Kansas City Royals are a professional baseball team that plays in the American League Central division of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Royals were an expansion team that began play in 1969. The team plays its home games in Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The stadium is named after the club’s first owner, businessman Ewing Kauffman.
The Royals ranked among the most successful expansion teams in MLB history. The team compiled a winning record in only its third year of play, and in 14 of its first 20 seasons finished first or second in its division. The Royals lost the 1980 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies. The team won the 1985 World Series over the Saint Louis Cardinals. From 1995 through 2012, Kansas City had just one winning record (83-79 in 2003). The team reached the World Series in 2014, but lost to the San Francisco Giants. The Royals defeated the New York Mets in the 2015 World Series. Royals stars have included Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett, second baseman Frank White, outfielders Hal McRae, Amos Otis, and Alex Gordon, and pitchers Zack Greinke, Bret Saberhagen, and Dan Quisenberry.
Before the Royals began play, Kansas City was home to the American League’s Athletics from 1955 through 1967. The A’s moved to Oakland, California, in 1968.
For the World Series results of the Kansas City Royals, see Baseball (table: The World Series).
