The 1971 season was the Kansas City Royals' third in Major League Baseball. The Royals had the first winning season (85–76) in franchise history, good enough for second place in the American League West and 16 games behind the Oakland Athletics. Kansas City earning a winning record in its third season was the second fastest of any expansion club in Major League Baseball history up to that point, the 1962 Los Angeles Angels achieved a winning record in their second season. The record would stand until the 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks won the National League West title in their second season.
By comparison, none of the Royals' expansion brethren--the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres--enjoyed a winning season prior to 1978.
Offseason February 2, 1971: Ellie Rodríguez was traded by the Royals to the Milwaukee Brewers for Carl Taylor.Ellie Rodríguez at Baseball Reference Prior to 1971 season: Gary Lance was signed as an amateur free agent by the Royals.Gary Lance at Baseball Reference
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions May 11, 1971: Tom Matchick was traded by the Royals to the Milwaukee Brewers for Ted Savage.Tom Matchick at Baseball Reference June 8, 1971: George Brett was drafted by the Royals in the 2nd round of the 1971 Major League Baseball draft.George Brett at Baseball Reference
Roster 1971 Kansas City Royals Roster Pitchers Catchers
Infielders Outfielders Manager
Coaches (Pitching) (Third base) (Hitting) (First base)
Player stats
= Indicates team leader Batting
Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C 71 218 55 .252 1 24 1B 103 295 82 .278 9 47 2B 115 414 124 .300 6 59 SS 147 591 158 .267 6 36 3B 161 548 150 .274 11 63 LF 126 448 125 .279 3 51 CF 147 555 167 .301 15 79 RF 110 351 87 .248 3 30
Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI 128 373 91 .244 8 52 120 365 80 .219 9 46 72 161 33 .205 1 11 60 152 31 .204 2 14 49 143 31 .217 2 21 31 66 10 .152 0 2 18 63 20 .317 2 15 22 46 7 .152 0 1 20 39 7 .179 0 3 16 30 9 .300 0 1 19 29 5 .172 0 1
Pitching
Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 35 241.1 17 11 2.98 109 32 205.2 15 8 2.71 76 22 144.1 8 9 2.68 80 25 141.1 8 6 3.44 58 7 32.1 2 3 5.01 15
Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO 36 127.1 7 5 4.17 53 21 78.0 3 6 3.69 56 20 54.0 2 7 5.33 31 14 44.1 1 2 3.45 32 10 24.0 1 0 4.12 20 3 21.1 3 0 2.11 12 4 9.2 0 0 9.31 2
Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO 63 4 6 23 2.56 55 67 9 7 17 1.73 44 53 5 5 3 2.89 103 13 0 1 0 5.29 29
Awards and honors
All-Star Game
Cookie Rojas, Second Base, Reserve Amos Otis, Outfield, Reserve
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Elmira, GCL Royals
Notes
References 1971 Kansas City Royals at Baseball Reference 1971 Kansas City Royals at Baseball Almanac