Kansas City Royals

1995-2001: The decline

In 1990, the Kansas City Royals lost their General Manager (John Schuerholz) and then in 1993 team owner Ewing Kauffman died. This left the Kansas City Royals without an owner. David Glass (Wal-Mart Executive) bought the team in 2000, but due to the lack of leadership between 93 and then, the company had lost some key players in salary dumps.

As attendance at the Kansas City Royal games declined and other salaries in Major League baseball rose, the Royals found it hard to keep their key players and traded them for prospects rather than try to pay them higher salaries. Some of the yonger plays they got in exchange of these key players proved to be of little or no value to the team and they continued their downward spiral. In 1999 and again in 2001, the team lost 97 games a .398 winning percentage

The Kansas City Royals had the opportunity in 1997 to switch to the National League as part of a plan to introduce the Diamonbacks (Arizona) and the Devil Rays (Tampa Bay) as expansion teams..

2002-2006: Rock bottom

2002 proved no better for the Kansas City Royals, they lost 100 games for the first time in franchise history. 2003 saw a temporary end to this downward spiral (manager Tony Pena guided them to a record of 93-79 for the first time since 1994) and they ended the season in 3rd place.

The team did well in the free agent market, but got off to a bad start and in June 2004 found themselves rebujlding their franchise. Unfortunately, they hit an all time low in 94, losing 104 games. They did however have two new rookies (David DeJesus center field) and Zack Greinke starting pitcher) who showed some promise.

With one of the smallest payrolls in the Major Leagues, the Royals eded the worst record in the 2005 season, 43 places games out of 1st place (56 wins 106 losses). This marked the worst ever record in the franchises history. During this season they also suffered a record 19 game losing streak including 3 blowout losses at home in August. Manager Tony Pena quit during this season and eventually Buddy Bell (Indian's bench coach) was chosen as the next manager.

Even though they managed to sign several veteran players for the 2006 season, they struggled through yet another 100 game loss season becoming the 11th team in Major League history to lose 100 games three seasons in a row. During the season they replaced Allard Baird with Dayton Moore as their new General Manager.

2006-present: "True. Blue. Tradition."

It seemed that finally in 2006 Kansas City became willing to open up their wallets and compete for key players. They signed Gil Meche (right hander) to a five year contract worth 55 million dollars. Relief pitcher Octavio Dotel also won a 5 million dollar contract (though only one year). The team added several new players and added some depth to their bullpens and their team of hitters.

It seemed that finally Dayton Moore was having some success getting the Royals' back to their once-rich history. The team ditched their sleeveless jerseys and revied their powder blue jerseys from years past. 2007 found the Royals seeking to end a 4 of 5 season 100 game losing streak.

June and July of 2007 allowed the Royals their first winning months since July of 2003. In August Buddy Bell announced his intention to resign at the end of the season. In September the Royals won their 63rd game insuring they would not lose 100 games in 2007. This ended their streak of 3 consecutive 100 game loses (or more) from 2004-2006.