The
Uniforms of the Kansas City Royals!
Titled “A Way
Of Life” and licensed by Major League Baseball,
we present the uniforms history of the Kansas City Royals.
Please note the print visuals shown here on our website simply
cannot do justice to the meticulous detail of the actual print. In addition, the year each uniform was first
introduced is inscribed underneath. Please also note the uniforms print you
receive may have been updated with additional uniforms than what is shown on
the print displayed above.
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Framed Version 1
Framed with our classy multi-grooved black frame and matted in
black with a white accent mat, this is one striking artpiece. Measuring 12 ˝ inches by 22 ˝ inches with
glass covering, it comes fully assembled and ready to hang or lean. The cost is a welcoming $49 each and there is a one-time $6 discount shipping cost regardless of how many items
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depicts the St. Louis Cardinals:
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Framed Version 2
Framed with a gold metal frame, this is our “thrills but no frills” version.
Measuring 5 ˝ inches by 15 ˝ inches with a glass covering, it comes
fully assembled and ready to hang, lean or lay flat. The cost is a welcoming $29 each and there is a one-time $6 discount shipping cost regardless of how many items
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depicts the Chicago Bears:
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City Royals Framed Version 2 “A Way Of Life” at AMAZON.COM
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Framed Version 3
This is our
Personalized version. Framed with our
multi-grooved black frame with a black mat, there is an opening in the mat to
add your photo. It measures 12 ˝ inches
x 27 inches with glass cover—and we make it easy to add your photo to this
fully assembled, ready-to-hang-or-lean artpiece. The cost is only $79
each and there is a one-time $6 discount
shipping cost regardless of how many items you order!
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example of the framed Personalized version, which depicts the New York Giants:
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City Royals Framed Version 3 “A Way Of Life” at AMAZON.COM
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Here then is the history of the Royals’ Uniforms …
#1.
1969 The Kansas City Royals joined the American League as an expansion
team in 1969 along with the Seattle Pilots, thus increasing the AL from 10 to
12 teams. The Royals began playing at Municipal Stadium, the former home of the
Kansas City Athletics, who moved to Oakland for the 1968 season after being in
KC since 1955. Thus with the introduction of the Royals in 1969, Kansas City
went only one year without a major league team since 1955.
1969 was a first for MLB – it
marked the introduction of “Divisions” and an extra round of playoffs that saw
the AL and NL Division winners square off for the right to advance to the World
Series – prior to 1969 there was simply an AL and NL Champ, and they would meet
each other in the World Series.
The Royals’ first season saw them
go 69-93 to finish fourth in the brand new six-team AL West – ahead of the
White Sox and the lowly Seattle Pilots.
The Royals’ road uniform shown
here is gray in color with the word “Kansas City” spelled out in blue letters
across the chest. “Kansas City” also has a “swoosh” underlining it. The
“swoosh” was introduced to baseball by the 1932 Cubs, and has been worn by many
teams since then. Note also the blue piping around the collar, sleeves and down
the pants.
The commemorative patch on the
left sleeve is in honor of the 100th year of professional baseball,
and was worn by all major league teams in 1969. The patch has the Major League Baseball
logo and “100” on it, and celebrates the Cincinnati Red Stockings 1869 team
that was the first openly professional team and went 65-0 in a nationwide
barnstorming season.
#2.
1971 Note how similar this 1971 home uniform is to the 2001 home uniform.
For 1971 the Royals added a new logo to the left sleeve, a logo that is still
the same today. The patch, circular in shape, feature a blue home plate with a
white ”R” in the middle of it and “KC” in top right corner in gold. Above the
plate is a gold crown indicating “royalty”.
The 1971 Royals finish second in the AL West with a record of 85-76, a
remarkable achievement for a team in only their third season of existence.
Building the team on speed, they led the league in stolen bases with 130, 47
more than the 2nd place Chicago White Sox. Center fielder Amos Otis
finished atop the league with 52 steals, while teammate shortstop Freddie Patek
was right behind him with 49.
Two years after this (in 1973) the Royals would move into a brand new home,
Royals Stadium. From left center to right center there are no seats, giving the
Stadium a tremendous open feeling. In its place would be grassy areas, a crown
shaped scoreboard and a 322-foot-wide waterfall and fountain. Royals Stadium
was also host to the 1973 All Star game.
#3.
1976 As we see on this 1976 road uniform, the Royals have adopted a new,
all-blue look. This design actually started in ’73. The letters on the front
have also changed to block capital letters as opposed to the earlier flowing
script. This road jersey is of a double-knit style that most major league teams
succumbed to during the 70’s and early 80’s. It was a pullover style, made of
stretchy, synthetic material. The pants were called “Sans-a-Belt”’s because the
elasticized waistline eliminated the need for a belt. The 1970 Pirates were the
first double-knit - sans-a-belt team, and the Cards and Astros joined them in
1971. By 1975 two thirds of major league teams had joined the double-knit
parade.
1976 was a banner year for the
Royals and they finished atop the AL West in manager Whitey Herzog’s first full
season. The team’s record was a tidy 90-72. George Brett led the team on the
field with a league leading .333 batting average.
In their first post-season
appearance, the Royals faced the Yankees and promptly fell behind two games to
one in the best-of-five affair. The Royals came back to win game 4 to force a
fifth and deciding game, to be played in New York. Down 6-3 going into the 8th,
the Royals scored three runs to tie it at six. Unfortunately for the Royals,
Yankee first baseman Chris Chambliss clobbered a home run in the bottom of the
9th to lead the Yanks to the World Series. Picking up where he left
off, George Brett had a great series - batting .444 with a homer, a double, a
triple and 5 RBI. But it wasn’t enough and the Royals had to watch the Yankees
advance to the World Series for the 30th? Time.
And worse yet, the Royals would
face the Yankees in the post-season again in 1977 and 1978, and they lost both
of those series as well (in ’77 they lost 3 games to 2, while in 1978 they fell
3-1).
#4.
1980 This 1980 home jersey is of a double-knit style that most major
league teams succumbed to during the 70’s and early 80’s. It was a pullover
style, made of stretchy, synthetic material. The pants were called
“Sans-a-Belt”’s because the elasticized waistline eliminated the need for a
belt. The 1970 Pirates were the first double-knit - sans-a-belt team, and the
Cards and Astros joined them in 1971. By 1975 two thirds of major league teams
had joined the double-knit parade.
After losing the AL Championship
Series three years in a row from ’76 to ’78 to the Yankees, (in ’76 and ’77
they lost 3-2 and in ’78 lost 3-1) they took a year off from the post season
but were back at in 1980.
Once again they faced the Yanks,
but this time the Royals prevailed. The Royals claimed their first pennant in
three straight games, outscoring the Yanks 14-6 in the three games.
In their first fall classic, they
took on the Philadelphia Phillies who were also in the hunt for their first
championship in their 100 year+ existence – someone was going to win the World
Series for the first time in franchise history.
Philly took the first two games at
home, but it was a different story when the Royals came home. Game 3 ended in
the 10th inning with the Royals winning 4-3, and they evened the
series the next day winning 5-3.
Game 5 was also in Kansas City,
and the Royals led 3-2 going into the top of the ninth, but for the second time
in the series the Phillies got to Royals stopped Dan Quisenberry, scoring 2
runs in the process for a 4-3 win. Game 6 was in Philly and the Royals loaded
the bases twice, but Phillies’ reliever Tug McGraw shut them down both times.
The game ended 4-1 for the Phils, and the Phillies won their first World Series
ever.
But we can’t leave the 1980 season without tipping our cap to the Royals’
George Brett. During the regular season Brett flirted with the coveted .400
mark, but by season’s end he had to settle for a .390 average, the batting
title and the league MVP award. Brett dropped below .400 on September 6th,
but gave baseball fans across America a wild ride right up to the last week of
the season. Then in the ALCS against the Yankees, Brett hit .273 with 2 homers
and 4 RBI. In the World Series he hit .375 with 1 home run and 3 RBI. A
remarkable year for a remarkable player.
#5A. & #5B.
1985 Both these home and road uniforms show the team has thankfully left
the double-knit jersey and “Sans-a-Belt” pants behind (this was abandoned in
1983). Buttons-down-the-front are back and note also the fact that numbers are
on the front of the jersey (this was introduced by the Royals for the 1st
time in ’83). Uniform numbers first made their appearance on the front of a
uniform in 1952 - the Brooklyn Dodgers were the first team to wear uniform
numbers on the front of their jersey. The Braves followed suit in 1953, and the
Reds joined in beginning in 1956. The 1916 Cleveland Indians actually wore a
uniform number on their sleeve, but it wasn’t until the ’52 Dodgers that the
number made it to the front.
The Royals finished the 1985 season with a 91-71 record to claim their second
straight AL West division title (the Royals lost to the Tigers in three
straight games in the 1984 ALCS). In the ALCS Royals faced the upstart Toronto
Blue Jays for the pennant in a best-of-seven affair.
The Royals lost the first two
games in Toronto then came back in KC to win game three with George Brett going
four-for-four at the plate, with four runs and 3 RBI. They would fall the next
day to go down 3 games to 1, almost an insurmountable lead for the Jays. The
key word here is “Almost”! The Royals shut out the Blue Birds 2-0 in game five
in Kansas City, and then had to travel back to Toronto for games 6 and 7. The
Royals tied the series with a win in game six, thus forcing a seventh and
deciding game in Toronto. In game 7 the Royals left no doubt - the Royals led
all the way and beat the Jays 6-2 for their second pennant (the first being in
1980).
In the “All-Missouri” World Series, the Royals took on the speedy St. Louis
Cardinals, who led the Major Leagues in stolen bases this season with 314,
compared to the Royals’ 128.
The Cards jumped out to a 2-0 lead
in the series winning both games in Kansas City. The Royals won game three 6-1
behind the strong pitching of Brett Saberhagen. The next day they would find
themselves in a hole once again as they lost game four 3-0 to fall behind 3
games to 1. Could lightning strike twice in the same post season?
Sure enough, the Royals took game
five 6-1 in St. Louis and headed home to try to finish the job. Game Six
provided a lot of drama that Cardinals fans can never forget. With the Cards
leading 1-0 going into the bottom of the ninth, there is a disputed play at first,
followed by a passed by and an intentional walk. That set the stage for Dane
Iorg’s dramatic two run pinch single in the bottom of the ninth and the series
was tied 3-3.
On to Game 7 – potentially the
most dramatic game in all of baseball.
Saberhagen once again took the
mound for the deciding game and this time pitched a five hit gem. But forget
the drama – Saberhagen and the Royals left no doubt in anyone’s mind as they
took their first World Series Championship on the strength of an 11-0 blowout.
Saberhagen was named the Series MVP with his two wins and miniscule 0.50 ERA.
He capped off a remarkable year by being named the team’s first Cy Young award
winner. The hitting stars were George Brett, who went 10 for 27 for a .370
average, Willie Wilson who hit .367 and Lonnie Smith who hit .333.
#6.
1992 As we see on this road uniform the Royals have made some slight
alterations to their jersey since 1985. The team name and the numbers on the
front of the jersey now have a white border. The trim around the sleeves is
much thinner and there is no trim/piping at all around the collar. They have
also gone back to the gray road jersey as opposed to the all-blue style that
began in 1973. The patch on the right sleeve with the initials “JRB” are in memory
of the Royals’ President and General Manager Joe Burke, who passed away this
year.
Although this season was a sub-par year for the team – they finished sixth in
the AL West with a 72-90 record - Kansas City fans did have something to cheer
about. On September 30th 1992 George Brett collected his 3000th
hit to join the elite 3000 hit club. He would go on to play one more season,
eventually finishing with a remarkable 3154 hits.
#7.
1993 On this home uniform the team made an addition to their logo on the
left sleeve patch. The addition of the letters “EMK” above the crown paid
respects to the Royals’ owner Ewing Marion Kauffman who passed away this
season. The next season the team would rename Royals Stadium “Kauffman Stadium”
in his honor. On the right sleeve is a patch celebrating the team’s 25th
anniversary (1969-1993).
The Royals finished a respectable third in the AL West this season with a
record of 84-78, but more importantly they said goodbye to future Hall of Famer
George Brett. Brett played 21 years in the majors, all with the Royals,
finishing with a career batting average of .305 and 3154 hits, placing him14th
on the all time hit list. Always a fan favorite known for his modest ways and
competitive spirit, The people of Kansas City and George Brett enjoyed a 21
year affair.
#8A. & #8B.
1995 This wonderful and unique red jersey is a throwback jersey that the
Royals wore several times in1995 in honor of the Kansas City Monarchs who
played in the Negro League in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. This jersey is one of
the most unique ones we’ve seen. The base color is white with red and blue
trim. The patch on the left sleeve is a blue heart with a white and red “KC” in
it. The patch on the right sleeve commemorates the 75th anniversary
of the founding of Negro League.
This throwback jersey is also
referred to as a “3rd jersey”. The 3rd jersey is a
concept that became commonplace by the mid 90’s. Most 3rd jerseys
are worn occasionally at home as well as on the road, giving a team a third
option as to what uniform to wear. And of course, the addition of a third
jersey adds to the options fans can buy, thereby increasing apparel revenues
and ultimately benefiting the team. More recently, teams have begun adding 4th
and even 5th jerseys to their roster of uniform possibilities.
The second uniform shown in the Royals’ 1995 road jersey. They have gone back
to the traditional “KANSAS CITY” on the front, a style they haven’t worn since
1982. The letters “MIK” on the right sleeve are in memory of owner Muriel Irene
Kauffman who passed away this season. In 1993 the Royals wore the letters “EMK”
on the left sleeve to pay respect to her husband and then Royals owner Ewing
Marion Kauffman. As noted earlier, in 1993 the team renamed Royals Stadium
“Kauffman Stadium” in his honor.
The 1995 Royals finished in second place in the 4 team AL Central with a record
of 70-74, 30 games behind the remarkable and un-catchable Cleveland Indians.
The standout players for the 1995 Royals were Wally Joyner
who hit .310 with 83 RBI, and Gary Gaetti who hit .261 with 35 homers and 96 RBI.
#9.
1998 This is a 3rd uniform. Note that this jersey is now a
darker blue than what we have seen in the past – it’s now more of a royal blue.
The 3rd jersey is a concept that became commonplace by the mid 90’s.
Most 3rd jerseys are worn occasionally at home as well as on the
road, giving a team a third option as to what uniform to wear. And of course,
the addition of a third jersey adds to the options fans can buy, thereby
increasing apparel revenues and ultimately benefiting the team. More recently,
teams have begun adding 4th and even 5th jerseys to their
roster of uniform possibilities.
Although the Royals were a below .500 team in ’98 (they finished with a 72-89
record for third place in the 5 team AL Central), they welcomed three young
stars who gave fans a taste of things to come - Mike Sweeney, Jermaine Dye and
Carlos Beltran.
#10.
1999 This is a very simple blue jersey with a white “KC” on the front.
This is a “throwback” style jersey, but unlike most throwbacks worn by other
teams, it doesn’t actually represent a jersey previously worn by the Royals,
rather it is patterned after what the Major League Royals might have worn had
the team been in existence in the 20’s or 30’s. This is an elegant jersey and a
wonderful addition to the Royals’ uniform.
Former Royal George Brett was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame
this season, but on the field the team didn’t fair too well. The ’99 Royals
finished with a 64-97 record, ending up fourth in the AL Central, 32˝ games out
of first. At seasons’ end Royals outfielder Carlos Beltran was named the AL
Rookie of the Year, finishing the season with 22 homer runs, 108 RBI and a .293
batting average.
Two other young Royals came into
their own as well – how are these for numbers: Mike Sweeney - 22 home runs; 102
RBI; .322 BA, and Jermaine Dye - 27 home runs; 119 RBI; .294 BA.
#11.
2001 The home uniform we show here is the traditional Royals look that
has stayed remarkably consistent since the team began – see the 1971 uniform
pictured earlier. The patch on the right sleeve is for the celebration of the
American League’s 100th Season Anniversary. Every AL team wore this
patch, with the 4 “charter members” of the AL wearing a slight variation that
acknowledged their being Charter Members of the American League in 1901 (these
four were the Red Sox, the White Sox, the Indians and the Tiger).
The Royals finished the 2001 season in the AL Central basement with a 65-97
record, 26 games behind the Cleveland Indians. Mike Sweeney and Carlos Beltran
led the Royals at the plate, with Sweeney hitting .304, 29 homers and 99 RBI,
and Beltran hitting .306 with 24 homers and 101 RBI.
***************************************
The Kansas City Royals: “A Way Of
Life”
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