SABR Digital Library: Kansas City Royals: A Royal Tradition

Kansas City Royals: A Royal Tradition
Edited by Bill Nowlin 
Associate Editors: Bill Carle, Len Levin, Curt Nelson, and Carl Riechers  
Foreword by Ryan Lefebvre  
Publication Date: June 20, 2019

ISBN (e-book): 978-1-9701-5902-8, $9.99 
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-9701-5903-5, $29.99
8.5″ x 11″, 350 pages

Kansas City Royals: A Royal Tradition recounts the best moments and best players in the franchise’s first half-century and represents the collected effort of 48 members of SABR, the Society for American Baseball Research. 

A Royal Tradition includes biographies of George Brett, Paul Splittorff, Bo Jackson, Amos Otis, Freddie Patek, and Denny Matthews among many others, and recaps great stories in Royals history, from the creation of the icon Royals logo and Kauffman Stadium to historic games, like the 1980 defeat of the Yankees and the crowning achievement: the 2015 World Series championship. Foreword by Ryan Lefebvre.

From the Introduction by Curt Nelson, Director of the Royals Hall of Fame: “The history of professional baseball in Kansas City dates back to before the city took that name in 1889. When the Royals debuted in 1969 they were a continuation of an already rich Kansas City tradition. The Royals story now includes fifty years of highs and lows, thrilling moments, and memories to last a lifetime for those that lived them. More great players and colorful characters—and yes, more championships as well. This book is meant as a marker in time on this golden anniversary of Kansas City Royals Baseball to celebrate all that that has taken place in the past 50 years and the work and skill so many that made it all happen.

“Those of us that call Kansas City home like to think of our hometown as the heartland of America, and geographically speaking the claim has merit. As a matter of fact the geographical center of the contiguous 48 states of the United States is two miles outside of Lebanon, Kansas — not all that far from Kansas City (about 250 miles to the west). But we think the claim has merit beyond mere geography and though I’m hopelessly biased in the matter, the centrality of baseball to our cultural fabric and history is part of the reason why.

“Kansas City is fertile ground for baseball, and the Royals have flourished here—they have also been a worthy heir to the historic legacy that preceded them. Kansas City is the heart of America in my view, and I believe baseball is certainly a significant part of the Kansas City’s soul.”

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Below: Find player biographies and memorable game stories from Kansas City Royals: A Royal Tradition

Biographies


Game Recaps

April 12, 1986: Dennis Leonard returns to Royals for first start in three years

April 5, 2004: Beltran’s walk-off homer lifts Royals to Opening Day win

April 8, 1969: Baseball returns to Kansas City as Royals win debut

April 9, 1969: Second verse, same as the first; Royals remain undefeated after debut

August 1, 2016: Danny Duffy’s sweet sixteen is a Royal masterpiece

August 17, 1980: George Brett raises batting average above .400

August 19, 1986: Frank White’s 7 RBIs help Royals overcome Rangers in 11 innings

August 2, 1973: George Brett makes his debut with Kansas City Royals

August 2, 1987: Kevin Seitzer goes 6-for-6 as Royals rout Red Sox

July 17, 1990: Bo Jackson clouts three home runs in Royals’ victory over Yankees

June 15, 1979: Royals stage ‘a comeback for all seasons’ in defeating Brewers

June 6, 1991: Royals outlast Rangers in 18-inning marathon

May 28, 2016: Royals score 7 in the ninth to beat the White Sox

November 1, 2015: Royals rally in 12th inning to win World Series

October 10, 1980: Royals advance to first World Series after sweeping Yankees in ALCS

October 11, 1985: George Brett’s ‘best game’ lifts Royals in ALCS with two homers

October 12, 2015: The Miracle at Minute Maid: Royals rally to beat Astros in ALDS

October 16, 1985: Royals complete comeback against Blue Jays to win AL pennant

October 17, 2015: Communication breakdown sparks Royals’ late rally in Game 2

October 23, 2015: Lorenzo Cain races home, sends Royals to World Series

October 26, 1985: Royals force Game 7 after Cardinals’ collapse in wake of Denkinger’s call

October 27, 1985: Royals rout Cardinals 11-0 in Game 7 to clinch first World Series title

October 27, 2015: Royals outlast Mets in 14-inning World Series marathon

September 26, 1993: George Brett announces retirement, then hits walk-off home run

September 26, 2014: Royals clinch a postseason berth to end a 29-year drought

September 29, 1976: Royals clinch tie for AL West division title

September 30, 1992: George Brett joins 3,000-hit club with four-hit performance

September 30, 2014: Royals top A’s in a wild AL Wild Card Game


Contributors include: Mark Armour, Jeff Barto, Russell Bergtold, Richard Bogovich, Thomas J. Brown Jr., Frederick “Rick” Bush, Bill Carle, Ken Carrano, Alan Cohen, Richard Cuicchi, John DiFonzo, Michael Engel, Charles F. Faber, Adam Foldes, James Forr, Brian Frank, Steve Friedman, Adrian Fung, Gordon J. Gattie, Peter M. Gordon, Paul Hofmann, Mike Huber, Stephen Katsoulis, Norm King, Tom Knosby, Steven Kuehl, Bill Lamberty, Kevin Larkin, Ryan Lefebvre, Bob LeMoine, Len Levin, Daniel R. Levitt, Robert Nash, Curt Nelson, Bill Nowlin, Larry Pauley, Carl Riechers, Max Rieper, Curt Smith, Glen Sparks, John Stahl, Mark S. Sternman, Andrew Stockmann, Clayton Trutor, Darin Watson, Gregory H. Wolf, Steve Wulf, and Jack Zerby.

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