The Kansas City Royals are a professional baseball team in Kansas City, Missouri. Established in 1969 as part of an expansion initiative, the Royals compete in the American League (AL) Central Division. They have been playing their home games at Kauffman Stadium since 1973, recognized for its fountains and lively ambiance. Before that, from 1969 to 1972, Municipal Stadium served as their home ground.
By 1976, the team had made it to their first postseason appearance, and within ten years they celebrated their inaugural World Series victory in 1985 when they triumphed over the St. Louis Cardinals in a seven-game showdown. The Royals made another noteworthy attempt at the World Series in 2014 but were defeated by the San Francisco Giants. However, they bounced back the following year to secure their second championship by overcoming the New York Mets in five matches. Since 2019, John Sherman has been the franchise's majority owner along with several other Kansas City business leaders and entrepreneurs. As of 2023, Matt Quatraro holds the position of manager for the Kansas City Royals while J.J. Picollo has been serving as general manager since 2006.
Who is the Captain of the Kansas City Royals?
As of 2024, Salvador Pérez serves as the official captain of the Kansas City Royals. He was appointed to this role on March 30, 2023, becoming the fourth player in franchise history to hold this title. A Venezuelan-American professional baseball catcher and first baseman, Pérez has played for the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball (MLB) since making his debut on August 10, 2011.
During his time with the Royals, he secured a World Series Championship in 2015 and earned the World Series MVP award. Over his career, he has been selected as an MLB All-Star nine times, won five Gold Glove Awards, and four Silver Slugger Awards. While he primarily played catcher for the first eleven years of his career, starting in the 2023 season he began playing first base more frequently; notably, during 2024 he recorded a career-high number of games at that position.
Pérez holds the record for most home runs hit by a primary catcher in a single MLB season with 48, surpassing Johnny Bench's previous mark of 45 set during the 1970 season.
Kansas City Royals Captain History
Throughout the history of Kansas City Royals, the MLB franchise had four captains and Salvador Pérez is the fourth captain of the team as per Baseball Almanac.
| Captain | Dates | Royals Captains | Position |
| 1st | 1989 – 1993 | George Brett | 3B |
| 2nd | 1989 – 1990 | Frank White | 2B |
| 3rd | 2003 – 2007 | Mike Sweeney | C / 1B |
| 4th | 2023 - present | Salvador Perez | C |
George Brett (1989-1993)
George Brett served as the first captain of the Kansas City Royals from 1989 to 1993. A Hall of Famer and one of the franchise's most iconic figures, Brett was known for his exceptional hitting, winning three batting titles and accumulating over 3,154 hits during his career. His leadership played a crucial role in the Royals' success, including their 1985 World Series championship.
Frank White (1989-1990)
Frank White served as the Royals' captain from 1989 to 1990. A second baseman, White was known for his defensive prowess and leadership on the field. He was a key player during the Royals' successful years. He is the first base coach for the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. Frank played eight seasons for the Kansas City Royals from 1973 to 1990.
Mike Sweeney (2003-2007)
Mike Sweeney served as the captain of the Kansas City Royals from 2003 to 2007. Playing primarily as a catcher and first baseman, Sweeney was a five-time All-Star and has also been inducted into the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame. He made his MLB debut on September 14, 1995, for the Kansas City Royals and played for the team till 2007 further playing for another team and he retired from baseball on March 25, 2011.
Salvador Perez (2023-present)
Salvador Pérez became the captain of the Kansas City Royals in 2023. A nine-time All-Star and a World Series champion, Pérez has established himself as a key leader both on the field and in the clubhouse. He is a catcher and first baseman for the Kansas City Royals since his debut in 2011. Salvador is a Venezuelan-American baseball player and throughout his career, he has won Gold Glove Award five times and four Silver Slugger Awards as of the 2023 season.
FAQs on Kansas City Royals Captains Year Over Year
A. The Kansas City Royals were founded in 1969 as part of Major League Baseball’s expansion.
A. The Royals have won two World Series titles, in 1985 and 2015.
A. The Royals play their home games at Kauffman Stadium, which opened in 1973.
A. As of 2024, Salvador Pérez has made nine All-Star appearances.
A. George Brett was the first captain of the Kansas City Royals, serving from 1989 to 1993.
