We are just one week away from the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Widely viewed as the biggest crapshoot among drafts of major sports, the MLB Draft is never an easy one to predict. As a result, and because I my record with predictions might be worse than the Washington Generals' record against the Harlem Globetrotters, I will make no predictions concerning next week's draft. Instead, I'll allow you to soak in the following tidbits concerning this annual event as it relates to the team I root for through thick and (most often) thin, the Kansas City Royals.
- In 1979, the Royals drafted a pair of Hall of Famers. Unfortunately for the Royals, both would bypass the diamond for glory on the gridiron. Kansas City drafted Dan Marino in the second round and John Elway in the 18th.
- Over the history of the franchise, the Royals have drafted two more Hall of Fame quarterbacks than the Chiefs.
- In 1982, the Royals drafted a first baseman that would go on to appear in six All Star games and win an MVP award in 1989. Unfortunately, Will "The Thrill" Clark chose not to sign with Kansas City and attend Mississippi State University instead.
- Bret Saberhagen, who would go on to win a pair of Cy Young Awards for KC, was actually the Royals' 19th pick in 1982. Picked ahead of Saberhagen were household names like Joe Szekely, Mark Pirruccello and Darren Sturdivant.
- 1985 was an historic year for the Royals, as they won the franchise's only World Series title. Though he would not sign, they also drafted Deion Sanders in the sixth round of the draft. The following year, they drafted Bo Jackson in the fourth round... It seems the Royals' front office should have been drafting for the Chiefs in the 80s.
- In 60 rounds of the 1989 draft, the Royals drafted exactly four players that actually played in the Major Leagues. Only two played for Kansas City.
- In 1994, KC drafted 10 players that reached the big leagues. The best was a pitcher named Jose Rosado that was a two-time All Star before his career fell apart due to injuries. No. 2 on that list would probably be Matt Treanor. Unfortunately for the Royals, the reason you recognize that name is probably because of his wife.
- In 2000, the Royals had the No. 4 overall pick. They drafted a pitcher named Mike Stodolka. He never pitched in the majors, and was actually last seen playing first base in the minor leagues. Philadelphia drafted three-time All Star Chase Utley 11 picks later.
- In 1979, the Royals drafted a pair of Hall of Famers. Unfortunately for the Royals, both would bypass the diamond for glory on the gridiron. Kansas City drafted Dan Marino in the second round and John Elway in the 18th.
- Over the history of the franchise, the Royals have drafted two more Hall of Fame quarterbacks than the Chiefs.
- In 1982, the Royals drafted a first baseman that would go on to appear in six All Star games and win an MVP award in 1989. Unfortunately, Will "The Thrill" Clark chose not to sign with Kansas City and attend Mississippi State University instead.
- Bret Saberhagen, who would go on to win a pair of Cy Young Awards for KC, was actually the Royals' 19th pick in 1982. Picked ahead of Saberhagen were household names like Joe Szekely, Mark Pirruccello and Darren Sturdivant.
- 1985 was an historic year for the Royals, as they won the franchise's only World Series title. Though he would not sign, they also drafted Deion Sanders in the sixth round of the draft. The following year, they drafted Bo Jackson in the fourth round... It seems the Royals' front office should have been drafting for the Chiefs in the 80s.
- In 60 rounds of the 1989 draft, the Royals drafted exactly four players that actually played in the Major Leagues. Only two played for Kansas City.
- In 1994, KC drafted 10 players that reached the big leagues. The best was a pitcher named Jose Rosado that was a two-time All Star before his career fell apart due to injuries. No. 2 on that list would probably be Matt Treanor. Unfortunately for the Royals, the reason you recognize that name is probably because of his wife.
- In 2000, the Royals had the No. 4 overall pick. They drafted a pitcher named Mike Stodolka. He never pitched in the majors, and was actually last seen playing first base in the minor leagues. Philadelphia drafted three-time All Star Chase Utley 11 picks later.
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