5 in 50- The Kansas City Royals

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Kansas City Royals. This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Royals in the last 50 years. The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Royals players in the last 50 years.

5. Frank White (1973-1990)- 8-time gold glove award winner. 1980 ALCS MVP. 1985 World Series Champion.

4. Willie Wilson (1976-1990)- 1982 AL batting champion. AL stolen base leader in 1979. 4-time triples leader. 1985 World Series Champion.

3. Salvador Perez (2011-2021)- 5-time gold glove winner. 2015 World Series Champion (and World Series MVP).       

2. Bret Saberhagen (1994-1991)- 2-time AL Cy Young award winning. 1985 World Series Champion (and World Series MVP).

1. George Brett (1973-1993)- 3-time AL batting champion (including hitting .390 in 1980). MVP in 1980. ALCS MVP and World Series Champion in 1985.

Honorable mention to Hal McRae, Zack Greinke, Dan Quisenberry, Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain, Carlos Beltran.

Notes. The last 2 (#4, and 5) were very challenging to select. Lots of similar players. Some All-Star players were left off since they did not have enough time as a Royal (i.e., Greinke and Beltran). Others just missed. White and Wilson deserved to be on this list. White was a terrific fielder who was a key member of every Royals playoff team from 1976 through 1985. Wilson dominated on the base paths. Once led the league with 83 stolen base and in another season led the league with 21 triples. The top 3 players on the list are no-brainers. Perez, Saberhagen and Brett are the 3 best players in Royals history. Their numbers speak for themselves.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Minnesota Twins.