Gulf Coast League Royals

The Gulf Coast League (GCL) Royals were a minor league baseball franchise in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League from 1971–1978, 1982-1983 and 1985–2002. The club was owned and operated by the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. The GCL Royals played games at Florida-based minor league and spring training facilities located in Sarasota (through 1987), Baseball City Stadium in Davenport (1988–1992; 1999–2002) and Fort Myers (1993–1998).

Gulf Coast League Royals
(1971-1983, 1985-2002)
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesRookie
Previous leagues
Gulf Coast League
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsKansas City Royals
Minor league titles
League titles (6)
  • 1971
  • 1972
  • 1980*
  • 1981**
  • 1992
  • 1995
*GCL Royals Blue title; **GCL Royals Gold title
Division titles (7)
  • 1987
  • 1988
  • 1992
  • 1994
  • 1995
  • 1997
  • 1999
Team data
Name
  • GCL Royals (1971-1978, 1982-2002)
  • GCL Royals Blue (1979-1981)
  • GCL Royals Gold (1979-1981)
  • GCL Royals Academy (1974)
Previous parks

From 1979–1981, the Royals operated two GCL teams, the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Royals Blue and Gulf Coast League (GCL) Royals Gold, to accommodate a surplus of teenaged players. In 1974, Kansas City also fielded a separate Gulf Coast League (GCL) Royals Academy team for members of its experimental Baseball Academy. The Academy team played alongside the GCL Royals; finishing 35–16 in the GCL standings that season, 4½ games ahead of the 29–19 GCL Royals, but the Royals Academy lost the league pennant by percentage points to the GCL Cubs.

In 2003, when the Royals moved their spring training operations to Surprise, Arizona, they simultaneously transferred their Rookie-level affiliate to the Arizona League.

Season-by-season

(from Baseball Reference Bullpen)

Year Record Finish Manager Playoffs
GCL Royals (1971-1974)
197140-131stBuzzy KellerLeague Champs
No playoffs until 1983
197241-221st (t)Buzzy KellerCo-Champs
w/ GCL Cubs
197327-285thBuzzy Keller
197429-194thBilly Scripture
GCL Royals Academy (1974)
197435-162ndBilly Goodman
GCL Royals (1975-1978)
197531-182ndGary Blaylock
197629-253rdJose Martinez
197734-192ndBilly Scripture
197831-242ndJose Martinez
GCL Royals Blue (1979-1981)
197924-295thBrian Murphy
198040-231stJoe JonesLeague Champs
198135-283rdJoe Jones
GCL Royals Gold (1979-1981)
197929-233rdJose Martinez
198022-409thRoy Tanner
198144-201stRoy TannerLeague Champs
GCL Royals (1982-2002)
198228-358thJoe Jones
198330-315thJoe Jones
198538-243rd (t)Joe Jones
198630-338thLuis Silverio
198740-232ndLuis SilverioLost League Finals
vs. GCL Dodgers (1 game to 0)
198839-244thCarlos ToscaLost League Finals
vs. GCL Yankees (1 game to 0)
198935-286thCarlos Tosca
199025-3812thCarlos Tosca
199131-295thBob Herold
199241-181stMike JirscheleLeague Champs
vs. GCL Expos (2 game to 1)
199329-3010thBob Herold
199447-121stBob HeroldLost League Finals
vs. GCL Astros (2 game to 1)
199537-203rdBob HeroldLeague Champs
vs. GCL Tigers (2 game to 0)
Won in 1st round
vs. GCL White Sox (1 game to 0)
199630-298thAl Pedrique
199736-243rdAl PedriqueLost in 1st round
vs. GCL Rangers (1 game to 0)
199832-287thAndre David
199933-274thAndre DavidLost in 1st round
vs. GCL Mets (1 game to 0)
200020-4011thRon Karkovice / Andre David
200120-4013th (t)Lino Diaz
200222-3814thLloyd Simmons

Notable alumni

See also


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