Kansas City Royals: Top Twenty Hitters In Team History

Nov 3, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals fans cheer at the World Series parade. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

4. John Mayberry

First baseman John Mayberry was the first true slugger in Kansas City Royals history. Acquired in trade from the Houston Astros in 1972 by GM Cedric Tallis, Mayberry became the team’s cleanup hitter.

The then 23-year-old Mayberry paid immediate dividends, slashing .298/.394/.507 with 25 home runs and 100 RBI’s in the KC Royals’ final season in Municipal Stadium. John Mayberry’s best Kansas City Royals season came in 1975 at age 26 when he hit .291/.416/.547 with a then franchise record 34 home runs, 106 RBIs, and 119 walks. Mayberry finished second in AL MVP voting behind Boston rookie Fred Lynn.

Overall, Mayberry spent six seasons in Kansas City from 1972-77. He slashed .261/.374/.448 with 143 home runs and on OPS+ 132 (32% better than league average) and two All-Star nods. He finished his career with five years in Toronto, followed by a partial season with the Yankees.

The numbers don’t tell the true impact of John Mayberry. He was the first Kansas City Royals hitters that teams truly feared.

Next: He Taught The 70's Royals How To Play The Game