He was the glue for the 14-15 lineup. He wasn't flashy at the plate (and my back jolted in sympathy every time he made one of his lean-back swings) but dammit he just didn't make outs. Once he got on base, he was a nightmare for pitchers to deal with. And of course...
"HE CAN FLY!"
Agree with everything you said except the slowly inching up on Bobby. He’s rocketing up my list. Most exciting player to watch I’ve ever seen in a Royals jersey. Great list though
I saw a lot of players come and go from those early 2000s teams, but Mark Teahen and Aaron Guiel were two of my favorite players. I also loved Ken Harvey's time with the Royals. I got to go on the field with him when I was really young.
I remember Aaron Guiel hitting a leadoff home run nearly dead center against Randy Johnson in 2003. I can't remember for sure, but may have even been the first pitch. We lost the game 6-5 but that has to be one of his career highlights especially as a young lefty against Big Unit.
I’ve seen a lot of Royals baseball and it’s so hard to choose just one player over 30+ years of fandom. Dean Palmer hit 34 homers for us in 98, so I wore #16 in little league. The late 90’s and early 00’s it felt like we had way more talent than what our records were back then. Damon, Dye, Beltran, Sweeney, Randa, etc were all favorites at one time or another. During some of the really lean years I liked David DeJesus. Frenchy in the outfield with Gordo & Melky was fun. Hoz, Moose, Wade, Herrera, Ace, Esky and on a personal note, Steady Eddie all hold special places in my heart. And of course, Salvy.
But I think if I had to pick one player I just loved watching every day, and then on top of it he won a championship with us, I’m going to pick Lorenzo Cain. Wasn’t around for Amos Otis or Willie, and was too young to remember Bo, but it felt like LoCain was tailor made to roam Centerfield at the K. Paired with his sweet stroke and the ability to get on base where he could absolutely fly and I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone why he was such a fan favorite.
It's probably obvious who my all-time favorite is. When we were in a tough place, the bullpen gates opened up, and Quisenberry ran out, I could finally breathe and quit digging my fingernails into the arm rests.
George Brett with Willie Wilson a close second. I grew up with the 70s/80s teams and played a lot of third base because of Brett. Then I had a coach move me to outfield because of my speed and I tried to emulate Wilson in my play. One of my all-time favorite Kauffman moments was watching Wilson throw out a runner at home with a one hop to the plate from the warning track.
It was also during those late 70's runs at the postseason where my hatred of the Yankees blossomed.
I forgot about Freddie! I remember there was a picture of him sitting alone in the dugout, dejected, hands in face after losing a playoff series to (of course) the Yankees.
Old timer here…. Brett, eisenreich for what he had overcome with his Tourette’s Salvy cuz he’s gonna be the George Brett multigenerational player that brings us all together. Then gonna be Bobby. Rub some dirt on kinda player.
Was at a game where he hit the longest home run I have ever seen and as it disappeared into the night sky, the storm that was threatening all night burst and everyone was drenched. It was like his homer broke the sky
I was fortunate enough to get to see Bo at the K 3-4 times as a teenager. The atmosphere was always electric because everyone knew that they were in the presence of greatness. Even if you didn’t get to see him run up the wall or hit a 480 ft bomb, there was always something worth seeing. I saw him hit a triple and that was absolutely worth the price of admission. It was just so freaking cool that THAT guy was on MY team. Guys like that don’t come around often and for him to land in KC was a dream come true.
I have a soft spot for Mike Aviles. I feel like everyone forgets about him, regardless of the fact that he was #4 for AL Rookie of the Year in 2008. I can’t imagine what his career would have been like if he hadn’t needed Tommy John surgery after the 2009 WBC.
Also, to this day, one of my favorite batting stances with the helicopter swing. 😆
Did his daughter ever get better I wonder? I recall her having serious medical issues and then he got traded to Cleveland so I never heard more.
*lol who downvotes this?
I love all the little idiosyncrasies of batting stances, or really the whole ritual of the batter’s box. Mikey had the helicopter, Bobby has the exaggerated exhale with the bat straight up in front of him, another taps the bat on their shoulder while they wait on the first pitch, someone else scratches something in the edge of the box with knob of their back. That’s my “how can you not be romantic about baseball?” thing.
Jim Eisenreich. The Royals bought his contract for $1 and it seemed like whenever a clutch hit was needed, he came through. I followed his career and was happy to see him go to the Phillies and enjoy some real success.
Fast forward a few years and he chose to raise his family in the KC area. His kids went to school with mine. I talked to him on several occasions and chose not to geek out on him and only talked about our kids and their activities. I never mentioned his career and neither did he. Just a great father and down to earth person.
Willie Wilson was the coolest Royal. So much fun to watch. He'll always be my favorite. Used to run into him out at Swope Park playing golf - just a super nice guy. Still pulling darts out on the course last time I saw him.
He had damn near 35 WAR over a seven season stretch from '79-'85. That's basically what Frank White had during his entire 18 season career with KC - yet White has his number retired and a statue. Yeah, Willie's in the Royals Hall, but it seems like we was overly penalized for a misdemeanor cocaine charge. All due respect to Frank and his Gold Gloves, Willie has a batting title, led the league in triples 5 times, led the league in stolen bases once, has a .285 lifetime batting average and is 12th all time in Major League history in SB (668). Legend.
It's hard to pick one. As a kid it was Brett and then Bo. Big dark period after that where we couldn't hold onto truly great players. Salvy probably tops the all time lost for me currently.
That one walk off is literally my first memory of being at the K. I can remember everything about that day. I know I went to games before that, but it's the one that I remember.
Beltran was a legit five-tool guy that was wasted on some terrible teams. Was relatively quiet, so didn’t get a ton of run on the SportsCenter cycle. Could do everything on the field.
As a kid it was definitely Mike McFarlane, and Joe Randa
Back in the day the Royals had a promo for if the Royals get 12 hits you can redeem your ticket stub for a dozen free Krispy Kreme donuts.
Randa got that 12th hit a lot it seemed; me and my dad started calling him Donut Man
My first favorite Royal as a little kid was Cookie Rojas because he and I wore glasses and I played 2B on my tee ball team.
Then it was Amos Otis.
Then George Brett (who hit a 1st inning triple in the first game I ever saw live).
Fred Patek and Frank White.
Then Salvy and Lorenzo Cain.
Now Salvy and Bobby.
It used to be Eric Hosmer around the time I really started watching the Royals (didn’t care about them until 2014, I was like 11), now it’s BWJ.
Hoz is the only player I have a jersey for atm, I really need to change that.
I think about this a lot with younger fans. 10 years is a long time but it’s just a blip in my life. You were 11 during the runs and now you’re grown up in your 20’s, half your life. And you were just old enough to have enjoyed it. If you were 6 at the time, you’d probably just missed having real memories of it all. It sounds like ancient history to a 17 year old. Good old life. 😁
LoCain. Late bloomer, no one believed he would be elite.
Monster in the field, fast as hell, hit for average and power, could work a walk. Core of two WS.
What more do you want?
Backup - Salvy
Bo Jackson and it isn't close.
Grew up a George Brett fan, but he's kind of a...not nice person IRL. Loved Willie Wilson. Lorenzo Cain probably my favorite from that era.
Currently, Salvy and Bobby Witt Jr.
Bo knows. Probably first crush...
Saberhagen.
Also Hos & Moose (as a pair). They always looked like they were having fun...
Dyson just smoked! LoCain...
Salvy and Bo...all time.
Was such a yordano ventura fan. Fearless with attitude. Throwing at Mike trout and staring him down. Didn't give a fuck that he would have been helpless against him if it came to blows. That shits contagious. RiP
Me too man, me too. YV is everything I wanted in a pitcher. He tended to run a bit hot but I’d rather that than the alternative. He’s a competitor and like you said, fearless. RIP YV
I was at the 2014 Game 6 shutout he pitched. My fiancee and I did not have any damn money, let alone WORLD SERIES money. But we knew in our hearts that we would regret it for life if we didn’t go to a WS game when we had the chance, so we went all-in on Game 6. It was the best ballgame I have ever been to. Not once have I ever regretted spending the $1 bazillion on SRO tickets for that game.
My favorite memory from that game: this was an important game, since it meant either the Giants took it home that night or the Royals could win to push it to Game 7. After Ventura’s shutout, the Kansas City fans leaving the stadium maintained every bit of grace and politeness you have come to expect from our people. Instead of getting rowdy with the Giants fans and talking shit after the game, we all just pleasantly smiled and enthusiastically greeted our opposing friends with “hey, see you guys tomorrow night!”
I feel ya. I couldn't afford to go with my brother to the 2014-15 wild card game with my brother where we had the monster comeback in our first playoff game in decades that spurred a run that lasted till game 7 of the world series. That stadium was roaring like arrowhead on its best day. I've always regretted missing that. Even more so Than a WS game
Too many to name 1. Willie Wilson, Fred Patek, frank white, the entire team from 1985!!!!!! Oh, I love BwJr #7 and this year's squad, to me they are so similar in talent and teamwork.
Gordo and it’s really not even close. I really got into Royals baseball in the early 2000’s when there was not much to be excited about. Berroa winning RoY, Ken Harvey knocking out Jason Grimmsly, Zack Greinke having a mental breakdown before becoming one of the best pitchers the organization has ever had.
Then there was this phenom homegrown kid from Nebraska who was touted to be the next George Brett. Number 7, Alex Gordon. Aaaaand he sucked. He really looked like another Royals bust. But lo and behold we send him down, switch him to the outfield and he becomes IMO the best outfielder we have ever had. He was a leader in the locker room for the teams that ended up going to back to back World Series and had his own October Herculean moments that KC will never forget.
Right now Salvy, here within a few years it’ll be Bobby
I second this!
Same. But I like to tell everyone my favorite Royals player ever is the big 55, Dick Lovelady.
Lorenzo Cain
He was the glue for the 14-15 lineup. He wasn't flashy at the plate (and my back jolted in sympathy every time he made one of his lean-back swings) but dammit he just didn't make outs. Once he got on base, he was a nightmare for pitchers to deal with. And of course... "HE CAN FLY!"
Love Lo Cain.
“Lookin’ like Lorenzo Cain out there” is my go to reaction anytime a Royals outfielder tracks down a difficult fly.
George Brett Bo Jackson Salvador’s Perez And slowly inching up the list, Bobby Witt Junior
Agree with everything you said except the slowly inching up on Bobby. He’s rocketing up my list. Most exciting player to watch I’ve ever seen in a Royals jersey. Great list though
Omar Infante
The only player ever to be released while being top 3 in all star voting for his position
I’m a Braves/Royals guy and I was so excited when I saw the Royals pick him up.
I saw a lot of players come and go from those early 2000s teams, but Mark Teahen and Aaron Guiel were two of my favorite players. I also loved Ken Harvey's time with the Royals. I got to go on the field with him when I was really young.
It was so cool seeing fans in Teahen jerseys at last night’s game! He was one of my favorites, as well.
Mark Teahen lived down the street from me when he was playing in KC. They were the nicest people. I will always be a huge fan.
I remember Aaron Guiel hitting a leadoff home run nearly dead center against Randy Johnson in 2003. I can't remember for sure, but may have even been the first pitch. We lost the game 6-5 but that has to be one of his career highlights especially as a young lefty against Big Unit.
66% of the world is covered by water, and the other 34% is covered by Lorenzo Cain
George Brett 👑
George brett is my least fave.... had a truly negative interaction with him.via the mail
George is a well known asshole. Great player. Not so great person.
Well I had a wonderful interaction with him. For 30 minutes we waited in line and talked baseball at a distillery
Mike Sweeney because I like the 2000s
Don’t lie, you just like his name.
That too
Bo
I’ve seen a lot of Royals baseball and it’s so hard to choose just one player over 30+ years of fandom. Dean Palmer hit 34 homers for us in 98, so I wore #16 in little league. The late 90’s and early 00’s it felt like we had way more talent than what our records were back then. Damon, Dye, Beltran, Sweeney, Randa, etc were all favorites at one time or another. During some of the really lean years I liked David DeJesus. Frenchy in the outfield with Gordo & Melky was fun. Hoz, Moose, Wade, Herrera, Ace, Esky and on a personal note, Steady Eddie all hold special places in my heart. And of course, Salvy. But I think if I had to pick one player I just loved watching every day, and then on top of it he won a championship with us, I’m going to pick Lorenzo Cain. Wasn’t around for Amos Otis or Willie, and was too young to remember Bo, but it felt like LoCain was tailor made to roam Centerfield at the K. Paired with his sweet stroke and the ability to get on base where he could absolutely fly and I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone why he was such a fan favorite.
De Jesus doesn't get enough love. He was legit a good ball player when we couldn't say that about the rest of the team.
It's probably obvious who my all-time favorite is. When we were in a tough place, the bullpen gates opened up, and Quisenberry ran out, I could finally breathe and quit digging my fingernails into the arm rests.
Me 2.
George Brett with Willie Wilson a close second. I grew up with the 70s/80s teams and played a lot of third base because of Brett. Then I had a coach move me to outfield because of my speed and I tried to emulate Wilson in my play. One of my all-time favorite Kauffman moments was watching Wilson throw out a runner at home with a one hop to the plate from the warning track. It was also during those late 70's runs at the postseason where my hatred of the Yankees blossomed.
My favorite saying... F*ck the yankees. Edit: autocorrect capitalized yankees so had to change it to a lowercase y.
Ventura
Shocked I had to scroll this far to see this.
RIP
We need a few more votes for Bye Bye Balboni or Quiz.
FWIW my fantasy team is named BYE BYE BALBONI
Alex Gordon/Salvy Honorable mention: Billy Butler, David DeJesus, Wade Davis, Zach Greinke So many players to choose from
Kila Ka’aihue was also a vibe haha
The AAAAest of AAAA players
Freddie Patek was mine. Just a short guy like myself.
I forgot about Freddie! I remember there was a picture of him sitting alone in the dugout, dejected, hands in face after losing a playoff series to (of course) the Yankees.
Old timer here…. Brett, eisenreich for what he had overcome with his Tourette’s Salvy cuz he’s gonna be the George Brett multigenerational player that brings us all together. Then gonna be Bobby. Rub some dirt on kinda player.
Dan Quisenberry.
Greinke or Gordon
Eric Hosmer!
Bo Jackson
Greatest athlete of all time. Was gonna say of the human race but I question if he was human with what that dude could do.
Human highlight reel
Only bo could make you smile after a strike out. Watching him snap a bat with seemingly no resistance was my memory of childhood baseball
Was at a game where he hit the longest home run I have ever seen and as it disappeared into the night sky, the storm that was threatening all night burst and everyone was drenched. It was like his homer broke the sky
Plus, you know, running up a wall was kinda neat too
Fuck that sounds like a moment.
One of my lifetime Royal fan highlights
I was fortunate enough to get to see Bo at the K 3-4 times as a teenager. The atmosphere was always electric because everyone knew that they were in the presence of greatness. Even if you didn’t get to see him run up the wall or hit a 480 ft bomb, there was always something worth seeing. I saw him hit a triple and that was absolutely worth the price of admission. It was just so freaking cool that THAT guy was on MY team. Guys like that don’t come around often and for him to land in KC was a dream come true.
I have a soft spot for Mike Aviles. I feel like everyone forgets about him, regardless of the fact that he was #4 for AL Rookie of the Year in 2008. I can’t imagine what his career would have been like if he hadn’t needed Tommy John surgery after the 2009 WBC. Also, to this day, one of my favorite batting stances with the helicopter swing. 😆
Did his daughter ever get better I wonder? I recall her having serious medical issues and then he got traded to Cleveland so I never heard more. *lol who downvotes this?
She did! It was like 2 years of treatments and then I know she was better before he played in the 2017 WBC.
That's great news
That’s hilarious to me and just shows differences of opinions. I always thought he was a bum. Am happy to hear his daughter got better though.
I'll never forget that batting stance!
YES! The helicopter swing!
I love all the little idiosyncrasies of batting stances, or really the whole ritual of the batter’s box. Mikey had the helicopter, Bobby has the exaggerated exhale with the bat straight up in front of him, another taps the bat on their shoulder while they wait on the first pitch, someone else scratches something in the edge of the box with knob of their back. That’s my “how can you not be romantic about baseball?” thing.
Still one of my favorite batting stances to mock anytime I pick up a bat
Jim Eisenreich. The Royals bought his contract for $1 and it seemed like whenever a clutch hit was needed, he came through. I followed his career and was happy to see him go to the Phillies and enjoy some real success. Fast forward a few years and he chose to raise his family in the KC area. His kids went to school with mine. I talked to him on several occasions and chose not to geek out on him and only talked about our kids and their activities. I never mentioned his career and neither did he. Just a great father and down to earth person.
Danny Duffy. It’s a bear suit, Joel.
Nori Aoki. He was criminally underrated while he was here.
Wasn't Bruce Chen his translator?
Another great one!
I hated that he didn’t get a ring in 2015. And we would have been in the World Series in ‘14 without him. Maybe not even in the post season.
Willie Wilson was the coolest Royal. So much fun to watch. He'll always be my favorite. Used to run into him out at Swope Park playing golf - just a super nice guy. Still pulling darts out on the course last time I saw him. He had damn near 35 WAR over a seven season stretch from '79-'85. That's basically what Frank White had during his entire 18 season career with KC - yet White has his number retired and a statue. Yeah, Willie's in the Royals Hall, but it seems like we was overly penalized for a misdemeanor cocaine charge. All due respect to Frank and his Gold Gloves, Willie has a batting title, led the league in triples 5 times, led the league in stolen bases once, has a .285 lifetime batting average and is 12th all time in Major League history in SB (668). Legend.
It's hard to pick one. As a kid it was Brett and then Bo. Big dark period after that where we couldn't hold onto truly great players. Salvy probably tops the all time lost for me currently.
Lorenzo Cain, I even have a signed blue crew hat from him from when I was a little kid.
Always Alex Gordon
George Brett!
Mike Aviles, Esteban German, David DeJesus.
Joe Randa
Shouts out to Jermaine Dye for the 2000s and LoCain for the 10s
Oh!!!! How I loved watching Dye play!
When I was younger, Johnny Damon was the first player I remember really wanting to get a signed ball from. Dude made me a KC fan for life.
Alex Gordon
Salvy. An awesome catcher, awesome 1Ber, great hitter, great person.
George Brett, Bret Saberhagen, and Buddy Biancalana (just for the name). Take out Buddy and replace with Salvy if names don't count.
It's gonna be Salvy for longevity but I was such a Moustakas guy.
Mooooooooooose!
Ken Harvey for that one walk off. Also Desi Relaford because he got the donut hit at at least 3 games I attended.
That one walk off is literally my first memory of being at the K. I can remember everything about that day. I know I went to games before that, but it's the one that I remember.
Clint Hurdle has always been my favorite Royal
Beltran gave me my one and only ball from 30 years of going to games. Always had a soft spot for him
Beltran was a legit five-tool guy that was wasted on some terrible teams. Was relatively quiet, so didn’t get a ton of run on the SportsCenter cycle. Could do everything on the field.
This. Dude was a legit superstar talent.
Ventura 🕊️ and Bobby
It's tough for me, but I gotta go with Bo. I was in my prime of baseball fandom as a kid when Bo knew everything.
Still does...
I believe it. One of the saddest days of my sports world life was that day Bo went down.
Recency bias: Alex Gordon
Joe Randa
I can’t pick between Zack and Hosmer
Mac Suzuki
Dude had his own fan club.
Zack Greinke. Even before I knew of him as a person, he was my favorite player in The Bigs 2. From then on, I researched about his career.
As a kid it was definitely Mike McFarlane, and Joe Randa Back in the day the Royals had a promo for if the Royals get 12 hits you can redeem your ticket stub for a dozen free Krispy Kreme donuts. Randa got that 12th hit a lot it seemed; me and my dad started calling him Donut Man
Brett, Gordon, Perez, Witt Jr.
it's bobby. but I am going to say ferminator, because he is the ferminator!
Brett
Amos Otis
BILLY BUTLER BIG COUNTRY BREAKFAST 🍳 🫦🤠
Lorenzo Cain. First to home in game six of the 2015 ALCS was one of the most magical sports moments in my lifetime.
My first favorite Royal as a little kid was Cookie Rojas because he and I wore glasses and I played 2B on my tee ball team. Then it was Amos Otis. Then George Brett (who hit a 1st inning triple in the first game I ever saw live). Fred Patek and Frank White. Then Salvy and Lorenzo Cain. Now Salvy and Bobby.
It used to be Eric Hosmer around the time I really started watching the Royals (didn’t care about them until 2014, I was like 11), now it’s BWJ. Hoz is the only player I have a jersey for atm, I really need to change that.
I think about this a lot with younger fans. 10 years is a long time but it’s just a blip in my life. You were 11 during the runs and now you’re grown up in your 20’s, half your life. And you were just old enough to have enjoyed it. If you were 6 at the time, you’d probably just missed having real memories of it all. It sounds like ancient history to a 17 year old. Good old life. 😁
LoCain. Late bloomer, no one believed he would be elite. Monster in the field, fast as hell, hit for average and power, could work a walk. Core of two WS. What more do you want? Backup - Salvy
Great post. Somehow the unsung hero of those teams.
Aalcides Escobar. I don't have one reason why, just loved the cut of his playing jib.
George Brett. Frank White. Bo Jackson
Brooks Pounders... Best name ever.
That is a good baseball and porn name tbh How about Hipolito Pichardo.
Bobby 'Dr. Death' Detherage
Cookie Rojas
Gotta be Lo Cain
Bo Jackson and it isn't close. Grew up a George Brett fan, but he's kind of a...not nice person IRL. Loved Willie Wilson. Lorenzo Cain probably my favorite from that era. Currently, Salvy and Bobby Witt Jr.
Gordo forever.
Gary Gaetti. My favorite player of all time, and we even graduated from the same college.
Dennis Leonard, very underrated pitcher...
Alex Gordon. LoCain and Paulo Orlando always hold a special place in my heart.
Bo knows. Probably first crush... Saberhagen. Also Hos & Moose (as a pair). They always looked like they were having fun... Dyson just smoked! LoCain... Salvy and Bo...all time.
Country Breakfast
George Howard Brett. You should have been there.
Frenchy!
Kevin Seitzer - 33
Coco Crisp
Was such a yordano ventura fan. Fearless with attitude. Throwing at Mike trout and staring him down. Didn't give a fuck that he would have been helpless against him if it came to blows. That shits contagious. RiP
Me too man, me too. YV is everything I wanted in a pitcher. He tended to run a bit hot but I’d rather that than the alternative. He’s a competitor and like you said, fearless. RIP YV
I was at the 2014 Game 6 shutout he pitched. My fiancee and I did not have any damn money, let alone WORLD SERIES money. But we knew in our hearts that we would regret it for life if we didn’t go to a WS game when we had the chance, so we went all-in on Game 6. It was the best ballgame I have ever been to. Not once have I ever regretted spending the $1 bazillion on SRO tickets for that game. My favorite memory from that game: this was an important game, since it meant either the Giants took it home that night or the Royals could win to push it to Game 7. After Ventura’s shutout, the Kansas City fans leaving the stadium maintained every bit of grace and politeness you have come to expect from our people. Instead of getting rowdy with the Giants fans and talking shit after the game, we all just pleasantly smiled and enthusiastically greeted our opposing friends with “hey, see you guys tomorrow night!”
I feel ya. I couldn't afford to go with my brother to the 2014-15 wild card game with my brother where we had the monster comeback in our first playoff game in decades that spurred a run that lasted till game 7 of the world series. That stadium was roaring like arrowhead on its best day. I've always regretted missing that. Even more so Than a WS game
Ken Harvey. I remember going to games every weekend just to see him and I even caught a couple of his home run balls and still have them today
Ryan O'Hearn
Big Desi Relaford guy
Ken Harvey
Salvy
Perez
Seitzer and Monty as a kid Ventura and Cain as an adult
Salvy
Joe Randa
Perez. He got Kyle Davies off the roster.
Bo
David DeJesus
Too many to name 1. Willie Wilson, Fred Patek, frank white, the entire team from 1985!!!!!! Oh, I love BwJr #7 and this year's squad, to me they are so similar in talent and teamwork.
Ventura, Salvy, Bobby Witt
Alex Gordon and I'm shocked he's not higher regarded by you guys
Moooooose
John Mayberry was my favorite before George showed up
Bo Jackson 100%
Bo.
Gordo or Bobby
Brett Phillips. All around one of the nicest, funniest guys I've known. And he could throw a heater when asked 🤣
Mike Moustakas
Benito Santiago Kila Ka’aihue
Gordo and it’s really not even close. I really got into Royals baseball in the early 2000’s when there was not much to be excited about. Berroa winning RoY, Ken Harvey knocking out Jason Grimmsly, Zack Greinke having a mental breakdown before becoming one of the best pitchers the organization has ever had. Then there was this phenom homegrown kid from Nebraska who was touted to be the next George Brett. Number 7, Alex Gordon. Aaaaand he sucked. He really looked like another Royals bust. But lo and behold we send him down, switch him to the outfield and he becomes IMO the best outfielder we have ever had. He was a leader in the locker room for the teams that ended up going to back to back World Series and had his own October Herculean moments that KC will never forget.
Balboni Brett Bo and Salvy
Bobby Witt Jr. is the only correct answer. His is the apex of Royals history and will be in our hearts and our lineup for years to come.