The Kansas City Royals are a professional baseball team in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded by businessman Ewing Kauffman in 1969 as part of Major League Baseball's expansion initiative, the name "Royals" was chosen to honor the city's American Royal event and two former Negro League baseball teams from the early 20th century. They kicked off their journey with a 4–3 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 12 innings, guided by manager Joseph Lowell Gordon, nicknamed "Flash.”
The Royals rose to prominence between 1976 and 1985 by winning numerous national and international tournaments under the leadership of renowned players such as Amos Otis, Hal McRae, John Mayberry, George Brett, Frank White, Willie Wilson, and Bret Saberhagen. During that time, they also became known for forging memorable rivalries, particularly with the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals. Following the 1985 MLB season, the Royals faced a 28-season post-season drought from 1986 to 2013, one of the longest in baseball history. As of September 2024, their winning percentage stands at approximately 47.6%, with 4,204 wins out of 8,823 matches, making it the third lowest among the top 25 MLB franchises, as per Statmuse.
The Kansas City Royals MLB Playoff History
Since their formation in 1969, the Kansas City Royals have competed in 56 MLB seasons through 2024. During this time, they have secured nine playoff appearances and proudly won two World Series championships, as highlighted by Baseball Reference.
The Kansas City Royals MLB Wild Card Appearances
The Kansas City Royals ended their postseason drought from 1986 to 2013 by securing the franchise's first-ever Wild Card entry in 2014, their only appearance so far.
| Year | ALWS Result |
| 2014 | Won against the Oakland Athletics |
The Kansas City Royals Division Series Appearances
The Kansas City Royals have appeared in multiple American League Division Series as members of the AL Central and AL West divisions. The table below showcases their performance in the Division Series:
| Year | ALDS Result |
| 1976 | AL West Division Champion |
| 1977 | AL West Division Champion |
| 1978 | AL West Division Champion |
| 1980 | AL West Division Champion |
| 1981 | AL West Division Champion |
| 1984 | AL West Division Champion |
| 1985 | AL West Division Champion |
| 2014 | Lost AL Central Division Championship |
| 2015 | AL Central Division Championship |
The Kansas City Royals MLB League Championship Appearances
The Kansas City Royals have been a part of the American League (AL) since 1969 and have competed in every season through 2023, claiming multiple league titles. The table below highlights their performance in the American League Championship:
| Year | ALCS Result |
| 1976 | Lost AL Championship |
| 1977 | Lost AL Championship |
| 1978 | Lost AL Championship |
| 1980 | AL Champion |
| 1984 | Lost AL Championship |
| 1985 | AL Champion |
| 2014 | AL Champion |
| 2015 | AL Champion |
The Kansas City Royals MLB World Series Records
The Kansas City Royals have won two World Series championships and hold a 2-2 (50%) record in World Series appearances. The following table discusses the World Series performance of the team:
| Year | Record | Result |
| 1980 | 97– 65 | Lost after one round against the Philadelphia Phillies |
| 1985 | 91 – 71 | Won against St. Louis Cardinals |
| 2014 | 89 – 73 | Lost after three rounds against the San Francisco Giants |
| 2015 | 95 – 67 | Won against New York Mets |
The Kansas City Royals Postseason Results Year by Year
The table below outlines the Kansas City Royals' postseason results, as per the source from Champs or Chumps:
| Year | Record | Result |
| 2023 | 56-106 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2022 | 65-97 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2021 | 74-88 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2020 | 26-34 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2019 | 59-103 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2018 | 58-104 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2017 | 80-82 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2016 | 81-81 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2015 | 95-67 | Won World Series |
| 2014 | 89-73 | Lost World Series (Won 3 Rounds) |
| 2013 | 86-76 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2012 | 86-76 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2011 | 71-91 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2010 | 67-95 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2009 | 65-97 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2008 | 75-87 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2007 | 69-93 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2006 | 62-100 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2005 | 56-106 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2004 | 58-104 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2003 | 83-79 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2002 | 62-100 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2001 | 65-97 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2000 | 77-85 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1999 | 64-97 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1998 | 72-89 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1997 | 67-94 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1996 | 75-86 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1995 | 70-74 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1994 | 64-51 | No Postseason |
| 1993 | 84-78 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1992 | 72-90 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1991 | 82-80 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1990 | 75-86 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1989 | 92-70 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1988 | 84-77 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1987 | 83-79 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1986 | 76-86 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1985 | 91-71 | Won World Series |
| 1984 | 84-78 | Lost AL Championship Series (Won 0 Rounds) |
| 1983 | 79-83 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1982 | 90-72 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1981 | 50-53 | Lost AL Divisional Series (Won 0 Rounds) |
| 1980 | 97-65 | Lost World Series (Won 1 Round) |
| 1979 | 85-77 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1978 | 92-70 | Lost AL Championship Series (Won 0 Rounds) |
| 1977 | 102-60 | Lost AL Championship Series (Won 0 Rounds) |
| 1976 | 90-72 | Lost AL Championship Series (Won 0 Rounds) |
| 1975 | 91-71 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1974 | 77-85 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1973 | 88-74 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1972 | 76-78 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1971 | 85-76 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1970 | 65-97 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1969 | 69-93 | Missed Playoffs |
FAQ's On Kansas City Royals Playoff History
A. The Royals last went to the playoffs in 2015.
A.The Royals won the World Series last against the New York Mets in 2015.
A. Ned Yost is the winningest manager in Kansas City Royals history and also holds the record for highest losses.
A. The Royals have won a total of seven division titles.
A. There are 27 members of the Kansas City Royals in the Hall of Fame.
