The Five Best Trades in Royals History

1973 Kansas City Royals Picture Pack Amos Otis

1. Joe Foy for Amos Otis (December 3, 1969)

Joe Foy produced a solid year during his only season with the Kansas City Royals, producing a .262/.354/.370 batting line with eleven home runs. He may have deserved to be the Royals first All-Star during that inaugural season, as Foy was easily one of the better players on the Royals that season. However, his greatest impact upon the Royals may have been his being the player that brought Amos Otis over from the New York Mets.

Otis had 67 mediocre games for the Mets before he was sent over to the Royals. Once in Kansas City, he blossomed into one of the catalysts of the Royals speed based offense of the 1970’s. In his 14 years in Kansas City, Otis produced a .280/.347/.433 batting line, hitting 193 home runs and stealing 340 bases, including a league leading 52 in 1971.

Amos Otis was a five time All-Star in Kansas City, including the first four seasons after he was acquired from the Mets. More than just an offensive weapon, Otis was also a three time Gold Glove winner, recognized for his excellent defense in center field. Possessing a strong arm, Otis still ranks 12th all time in double plays by a center fielder with 35.

Otis was one of the best players in Kansas City Royals history. To get him for a player who only appeared in 140 more games n his career was truly a great deal.