Fort Myers Royals
|
Fort Myers Royals 1978–1987 Fort Myers, Florida | |
| Class-level | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Class A (1978-1987) |
| Minor league affiliations | |
| League | Florida State League |
| Division | North |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous | Kansas City Royals |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles | 1 (1985) |
| Team data | |
Previous parks | Terry Park |
The Fort Myers Royals were a minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals from 1978-1987. In 1978 the Royals were brought to Fort Myers, Florida by the Kansas City franchise. This was because Fort Myers served as the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals. The Royals were a Single A Florida State League franchise. The team played at Terry Park Ballfield from 1978 until 1987. In 1985 the Royals won the Florida State League Championship. Kevin Seitzer and Bret Saberhagen were members of that Fort Myers Royals team. The Minor League franchise left Fort Myers in 1988 when the Major League Baseball franchise moved Spring Training to Haines City, Florida and Baseball City Stadium.
The Ballpark
The Fort Myers Royals played at Terry Park, located at 3410 Palm Beach Boulevard. Built in 1955, the historic ballpark was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It sustained hurricane damage in 2004, that resulted in the grandstands being rebuilt.[1]The ballpark still exists today as part of the Terry Park Sports Complex.[2]
Notable alumni
Numerous Fort Myers Royals alumni reached the major leagues; some of note include:[3]
- Sean Berry (1987)
- Mike Butcher (1987)
- Tom Gordon (1987), MLB AS
- Greg Hibbard (1987)
- Ken Kravec (1987)
- Brian McRae (1987)
- Melido Perez (1987)
- Jerry Terrell (1987, MGR)
- Jacob Brumfield (1986)
- Jose Nunez (1986)
- Luis de los Santos (1985)
- Kevin Seitzer (1985), 2 x MLB AS; 1987 AL hits leader
- Gary Thurman (1985)
- Mike Jones (1983)
- Mike Kingery (1983)
- Bret Saberhagen (1983), GG; 3× MLB AS; 1985 World Series MVP; 1989 AL ERA leader; 1989 MLB wins leader; 2 × AL Cy Young Award (1985, 1989)
- David Cone (1982), 5 x MLB AS; Perfect Game 7/18/1999; 2 × MLB strikeout leader (1990, 1991); 1998 MLB wins leader; 1994 AL Cy Young Award
- Mark Gubicza (1982), 2 x MLB AS
- Mark Huismann (1982)
- Dennis Leonard (1982, 1985), 1977 AL wins leader
- Bill Pecota (1982–83)
- Butch Davis (1981)
- Tom Candiotti (1980)
- Don Slaught (1980)
- Buddy Biancalana (1979–80)
- Atlee Hammaker (1979), MLB AS; 1983 NL ERA leader
- Bill Laskey (1979)
- Pat Sheridan (1979–80)
- Onix Concepcion (1978)
- Gene Lamont (1978–80, MGR), 1993 AL Manager of the Year
- Renie Martin (1978)
- Darryl Motley (1978–80)