This Date In Royals History--1985 Edition: February 22

It's a time for optimism as Royals pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers.

Optimism filled the air as the Royals’ pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Fort Myers, Florida. Spring training is always a time for big dreams and good feelings, but this team had extra reasons to feel that way. After what could have been a franchise-wrecking drug scandal and the departures of several veteran stars following the 1983 season, the Royals responded with a surprising run to the AL West title in 1984.

The Royals had, almost all out of necessity, turned to a group of young, untested pitchers as they scrapped their way to that title. The trio of Mark Gubicza, Danny Jackson, and Bret Saberhagen joined the relative veterans Bud Black and Charlie Leibrandt as favorites for the rotation heading into 1985. The front office had unsuccessfully pursued free agent Rick Sutcliffe, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, but the Independence, Missouri, native elected to remain with the Chicago Cubs. The optimistic view was that Jackson (age 23), Gubicza (22), and Saberhagen (20) would only get better.

To encourage their growth, the Royals’ big offseason move happened about a month before spring training. Kansas City dealt pitcher Frank Wills and catcher Don Slaught in a four-team deal, bringing in veteran catcher Jim Sundberg from Milwaukee. The 33-year-old backstop owned six Gold Gloves and a reputation for calling a good game.

Kansas City’s only other offseason move of note was a deal that sent shortstop U L Washington to Montreal for two minor leaguers. Essentially, the Royals gave away Washington, solidifying Onix Concepcion as the starting shortstop.

With Sundberg behind the plate and Concepcion penciled in for the six spot, the Royals’ everyday lineup was just about set, unchanged from the 1984 season: franchise stalwarts George Brett and Frank White at third base and second base, respectively, and Steve Balboni looking to build on a 28-homer season at first base. After missing the first six weeks of the 1984 season due to a suspension from the aforementioned drug scandal, Willie Wilson was looking forward to a full season in center field and in his familiar leadoff spot in the batting order. He would be flanked in the outfield by Darryl Motley in left field and Pat Sheridan in right.

However, those two had the most tenuous grip on starting spots. Manager Dick Howser was unafraid to mix and match from his bench, platooning if needed. Lynn Jones and Dane Iorg figured to get spot starts and pinch-hitting chances. Valuable reserve Greg Pryor, who re-signed with the Royals after entering free agency over the winter, and Buddy Biancalana were set to be the backup infielders. Pryor had filled in admirably for Brett and White during an injury-filled 1984 season. The other “spare parts,” as Howser labeled his bench, were catcher John Wathan (versatile enough to handle first base or a corner outfield spot) and whichever of Hal McRae or Jorge Orta was not the DH on a particular day.

The bullpen was once again anchored by Dan Quisenberry, who led the league in saves for the third year in a row in 1984. Joe Beckwith, Mark Huismann, and Mike Jones all figured to be involved in middle relief roles. The Royals also added free agent pitcher Mike LaCoss to the mix just days before camp opened. Veteran Larry Gura was also hoping to still be a contributor, although Howser had used him sparingly down the stretch in 1984.

With almost an entire roster returning from a division title, even though that team won only 84 games, a core of young pitchers that seemed destined for stardom, and even a new artificial playing surface being placed in Royals Stadium, it was easy to find reasons for optimism. No wonder co-owner Avron Fogelman predicted a division title.

“I think the maturity of our pitchers and the stability of our lineup is going to make a big difference. Believe me, I am waiting anxiously to see how the preseason forecasts are going to come out because I just can’t see how we can’t be the favorite.”--Fogelman, quoted by Mike Fish, The Sporting News, February 25, 1985

Of course, there is a big difference between a rosy preseason outlook and actually winning. While you already know the ending, over the next several months, we will see how the Royals not only captured a division title, but their first World Series championship.

Today’s birthdays: Daniel Nava (1983), Carlos Peguero (1987), Kevin McCarthy (1992)