The 2008 Kansas City Royals season was the 40th season for the franchise, and their 36th at Kauffman Stadium. The season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters (Nippon Professional Baseball) manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.Kaegel, Dick. Royals introduce Hillman as new manager MLB.com, October 22, 2007.
The team looked to improve upon its record of 69–93 from 2007. The team's payroll for the 2008 season was initially estimated to be around $57 million,Associated Press. Cabrera homers in Tiger's debut but Royals prevail in 11 ESPN.com, March 31, 2008. and wound up at $58 million (24th in the major leagues).
Despite another last-place finish in 2007, the Royals sought a breakout season in 2008.Kaegel, Dick. KC hopes for Winter Meeting encore MLB.com, November 28, 2007. Renovations to Kauffman Stadium were ongoing throughout the 2008 season and it was completed in time for Opening Day in 2009.
Following the team's 81st game, the mid-way point of the 2008 season, the Royals had a 37–44 record. The closest the team managed to crawl back to a .500 record after their 9–6 start to the season was within 6 games in mid-July. After compiling a 7–20 record in August, the Royals were eliminated from recording their first winning season since 2003. However, an 18–8 record in September let the Royals finish with a 75–87 record, their best since 2003.
Offseason
Coaching search
Buddy Bell announced his resignation at the end of the 2007 season after serving seasons with the Royals. Early candidates to assume the manager's position included Royals bench coach Billy Doran,Dutton, Bob. Finding a manager tops Royals' offseason checklist Kansas City Star, October 1, 2007. former Royals star Frank White, and Triple-A Omaha manager Mike Jirschele. Former Major League managers such as Joe Girardi, Jim Fregosi, Ken Macha, and Jimy Williams were also in consideration. Trey Hillman, who was considered a sleeper candidate, was chosen on October 19. Hillman was interviewed in 2007 by Texas, San Diego and Oakland. He was mentioned as a possible successor to Joe Torre with New York. Hillman had never played, coached or managed in Major League Baseball prior to his hiring by the Royals.
Winter meetings
The Royals entered baseball's winter meetings in December 2007 with José Guillén and Andruw Jones atop their free-agent prospects list.Kaegel, Dick. Royals win one, lose one MLB.com, December 6, 2007. Torii Hunter was also considered by Kansas City before signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Royals signed Guillén to a three-year, $36 million contract, while Jones signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The acquisition of Guillén was the Royals' only major move at the winter meetings. Just before the meetings, the Royals had ministered to another need by signing reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option for 2010.Kaegel, Dick. Yabuta signs two-year deal with Royals MLB.com, November 28, 2007.Kaegel, Dick. Guillen deal spanned Winter Meetings MLB.com, December 6, 2007. Yabuta, from the Nippon Professional Baseball league, was seen as the likely successor to David Riske in a right-handed setup role. Riske left the Royals for a three-year, $13 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.Kaegel, Dick. Riske departs with deal from Brewers MLB.com, December 5, 2007. Hiroki Kuroda was on the Royals' radar, but several other teams were in pursuit as well,Kaegel, Dick. Royals join hunt for Kuroda MLB.com, November 27, 2007. and the Dodgers signed him first.
In the Rule 5 draft, the Royals picked up left-handed pitcher Ray Liotta from the Chicago White Sox.
Roster moves
Kansas City avoided arbitration with all of its players for the 2008 season.
C John BuckKaegel, Dick. Three Royals exchange salary figures MLB.com, January 18, 2008.Kaegel, Dick. Royals Winter Meeting checklist MLB.com, November 28, 2007. 1B Ross Gload IF Estéban GermánKaegel, Dick. Royals sign utility player German MLB.com, January 29, 2008. IF Jason Smith (released)Kaegel, Dick. Royals sign Duckworth, Smith MLB.com, December 12, 2007.Kaegel, Dick. Royals cut ties with infielder Smith MLB.com, January 4, 2008. OF Mark TeahenKaegel, Dick. Royals sign pitcher Zack Greinke and outfielder Mark Teahen to one-year deals MLB.com, February 7, 2008. OF Emil Brown (released)Kaegel, Dick. Brown's days with Royals end MLB.com, December 12, 2007. LHP Jorge de la Rosa RHP Zack Greinke LHP Jimmy Gobble RHP Brandon Duckworth RHP Román Colón RHP Luke HudsonKaegel, Dick. Royals, Hudson agree on contract MLB.com, January 8, 2008.
(x) = club option for 2008 (m) = mutual option for 2008 (y) = player option for 2008
Color Code Key
ColorMeaningGreenPlayer will return to teamLight Green Player joins teamCrimson Player will not return to team (released, option not exercised, signed with new team, or retired etc.)White Player's status undetermined
PlayerPosition2007 Team2008 TeamCommentsEmil BrownOFRoyalsAthleticsSigned 1 Year, $1.45MBrian BuchananOFHawksRoyalsSigned minor league contractFernando Cortez2BRoyalsWhite SoxSigned minor league contractZach DayRPTwinsElected Free agencyJosé GuillénOFMarinersRoyalsSigned a 3-year, $36 million dealJason LaRueCRoyalsCardinalsSigned 1 Year, $850KBrian LawrenceSPRoyalsElected Free AgencyColby LewisSPAthleticsCentral League (Japan)Claimed off waivers from Athletics, released, signed w/ Hiroshima CarpRon MahayRPBravesRoyalsSigned 2-years, $8MMike MarothSPRoyalsElected Free AgencyJoe NelsonRPRoyalsMarlinsSigned Minor League ContractHideo NomoSPDid Not PlayRoyalsSigned Minor league ContractMiguel OlivoCMarlinsRoyalsSigned 1-Year Contract w/ 2009 Mutual OptionOdalis PérezSPRoyalsNationalsRoyals declined option; signed minor league contractPaul PhillipsCRoyalsWhite SoxSpring training inviteeDavid RiskeRPRoyalsBrewersSigned 3-year, $13M contractReggie SandersOFRoyalsElected free agencyMike Sweeney1BRoyalsAthleticsSigned minor league contractJohn ThomsonSPRoyalsElected free agencyBrett TomkoSPPadresRoyalsSigned 1-Year, $3MChin-hui TsaoRPDodgersRoyalsSpring training inviteeYasuhiko YabutaRPMarinesRoyalsSigned 2-years, $6M deal with 2010 club option
Trades December 15—Traded RHP Billy Buckner to the Arizona Diamondbacks for IF Alberto Callaspo.Kaegel, Dick. Royals acquire Callaspo from D-Backs MLB.com, December 15, 2007.
Return of the Powder Blues After a lengthy absence, the Royals' powder blue uniforms returned in 2008. The new powder blue jerseys were unveiled to season-ticket holders on December 6, 2007, at a private event in downtown Kansas City.Kaegel, Dick. Royals to bring back powder blues MLB.com, December 6, 2007. Royals players John Buck, Mark Teahen, Alex Gordon, José Guillén and David DeJesus and manager Trey Hillman modeled the new power blue tops and white pants, which will be an alternate home jersey in 2008. The Royals previously wore powder-blue uniforms in away games from 1973 to 1991.
The Royals debuted the jerseys on April 12 against the Minnesota Twins. The first 20,000 fans for the game received a replica powder blue No. 16 Billy Butler jersey.Kaegel, Dick. Powder blues popular in return MLB.com, April 12, 2008. With that promotion, the game was a sellout. Manager Trey Hillman and seven players—Brian Bannister, Gil Meche, Joey Gathright, Tony Peña Jr., John Bale, Zack Greinke and Butler—helped hand out the free jerseys when the gates opened at 4 p.m. All 20,000 powder blue tops were handed out within 40 minutes after the gates opened.
Regular season
Suspensions Outfielder José Guillén was to be suspended for 15 days (12 games) for violation of Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Kansas City signed Guillén knowing that he might have been suspended.Kaegel, Dick. Royals slugger Guillen suspended MLB.com, December 6, 2007. Guillén was cited in the Mitchell Report when it was released on December 13, 2007.Kaegel, Dick. Royals players cited by Mitchell MLB.com, December 13, 2007. Guillén's suspension was put on hold for 10 days allowing him to play in the team's season and home openers.Associated Press. Gibbons, Guillén suspensions put on hold for 10 days ESPN.com, March 29, 2008. The suspension was eventually upheld and Guillén never received any punishment.Kaegel, Dick. MLB commutes Guillen's suspension MLB.com, April 11, 2008.
Miguel Olivo faced a five-game suspension for fighting at New York in the 2007 season while a member of the Florida Marlins,Kaegel, Dick. Royals await appeals decisions MLB.com, March 23, 2008. but the suspension was reduced to four games after an appeal.Kaegel, Dick. Guillen will play on Opening Day MLB.com, March 28, 2008. He was eligible to begin playing on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins.
Monthly summaries
March and April
On March 31, the Detroit Tigers hosted the Royals on Opening Day. Kansas City listed only 24 players on their active roster, as Miguel Olivo began serving his four-game suspension.Kaegel, Dick. Royals make final roster decisions MLB.com, March 29, 2008. The roster listed 11 pitchers, 7 infielders, 4 outfielders, and 2 catchers. Gil Meche made his second consecutive Opening Day start for the Royals,Kaegel, Dick. Meche eyeing repeat performance MLB.com, March 28, 2008. lasting six innings. The Royals won the game 5–4 in 11 innings, and went on to sweep the Tigers in the three-game series outscoring them 13–5. Kansas City hosted the New York Yankees for their home-opening series at Kauffman Stadium and won two of three games. Their 6–2 start was the franchise's best since 2003.Associated Press. Bannister, Royals drop A-Rod, Yanks for best start since 2003 ESPN.com, April 8, 2008.
The Royals hosted the Twins from April 11–13, where game-time temperatures reached as low as for the series.Associated Press. Liriano rocked by Royals in return as Bannister baffles Twins for win ESPN.com, April 14, 2008. After losing the first two games and not scoring any runs, the Royals won the last game by a score of 5–1. Kansas City debuted their new alternate powder blue home jerseys to a sold-out crowd on April 12, with a replica jersey giveaway promotion.Associated Press. Cold weather rubs off on Royals as scoreless inning streak hits 26 ESPN.com, April 12, 2008. Brian Bannister threw a complete game and allowed only three hits on April 13 in a 5–1 win. The following night, Zack Greinke threw a complete game as well.Kaegel, Dick. Greinke, homers lift KC past Seattle MLB.com, April 15, 2008.
It was not until their 19th game of the season that the Royals fell under a .500 winning percentage in the middle of a seven-game losing streak after going 9–6 to start the season. When the streak was snapped they were 10–13. In 2007, the Royals lost their second game of the year and remained under .500 for the remainder of the season, finishing with a record of 69–93.
May
At the Royals' May 9 game against the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City-native David Cook threw out the ceremonial first pitch and sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the seventh inning stretch. At the time, Cook was a finalist on American Idol, and he eventually won the competition.Associated Press. Hometown fans welcome back 'Idol' finalists MSNBC.com, May 9, 2008.
Brian Bannister threw a two-hitter on May 11 in a 4–0 win over Baltimore for the Royals' first victory over the Orioles after losing 12 consecutive games to the franchise. Through 40 games, Joakim Soria had a 0.00 ERA and ten saves, and the Royals signed him to a three-year contract extension through the 2011 season.Kaegel, Dick. Royals give contract extension to Soria MLB.com, May 17, 2008.