Kansas City Royals All-Stars: Building the Best Royals All-Time Lineup

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Major League Baseball: Kansas City Royals All-Stars – Building the Best Royals All-Time Lineup

Even with a crowned jumbotron in straight center, Kauffman Stadium isn’t known for its regal views. However, hitting home runs into water fountains certainly puts you into rarified air. The Kansas City Royals have had plenty of memorable players and moments throughout their history – including two World Series titles and one infamous pine-tarred bat.

Manager: Ned Yost

The Royals have won two World Series over 56 seasons, with one of those achieved under Ned Yost. He also managed the team during their losing appearance in 2014, but making it there is an accomplishment in itself, especially for an organization that has reached the World Series four times. Yost leads Kansas City in wins, well ahead of legends like Whitey Herzog and Dick Howser. While his career record there was under .500, his late seasons with 100 losses weren’t entirely his fault. Go ahead, name a 2019 Royals player off the top of your head.

Starting Pitcher: Bret Saberhagen

Kevin Appier may have pitched longer with the Royals and produced more wins above replacement, but Bret Saberhagen is the pitcher you’d want on the mound during a critical game. He won two Cy Young Awards in Royals blue: the first in 1985, the year they won the World Series – during which he also threw two complete games and allowed only one run to earn MVP honors – and again in 1989, when he led the majors in ERA (2.16), complete games (12), innings (261.1), K/BB (4.5), wins (23), and pitcher WAR (9.7).

Reliever/Closer: Dan Quisenberry

Before the era of one-inning closers, there was Dan Quisenberry. While the mustachioed righty adapted to that role later in his career, he regularly pitched over 100 innings in relief each year, often coming in after the starter to finish the game. Quisenberry is the Royals’ all-time leader in ERA (2.55) and second in saves, achieving this while striking out just 3.1 batters per nine innings – a low rate even for his time. He was able to keep his walk and home run rates remarkably low, with only 139 walks and 52 home runs allowed over 920 innings.

Catcher: Salvador Perez

One of the most impressive aspects of Salvador Perez’s career is that, despite not being a massive power hitter, he had a breakout year with a record 48 home runs in 2021 – the most by any primary catcher in a season, leading the majors that year. However, he would still merit this spot, as his exceptional defense earned him five Gold Gloves, and his bat earned him five Silver Sluggers. Perez has made nine All-Star teams and remains the Royals’ backstop a decade after their World Series win, where he was named series MVP.

1B: Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer’s offensive statistics might not grab your attention, but they reflect how the Royals excelled during his time: they were a balanced team known for strong defense and smart, strategic hits. Over seven years with the Royals, he had a batting line of .284/.342/.439, excelling in his peak years and winning four Gold Gloves. His contributions helped solidify the Royals as champions, with his 2015 title still celebrated.

2B: Frank White

Defensive prowess was not a new concept for the Royals, as exemplified by Frank White, who spent 18 years with the team. White’s offensive contributions were solid, but his defense was his hallmark, winning eight Gold Gloves — six in a row from 1977 to 1982. Just as players like White contributed to the Royals’ success, they made the postseason seven times between 1976 and 1985, winning their first World Series in ’85, where White even hit a home run.

3B: George Brett

George Brett spent 21 years with the Royals, making a profound impact on the franchise’s history. He ranks first in numerous categories, including WAR (88.6), games played (2,707), hits (3,154), total bases (5,044), and more. Brett is celebrated not only as a Royals great but also as an all-time third baseman in MLB history. His . bet168 casino390 batting average in 1980 is the closest full-season figure to Ted Williams’ .406 mark set in 1941.

SS: Bobby Witt Jr.

It might be early, but Bobby Witt Jr. has already made waves, finishing second for the AL MVP in 2024 while clinching the batting title with a .332 average, 32 home runs, and 31 steals. His average led all majors, with 88 extra-base hits overall. Witt’s defense also improved significantly, earning him a Gold Glove, and he shows immense potential to become not only a Royals great but a future MLB star as well.

OF: Willie Wilson

Willie Wilson was integral to the Royals’ successful postseason teams in the late 1970s and the 1980s and earned the batting title in 1982 with a .332 average. From 1979 to 1985, he batted a collective .305/.342/.400, leading the majors in triples three times, and showcasing Gold Glove-caliber outfield defense. His World Series contributions in ‘85 were noteworthy, collecting 11 hits, three RBIs, and a stolen base, making him the all-time leader in steals for the Royals with 612, a rank that also sits at 12th in MLB history.

OF: Alex Gordon

Alex Gordon encapsulates the Royals’ love for players who spend their entire careers with one team, playing all 14 years in Kansas City. Originally a third baseman, he transitioned to the outfield at a pivotal time for the Royals. From 2011 to 2015, he produced an impressive line of jili slot 777.281/.359/.450 while contributing significantly to the Royals’ wins above replacement, culminating in two World Series appearances and one title 8k8+com+login+password. Even as his batting average dipped, Gordon continued to win Gold Gloves, finishing with eight overall, including four in his final seasons.

OF: Carlos Beltran

Carlos Beltran is a potential future Hall of Famer, and his tenure with the Royals certainly bolsters that case. Initially, he was more known for his speed than his power, evidenced by a .287/.352/.483 line with 123 home runs and 164 stolen bases during his time in Kansas City before moving to the Houston Astros in 2004. With an exceptional success rate of 87. 8k8.com register7% for stolen bases in Kansas City, he concluded his career at 86.4%, holding the MLB record.

DH: Hal McRae

The designated hitter role was introduced to the American League in 1973, coinciding with Hal McRae’s arrival from the Reds to the Royals. Although he occasionally played in the field, McRae’s primary role was as a DH, appearing in 1,426 games and logging 5,917 plate appearances in that role. Over 15 years with Kansas City, he maintained a batting line of jili slot.293/.356/.458 and performed exceptionally well, boasting a 118 OPS+ as a 39-year-old during the 1985 championship run.