It was the Royals' fourth time losing 12 consecutive games in franchise history, and all of the streaks have occurred since 1997. The losing caused Kansas City to make roster changes by sending the struggling Billy Butler
Billy Butler (baseball)
Billy Ray Butler is a Major League Baseball Designated Hitter for the Kansas City Royals. He has also played first base, left field and right field...
to Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
affiliate Omaha
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
. Mike Aviles
Mike Aviles
Michael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
was called-up in exchange.
June
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
opponents. Kansas City completed its first ever series sweep of the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The 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...
in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. In 12 years of Interleague play
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
, the Cardinals still hold the I-70 Series lead, 26-22, but the Royals have done better in St. Louis, winning 11 of 21 games. On June 22, the Royals made an improbable comeback after trailing 6-0 and later 10-3 against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. The Royals scored 8 unanswered runs and won the game and Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
recorded his 20th save of the season in 21 tries. Following a sweep of the defending National League champion
2007 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Thursday, October 11, 2007 at Chase Field in Phoenix, ArizonaThe Rockies took a 1–0 series lead behind a strong innings from starter Jeff Francis. Arizona scored first on a first-inning RBI double by Eric Byrnes, but lost the lead two innings later when Colorado right fielder Brad Hawpe...
Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, the Royals boasted an MLB-best 12–3 record in Interleague play and won for the tenth time in 11 games. Following their 12-game skid ended in May, the Royals went 15–9, closed to within seven games of .500 and skipped out of last place of the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
.
José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
made controversial remarks about Royals fans following booing
Booing
Booing is an act of showing displeasure for someone or something, generally an entertainer, by loudly yelling boo! or making other noises of disparagement, such as hissing. People may make hand signs at the entertainer, such as the thumbs down sign...
in the June 25 game against the Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
which prompted him to apologize days later to the Royals fanbase and team management. Fans booed Guillén in the eighth inning of the Royals' 4-2 win. He grounded to Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
third baseman Garrett Atkins
Garrett Atkins
Garrett Bernard Atkins is a Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently a Free Agent. He bats and throws right-handed....
and began a slow run toward first base. Atkins' throw was off target, forcing Todd Helton
Todd Helton
Todd Lynn Helton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Colorado Rockies. He is a five-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger, four-time National League Player of the Month, and three-time Gold Glove winner....
to leave the bag. If Guillén had been at full speed, he might have been safe. Guillén had been battling several injuries which had caused him to play easier in order to avoid the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
.
After defeating the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The 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...
at 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...
, the Royals boasted a six game winning-streak, the team's best since their 9-0 start in the 2003 season
2003 Kansas City Royals season
The 2003 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League Central with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses...
. Billy Butler
Billy Butler (baseball)
Billy Ray Butler is a Major League Baseball Designated Hitter for the Kansas City Royals. He has also played first base, left field and right field...
rejoined the team after Alberto Callaspo
Alberto Callaspo
Alberto José Callaspo is a baseball second baseman and third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.-Career:Callaspo was originally signed by the then-Anaheim Angels in , playing for the Aguilas Cibaeñas of Dominican Summer League...
was involved in a drunk driving
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
incident.
At the Royals' home game against the Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The 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...
, the team inducted Art Stewart
Art Stewart
Art Stewart is a former scout and Director of Scouting for the Kansas City Royals, a Major League Baseball team.- Career :Stewart is the longest tenured Kansas City Royals associate who was inducted to the Kansas City Royals Baseball Hall of Fame during 2008 season, on June 28...
into the Royals Hall of Fame. Stewart became the first scout to be inducted into any of Major League Baseball's
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
franchise hall of fames, and the Royals' 23rd overall inductee.
In the final game of the month, the Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
after Miguel Olivo
Miguel Olivo
Miguel Eduardo Olivo Peña is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Seattle Mariners. He bats and throws right-handed.-Career:...
, on a 0-2 pitch, hit a game-tying home run into the left-field seats in the bottom of the 9th inning. José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
batted in the Royals' game-winning run and Joakim Soria
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
closed out the game for his 22nd save. The Royals finished out the month of June with a 16–11 record.
July
Joakim Soria
Joakim Agustín Soria Ramos is a Mexican right-handed baseball relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball...
was selected to be the Royals' lone representative in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
, and José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
was named to the All-Star Final Vote
All-Star Final Vote
All-Star Final Vote is an annual Internet and text message ballot by Major League Baseball fans to elect the final player for each team that participates in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game after all other selections have been made and announced on national television. The first 33 players...
ballot. Guillén was involved in a heated argument with pitching coach Bob McClure
Bob McClure
Robert Craig McClure is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and pitching coach, most recently for the Kansas City Royals, with whom he began his major league career in 1975.-Kansas City Royals:...
before the team's July 5 game against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, but was not penalized for his actions.
At the All-Star break, the Royals boasted a record of 43–53, an improvement compared to their 38–50 record from 2007 and 31–56 record in 2006.
On July 21, the Royals suffered their worst defeat of the season, and the Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The 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...
registered their first victory over Kansas City in 2008 with a score of 19-4. By the seventh inning, it was 9-0 in favor of Detroit. The Tigers' 10-run eighth inning mostly came against Jimmy Gobble
Jimmy Gobble
Billy James Gobble is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Colorado Rockies organization.-High school career:...
, who was charged with all 10 runs. At one point in the inning, Gobble allowed six straight hits, the last being a home run by Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield , nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder.-Biography:...
. His ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
spiraled from 7.99 to 11.31. Gobble faced 12 hitters in the inning before Hillman finally called for Leo Núñez
Leo Núñez
Juan Carlos Oviedo ) is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Miami Marlins as the team's closer. He bats and throws right-handed.-Playing career:...
to substitute. The Royals, behind 19-0, finally broke through with four runs in their half of the eighth. They had five straight hits, including Billy Butler
Billy Butler (baseball)
Billy Ray Butler is a Major League Baseball Designated Hitter for the Kansas City Royals. He has also played first base, left field and right field...
's two-run single. Manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
said following the game:
Hillman decided to enlist shortstop Tony Peña, Jr. to pitch the ninth inning for the Royals. Peña, who lost his starting shortstop job to Mike Aviles
Mike Aviles
Michael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
, pitched a one-two-three inning and registered 90 mph-plus on the radar gun. This was his first competitive pitching since high school in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. Peña was the first position player pressed into pitching service by the Royals since July 17, 1998, when infielder Shane Halter
Shane Halter
Shane David Halter is a former Major League Baseball infielder/outfielder and right-handed batter.-High school years:...
took a turn in an 18-5 loss at Seattle
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
On July 29, ESPN Deportes
ESPN Deportes
ESPN Deportes is a cable television and radio network dedicated to broadcasting sports-related programming 24 hours a day to the Spanish-speaking community in the United States...
reported that José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
expressed his wish to be traded due to a bad relationship with manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
. When Guillén signed with Kansas City he knew the team wouldn't be a contender in 2008, but he was promised that moves would be made to build a winning team in 2009. Kansas City had not shown any interest in trading Guillén. The source said Guillén was ready to defer his salary for 2009 and 2010 if it were to help increase his value on the trading block. A "visibly upset" Guillén met with Hillman and denied the report. The trade deadline passed on July 31 and the Royals made no trades.
August
The Royals recorded a season-high 19 runs against the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on August 2 in a 9-7 win. The following day, Kansas City closed out the series against Chicago by winning 14-3. In two days, the Royals recorded 38 total hits for the first time in franchise history. The Royals finally fought back against the White Sox—who have dominated the Royals in years past—both literally and figuratively. Four players and both teams' managers were ejected from the game after confrontations over wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
es.
The Royals and White Sox played again in mid-August and on August 14 Kansas City allowed four consecutive home runs in the sixth inning to White Sox batters, tying the MLB record. Joel Peralta
Joel Peralta
Joel Peralta Gutiérrez is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Career:Peralta signed with the Oakland Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1996. They released him in 1998...
gave up the first three and Robinson Tejeda
Robinson Tejeda
Robinson Garcia Tejeda is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
allowed the last home run after a pitching change.
José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
had to be restrained from a heckling fan during the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on August 26. Royals third base coach Luis Silverio
Luis Silverio
Luis Pascual Silverio is a Major League Baseball coach. In November 2010, he was appointed first-base, outfield and baserunning coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League....
and others restrained Guillén, while security escorted to a new seat in 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...
. Guillen met with Royals general manager Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore
Dayton Moore is the general manager of the Kansas City Royals. He succeeded Allard Baird.-Childhood and education:Born February 17th, 1967, in Wichita, Kansas, Moore grew up a Royals fan. He claims to have watched the 1985 World Series in Kansas City from I-70...
to discuss Guillén's public outburst, his fourth of the season. Royals manager Trey Hillman
Trey Hillman
Thomas Brad "Trey" Hillman is the current bench coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously been the manager of both the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League and the Kansas City Royals in the American League.-Playing career:Hillman signed with the Cleveland Indians in...
did not see the incident take place. "I was actually in the toilet, so I didn't see it," Hillman said. "Managers do have to use the restroom and I guess I picked a bad time to be in the restroom. I found out about it a half inning later. We talked about it briefly. There's no sense on commenting on it."
Through 114 games, the Royals were just 7 games under .500, but winning only 7 out of 27 games in the month of August effectively assured Kansas City of another losing season.
September
Going into September, it seemed that the Royals' 7–20 record in August had doomed them to a last-place finish in the American League CentralAmerican League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
, but the team's best September since the 1977 season helped erase the losing record in the previous month. The Royals took control of fourth place in the division with another three-game sweep of Detroit.
The Royals tied their win total from the 2007 season (69) with a victory over the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on September 18. The victory was the team's seventh consecutive victory.
In their final series of the season, the Twins hosted the Royals. The Twins hold a ½ game lead in the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
over the White Sox, and the Royals won two of three games, leading to a one-game playoff between the Twins and White Sox.
The Royals finished the season with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003 thanks to an 18–8 mark in September.
Roster
| 2008 Kansas City Royals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches (hitting) (bullpen catcher) (first base) (pitching) (bullpen) (bench) (third base) |
||||||
Game log
| 2008 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Batting
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 153 | 598 | 66 | 158 | 42 | 1 | 20 | 97 | .264 | 2 | |
| 149 | 572 | 66 | 146 | 31 | 4 | 15 | 59 | .255 | 4 | |
| 135 | 518 | 70 | 159 | 25 | 7 | 12 | 73 | .307 | 11 | |
| 134 | 493 | 72 | 128 | 35 | 1 | 16 | 59 | .260 | 9 | |
| 124 | 443 | 44 | 122 | 22 | 0 | 11 | 55 | .275 | 0 | |
| 122 | 388 | 46 | 106 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 37 | .273 | 3 | |
| 109 | 370 | 48 | 83 | 23 | 1 | 9 | 48 | .224 | 0 | |
| 105 | 279 | 41 | 71 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 22 | .254 | 21 | |
| 102 | 419 | 68 | 136 | 27 | 4 | 10 | 51 | .325 | 8 | |
| 95 | 225 | 22 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | .169 | 3 | |
| 89 | 216 | 30 | 53 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 22 | .245 | 7 | |
| 86 | 331 | 36 | 99 | 24 | 0 | 3 | 24 | .299 | 2 | |
| 84 | 306 | 29 | 78 | 22 | 0 | 15 | 41 | .255 | 7 | |
| 74 | 213 | 21 | 65 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 16 | .305 | 2 | |
| 34 | 91 | 9 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | .286 | 0 | |
| 22 | 28 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .214 | 0 | |
| 20 | 73 | 12 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 20 | .301 | 0 | |
| 12 | 21 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .286 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 3 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .286 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | 0 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | |
| Totals | 162 | 5608 | 691 | 1507 | 303 | 28 | 120 | 650 | .269 | 79 |
Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts| Player | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | R | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 11 | 3.98 | 34 | 34 | 0 | 210.1 | 98 | 93 | 73 | 183 | |
| 13 | 10 | 3.47 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 202.1 | 87 | 78 | 56 | 183 | |
| 7 | 7 | 4.06 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 113.0 | 57 | 51 | 43 | 71 | |
| 9 | 16 | 5.76 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 182.2 | 127 | 117 | 58 | 113 | |
| 6 | 12 | 5.51 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 129.0 | 84 | 79 | 47 | 72 | |
| 5 | 0 | 3.48 | 57 | 0 | 0 | 64.2 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 49 | |
| 4 | 1 | 2.98 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 48.1 | 19 | 16 | 15 | 26 | |
| 3 | 3 | 4.50 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 38.0 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | |
| 3 | 2 | 2.64 | 71 | 0 | 1 | 71.2 | 23 | 21 | 31 | 70 | |
| 2 | 3 | 1.60 | 63 | 0 | 42 | 67.1 | 13 | 12 | 19 | 66 | |
| 2 | 2 | 3.20 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 39.1 | 17 | 14 | 19 | 41 | |
| 2 | 7 | 6.97 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 60.2 | 49 | 47 | 13 | 40 | |
| 1 | 1 | 2.59 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 24.1 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 11 | |
| 1 | 3 | 4.78 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 37.2 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 25 | |
| 1 | 2 | 5.98 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 52.2 | 37 | 35 | 14 | 38 | |
| 0 | 0 | 10.38 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4.1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | |
| 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 0 | 0 | 7.71 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7.0 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 2 | |
| 0 | 0 | 2.70 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3.1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 0 | 3 | 4.39 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 26.2 | 13 | 13 | 6 | 14 | |
| 0 | 0 | 18.69 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4.1 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 | |
| 0 | 1 | 8.71 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10.1 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | |
| 0 | 2 | 8.81 | 39 | 0 | 1 | 31.2 | 31 | 31 | 23 | 27 | |
| 0 | 1 | 9.00 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 14.0 | 15 | 14 | 8 | 12 | |
| Totals | 75 | 87 | 4.50 | 162 | 162 | 44 | 1445.2 | 781 | 723 | 515 | 1085 |
Player of the Week
April 7–13: Brian BannisterBrian Bannister
Brian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
, shared with Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Ibáñez
Raúl Javier Ibáñez is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.Over his career, Ibáñez, who did not make 500 plate appearances until the age of thirty, has batted .280 with 377 doubles, 252 home runs and 1054 runs batted in over sixteen Major League seasons...
(Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
).
May 12–18: José Guillén
José Guillén
José Manuel Guillén |San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic]]) is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. A prototypical league journeyman, the Giants were the tenth team for which Guillén has played since his major league debut in 1997....
.
July 28–August 3: Mike Aviles
Mike Aviles
Michael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
, shared with Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
(New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
).