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. 7) Eric Hosmer, first baseman, 2011-present

The first-round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2008 lived up to the hype — and more.

In his seven seasons with the franchise, Eric Hosmer has become a fan favorite due to his talents on the field and his charisma off it. The four-time Gold Glove winner at first base was named MVP of the 2016 All-Star Game, going 2-for-3 with a second-inning home run off former teammate Johnny Cueto.

Hosmer has shown tremendous durability by playing in all 162 games in 2017 and missing only eight games in the past three seasons. Of course, Kansas City Royals fans will remember him most for his “mad dash.” It’s his famous head-first slide across home plate to tie Game 5 of the World Series and send it to extra innings, where the Royals would win their first world championship in 30 years.

No. 6) Hal McRae, designated hitter/outfielder, 1973-87

Our sixth player on the countdown wore No. 11, but he was in the Kansas City Royals’ all-time top 10 in almost every offensive category. A three-time All-Star, Hal McRae would have won the batting title in 1976 had it not been for teammate George Brett‘s 3-for-4 game on the last day of the season to edge him out by one point. He was beloved by fans for his hard effort and aggressive base running, taking extra bases at will and keeping outfielders (and middle infielders) on their toes.

McRae made appearances for the Kansas City Royals in seven different postseasons, with a .785 OPS in those games. After his playing career, he managed the Royals for four seasons, leading them to a 286-277 career record, which is sixth all-time on the career wins list for Royals managers.

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. 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