2008 Kansas City Royals season

The Kansas City Royals' 2008 season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Nippon Professional Baseball) manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.[1]

2008 Kansas City Royals
Major League affiliations
American League (since 1969)
Central Division (since 1994)
Location
Kauffman Stadium (since 1973) Kansas City, Missouri (since 1969)
Other information
Owner(s)	David Glass
General manager(s)	Dayton Moore
Manager(s)	Trey Hillman
Local television	FSN Kansas City
Local radio	KCSP 610 AM
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The team looked to improve upon its record of 69–93 from 2007. The team's payroll for the 2008 season was initially estimated to be around $57 million,[2] and wound up at $58 million (24th in the major leagues).[3][4]

Despite another last-place finish in 2007, the Royals sought a breakout season in 2008.[5] Renovations to Kauffman Stadium were ongoing throughout the 2008 season and it was completed in time for Opening Day in 2009.

Following the team's 81st game, the mid-way point of the 2008 season, the Royals had a 37–44 record. The closest the team managed to crawl back to a .500 record after their 9–6 start to the season was within 6 games in mid-July. After compiling a 7–20 record in August, the Royals were eliminated from recording their first winning season since 2003. However, an 18–8 record in September let the Royals finish with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003.[6]

Offseason

Coaching search

I'm a hungry guy...I do not like to lose. I like to start from the ground up and build, and build in such a way that it's going to be maintained for many years to come.

— Trey Hillman at his introductory press conference, October 22, 2007.[1]

Buddy Bell announced his resignation at the end of the 2007 season after serving two and half seasons with the Royals. Early candidates to assume the manager's position included Royals bench coach Billy Doran,[7] former Royals star Frank White,[7] and Triple-A Omaha manager Mike Jirschele. Former Major League managers such as Joe Girardi,[7] Jim Fregosi,[7] Ken Macha,[7] and Jimy Williams[7] were also in consideration. Trey Hillman, who was considered a sleeper candidate, was chosen on October 19.[1] Hillman was interviewed in 2007 by Texas, San Diego and Oakland.[1] He was mentioned as a possible successor to Joe Torre with New York.[1] Hillman had never played, coached or managed in Major League Baseball prior to his hiring by the Royals.[1]

Winter meetings

The new high-definition video board at Kauffman Stadium, installed in 2008. The stadium was under renovation while the season was still in progress.

The Royals entered baseball's winter meetings in December 2007 with José Guillén and Andruw Jones atop their free-agent prospects list.[5][8] Torii Hunter was also considered by Kansas City before signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[5] The Royals signed Guillén to a three-year, $36 million contract, while Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The acquisition of Guillén was the Royals' only major move at the winter meetings. Just before the meetings, the Royals had ministered to another need by signing reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option for 2010.[9][10] Yabuta, from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, was seen as the likely successor to David Riske in a right-handed setup role. Riske left the Royals for a three-year, $13 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[10][11] Hiroki Kuroda was on the Royals' radar, but several other teams were in pursuit as well,[10][12] and the Dodgers signed him first.

In the Rule 5 draft, the Royals picked up left-handed pitcher Ray Liotta from the Chicago White Sox.

Roster moves

Royals players eligible for arbitration

Kansas City avoided arbitration with all of its players for the 2008 season.[13]

• C John Buck[14][15]
• 1B Ross Gload[14][15]
• IF Estéban Germán[15][16]
• IF Jason Smith (released)[17][18]
• OF Mark Teahen[13][15]
• OF Emil Brown (released)[15][19]
• LHP Jorge de la Rosa[14][15]
• RHP Zack Greinke[13][15]
• LHP Jimmy Gobble[14][15]
• RHP Brandon Duckworth[15][17]
• RHP Román Colón[15]
• RHP Luke Hudson[15][20]

Royals activity in free agency

• (x) = club option for 2008
• (m) = mutual option for 2008
• (y) = player option for 2008

Color Code Key

Color	Meaning
Green	Player will return to team
Light Green	Player joins team
Crimson	Player will not return to team (released, option not exercised, signed with new team, or retired etc.)
White	Player's status undetermined

Player	Position	2007 Team	2008 Team	Comments
Emil Brown	OF	Royals	Athletics	Signed 1 Year, $1.45M
Brian Buchanan	OF	Hawks	Royals	Signed minor league contract
Fernando Cortez	2B	Royals	White Sox	Signed minor league contract
Zach Day	RP	Twins		Elected Free agency
José Guillén	OF	Mariners	Royals	Signed a 3-year, $36 million deal
Jason LaRue	C	Royals	Cardinals	Signed 1 Year, $850K
Brian Lawrence	SP	Royals		Elected Free Agency
Colby Lewis	SP	Athletics	Central League (Japan)	Claimed off waivers from Athletics, released, signed w/ Hiroshima Carp
Ron Mahay	RP	Braves	Royals	Signed 2-years, $8M
Mike Maroth	SP	Royals		Elected Free Agency
Joe Nelson	RP	Royals	Marlins	Signed Minor League Contract
Hideo Nomo	SP	Did Not Play	Royals	Signed Minor league Contract
Miguel Olivo	C	Marlins	Royals	Signed 1-Year Contract w/ 2009 Mutual Option
Odalis Pérez	SP	Royals	Nationals	Royals declined option; signed minor league contract
Paul Phillips	C	Royals	White Sox	Spring training invitee
David Riske	RP	Royals	Brewers	Signed 3-year, $13M contract
Reggie Sanders	OF	Royals		Elected free agency
Mike Sweeney	1B	Royals	Athletics	Signed minor league contract
John Thomson	SP	Royals		Elected free agency
Brett Tomko	SP	Padres	Royals	Signed 1-Year, $3M
Chin-hui Tsao	RP	Dodgers	Royals	Spring training invitee
Yasuhiko Yabuta	RP	Marines	Royals	Signed 2-years, $6M deal with 2010 club option

Trades

December 15—Traded RHP Billy Buckner to the Arizona Diamondbacks for IF Alberto Callaspo.[21]

Return of the Powder Blues

After a lengthy absence, the Royals' powder blue uniforms returned in 2008. The new powder blue jerseys were unveiled to season-ticket holders on December 6, 2007, at a private event in downtown Kansas City.[22] Royals players John Buck, Mark Teahen, Alex Gordon, José Guillén and David DeJesus and manager Trey Hillman modeled the new power blue tops and white pants, which will be an alternate home jersey in 2008. The Royals previously wore powder-blue uniforms in away games from 1973 to 1991.[22]

The Royals debuted the jerseys on April 12 against the Minnesota Twins. The first 20,000 fans for the game received a replica powder blue No. 16 Billy Butler jersey.[23] With that promotion, the game was a sellout.[23] Manager Trey Hillman and seven players—Brian Bannister, Gil Meche, Joey Gathright, Tony Peña, Jr., John Bale, Zack Greinke and Butler—helped hand out the free jerseys when the gates opened at 4 p.m.[23] All 20,000 powder blue tops were handed out within 40 minutes after the gates opened.[23]

Regular season

Suspensions

Outfielder José Guillén was to be suspended for 15 days (12 games) for violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Kansas City signed Guillén knowing that he might have been suspended.[24] Guillén was cited in the Mitchell Report when it was released on December 13, 2007.[25][26] Guillén's suspension was put on hold for 10 days allowing him to play in the team's season and home openers.[27] The suspension was eventually upheld and Guillén never received any punishment.[28]

Miguel Olivo faced a five-game suspension for fighting at New York in the 2007 season while a member of the Florida Marlins,[26] but the suspension was reduced to four games after an appeal.[29] He was eligible to begin playing on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins.[29]

March and April

Brian Bannister was named AL co-Player of the Week after throwing a complete game on April 13.[30]

On March 31, the Detroit Tigers hosted the Royals on Opening Day. Kansas City listed only 24 players on their active roster, as Miguel Olivo began serving his four-game suspension.[31] The roster listed 11 pitchers, 7 infielders, 4 outfielders, and 2 catchers.[31] Gil Meche made his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Royals,[32] lasting six innings.[2] The Royals won the game 5-4 in 11 innings,[2] and went on to sweep the Tigers in the three-game series outscoring them 13-5. Kansas City hosted the New York Yankees for their home-opening series at Kauffman Stadium and won two of three games. Their 6–2 start was the franchise's best since 2003.[33]

The Royals hosted the Twins from April 11–13, where game-time temperatures reached as low as 29 °F for the series.[34] After losing the first two games and not scoring any runs, the Royals won the last game by a score of 5-1. Kansas City debuted their new alternate powder blue home jerseys to a sold-out crowd on April 12, with a replica jersey giveaway promotion.[35] Brian Bannister threw a complete game and allowed only three hits on April 13 in a 5-1 win.[34] The following night, Zack Greinke threw a complete game as well.[36]

It was not until their 19th game of the season that the Royals fell under a .500 winning percentage in the middle of a seven-game losing streak after going 9–6 to start the season. When the streak was snapped they were 10–13. In 2007, the Royals lost their second game of the year and remained under .500 for the remainder of the season, finishing with a record of 69–93.

May

After only 19 games, Mike Avilés was hitting .352 with 3 home runs, a triple, 9 doubles, 16 runs scored, and 14 runs batted in.

At the Royals' May 9 game against the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City-native David Cook threw out the ceremonial first pitch and sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the seventh inning stretch. At the time, Cook was a finalist on American Idol, and he eventually won the competition.[37]

Brian Bannister threw a two-hitter on May 11 in a 4-0 win over Baltimore for the Royals' first victory over the Orioles after losing 12 consecutive games to the franchise. Through 40 games, Joakim Soria had a 0.00 ERA and ten saves, and the Royals signed him to a three-year contract extension through the 2011 season.[38]

In early May, Kansas City completed their second series sweep against Detroit, advancing to 6-0 over the Tigers on the season. Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox threw a no-hitter against Kansas City on May 19.[39] It was just the Royals' second game to register no hits against an opponent, and the first since May 15, 1973.[39]

The Royals endured a 12-game losing streak following the loss to Lester and the Red Sox,[40] sending them 11 games under .500 and in last place of the American League Central. The Royals started their May 31 game against Cleveland with the fewest runs, sacrifice flies, RBIs and walks in the major leagues, but beat reigning Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia 4-2 to end their losing streak.[40]

The losing streak prompted José Guillén to criticize his team's performance with the media after a 9-8 loss to Minnesota:[41]

"We've got 25 people. We've got to play as a team, win as a team and lose as a team. We've got too many babies here. They don't know how to play the game and play the game right, the way it's supposed to be played...That's the problem here. Now I know why this organization has been losing for a while."

The Royals' losing streak was the longest in the majors since Kansas City and Pittsburgh both had 13-game losing streaks in 2006. While going almost two weeks without a win, Kansas City had allowed three grand slams, lost a five-run lead in the ninth inning of one game and scored three or fewer runs in nine others.[40] It was the Royals' fourth time losing 12 consecutive games in franchise history, and all of the streaks have occurred since 1997.[42] The losing caused Kansas City to make roster changes by sending the struggling Billy Butler to Triple-A affiliate Omaha. Mike Avilés was called up in exchange.[43]

June

José Guillén at bat against Rockies pitcher Jorge de la Rosa.

Looking to rebound from their 12-game losing streak in May, the Royals started the month of June with 4 consecutive series wins over National League opponents. Kansas City completed its first ever series sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis.[44] In 12 years of Interleague play, the Cardinals still hold the I-70 Series lead, 26-22, but the Royals have done better in St. Louis, winning 11 of 21 games.[44] On June 22, the Royals made an improbable comeback after trailing 6-0 and later 10-3 against the San Francisco Giants.[45] The Royals scored 8 unanswered runs and won the game and Joakim Soria recorded his 20th save of the season in 21 tries.[45] Following a sweep of the defending National League champion Colorado Rockies, the Royals boasted an MLB-best 12–3 record in Interleague play and won for the tenth time in 11 games.[46] Following their 12-game skid ended in May, the Royals went 15–9, closed to within seven games of .500 and skipped out of last place of the American League Central.[46]

José Guillén made controversial remarks about Royals fans following booing in the June 25 game against the Rockies which prompted him to apologize days later to the Royals fanbase and team management.[47] Fans booed Guillén in the eighth inning of the Royals' 4-2 win. He grounded to Colorado Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins and began a slow run toward first base. Atkins' throw was off target, forcing Todd Helton to leave the bag. If Guillén had been at full speed, he might have been safe.[48] Guillén had been battling several injuries which had caused him to play easier in order to avoid the disabled list.[47]

After defeating the Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals boasted a six-game winning-streak, the team's best since their 9-0 start in the 2003 season.[49] Billy Butler rejoined the team after Alberto Callaspo was involved in a drunk driving incident.[50]

At the Royals' home game against the Cardinals, the team inducted Art Stewart into the Royals Hall of Fame. Stewart became the first scout to be inducted into any of Major League Baseball's franchise hall of fames, and the Royals' 23rd overall inductee.[51]

In the final game of the month, the Royals defeated the Baltimore Orioles after Miguel Olivo, on a 0-2 pitch, hit a game-tying home run into the left-field seats in the bottom of the 9th inning. José Guillén batted in the Royals' game-winning run and Joakim Soria closed out the game for his 22nd save.[52] The Royals finished out the month of June with a 16–11 record.

July

Joakim Soria was chosen as the Royals' lone representative in the 2008 MLB All-Star Game. He finished the season with 42 saves.

Joakim Soria was selected to be the Royals' lone representative in the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game,[53] and José Guillén was named to the All-Star Final Vote ballot.[54] Guillén was involved in a heated argument with pitching coach Bob McClure before the team's July 5 game against the Tampa Bay Rays, but was not penalized for his actions.[55]

At the All-Star break, the Royals boasted a record of 43–53, an improvement compared to their 38–50 record from 2007 and 31–56 record in 2006.

On July 21, the Royals suffered their worst defeat of the season, and the Tigers registered their first victory over Kansas City in 2008 with a score of 19-4.[56] By the seventh inning, it was 9-0 in favor of Detroit.[56] The Tigers' 10-run eighth inning mostly came against Jimmy Gobble, who was charged with all 10 runs.[56] At one point in the inning, Gobble allowed six straight hits, the last being a home run by Gary Sheffield.[56] His ERA spiraled from 7.99 to 11.31.[56] Gobble faced 12 hitters in the inning before Hillman finally called for Leo Núñez to substitute.[56] The Royals, behind 19-0, finally broke through with four runs in their half of the eighth.[56] They had five straight hits, including Billy Butler's two-run single.[56] Manager Trey Hillman said following the game:[56]

It was a nasty loss...Obviously lopsided—a laugher for them. Toward the end, at least we were playing with a little bit of pride, still battling and we got rid of the shutout. That was a positive.

Hillman decided to enlist shortstop Tony Peña, Jr. to pitch the ninth inning for the Royals.[56] Peña, who lost his starting shortstop job to Mike Avilés, pitched a one-two-three inning and registered 90 mph-plus on the radar gun.[56] This was his first competitive pitching since high school in the Dominican Republic.[56] Peña was the first position player pressed into pitching service by the Royals since July 17, 1998, when infielder Shane Halter took a turn in an 18-5 loss at Seattle.[56]

On July 29, ESPN Deportes reported that José Guillén expressed his wish to be traded due to a bad relationship with manager Trey Hillman.[57] When Guillén signed with Kansas City he knew the team wouldn't be a contender in 2008, but he was promised that moves would be made to build a winning team in 2009.[57] Kansas City had not shown any interest in trading Guillén.[57] The source said Guillén was ready to defer his salary for 2009 and 2010 if it were to help increase his value on the trading block.[57] A "visibly upset" Guillén met with Hillman and denied the report.[58] The trade deadline passed on July 31 and the Royals made no trades.[59]

August

The Royals recorded a season-high 19 runs against the Chicago White Sox on August 2 in a 9-7 win.[60] The following day, Kansas City closed out the series against Chicago by winning 14-3.[61] In two days, the Royals recorded 38 total hits for the first time in franchise history.[61] The Royals finally fought back against the White Sox—who have dominated the Royals in years past—both literally and figuratively.[61] Four players and both teams' managers were ejected from the game after confrontations over wild pitches.[61]

The Royals and White Sox played again in mid-August and on August 14 Kansas City allowed four consecutive home runs in the sixth inning to White Sox batters, tying the MLB record.[62] Joel Peralta gave up the first three and Robinson Tejeda allowed the last home run after a pitching change.[62]

José Guillén had to be restrained from a heckling fan during the fourth inning of a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers on August 26.[63] Royals third base coach Luis Silverio and others restrained Guillén, while security escorted to a new seat in Kauffman Stadium.[63] Guillén met with Royals general manager Dayton Moore to discuss Guillén's public outburst, his fourth of the season.[63] Royals manager Trey Hillman did not see the incident take place.[63] "I was actually in the toilet, so I didn't see it", Hillman said.[63] "Managers do have to use the restroom and I guess I picked a bad time to be in the restroom. I found out about it a half inning later. We talked about it briefly. There's no sense on commenting on it."[63]

Through 114 games, the Royals were just 7 games under .500, but winning only 7 out of 27 games in the month of August effectively assured Kansas City of another losing season.

September

Too bad this isn't our August...It's a step forward that we need to realize, take, use and finish up strong so we have some good momentum going into the offseason.

— John Buck on the Royals' strong finish in September.[64]

Going into September, it seemed that the Royals' 7–20 record in August had doomed them to a last-place finish in the American League Central,[65] but the team's best September since the 1977 season helped erase the losing record in the previous month. The Royals took control of fourth place in the division with another three-game sweep of Detroit.[64]

The Royals tied their win total from the 2007 season (69) with a victory over the Seattle Mariners on September 18.[66] The victory was the team's seventh consecutive victory.[66]

In their final series of the season, the Twins hosted the Royals.[67] The Twins hold a ½ game lead in the American League Central over the White Sox, and the Royals won two of three games, leading to a one-game playoff between the Twins and White Sox.

The Royals finished the season with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003 thanks to an 18–8 mark in September.[6]

Season standings

AL Central	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Chicago White Sox	89	74	0.546	—	54–28	35–46
Minnesota Twins	88	75	0.540	1	53–28	35–47
Cleveland Indians	81	81	0.500	7½	45–36	36–45
Kansas City Royals	75	87	0.463	13½	38–43	37–44
Detroit Tigers	74	88	0.457	14½	40–41	34–47

Record vs. opponents

Team	BAL	BOS	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	LAA	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TB	TEX	TOR	NL
Baltimore	–	6–12	4–5	4–4	4–3	5–3	3–6	3–3	7–11	0–5	8–2	3–15	4–5	6–12	11–7
Boston	12–6	–	4–3	5–1	5–2	6–1	1–8	4–3	9–9	6–4	6–3	8–10	9–1	9–9	11–7
Chicago	5–4	3–4	–	11–7	12–6	12–6	5–5	9–10	2–5	5–4	5–1	4–6	3–3	1–7	12–6
Cleveland	4–4	1–5	7–11	–	11–7	10–8	4–5	8–10	4–3	5–4	4–5	5–2	6–4	6–1	6–12
Detroit	3–4	2–5	6–12	7–11	–	7–11	3–6	7–11	4–2	3–6	7–3	3–4	6–3	3–5	13–5
Kansas City	3–5	1–6	6–12	8–10	11–7	–	2–3	6–12	5–5	6–3	7–2	3–5	2–7	2–5	13–5
Los Angeles	6–3	8–1	5–5	5–4	6–3	3–2	–	5–3	7–3	10–9	14–5	3–6	12–7	6–3	10–8
Minnesota	3–3	3–4	10–9	10–8	11–7	12–6	3–5	–	4–6	5–5	5–4	3–3	5–5	0–6	14–4
New York	11–7	9–9	5–2	3–4	2–4	5–5	3–7	6–4	–	5–1	7–2	11–7	3–4	9–9	10–8
Oakland	5–0	4–6	4–5	4–5	6–3	3–6	9–10	5–5	1–5	-	10–9	3–6	7–12	4–6	10–8
Seattle	2–8	3–6	1–5	5–4	3–7	2–7	5–14	4–5	2–7	9–10	–	3–4	8–11	5–4	9–9
Tampa Bay	15–3	10–8	6–4	2–5	4–3	5–3	6–3	3–3	7–11	6–3	4–3	–	6–3	11–7	12–6
Texas	5–4	1–9	3–3	4–6	3–6	7–2	7–12	5–5	4–3	12–7	11–8	3–6	–	4–4	10–8
Toronto	12–6	9–9	7–1	1–6	5–3	5–2	3–6	6–0	9–9	6–4	4–5	7–11	4–4	–	8–10

Roster

2008 Kansas City Royals
Roster
Pitchers 49 John Bale 19 Brian Bannister 28 Kyle Davies 31 Brandon Duckworth 54 Jeff Fulchino 41 Jimmy Gobble 23 Zack Greinke 44 Luke Hochevar 52 Devon Lowery 45,32 Ron Mahay 55 Gil Meche 58 Neal Musser 11 Hideo Nomo 46 Leo Núñez 57 Joel Peralta 52 Horacio Ramírez 56 Ramón Ramírez 53 Carlos Rosa 48 Joakim Soria 51 Robinson Tejeda 25 Brett Tomko 40 Kip Wells 27 Yasuhiko Yabuta		Catchers 14 John Buck 21 Miguel Olivo 12 Matt Tupman Infielders 30 Mike Avilés 16 Billy Butler 13 Alberto Callaspo  7 Ross Gload  4 Alex Gordon 15 Mark Grudzielanek 25 Kila Ka'aihue  1 Tony Peña, Jr. 43 Ryan Shealy 26 Jason Smith		Outfielders  9 David DeJesus  2 Joey Gathright  3 Estéban Germán 11 José Guillén 35 Mitch Maier 24 Mark Teahen		Manager 22 Trey Hillman Coaches  8 Mike Barnett (hitting) 60 Bill Duplissea (bullpen catcher) 18 Rusty Kuntz (first base) 33 Bob McClure (pitching) 50 John Mizerock (bullpen)  6 Dave Owen (bench) 17 Luis Silverio (third base)

Game log

2008 Game Log
March # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 1 March 31 @ Tigers 5 – 4 (11) Núñez (1-0) Bautista (0-1) Soria (1) 44,934 1-0
April # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 2 April 2 @ Tigers 4 – 0 Bannister (1-0) Rogers (0-1) 32,348 2-0 3 April 3 @ Tigers 4 – 1 Greinke (1-0) Bonderman (0-1) Soria (2) 32,735 3-0 4 April 4 @ Twins 4 – 3 Baker (1-0) Bale (0-1) Nathan (2) 21,847 3-1 5 April 5 @ Twins 6 – 4 Hernández (2-0) Meche (0-1) Nathan (3) 21,262 3-2 6 April 6 @ Twins 3 – 1 Tomko (1-0) Bonser (0-2) Soria (3) 21,765 4-2 7 April 8 Yankees 5 – 2 Bannister (2-0) Hughes (0-1) Soria (4) 37,296 5-2 8 April 9 Yankees 4 – 0 Greinke (2-0) Farnsworth (0-1) Gobble (1) 19,007 6-2 9 April 10 Yankees 6 – 1 Pettitte (1-1) Bale (0-2) 16,143 6-3 10 April 11 Twins 5 – 0 Hernández (3-0) Meche (0-2) 16,691 6-4 11 April 12 Twins 2 – 0 Bonser (1-2) Tomko (1-1) Nathan (4) 36,300 6-5 12 April 13 Twins 5 – 1 Bannister (3-0) Liriano (0-1) 13,886 7-5 13 April 14 @ Mariners 5 – 1 Greinke (3-0) Washburn (1-2) 16,751 8-5 14 April 15 @ Mariners 11 – 6 Batista (1-2) Bale (0-3) 17,137 8-6 15 April 16 @ Angels 3 – 2 Meche (1-2) Weaver (1-3) Soria (5) 41,336 9-6 16 April 17 @ Angels 5 – 3 Garland (2-2) Tomko (1-2) Rodríguez (6) 40,021 9-7 17 April 18 @ Athletics 13 – 2 Gaudin (1-1) Bannister (3-1) 12,528 9-8 18 April 19 @ Athletics 6 – 5 Devine (2-0) Peralta (0-1) Street (5) 20,390 9-9 19 April 20 @ Athletics 7 – 1 Eveland (2-1) Hochevar (0-1) 18,645 9-10 20 April 22 Indians 15 – 1 Sabathia (1-3) Meche (1-3) 16,165 9-11 21 April 23 Indians Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for April 24 21 April 24 Indians (doubleheader) 9 – 6 Carmona (3-1) Tomko (1-3) Betancourt (1) 11,637 9-12 22 2 – 0 Lee (4-0) Bannister (3-2) 9-13 23 April 25 Blue Jays 8 – 4 Núñez (2-0) Burnett (2-2) 22,561 10-13 24 April 26 Blue Jays 2 – 1 Hochevar (1-1) Marcum (2-2) Soria (6) 24,078 11-13 25 April 27 Blue Jays 5 – 2 Litsch (3-1) Meche (1-4) Carlson (1) 13,998 11-14 26 April 29 @ Rangers 9 – 5 Mahay (1-0) Jennings (0-5) 16,472 12-14 27 April 30 @ Rangers 11 – 9 Millwood (2-2) Bannister (3-2) 17,705 12-15
May # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 28 May 1 @ Rangers 2 – 1 Ponson (1-0) Greinke (3-1) Wilson (6) 14,563 12-16 29 May 2 @ Indians Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 13 30 May 3 @ Indians 4 – 2 Hochevar (2-1) Sabathia (1-5) Soria (7) 27,272 13-16 31 May 4 @ Indians 2 – 0 Meche (2-4) Laffey (0-2) Soria (8) 27,836 14-16 32 May 5 Angels 4 – 0 Santana (6-0) R. Ramírez (0-1) 12,157 14-17 33 May 6 Angels 5 – 3 Oliver (2-1) Bannister (3-4) Rodríguez (14) 11,354 14-18 34 May 7 Angels 9 – 4 Greinke (4-1) Weaver (2-5) 11,084 15-18 35 May 8 Orioles 4 – 1 Cabrera (3-1) Hochevar (2-2) 11,781 15-19 36 May 9 Orioles 7 – 4 Trachsel (2-4) Meche (2-4) Sherrill (12) 21,873 15-20 37 May 10 Orioles 6 – 5 Olson (1-0) Tomko (1-4) Sherrill (13) 15,808 15-21 38 May 11 Orioles 4 – 0 Bannister (4-4) Burres (3-4) 18,635 16-21 39 May 13 Tigers 3 – 2 Núñez (3-0) Cruceta (0-1) Soria (9) 11,703 17-21 40 May 14 Tigers 2 – 0 Hochevar (3-2) Verlander (1-7) Soria (10) 14,053 18-21 41 May 15 Tigers 8 – 4 Meche (3-5) Rogers (3-4) 34,734 19-21 42 May 16 @ Marlins 7 – 6 Tomko (2-4) Miller (3-3) Soria (11) 14,825 20-21 43 May 17 @ Marlins 7 – 3 Kensing (3-0) Bannister (4-5) 16,214 20-22 44 May 18 @ Marlins 9 – 3 Greinke (5-1) Badenhop (1-3) 10,617 21-22 45 May 19 @ Red Sox 7 – 0 Lester (3-2) Hochevar (3-3) 37,746 21-23 46 May 20 @ Red Sox 2 – 1 Masterson (1-0) Meche (3-6) Papelbon (13) 37,486 21-24 47 May 21 @ Red Sox 6 – 3 Colón (1-0) Tomko (2-5) 37,674 21-25 48 May 22 @ Red Sox 11 – 8 Matsuzaka (8–0) Bannister (4–6) Papelbon (14) 37,613 21-26 49 May 23 @ Blue Jays 7 – 1 Halladay (5-5) Greinke (5-2) 24,207 21-27 50 May 24 @ Blue Jays 6 – 0 Litsch (6-1) Hochevar (3-4) 28,162 21-28 51 May 25 @ Blue Jays 3 – 1 McGowan (3-4) Meche (3-7) Ryan (11) 29,315 21-29 52 May 26 @ Blue Jays 7 – 2 Marcum (5-3) Tomko (2-6) 23,157 21-30 53 May 27 Twins 4 – 3 (12) Crain (2-2) Núñez (3-1) Guerrier (1) 17,191 21-31 54 May 28 Twins 9 – 8 (10) Crain (3-2) Peralta (0-2) Nathan (14) 13,621 21-32 55 May 29 Twins 5 – 1 Slowey (2-4) Hochevar (3-5) 12,336 21-33 56 May 30 Indians 5 – 4 Lee (8-1) Tomko (2-7) Borowski (4) 25,243 21-34 57 May 31 Indians 4 – 2 Davies (1-0) Sabathia (3-7) Soria (12) 23,923 22-34
June # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 58 June 1 Indians 6 – 1 Bannister (5-6) Byrd (2-5) 22,345 23-34 59 June 3 @ White Sox 9 – 5 Floyd (6-3) Greinke (5-3) 21,727 23-35 60 June 4 @ White Sox 6 – 4 (15) Dotel (3-2) Gobble (0-1) 23,515 23-36 61 June 5 @ White Sox 6 – 2 Contreras (6-3) Meche (3-8) 25,104 23-37 62 June 6 @ Yankees 2 – 1 Davies (2-0) Rasner (3-3) Soria (13) 52,187 24-37 63 June 7 @ Yankees 12 – 11 Rivera (2-1) Soria (0-1) 53,611 24-38 64 June 8 @ Yankees 6 – 3 Giese (1-1) Greinke (5-4) Rivera (16) 54,213 24-39 65 June 9 @ Yankees 3 – 2 Yabuta (1-0) Rivera (2-2) Soria (14) 53,633 25-39 66 June 10 Rangers 6 – 5 Guardado (1-1) Yabuta (1-1) Wilson (12) 14,741 25-40 67 June 11 Rangers 11 – 5 Padilla (8-3) Gobble (0-2) 20,840 25-41 68 June 12 Rangers 6 – 5 Mahay (2-0) Francisco (1-2) Soria (15) 15,515 26-41 69 June 13 @ Diamondbacks 1 – 0 (10) Buckner (1-0) Yabuta (1-2) 33,323 26-42 70 June 14 @ Diamondbacks 12 – 3 Hochevar (4-5) Johnson (4-4) 44,615 27-42 71 June 15 @ Diamondbacks 8 – 3 Meche (4-8) Owings (6-5) 39,125 28-42 72 June 17 @ Cardinals 2 – 1 Davies (3-0) Villone (1-2) Soria (16) 43,793 29-42 73 June 18 @ Cardinals 3 – 2 Bannister (6-6) McClellan (0-2) Soria (17) 43,810 30-42 74 June 19 @ Cardinals 4 – 1 Greinke (6-4) Thompson (1-2) Soria (18) 44,277 31-42 75 June 20 Giants 9 – 4 Cain (4-5) Yabuta (1-3) 34,588 31-43 76 June 21 Giants 5 – 3 Meche (5-8) Correia (1-5) Soria (19) 28,903 32-43 77 June 22 Giants 11 – 10 Mahay (3-0) Hinshaw (1-1) Soria (20) 20,499 33-43 78 June 23 Rockies 8 – 4 Bannister (7-6) Francis (3-7) 12,260 34-43 79 June 24 Rockies 7 – 3 Greinke (7-4) de la Rosa (2-4) 19,169 35-43 80 June 25 Rockies 4 – 2 Hochevar (5-5) Cook (10-5) Soria (21) 16,615 36-43 81 June 27 Cardinals 7 – 2 Meche (6-8) Piñeiro (2-4) 36,360 37-43 82 June 28 Cardinals 5 – 1 Boggs (3-0) Davies (3-1) 37,537 37-44 83 June 29 Cardinals 9 – 6 Pérez (2-0) Bannister (7-7) Franklin (11) 31,803 37-45 84 June 30 @ Orioles 6 – 5 (11) Mahay (4-0) Bradford (3-3) Soria (22) 15,289 38-45
July # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 85 July 1 @ Orioles 7 – 5 Liz (3-0) Hochevar (5-6) Sherrill (27) 19,756 38-46 86 July 2 @ Orioles 5 – 2 Cabrera (6-4) Meche (6-9) 17,909 38-47 87 July 3 @ Orioles 10 – 7 Peralta (1-2) Loewen (0-2) Soria (23) 16,782 39-47 88 July 4 @ Rays 11 – 2 Jackson (5-6) Bannister (7-8) 16,830 39-48 89 July 5 @ Rays 3 – 0 Sonnanstine (10-3) Greinke (7-5) Balfour (3) 30,418 39-49 90 July 6 @ Rays 9 – 2 Shields (7-5) Hochevar (6-5) 20,587 39-50 91 July 7 @ Rays 7 – 4 Soria (1-1) Wheeler (2-4) 16,293 40-50 92 July 8 White Sox 8 – 7 (13) Masset (1-0) Tejeda (0-1) 13,614 40-51 93 July 9 White Sox 7-6 Russell (3-0) Tejeda (0-2) Dotel (1) 16,502 40-52 94 July 10 White Sox 4 – 1 Mahay (5-0) Buehrle (6-8) Soria (24) 14,547 41-52 95 July 11 Mariners 3 – 1 Hochevar (6-7) Hernández (6-6) Soria (25) 25,345 42-52 96 July 12 Mariners 5 – 4 H. Ramírez (1-0) Morrow (1-2) 23,792 43-52 97 July 13 Mariners 4 – 3 Green (2-2) Soria (1-2) Morrow (9) 21,421 43-53 98 July 18 @ White Sox 9 – 5 Buehrle (7-8) Greinke (7-6) 36,291 43-54 99 July 19 @ White Sox 9 – 1 Meche (7-9) Floyd (10-6) 36,566 44-54 100 July 20 @ White Sox 8 – 7 R. Ramírez (1-1) Thornton (4-2) Soria (26) 32,269 45-54 101 July 21 Tigers 19 – 4 Miner (4-3) Hochevar (6-8) 14,137 45-55 102 July 22 Tigers 7 – 1 Rogers (8-6) Davies (3-2) 22,074 45-56 103 July 23 Tigers 7 – 1 Galarraga (8-4) Greinke (7-7) 16,594 45-57 104 July 24 Rays 4 – 2 Meche (8-9) Garza (8-6) Soria (27) 25,900 46-57 105 July 25 Rays 5 – 3 Jackson (6-7) Bannister (7-9) Percival (21) 31,535 46-58 106 July 26 Rays 5 – 3 Reyes (2-2) H. Ramírez (1-1) Percival (22) 24,322 46-59 107 July 27 Rays 6 – 1 Davies (4-2) Sonnanstine (10-6) 13,779 47-59 108 July 28 @ Athletics 4 – 2 Greinke (8-7) Braden (2-1) Soria (28) 12,464 48-59 109 July 29 @ Athletics 5 – 2 Meche (9-9) Smith (5-10) Soria (29) 12,182 49-59 110 July 30 @ Athletics 4 – 3 (10) R. Ramírez (2-1) Street (2-4) Soria (30) 26,272 50-59
August # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 111 August 1 White Sox 4 – 2 Vázquez (8-9) Hochevar (6-9) Jenks (22) 21,291 50-60 112 August 2 White Sox 9 – 7 Davies (5-2) Buehrle (8-10) Soria (31) 21,866 51-60 113 August 3 White Sox 14 – 3 Greinke (9-7) Richard (0-2) 15,268 52-60 114 August 4 Red Sox 4 – 3 Meche (10-9) Buchholz (2-7) Soria (32) 24,378 53-60 115 August 5 Red Sox 8 – 2 Beckett (10-8) Bannister (7-10) 22,069 53-61 116 August 6 Red Sox 8 – 2 Wakefield (7-8) Hochevar (6-10) 24,294 53-62 117 August 8 Twins 4 – 1 Slowey (8-8) Davies (5-3) Nathan (31) 33,653 53-63 118 August 9 Twins 7 – 3 Liriano (2-3) Greinke (9-8) 27,960 53-64 119 August 10 Twins 5 – 4 (12) Tejeda (1-2) Breslow (0-1) 27,960 54-64 120 August 12 @ White Sox 9 – 0 Vázquez (9-10) Bannister (7-11) 31,099 54-65 121 August 13 @ White Sox 4 – 0 Buehrle (10-10) Hochevar (6-11) 37,838 54-66 122 August 14 @ White Sox 9 – 2 Broadway (1-0) Davies (5-4) 32,788 54-67 123 August 15 @ Yankees 4 – 3 Núñez (4-1) Rivera (4-5) Soria (33) 53,067 55-67 124 August 16 @ Yankees 3 – 2 (13) Robertson (3-0) Fulchino (0-1) 54,180 55-68 125 August 17 @ Yankees 15 – 6 Mussina (16-7) Bannister (7-12) 54,114 55-69 126 August 19 @ Indians 9 – 4 Reyes (2-1) Hochevar (6-12) 18,946 55-70 127 August 20 @ Indians 8 – 5 Rincón (3-3) Soria (1-3) Lewis (4) 23,920 55-71 128 August 21 @ Indians 10 – 3 Lee (18-2) Greinke (9-9) 21,391 55-72 129 August 22 Tigers 4 – 3 Verlander (10-13) Bannister (7-13) Rodney (6) 18,361 55-73 130 August 23 Tigers 4 – 0 Miner (7-4) Davies (5-5) 27,346 55-74 131 August 24 Tigers 7 – 3 Duckworth (1-0) Rogers (9-11) 16,663 56-74 132 August 25 Rangers 9 – 4 Feldman (5-5) Meche (10-10) 12,399 56-75 133 August 26 Rangers 2 – 1 Millwood (8-7) R. Ramírez (2-2) 17,004 56-76 134 August 27 Rangers 3 – 2 Harrison (6-3) Bannister (7-14) Francisco (1) 12,662 56-77 135 August 29 @ Tigers 6 – 3 Miner (8-4) Davies (5-6) 40,206 56-78 136 August 30 @ Tigers 13 – 3 Duckworth (2-0) Rogers (9-12) 40,623 57-78 137 August 31 @ Tigers 4 – 2 Glover (2-3) Wells (0-1) Rodney (7) 39,782 57-79
September # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record 138 September 2 Athletics 5 – 2 Greinke (10-9) Gonzalez (1-3) Soria (34) 11,143 58-79 139 September 3 Athletics Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for September 4 139 September 4 Athletics (doubleheader) 5 – 4 (10) Soria (2-3) Devine (4-1) 12,791 59-79 140 9 – 6 Davies (6-6) Meyer (0-4) R. Ramírez (1) 60-79 141 September 5 Indians 9 – 3 Mujica (2-1) Duckworth (2-1) 21,107 60-80 142 September 6 Indians 3 – 1 Meche (11-10) Jackson (0-2) Soria (35) 18,795 61-80 143 September 7 Indians 3 – 1 Lee (21-2) Greinke (10-10) Lewis (8) 15,023 61-81 144 September 9 @ Twins 7 – 2 Blackburn (10-8) Bannister (7-15) 17,015 61-82 145 September 10 @ Twins 7 – 1 Slowey (12-9) Davies (6-7) 20,421 61-83 146 September 11 @ Twins 3 – 2 (10) R. Ramírez (3-2) Guerrier (6-8) Soria (36) 20,138 62-83 147 September 12 @ Indians 12 – 5 Lee (22-2) Meche (11-11) 32,843 62-84 29 September 13 @ Indians (doubleheader) 8 – 3 Greinke (11-10) Carmona (8-7) 25,783 63-84 148 8 – 4 Tejeda (2-2) Bullington (0-1) Soria (37) 64-84 149 September 14 @ Indians 13 – 3 Bannister (8-15) Mujica (2-2) 29,530 65-84 150 September 15 Mariners 3 – 0 Davies (7-7) Silva (4-15) Soria (38) 10,307 66-84 151 September 16 Mariners 6 – 3 Duckworth (3-1) Morrow (2-4) Soria (39) 19,135 67-84 152 September 17 Mariners 5 – 2 Meche (12-11) Corcoran (5-2) Soria (40) 13,382 68-84 153 September 18 Mariners 12 – 0 Greinke (12-10) Feierabend (1-4) 14,144 69-84 154 September 19 White Sox 9 – 4 Buehrle (14-11) Bannister (8-14) 26,049 69-85 155 September 20 White Sox 5 – 2 Davies (8-7) Floyd (16-8) Soria (40) 23,754 70-85 156 September 21 White Sox 3 – 0 Danks (11-8) Duckworth (3-2) Jenks (29) 16,920 70-86 157 September 22 Tigers 6 – 2 Meche (13-11) Miner (8-5) 36,428 71-86 158 September 23 Tigers 5 – 0 Greinke (13-10) García (1-1) 35,121 72-86 159 September 24 Tigers 10 – 4 Bannister (9-16) Robertson (7-11) 35,899 73-86 160 September 26 @ Twins 8 – 1 Davies (9-7) Liriano (6-4) 30,674 74-86 161 September 27 @ Twins 4 – 2 Meche (14-11) Guerrier (6-9) Soria (42) 38,072 75-86 162 September 28 @ Twins 6 – 0 Baker (11-5) Duckworth (3-3) 42,942 75-87

Player stats

Batting

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In

Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	SB
José Guillén	153	598	66	158	42	1	20	97	.264	2
Mark Teahen	149	572	66	146	31	4	15	59	.255	4
David DeJesus	135	518	70	159	25	7	12	73	.307	11
Alex Gordon	134	493	72	128	35	1	16	59	.260	9
Billy Butler	124	443	44	122	22	0	11	55	.275	0
Ross Gload	122	388	46	106	18	1	3	37	.273	3
John Buck	109	370	48	83	23	1	9	48	.224	0
Joey Gathright	105	279	41	71	3	1	0	22	.254	21
Mike Avilés	102	419	68	136	27	4	10	51	.325	8
Tony Peña, Jr.	95	225	22	38	4	1	1	14	.169	3
Esteban Germán	89	216	30	53	14	3	0	22	.245	7
Mark Grudzielanek	86	331	36	99	24	0	3	24	.299	2
Miguel Olivo	84	306	29	78	22	0	15	41	.255	7
Alberto Callaspo	74	213	21	65	8	3	0	16	.305	2
Mitch Maier	34	91	9	26	1	1	0	9	.286	0
Jason Smith	22	28	6	6	2	0	0	1	.214	0
Ryan Shealy	20	73	12	22	1	0	7	20	.301	0
Kila Ka'aihue	12	21	4	6	0	0	1	1	.286	0
Ron Mahay	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Ramón Ramírez	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Joakim Soria	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Yasuhiko Yabuta	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Zack Greinke	3	7	0	2	1	0	0	0	.286	0
Jimmy Gobble	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Jeff Fulchino	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Brian Bannister	2	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	.250	0
Carlos Rosa	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Leo Núñez	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Brett Tomko	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Gil Meche	1	4	1	1	0	0	0	1	.250	0
Kyle Davies	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Matt Tupman	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1.000	0
Luke Hochevar	1	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	0
Totals	162	5608	691	1507	303	28	120	650	.269	79

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	R	ER	BB	K
Gil Meche	14	11	3.98	34	34	0	210.1	98	93	73	183
Zack Greinke	13	10	3.47	32	32	0	202.1	87	78	56	183
Kyle Davies	7	7	4.06	21	21	0	113.0	57	51	43	71
Brian Bannister	9	16	5.76	32	32	0	182.2	127	117	58	113
Luke Hochevar	6	12	5.51	22	22	0	129.0	84	79	47	72
Ron Mahay	5	0	3.48	57	0	0	64.2	27	25	29	49
Leo Núñez	4	1	2.98	45	0	0	48.1	19	16	15	26
Brandon Duckworth	3	3	4.50	7	7	0	38.0	20	19	19	20
Ramón Ramírez	3	2	2.64	71	0	1	71.2	23	21	31	70
Joakim Soria	2	3	1.60	63	0	42	67.1	13	12	19	66
Robinson Tejeda	2	2	3.20	25	1	0	39.1	17	14	19	41
Brett Tomko	2	7	6.97	16	10	0	60.2	49	47	13	40
Horacio Ramírez	1	1	2.59	15	0	0	24.1	9	7	1	11
Yasuhiko Yabuta	1	3	4.78	31	0	0	37.2	21	20	17	25
Joel Peralta	1	2	5.98	40	0	0	52.2	37	35	14	38
Devon Lowery	0	0	10.38	5	0	0	4.1	5	5	2	6
Neal Musser	0	0	0.00	1	0	0	1.0	0	0	1	0
Josh Newman	0	0	7.71	4	0	0	7.0	9	6	6	2
Carlos Rosa	0	0	2.70	2	0	0	3.1	1	1	0	3
Tony Peña, Jr.	0	0	0.00	1	0	0	1.0	0	0	0	1
John Bale	0	3	4.39	13	3	0	26.2	13	13	6	14
Hideo Nomo	0	0	18.69	3	0	0	4.1	9	9	4	3
Kip Wells	0	1	8.71	10	0	0	10.1	10	10	11	9
Jimmy Gobble	0	2	8.81	39	0	1	31.2	31	31	23	27
Jeff Fulchino	0	1	9.00	12	0	0	14.0	15	14	8	12
Totals	75	87	4.50	162	162	44	1445.2	781	723	515	1085

Awards and honors

Player of the Week

April 7–13: Brian Bannister, shared with Raúl Ibañez (Seattle Mariners).[30]
May 12–18: José Guillén.[68]
July 28 – August 3: Mike Avilés, shared with Xavier Nady (New York Yankees).[69]

Farm system

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Omaha Royals	Pacific Coast League	Mike Jirschele
AA	Northwest Arkansas Naturals	Texas League	Brian Poldberg
A	Wilmington Blue Rocks	Carolina League	Darryl Kennedy
A	Burlington Bees	Midwest League	Brian Rupp
Rookie	Burlington Royals	Appalachian League	Tony Tijerina
Rookie	AZL Royals	Arizona League	Julio Bruno
Rookie	Idaho Falls Chukars	Pioneer League	Jim Gabella

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Burlington (Midwest)

References

1. Kaegel, Dick. Royals introduce Hillman as new manager Archived May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, October 22, 2007.
2. Associated Press. Cabrera homers in Tiger's debut but Royals prevail in 11 ESPN.com, March 31, 2008.
3. Dutton, Bob (April 4, 2010). "Royals to Open 2010 Season With $70.1 million Payroll". Kansas City Star. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
4. "USA Today Salaries Database". USA Today. October 24, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
5. Kaegel, Dick. KC hopes for Winter Meeting encore Archived December 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, November 28, 2007.
6. Twins close out season with win, turn attention to ChiSox-Tigers makeup ESPN.com, September 28, 2008.
7. Dutton, Bob. Finding a manager tops Royals' offseason checklist Kansas City Star, October 1, 2007.
8. Kaegel, Dick. Royals win one, lose one Archived December 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 6, 2007.
9. Kaegel, Dick. Yabuta signs two-year deal with Royals Archived December 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, November 28, 2007.
10. Kaegel, Dick. Guillen deal spanned Winter Meetings Archived December 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 6, 2007.
11. Kaegel, Dick. Riske departs with deal from Brewers Archived December 7, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 5, 2007.
12. Kaegel, Dick. Royals join hunt for Kuroda Archived November 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, November 27, 2007.
13. Kaegel, Dick. Royals sign pitcher Zack Greinke and outfielder Mark Teahen to one-year deals Archived April 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, February 7, 2008.
14. Kaegel, Dick. Three Royals exchange salary figures Archived January 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, January 18, 2008.
15. Kaegel, Dick. Royals Winter Meeting checklist Archived December 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, November 28, 2007.
16. Kaegel, Dick. Royals sign utility player German Archived February 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, January 29, 2008.
17. Kaegel, Dick. Royals sign Duckworth, Smith Archived December 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 12, 2007.
18. Kaegel, Dick. Royals cut ties with infielder Smith Archived January 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, January 4, 2008.
19. Kaegel, Dick. Brown's days with Royals end Archived December 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 12, 2007.
20. Kaegel, Dick. Royals, Hudson agree on contract Archived January 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, January 8, 2008.
21. Kaegel, Dick. Royals acquire Callaspo from D-Backs Archived December 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 15, 2007.
22. Kaegel, Dick. Royals to bring back powder blues Archived June 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 6, 2007.
23. Kaegel, Dick. Powder blues popular in return Archived April 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, April 12, 2008.
24. Kaegel, Dick. Royals slugger Guillen suspended Archived December 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 6, 2007.
25. Kaegel, Dick. Royals players cited by Mitchell Archived December 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, December 13, 2007.
26. Kaegel, Dick. Royals await appeals decisions Archived March 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, March 23, 2008.
27. Associated Press. Gibbons, Guillén suspensions put on hold for 10 days ESPN.com, March 29, 2008.
28. Kaegel, Dick. MLB commutes Guillen's suspension Archived April 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, April 11, 2008.
29. Kaegel, Dick. Guillen will play on Opening Day Archived April 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, March 28, 2008.
30. Ghiroli, Brittany. Honors for Bannister, Ibanez MLB.com, April 14, 2008.
31. Kaegel, Dick. Royals make final roster decisions Archived April 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, March 29, 2008.
32. Kaegel, Dick. Meche eyeing repeat performance Archived April 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, March 28, 2008.
33. Associated Press. Bannister, Royals drop A-Rod, Yanks for best start since 2003 ESPN.com, April 8, 2008.
34. Associated Press. Liriano rocked by Royals in return as Bannister baffles Twins for win ESPN.com, April 14, 2008.
35. Associated Press. Cold weather rubs off on Royals as scoreless inning streak hits 26 ESPN.com, April 12, 2008.
36. Kaegel, Dick. Greinke, homers lift KC past Seattle MLB.com, April 15, 2008.
37. Associated Press. Hometown fans welcome back 'Idol' finalists MSNBC.com, May 9, 2008.
38. Kaegel, Dick. Royals give contract extension to Soria Archived March 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, May 17, 2008.
39. Kaegel, Dick. Royals victims of Lester's no-hitter Archived May 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, May 19, 2008.
40. Associated Press. Davies, Royals stop Sabathia, Indians to end 'miserable' 12-game slump ESPN.com, May 31, 2008.
41. Kaegel, Dick. Guillén, Royals frustrated after defeat MLB.com, May 29, 2008.
42. Kaegel, Dick. Royals reach Lee, but slide continues Archived June 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, May 31, 2008.
43. Kaegel, Dick. Royals send Butler back to Triple-A Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, May 29, 2008.
44. Kaegel, Dick. Royals secure historic I-70 Series sweep MLB.com, June 19, 2008.
45. Kaegel, Dick. Royals rally for win vs. Giants Archived June 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 22, 2008.
46. Kaegel, Dick. Royals run win streak to five in sweep Archived June 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 26, 2008.
47. Kaegel, Dick. Guillén apologizes to fans Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 28, 2008.
48. Kaegel, Dick. Guillén speaks out about fans boos Archived June 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 27, 2008.
49. Kaegel, Dick. Royals top Cards for sixth straight win Archived June 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 28, 2008.
50. Kaegel, Dick. Back from Minors, Butler rejoins Royals Archived July 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 28, 2008.
51. Kaegel, Dick. Stewart gets into Royals Hall of Fame Archived July 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, June 28, 2008.
52. Kaegel, Dick. Olivo's heroics push Royals to victory Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 1, 2008.
53. Kaegel, Dick. Soria heading to All-Star Game Archived July 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 6, 2008.
54. Kaegel, Dick. Guillén trails slightly in Final Vote Archived July 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 7, 2008.
55. Kaegel, Dick. Guillén, pitching coach get into spat Archived July 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 6, 2007.
56. Kaegel, Dick. Royals subjected to Tigers' revenge Archived July 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 22, 2008.
57. Relationship with Hillman in tatters, Guillén wants out of K.C. ESPN.com, July 29, 2008.
58. Kaegel, Dick. Guillén denies he wants out of KC Archived May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 29, 2008.
59. Kaegel, Dick. Royals quiet on Thursday's trade front Archived August 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, July 31, 2008.
60. Dent, Mark. Offensive onslaught paces Royals MLB.com, August 2, 2008.
61. Kaegel, Dick. Royals rake early, tempers flare late Archived August 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, August 3, 2008.
62. Associated Press. Thome, Konerko, Ramirez, Uribe hit four straight homers in White Sox win ESPN.com, August 14, 2008.
63. Associated Press. Royals GM talks to Guillén about confrontation with fan ESPN.com, August 27, 2008.
64. Kaegel, Dick. Royals sweep behind Bannister MLB.com, September 25, 2008.
65. Falkoff, Robert. Royals hope to climb ranks in Central Archived May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, September 20, 2008.
66. Kaegel, Dick. Royals come out swinging in finale MLB.com, September 18, 2008.
67. Kaegel, Dick. Royals getting a taste of pennant race Archived May 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine MLB.com, September 27, 2008.
68. Ghiroli, Brittany. Sizzling Guillen wins AL weekly honors MLB.com, May 19, 2008.
69. Nystrom, Thor. Newcomers Nady, Aviles split AL honor MLB.com, August 4, 2008.

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