Kansas City Royals: Top Twenty Hitters In Team History

Nov 3, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) waves to the crowd at the World Series parade. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

11. Darrell Porter

Darrell Porter went to three straight All-Star games from 1978-80 after arriving in a trade from Milwaukee in 1977, mostly because he was one of the best hitting catchers in the game during his four years in Kansas City.

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His 1979 seasons is one of the great years for a position player in KC Royals history, which included an outstanding .291/.421/.485 triple slash with 23 doubles, 10 triples (from a catcher!), and 20 home runs, 112 RBI’s, and an astounding 121 walks. His OPS+ was a terrific 142 (42% better than league average) and his 7.6 WAR in ’79 has only been exceeded by one position player in team history: George Brett.

Along with his offensive prowess, Porter possessed a cannon arm and excellent defensive skills behind the plate.

Overall, Darrell Porter hit .271/.375/.435 with an .809 OPS, which was good for a 121 OPS+ (21% better than league average). Porter missed time during the 1980 season for drug rehab due to cocaine addiction. Though he played five more seasons in St. Louis, and two more in Texas, he never was really the same player.

Next: Big Willie