Kansas City Royals all-time top 50 players: No. 50 to No. 31

No. 44) David DeJesus, outfielder, 2003-10

After the Carlos Beltran trade, David DeJesus stepped into a full-time role with the Kansas City Royals. Many fans were hostile at first, voicing their displeasure with the direction of the team. Over time, though, DeJesus became a beloved player. He was a bright spot during the dark years.

DeJesus compiled nearly 1,000 hits as a Royal, and he had almost 1,500 in his career. One could describe him accurately as a role model. Although the team wasn’t successful, kids around Kansas City wanted to be like DeJesus. He never quit, was a team-oriented player and holds a ton of respect from the community. After the 2010 season, DeJesus was traded to Oakland and eventually bounced around the league, spending time with the Athletics, Cubs, Nationals, Rays and Angels.

No. 43) Al Fitzmorris, starting pitcher/relief pitcher, 1969-76

A member of the original 1969 Royals, Al Fitzmorris served an important part in team history. He posted a 3.46 ERA over his eight seasons with the club and helped transform the team into a force in the American League. Towards the back half of his tenure in Kansas City, Fitzmorris became a workhorse for the Kansas City Royals, averaging 220 innings pitched over his last three seasons. Unfortunately, Fitzmorris didn’t appear in the team’s first playoff run in 1976; yet, he remains a vital part of Royals history.