| Fort Myers Royals | |
|---|---|
| Minor league affiliations | |
| Previous classes | Class A (1978–1987) |
| League | Florida State League |
| Division | South |
| Major league affiliations | |
| Previous teams | Kansas City Royals |
| Minor league titles | |
| League titles (1) | 1985 |
| Division titles (2) |
|
| Team data | |
Previous parks | Terry Park |
The Fort Myers Royals were a minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals from 1978 to 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 was a member 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.
Season-by-season
| League champions † | Finals appearance * | Division winner ^ | Wild card berth ¤ |
| Fort Myers Royals | ||||||||
| Regular season | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | League | Division | Place | Wins | Losses | WIN% | GB | Postseason |
| 1978 | FSL | South | 3rd | 71 | 66 | .518 | 7.0 | Lost semifinals ( Miami Orioles) 1-0 |
| 1979 | FSL | South | 3rd | 69 | 69 | .500 | 20.5 | |
| 1980 | FSL | South | 3rd | 66 | 70 | .485 | 11.5 | |
| 1981 | FSL | South | 2nd | 72 | 58 | .554 | 7.0 | Won semifinals (
Fort Lauderdale Yankees) 1-0, Lost finals ( Daytona Beach Astros)3-1 |
| 1982 | FSL | South | 3rd | 69 | 68 | .504 | 15.5 | |
| 1983 | FSL | South | 3rd | 69 | 68 | .504 | 15.5 | |
| 1984 | FSL | South | 1st ^ | 81 | 60 | .574 | — | Lost semifinals ( Fort Lauderdale Yankees) 2-0 |
| 1985 | FSL | West | 1st ^ | 82 | 57 | .590 | — | Won semifinals (
St. Petersburg Cardinals) 2-1, Won finals ( Fort Lauderdale Yankees) 3-1 |
| 1986 | FSL | South | 4th | 50 | 85 | .370 | 37.5 | |
| 1987 | FSL | South | 6th | 54 | 87 | .383 | 30.5 | |
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 All-Star
- Greg Hibbard (1987)
- Ken Kravec (1987)
- Brian McRae (1987)
- Melido Perez (1987)
- Jerry Terrell (1987, MGR)
- Jacob Brumfield (1986)
- Luis de los Santos (1985)
- Kevin Seitzer (1985), 2 x MLB All-Star; 1987 AL hits leader
- Gary Thurman (1985)
- Bret Saberhagen (1983 3× MLB All-Star; 1985 World Series MVP; 1989 AL ERA leader; 2 × AL Cy Young Award (1985, 1989)
- David Cone (1982), 5 x MLB All-Star; Perfect Game 7/18/1999; 1994 AL Cy Young Award
- Mark Gubicza (1982), 2 x MLB All-Star
- Dennis Leonard (1982, 1985), 1977 AL wins leader
- Bill Pecota (1982–83)
- Butch Davis (1981)
- Tom Candiotti (1980)
- Don Slaught (1980)
- Atlee Hammaker (1979), MLB All-Star; 1983 NL ERA leader
- Pat Sheridan (1979–80)
- Gene Lamont (1978–80, MGR) 1993 AL Manager of the Year
- Renie Martin (1978)
- Darryl Motley (1978–80)
References
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- Baseball teams established in 1978
- Defunct baseball teams in Florida
- Defunct Florida State League teams
- Baseball in Fort Myers, Florida
- Kansas City Royals minor league affiliates
- Sports clubs and teams disestablished in 1987
- 1978 establishments in Florida
- 1987 disestablishments in Florida
- Baseball teams disestablished in 1987
- Southern United States baseball team stubs
- Florida sports team stubs