Royals All Time All-Star Team – Part Two

Later tonight, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played as the American League and National League vie for home field advantage in the World Series. For fans of teams such as the Royals, who have playoff aspirations, the game becomes a bit more interesting.

Tonight, the Kansas City Royals will be well represented, even if Alex Gordon will miss the game due to his wrist injury. Salvador Perez will start the game behind the plate for the American league, and will hopefully get a chance to display his cannon of an arm to throw out someone on the National League side. If the game is close late, there is a good chance that Greg Holland will come in to either protect the lead or keep the American League close.

While we know what the American League All-Star Team looks like, what would a team comprised of the all time Kansas City Royals All-Stars look like? That is a question that we have begun to answer, as we looked at catcher and went around the infield yesterday. Today, we will look around the outfield and select the Royals starting pitcher and closer.

courtesy of Pintrest.com

Outfield: Amos Otis (5)

Leading the way amongst Royals outfielders, we find Amos Otis. Stolen from the New York Mets on December 3, 1969 for Joe Foy, Otis became a mainstay in the Royals outfield for the next fourteen years. Foy, meanwhile, played 99 games for the Mets in 1970 and another 41 games for the Washington Senators before ending his time in the major leagues.

During his time in Kansas City, Otis was another solid power/speed player. He produced a .280/.347/.433 batting line with 193 home runs and 340 stolen bases. Otis lead the American League in doubles twice and in stolen bases once, as he swiped 52 bags in 1971. His offensive contributions led to Otis appearing in the top ten of the MVP balloting on four occasions, finishing as high as third on the ballot in 1973.

However, Amos Otis was more than just a solid hitter for the Royals. Otis was also one of the best defensively in center during the 1970’s as well, winning three Gold Glove awards from 1971 through 1974. Throughout his career, Otis consistently ranked amongst the league leaders in outfield assists from center, range factor and fielding percentage. His 118 assists as a center fielder ranks 19th all time, and his 31 double plays as a center fielder is twelfth best.

One of the top players during the Royals impressive run from the middle of the 1970’s, Otis was one of the better outfielders in the game. he certainly has a case, and the All-Star appearances, to say that he was the best outfielder the Royals have had.

courtesy of BostonGlobe.com

Outfield: Hal McRae (3)

Most younger fans, if they remember Hal McRae at all, probably recall his time as manager of the Kansas City Royals. He was the manager just before the bottom fell out, guiding the Royals to their final winning season before 2003. He also produced one of the better managerial rants, going off on a reporter in a postgame question and answer session.

Before going on his All-Star worthy tirade, McRae was an All-Star ballplayer during the during the mid 1970’s through the early part of the 1980’s. Acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in yet another heist for the Royals front office, McRae became a solid left fielder for the Royals. In his fifteen years in Kansas City, posting a .293/.356/.458 slash line with 169 home runs and 105 stolen bases.

Hal McRae was another member of the Royals who came close to snaring an MVP award without getting it. Twice, in 1976 and in 1982, McRae finished fourth in the balloting. That 1982 season was perhaps the best of his career, as McRae posted a .308/.369/.542 batting line with 27 home runs, leading the American League in doubles and RBIs while winning his only Silver Slugger award.

McRae had a solid career with the Royals, and stuck around as a coach, and later manager, afterwards. His production makes him a worthy player on this list.

courtesy of RoyalsReview.com

Outfield: Willie Wilson (2)

Wilson is tied with Alex Gordon with two All-Star nods, but with Gordon unable to play this year, the tiebreaker goes to the Royals former speedster. In fact, it could be argued that Wilson deserved more than the two appearances he had as an All-Star, as he did not get named to the squad in 1980 despite a .326/.357/.421 batting line while stealing 79 bases and leading the American League in hits (230), runs (133) and triples (15).

In his fifteen seasons in Kansas City, Willie Wilson produced a .289/.329/.382 batting line, which was not overly spectacular. However, as the catalyst of the Royals offense during their peak, Wilson epitomized their speed and gap hitting approach. To that effect, Wilson was far more valuable for his 612 stolen bases and his 1060 runs scored than for anything else he could contribute.

That is not to say that Wilson was a one dimensional speedster. That speed allowed Wilson to amass 241 doubles and 133 triples with the Royals, while playing above average defense in left and center. His quickness not only allowed Wilson to win a Gold Glove award in 1980, but helped him earn two Silver Slugger awards, despite hitting a total of six home runs in those seasons.

With Alex Gordon having cemented himself as one of the better all around outfielders in baseball, Wilson may not be long for this list. But for now, the catalyst for the great teams of the 1970’s and 80’s deserves his spot.

courtesy of thecaymanclassic.com

Starting Pitcher: Bret Saberhagen (2)

To be fair, one could build an entire starting rotation from the Royals starters that made two All-Star Games, and it would be quite impressive. Along with Saberhagen, Steve Busby, Mark Gubicza and Jose Rosado also got named to the Mid-Summer Classic twice. However, given Saberhagen’s performance to clinch the World Series in 1985, he gets the nod.

Despite the bizarre even numbered year/odd numbered yet splits, Bret Saberhagen was one of the best pitchers in Kansas City Royals history. Along with his two All-Star appearances, Saberhagen won two Cy Young awards; oddly, in seasons that he did not make the All-Star game. Had he made the game in those years, there would be no question who would be the Royals selection.

In his time in Kansas City, Saberhagen was one of the better pitchers in the game. From 1984 through 1991, Saberhagen went 110-78 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.134 WHiP. A master of control even then, Saberhagen walked only 1.9 batters per nine innings while striking out just under six batters per nine. In Saberhagen’s best season, 1989, he went 23-6 with a 2.16 ERA and a 0.961 WHiP, leading the American League in all three categories as he won the Cy Young, a Gold Glove award and finished eighth in the MVP vote. Yet, he was not an All-Star.

A case could be made that Bret Saberhagen was the best starter in the history of the Royals. He certainly dominated the league from the middle to the end of the 1980’s.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Much like the Royals of today, there are obvious weaknesses and strengths to this roster. The major weakness would be a lack of a true power hitter, as none of the players in the lineup were truly threats to hit the ball a mile. However, that does not mean that the Royals offense would be anemic. In fact, this roster would likely be able to put together the type of production that the Royals front office was hoping for this year.

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The pitching staff, in both the starting rotation and the bullpen, would appear to be strong. The Royals would have a stellar front four, and with either Quisenberry or Montgomery to close out games, protecting a lead would seemingly be as close to a sure thing as possible. Add in a stellar defense, and the Royals would certainly have a solid team.

Comprised mostly of player from the height of the Royals success in the 1970’s and 1980’s, this team may not be able to defeat the all time All-Star teams from every other franchise, but they could certainly hold their own against most teams. With an influx of younger players, and some possible additions over the next few years as the Royals young stars are coming into their own, the complexion of this squad could well change.

We hope you enjoyed this look at what an All Time Royals All-Star Team would look like. Here’s hoping that the Royals can go on another second half run, and we can be talking about all time Royals playoff performances come October.