The 2007 Kansas City Royals season was the 39th season for the franchise, and their 37th at Kauffman Stadium. the season began with the team attempting to win the American League Central - a task not achieved since the division was formed in 1994.
In trying to improve on their 62–100 record in the 2006 season, the team avoided a fourth straight 100-loss season. Buddy Bell returned for his second and final full season as manager, while Dayton Moore began his first season as the team's general manager.
Anticipation surrounded the Royals' newfound approach to once again become a playoff contender with rebuilding the roster. Roster moves generated much interest in the Kansas City area, including the big-budget signing of starting pitcherGil Meche, and the arrival of young, new talent—such as rookie third baseman Alex Gordon and designated hitterBilly Butler. The team's payroll for the 2007 season was increased to $67 million (22nd in the major leagues).[1][2]
Free agency and roster movesedit
The biggest free-agent pickups for the Royals in 2007 included RHP Gil Meche—who was signed to a 5-year, $55 million deal—and RHP Octavio Dotel, who quickly became trade bait to the Atlanta Braves.
Royals activity in free agency
(x) = club option for 2007
(m) = mutual option for 2007
(y) = player option for 2007
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)
The Royals began the season with expectations of improvement from their fans, and the team never ceased to impress in their home opener against the Boston Red Sox. The Royals defeated the Red Sox 7–1 in front of the sold-out home crowd. The magic did not last, however—Kansas City was just 3–7 through the first ten games of the season, and 8–18 by the end of April.
Mayedit
The Royals hit minor spots of winning when the team won 8 of 10 games from May 13 to 23, but finished the month of May on a seven-game losing streak with series sweeps by the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles. Kansas City went 11–17 in May and finished the month with an overall record of 19–35.
Juneedit
In the 2007 MLB draft held on June 7, the Royals selected shortstopMike Moustakas at No. 2 overall.[3] The team went 15–12 in June, their first winning month since July 2003.[4] Pitcher Brian Bannister won the American League Rookie of the Month Award.
On August 1, manager Buddy Bell announced his intention to resign following the 2007 season before a game against the Minnesota Twins.[8] Also, about an hour before the first pitch, the Interstate 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis collapsed with a death toll of at 13.[9] Before the game, a moment of silence was held for the victims of the collapse.[9] The team rescheduled their August 2 game against the Twins to the afternoon of August 31 for a double-header. Brian Bannister won his second Rookie of the Month Award for the season. The Royals went 13–15 in August, completing a three-month stretch in which the team compiled a record of 41–39.
Septemberedit
On September 12, the Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 6–3 to win their 63rd game, guaranteeing that they would not lose 100 games in 2007. The victory ended the team's string of three consecutive seasons of 100 losses of more from 2004 to 2006. While the Royals struggled with a 9–19 record in September, their overall record of 69–93 was the team's best finish since 2003.
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
Batting Statistics: Kansas City Royals Batting Stats on ESPN.com
Pitching Statistics: Kansas City Royals Pitching Stats on ESPN.com
2007 Kansas City Royals at Baseball Reference
Kansas City Royals: Official web site
^Dutton, Bob (April 4, 2010). "Royals to Open 2010 Season With $70.1 million Payroll". Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
^"USA Today Salaries Database". USA Today. October 24, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2010.