Franchise Timeline

The Athletics left Kansas City for Oakland after the 1967 season. Major League Baseball, looking to expand to 24 teams, grants Kansas City one of its four expansion teams which would begin play in 1969. The team, which is owned by Ewing M. Kauffman, would be named the Royals.

Playing their very first game in old Municipal Stadium, the Royals rally from a 3-1 deficit to win in extra innings against the eventual Western Division Champion Minnesota Twins. The club finished with a 69-93 record in its initial season. The mark was the best of the four expansion teams debuting in 1969. A young and fiery outfielder named Lou Piniella was selected as the the Rookie of the Year.