Royals | narcissism

Opening Day Roster:

These days, despite their successes of 2014 and 2015, it may be hard to remember that for the ten seasons from 1976 through 1985, the Royals were one of the most dominant teams in baseball. In those 10 seasons, they won six division titles (plus a half-season win in 1981 and 3 second place finishes), 2 AL pennants, and a World Series. They won 90 or more games 6 times, and won 102 in 1977. Their farm system was one of the most productive in the game, and their entire operation was among the best in the majors. In 1977, they won their second consecutive AL West title, and they suffered yet another heartbreaking, five game ALCS loss to the Yankees. With the Angels and Rangers both improved heading into 1978, there were some wondering whether the Royals' window was closing.

They got out of the gate in 1978 faster than ever, winning 11 of their first 13 games. However, by the 3rd of July, they were 39-39 and in 4th place, but still within 2.5 games of the top. Then, on July 4, they began a run that saw them win 19 of 23, including 10 straight at one point, giving them a 4 game lead over California. They had a rough patch in August but cruised through September, winning the division by 5 games over the Angels and the Rangers. They met the Yankees again in the ALCS, and this time lost in just 4 games. Eventually, they'd have their revenge, sweeping the Yankees for their first pennant in 1980, and winning their first World Series in 1985.

In the minors, Dan Quisenberry was at Jacksonville, and 1985 World Series contributers Darryl Motley and Buddy Biancalana were at Fort Myers and the Gulf Coast League Royals, respectively.

Whitey Herzog was in his third full season at the helm, and his coaches included Steve Boros at 1st, Chuck Hiller at 3rd, Galen Cisco with the pitchers and Charlie Lau with the hitters.

Steve Busby, SP:

Between 1973 and 1975, Steve won 56 games and tossed 2 no-hitters. Then, a rotator cuff injury caused him to miss most of 1976 and all of 1977. The biggest question with KC pitching heading into 1978 was: will Busby be able to come back? He did well in spring training games, and won his first start of the season. He pitched poorly in his next 3 starts - he said he was throwing without pain, but that he just couldn't find his locations. On April 28, he was sent down to Omaha, where in 12 starts he went 3-7. He was called up in September, and saw action in three games - 2 in relief and one start. He was never able to regain his earlier form, and was out of baseball after 1980.

Dennis Leonard, SP:

One of the game's best starters between 1975 and 1980, Dennis won 120 games over that 6-year span, which included 3 20-win seasons. His first 20-win season was 1977, and he entered 1978 with high expectations. He split his first 6 decisions, and then lost 5 straight starts. He was up and down for most of the rest of the year, but from mid-August on he was 9-3, and he won his final 5 starts to help push Kansas City back into the ALCS. At the end of the year, he led the Royals with 21 wins, 183 strikeouts and 20 complete games. Like Busby, though, his career was eventually cut short by injury.

Doug Bird, RP:

1978 saw Doug in his 6th year as one of the most active members of the Kansas City bullpen. He threw 73.2 innings in relief, making 32 relief appearances as well as 6 spot-starts. He didn't have his most productive season in 1978 - he had a 6-6 record, the only time he hadn't finished above .500 since his rookie season of 1973, and his ERA of 5.29 was the highest by far of his 6-year career. On the plus side, Mungo (as he was nick-named by bullpen mate Steve Mingori) tied the knot on July 7.

Larry Gura, SP:

In Whitey Herzog's opinion, Gura was "a life saver" for the Royals in 1978. The versatile lefty could start and relieve, and spent most of the year in the rotation, relieving every so often during the first half. His record stood at 6-2 when the team was at its 39-39 ebb in early July, and by the end of the season, the self-described health nut was 16-4 with a team-best 2.72 ERA. On August 9, during one of the team's rough patches, he hurled a 4-hit shutout in Baltimore.

Paul Splittorff, SP:

Drafted by Kansas City in 1968, one year before the expansion Royals entered the league, Paul was a dependable arm for the Royals from then until his retirement following the 1984 season, during which time won 166 games. In 1978, he won his first 4 starts as K.C. got off to its best start ever. He lost his next 4 decisions, however, but still put together a 19-13 record.

Jim Colborn, RP:

Previously a starter (he authored a no-hitter in 1977) , Jim didn't have a good spring, and started the year in the pen. The 10-year veteran made 5 relief appearances and 3 starts (losing 2) before being traded to the Mariners on June 1 for Steve Braun.

Steve Mingori, RP:

Kansas City's lefty relief specialist during the latter half of the 1970s, Mingo got into 45 games in 1978 and rode his screwball to 7 saves and a very nice 2.74 ERA.

Marty Pattin, RP:

Marty made 27 relief appearances in 1978, to go along with 5 spot starts. He earned 4 saves and a record of 3-3 in 78.2 innings pitched. In one of his starts, on September 11, he threw a 4-hit complete game win against the A's.

Al Hrabosky, CL:

Al was acquired in December of 1977 from the Cardinals for Mark Littell and Buck Martinez. He had had a run in with St. Louis manager Vern Rapp about his long hair and moustache, but Whitey Herzog didn't seem to mind. "The Mad Hungarian", or "Hungo" as Mingori nick-named him, appeared in 58 games for the Royals in 1978, finishing 47, and earning 20 saves to go with an 8-7 record. He had an ERA of only 2.88, and struck out 60 against only 35 walks.

Darrell Porter, C:

One of the baseball's most durable backstops during the 1970s and early 1980s, and a "gamer" according to Herzog, Darrell was the Royals' starting catcher in 1978. He hit .265 and had 18 HRs to go with 78 RBI, all near carreer highs. He would go on to be the MVP of the 1982 World Series, playing for the Royals' cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals.

John Wathan, C:

In addition to being the Royals' back-up catcher, John also was their primary back-up/platoon first baseman behind first Clint Hurdle and then Pete LaCock. In 67 games, he hit .300 with 28 RBI. After suffering a dislocated shoulder in a play at first, he was on the DL from June 16 through July 7.

George Brett, IF:

At only 25, Brett had by 1978 already established himself as one of the premier players in the game. In his 5th of 13 consecutive seasons as the Royals' starting third baseman, he hit .294 with 62 RBI and a league-best 45 doubles. After suffering a slightly separated shoulder sliding into second, he was on the DL from May 9 (retro to the 5th) through May 19. Later, because of a chipped bone in his right thumb, he was out again from July 27 through August 14.

Clint Hurdle, IF:

Clint was a "can't-miss" young phenom when he made Kansas City's opening day roster in 1978. He tore it up in the Omaha outfield in 1977, but Whitey Herzog had a hard time fitting him in. He began the year platooning at first with Pete LaCock, but took over in right field at the end of June when Al Cowens went to the DL. When Cowens returned in late July, Clint was moved over to left for the remainder of the year. In 133 games, he hit .264 with 56 RBI and 7 HR. He was never able to live up to the hype which surrounded him in 1977 and 1978. He was out of Kansas City after 1981, and bounced around between the Mets, Cardinals and Reds until he was gone from the majors for good after 1987.

Fred Patek, IF:

Fred became Kansas City's starting shortstop in 1971, and didn't relinquesh that role until he left as a free agent for California after 1979. In 1978, he hit only .248, but stole 38 bases and drove in 46 runs. Like a number of his teammates, Fred was pestered by injuries throughout the year. He missed a total of 14 games over the course of the season because of a pulled left hamstring and a sore foot.

Pete LaCock, IF:

Pete started 1978 platooning for Clint Hurdle at first when a left-handed bat was needed. When Clint moved to right in June, the first base platoon was briefly LaCock and John Wathan. By mid-July, Pete had taken over the starting job on a full-time basis. He hit .295 and drove in 48 runs, each second best of his career.

Jerry Terrell, IF:

Signed as a free agent in November of 1977, Jerry provided speed off the bench and served as the Royals' all-purpose utility infielder in 1978 (he was also the team's emergency catcher, but never had to put on the gear). He appeared in 73 games across all 4 positions, primarily second and third. A chipped bone in his right foot kept him out of the final game of the season, for which it was planned to let him play each position during the course of the game.

U L Washington, IF:

The toothpick-chomping U L (the initials don't stand for anything) served mainly as a reserve shortstop and second baseman in 1978, his first full year in the majors. In limited action, he hit .264 and stole 12 bases. In late August and early September he was forced to miss a handful of games with a sprained left ankle. He stayed with Kansas City long enough to be the starting shortstop on their pennant-winning 1980 team.

Frank White, IF:

Frank was Kansas City's starting second baseman from 1975 through 1989, and during that time was one of his generation's finest at his position. In 1978, he hit .274 (near his career high), stole 13 bases and drove in 50 runs. A strained right shoulder forced him to sit for the first three weeks of August.

Al Cowens, OF:

From 1974 through 1979, Al was a fixture in right field for the Royals. In 1978, he got into 138 games, and had the 4th best fielding percentage among major league right fielders. At the plate, he hit .274 with 63 RBI and he stole 14 bases. Due to strained ligaments in his right knee, he was on the DL from June 29 through July 24.

Joe Lahoud, OF:

Joe entered 1978 as an all-purpose outfield and sometime DH reserve.

He got into 13 games, 12 of which as a pinch-hitter. On May 24, he pinch-hit for Fred Patek in the top of the 9th in Seattle and singled to begin a rally which produced a 6-5 Kansas City win. It wound up being the 11 year veteran's final major league appearance - he was released on June 1.

Hal McRae, OF:

1978 saw Hal in the middle of a fine run as one of the best DHs in baseball. He got off to slow start, his worst since arriving in Kansas City in 1973, and missed some games due to a right hamstring pull (ending his 263 games played streak, longest at the time in the A.L.). When all was said and done, however, he still made it into 153 games, hitting .273 with 16 HR and 72 RBI, all among the best on the team, and stealing 17 bases.

Tom Poquette, OF:

Tom began the year platooning in left with rookie Willie Wilson. When Joe Zdeb returned from Omaha at the beginning of June, the platoon became Poquette/Zdeb, as it had been for much of 1977. Finally, when Clint Hurdle took up residence there later in the year, Tom move to a traditional reserve role. In total, he saw action in 80 games, hitting just .216 with 4 HR and 30 RBI.

Amos Otis, OF:

Since he arrived from the Mets in 1970, Amos was one of the best center fielders of his generation. In 1978, he arrived at spring training before the other position players, in part to ensure he held off attempts by a rookie named Willie Wilson to take away his job (Amos said there was no way the team would give his job to Wilson - he'd have to take it from him). Wilson didn't take his job because, even though he missed some games with a hamstring pull, Otis led the majors in fielding at his position, and led the team with a .298 average, 22 HRs and 96 RBI. For good measure, he was third on the team with 32 stolen bases.

Willie Wilson, OF:

In his first full season, Willie began the year platooning in left with Tom Poquette. Later in the year, he moved into a purely reserve role, most often appearing as a late-inning defensive replacement in left. He made up for his .217 average by leading the team with 46 stolen bases. Willie woud be in Kansas City long enough to be the starting center fielder on their 1985 championship club.

Joe Zdeb, OF:

Joe began the year as a reserve outfielder. He was sent down to Omaha on May 19, but was recalled on June 1 when Joe Lahoud was released. He began platooning in left with Tom Poquette and remained in that role until being sent back to Omaha on August 17. He was recalled when rosters expanded in September. All in all, he hit .252 with 11 RBI and 3 stolen bases.

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In-Season Moves:

Rich Gale, SP:

Rich was summoned from Omaha when Steve Busby was sent down on April 29. He made his major league debut on April 30 against the Brewers, going 7 innings, scattering 6 hits and getting the win in Kansas City's 3-0 victory. In his third start, he took on the hot Red Sox and spun a 2-hit complete game shutout. He won his first 5 starts, was 11-3 by mid-July, and finished 14-8. His season was one of the finest ever by a Royals' rookie pitcher.

Andy Hassler, SP:

Andy suffered severe cuts to his throwing hand when closing a suitcase, and had to start the year on the DL. He was activated when George Brett went down on May 9. Between then and early July, he made 9 starts, compiling a 1-4 record to go with a 4.32 ERA. He was sold to the Red Sox on July 24.

Steve Braun, OF:

Steve came over from the Mariners in a trade for Jim Colborn on June 1. He saw some action as a DH and in the outfield, but was primarily used in pinch-hitting duties. In 64 games he hit .263.

Randy McGilberry, RP:

Randy was brought up from Omaha when Al Cowens was placed on the DL on June 29. He made 18 relief appearances, including his final major league action on October 1, when he threw a perfect inning in Kansas City's 1-0 win over the Twins.

Art Kusnyer, C:

A veteran of Milwaukee and California (where he caught a Nolan Ryan no-hitter), Art was brought up from Omaha on June 16 when John Wathan went on the DL. Kansas City could have summoned Jim Gaudet, but they didn't want to rush the youngster. Art got into 5 games, and managed hit a HR off Frank Tanana in the Royals' 4-0 win on the 26th. He was sent back down when Wathan was activated again on July 7. He was recalled in September, and saw his final major league action on October 1 when he drove in the only run in Kansas City's 1-0 win over the Twins.

Randy Bass, IF:

Randy came up from Omaha to take George Brett's place when Brett went to the DL for the second time on July 27. He made two pinch-hitting appearances, without success, before being sent back to Omaha when Jamie Quirk was acquired from Milwaukee on August 3.

Jamie Quirk, IF:

Jamie was acquired from Milwaukee for a minor leaguer on August 3. He immediately started playing every day at third for the injured George Brett. Quirk himself had to go on the DL due to a sore back on August 14, the same day Brett returned to the line-up. He was activated on September 1 and was used as an infield reserve and pinch-hitter the rest of the way.

Steve Foucault, RP:

Steve was claimed off waivers from Detroit on August 17. The veteran closer made three ineffective appearances in relief, including his final major league appearance on August 29 against the White Sox, before being released on September 5.

Luis Silverio, OF:

Luis was called up in September and saw his first major league action on the 9th, pinch-running at California. He got into a total of 8 games, in the outfield and at DH, including his final major league appearance on September 30 in which he hit a single against the Twins. In all, he had 6 hits in 11 at-bats, and drove in 3 runs.

Jim Gaudet, C:

Called up in September, Jim made his major league debut as a late-inning replacement for Darrell Porter on the 10th in California. He got into 2 other games as the starting catcher before the season was over. He would see brief action again in 1979, but that'd be it for his career.

Dave Cripe, IF:

A September call-up, Dave made his major league debut on the 10th, getting a hit and an RBI in California. He ultimately made it into 7 games, 5 at third. There wasn't much hope for a young third baseman in the Royals' system at that time, and Dave's final major league appearance came on October 1 as a defensive replacement for George Brett against the Twins.

Bill Paschall, RP:

Bill was a September call-up and made his major league debut throwing 7 innings in relief of Rich Gale against the Brewers on the 20th. He gave up three runs, and wound up taking the loss. He made it into one more game before the season ended, and would appear again in brief auditions in 1979 and 1981.

George Throop, RP:

Used to late-season call ups, George's only appearance in 1978 came in relief of Larry Gura on October 1 against the Twins. He threw one inning, and managed to come away with the win. He saw brief action with Kansas City and with Houston in 1979, and was done with major league ball.