Kansas City Royals all-time top 50 players: No. 10 to No. 1

The Kansas City Royals have had plenty of outstanding players during their history. Now, our three-part countdown of the best 50 reaches the top 10.

A total of 858 Major League players have worn the Kansas City Royals uniform. With the franchise getting set to celebrate its 50th season, we have counted down the top 50 players in Royals history from 50 to 11. Now, we have reached the top 10. These are the best players ever to have played for the franchise.

To see part one of this countdown, which counted from 50-31, click here.

To see part two of this countdown, which counted from 30-11, click here.

No. 10) Alex Gordon, third baseman/outfielder, 2007-present

After four seasons and 329 games at third base, Alex Gordon made the transition to the outfield full-time for the 2011 season. He won his first Gold Glove that year. Gordon won it again in each of the next three seasons, earning the Platinum Glove for best overall defensive player in 2014. He then won his fifth Gold Glove in 2017 after playing his 1,000th game in the outfield in a Royals uniform.

A three-time All-Star, Gordon has had three 6-WAR seasons, including the 2012 campaign in which he led the American League with 51 doubles. Kansas City Royals fans of recent ilk won’t forget arguably his most important contribution to date: his game-tying, ninth-inning home run in Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, which the Royals won 5-4 in extra innings.

No. 9) Dan Quisenberry, relief pitcher, 1979-88

When No. 29 ran onto the field at Royals Stadium, you knew it was game over.

The all-time Kansas City Royals leader in ERA, Dan Quisenberry closed down 238 Royals games during his 10 seasons, second only to Jeff Montgomery. He did so with tremendous control of his pitches, walking only 1.3 hitters per nine innings, by far the best mark in Kansas City Royals history. Quisenberry led the American League in saves five times. He placed second in the Cy Young Award voting in both 1983 and 1984.

Quisenberry finished each of the six games that were played in the 1980 World Series, earning one save, one win and two losses. He also made postseason appearances for the Kansas City Royals in 1981, 1984 and 1985.

No. 8) Salvador Perez, catcher, 2011-present

Salvador Perez made his major league debut on Aug. 10, 2011, at the young age of 21. In that game, he picked off two base-runners — one each at first base and third base — and recorded seven straight putouts defensively. Oh, and he got his first hit in that game, too.

Since that date, Perez has been a fan favorite for his unrelenting effort and leadership skills. A five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Perez was the MVP of the 2015 World Series. He earned it by hitting .364 with two RBI while catching nearly every inning behind the plate. His single to begin the 12th inning of Game 5 sparked the series-winning rally.

No. 5) Willie Wilson, outfielder, 1976-90

When No. 6 was on base, you better be watching, because Willie Wilson had the perpetual green light and he wasn’t afraid to use it.

The Kansas City Royals’ all-time stolen base leader would run at will, instilling fear in pitchers and distracting them from hitters, leading to positive effects up and down the lineup. The 1974 first-round pick stole more than 40 bases six times, including an American League-leading 83 bases in 1979. A leadoff hitter for most of his career, Wilson set the table for some of the most prolific hitters in franchise history, hitting over .300 five times and winning the 1982 batting title. He was equally valued for his glove, winning the 1980 Gold Glove award and completing the entire 1990 season with zero errors.

No. 4) Frank White, second baseman/shortstop, 1973-90

Frank White has Kansas City baseball in his blood — 2,324 career games, all in Royal blue.

He came up to the majors via the Kansas City Royals baseball academy, a complement to the organization’s farm system that developed players for the team. White became a model of consistency throughout his career, winning eight Gold Gloves up the middle — including six in a row. He made five American League All-Star teams. He also accrued over 2,000 hits as a Royal. His No. 20 is, of course, one of only three retired by the franchise.

White’s number of post-career activities has been just as remarkable as his playing career. He was a Royals coach for five years, did color commentary for Royals TV broadcasts and is now the Jackson County Executive. White is still active in baseball today, coaching first base for the independent-league Kansas City T-Bones.

No. 3) Amos Otis, outfielder, 1970-83

Just like in 2015, the Mets’ loss was the Royals’ gain when it came to Amos Otis.

According to Rob Neyer in his book, “The Big Book of Baseball Blunders,” after many clashes with Mets manager Gil Hodges, Otis was dumped to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for a low-level prospect. Not a bad trade to land one of the best outfielders in franchise history. All Otis did after that was play 14 seasons in center field, hitting .277/.343/.425 and stealing 341 bases, including 52 in 1971 to lead the American League. He was a five-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner in center field, receiving MVP votes in five different seasons.

Otis really shined in the postseason, particularly in the 1980 World Series when he hit .478 with three home runs. He had at least two hits and at least one RBI in each of the first five games of that series.

No. 2) Bret Saberhagen, starting pitcher, 1984-91

Unlike many of the others in this countdown, Bret Saberhagen wasn’t a high draft pick, as a 19th-round selection there were 479 players chosen before him. Very few of those 479 players had the same impact on their teams that Saberhagen did for the Kansas City Royals.

He is the most prolific starting pitcher in team history, winning the Cy Young Award in both 1985 and 1989. They are arguably the two best pitching seasons in franchise history. In the latter season, he won 23 games, pitched 12 complete games and finished with a 2.16 ERA. In only eight seasons with the Royals, Saberhagen won 110 games and threw a complete game in nearly 30 percent of his starts. He also threw 14 complete-game shutouts.

Saberhagen is also responsible for the last Royals no-hitter, thrown on Aug. 26, 1991. It was a 7-0, 114-pitch shutout of the Chicago White Sox at Royals Stadium.

No. 1) George Brett, third baseman/first baseman,1973-93

OK, I’ll openly admit that this was the least suspenseful countdown in history, at least when we’re talking about No. 1.

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No one in Kansas City Royals history compares to Brett. He owns some of the best individual offensive seasons in club history, as well as the best overall career. The list of achievements and records goes on and on. Twenty-one seasons with one team. Thirteen All-Star games. Three Silver Slugger Awards. Three batting titles, including a .390 average in his MVP season of 1980. Over 3,100 hits — more than any other third baseman in history. A Gold Glove Award. A World Series title. A National Baseball Hall of Fame induction. His No. 5 retired forever.

All of that for just $23.5 million.

However, Brett is not just revered for his achievements on the field. He has been a familiar face to an entire new generation of Kansas City Royals fans as a coach, ambassador, instructor and front office member. Brett frequently appears at Royals events and Opening Day. He is, by any measure, “Mr. Royal.”

Next: Top moments of 2015 playoff run

So, what did you think of the countdown? Did we miss any player that you would have included? Should a player have been higher or lower on our list?  Let us know in the comments