Ballpark Milestones

July 31, 2020 - The Royals play their latest home opener in franchise history and for the first time, a home game without any fans. No tickets are sold during the Major League Baseball regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 27, 2020 - Outfielder Alex Gordon leaves the field for the final time as a member of the Royals, after announcing his retirement earlier in the week. The eight-time Gold Glove winner finished his career appearing in 1,753 games with the Royals, including 865 at Kauffman Stadium.

September 29, 2021 - The Royals trailed the Indians 1-0 when they came up in the bottom of the first but took the lead soon after in historic style. Whit Merrifield led off with a double, Nicky Lopez walked, and on the first pitch Salvador Perez saw he smashed a three-run HR over the centerfield wall - it was the 48th HR of the season tying the Royals single season record set by Jorge Soler (2019); even more it was his 27th HR at home during the 2021 season which re-set the Royals record (he had broken the previous record with his 22nd HR at home on September 5, 2021 vs the Chicago White Sox); it was also Salvy's 200th career HR making him only the second player in Royals history to reach that milestone (George Brett - 317). The Royals defeated the Cleveland Indians 10-5 at Kauffman Stadium - it was the 4,000th win in Kansas City Royals franchise history.

April 7, 2022 - Kauffman Stadium hosts its 50^th consecutive Royals home opener in Kansas City. the ballpark became one of only six major league ballparks still in use at the time to have welcomed fans for at least fifty consecutive seasons – joining Fenway Park (1912), Wrigley Field (1914), Dodger Stadium (1962), Angel Stadium (1966), and the Oakland Coliseum (1968). In fact, there had been well over 150 ballparks that had been home to a major league ballclub at one time or another during the history of the game – only sixteen of those had been or were ever in continuous service enough to host 50 or more consecutive seasons. The Royals defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 at Kauffman Stadium - it was the first game ever for the Cleveland franchise with their new "Guardians' name.

September 25, 2022 - The Royals sent 14 men to the plate and scored 11 runs in the bottom of the sixth overcoming an 11-2 deficit to take a 13-11 lead - the 11-run frame matched the second most runs scored in an inning in franchise history, trailing only a 12-run sixth inning on June 17, 2003, vs Minnesota (14-7 win). The Royals won 13-12 over the Seattle Mariners to close out their 50th season at Kauffman Stadium and the home portion of the 54th season in Royals history. By overcoming their 11-2 deficit, the Royals matched the largest come from behind victory in club history, first accomplished on June 15, 1979, at Milwaukee, when they trailed 11-2 before rallying to post a 14-11 win. It was the Royals largest ever comeback victory at home.

May 7, 2023

Salvy Passes Sweeney For Second On Royals Home HR List

With two out and the bases empty in the bottom of the first inning, Salvador Perez blasted a HR to get the Royals on the scoreboard first. The HR charted by Statcast at 462 ft was the longest of his career and was also his 101st at Kauffman Stadium breaking a tie with Mike Sweeney for the second most career HRs in the ballpark (trailing only George Brett-136) - for Perez all 101 had come as a member of the Royals; Sweeney registered 99 HRs as a member of the Royals and one as a member of the Seattle Mariners against the Royals. Asked about the HR after the game, Perez wryly said with a smile, “I hit the weight room before the game.” Salvy went 3-for-4 and scored three runs in the game as the Royals defeated the Oakland A's 5-1 at Kauffman Stadium.

September 29, 2023

Bobby Goes 30/30 – First Ten Royals Reach Base

The Royals first ten batters in the bottom of the first inning reached base, setting a club record for most consecutive base runners to start a game before an out was recorded - and the first nine of them crossed home plate, one run shy of the Royals first inning scoring record. Bobby Witt ended the Royals scoring with a two-run HR in the seventh. It was his 50^th career HR and his 30^th of the 2024 season which along with his 49 steals made him the first player in Royals history to have a season with 30 or more HRs and 30 or more stolen bases. The Royals won 12-5 over the New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium.

April 11, 2024

Perfection - Royals Finish 7-0 Homestand

The Royals defeated the Houston Astros 13-3 at Kauffman Stadium to complete a three-game sweep and a perfect 7-0 homestand – it was the third perfect homestand of seven or more games in Royals history, following June 2-8, 1988 (7-0) and September 2-8, 1985 (8-0).

May 3, 2024

Mr. 1000 Arrives - Collin Selby Becomes 1,000th Player In Royals History.

Colin Selby made his Royals debut and tossed a scoreless ninth inning against the Rangers at Kauffman Stadium and in so doing became the 1,000th different player to appear in a regular season game in the 56-year history of the Kansas City Royals – the first was Royals starter Wally Bunker with the first pitch in club history on April 8, 1969. The Royals were the 23rd active franchise to have had 1,000 different players with at least one game appearance.

September 6, 2024

Cole 200 K's - First Royals Lefty In 200 Strikeout Club.

Cole Ragans made some Royals history during his six innings of scoreless work in which he allowed four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. The third of those seven strikeouts came against Royce Lewis to end the top of the third inning and was #200 on the season for Ragans making him the fifth pitcher—and first left hander—in Royals history to record a 200-strikeout season, following Zack Greinke (242 in 2009), Kevin Appier (207 in 1996), Dennis Leonard (244 in 1977) and Bob Johnson (206 in 1970). The Royals won 5-1 over the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

September 17, 2024

Bobby Goes 30/30, Again - First Shortstop With Two 30/30 Seasons

Trailing 1-0, Bobby Witt Jr drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the first inning at Kauffman Stadium against Tigers starter Casey Mize, then stole second for his 30th stolen base of the season - along with his 32 HRs, the steal gave him his second consecutive 30-HR, 30-stolen base season and made him the first shortstop in MLB history to record multiple 30-30 seasons.

September 18, 2024

Bobby Sets Royals Single Season Record With Extra Base Hit #87

Bobby Witt Jr made club history leading off the bottom of the eighth at Kauffman Stadium with a bloop double to shallow left field at home off the Tigers Brenan Hanifee – it was extra-base hit #87 for Witt on the season, passing Hal McRae (86 XBH in 1977) for the club single-season record. He would reset the Royals single season record with 88 extra base hits.

May 23, 2025

Top Bananas - Savanah Banana Baseball Slips Into The K

The Savanah Bananas made their first-ever appearance at Kauffman Stadium taking on the Firefighters in a baseball extravaganza. Royals Alumni Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas both had an at-bat for the Bananas. Soon to be Royals Hall of Famer Alex Gordon was the Bananas ‘Golden Rule’ batter late in the show.

May 31, 2025

Moose Retires As A Royal

Mike Moustakas was celebrated during a pregame ceremony as he signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Kansas City Royals Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal against the Royals Michael Wacha meant it was likely to be a pitcher’s duel – and it was indeed. No runner on either team had reached second base – until the bottom of the eighth. Nick Loftin doubled with one out against, then immediately scored the only run of the game when Vinnie Pasquantino followed with an RBI single. The Royals won 1-0 over the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

June 10, 2025

New Turf Debut - Tahoma 31 Grass

Following the Royals final game of the previous homestand on Sunday, June 1, 2025, all the grass in the outfield and foul territory at Kauffman Stadium was removed and replaced over the course of the next four days. On this night, the Royals played their first game on the newly installed turf called Tahoma 31 Bermuda which was originally developed by Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Named after the Native American word meaning frozen water, Tahoma 31 is 75% more cold tolerant than other bermudagrass varieties with improved wear tolerance, early spring green-up, shade tolerance, and drought resistance requiring 18% less water than other turf types. It has a deep blue-green color that stays greener longer and is the first to green up each spring.

June 13, 2025

Alex Gordon Royals Hall of Fame Induction

Three-time All-Star, two-time American League Champion, World Series Champion, eight-time Gold Glove Award winner, and two-time Platinum Glove Award winner Alex Gordon was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame during a pre-game ceremony at Kauffman Stadium. He was the 20th player and 31st person honored with the ballclub's highest honor.

July 20, 2025

Nine Pitcher Combined Shutout, Tied MLB Record

Entering the bottom of the tenth in a scoreless game, the Royals had just two hits and not a single at-bat with a runner in scoring position. To start the frame MJ Melendez started at second base as the initial ghost runner pinch-running for Vinnie Pasquantino. Salvador Perez was the leadoff hitter and immediately came through with a walk-off RBI single. On a day when the Royals had no ‘starter’ per se and went with a bullpen game with nine Royals pitchers combining for a five-hit ten shutout – Angel Zerpa (1.0), Jonathan Bowlan (2.0), John Schrieber (1.0), Taylor Clarke (1.0), Hunter Harvey (1.0), Stephen Cruz (1.0), Lucas Erceg (1.0), Carlos Estevez (1.0), and Sam Long (1.0) – with just one walk and ten strikeouts. The nine-pitcher shutout set a Royals club record (surpassing previous mark of six – and matched the MLB record for the most pitchers used in a shutout. The Royals won 1-0 in 10 innings over the Atlanta Braves at Kauffman Stadium.

August 19, 2025

100 Bobby Bombs – Witt Becomes Youngest Royals Player To 100 Career HR

On the ninth pitch of his eighth inning at-bat, Bobby Witt Jr launched a majestic two-run blast to centerfield measure at 449 feet – it was career HR #100. At 25 years and 66 days, Witt became the youngest player in Royals history to reach the 100 career HR milestone – surpassing Carlos Beltran at 26 years and 108 days old (August 8, 2003 – 6-2 win at Tampa Bay). In addition, he became the fourth player in MLB history to reach the 100 career HR and 100 career stolen bases within his first four big-league seasons – joining Julio Rodríguez (2022-25), Darryl Strawberry (1983-86) and Bobby Bonds (1968-71). The Royals won 5-2 over the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium.

August 30, 2025

Dozen Consecutive Home Games With HR, Tied Club Record

Bobby HR #20 Makes MLB History

It was a tale of two HRs. Trailing 1-0, Maikel Garcia got the Royals even with one out solo HR in the bottom of the fourth. With the game still tied 1-1, Tyler Tolbert drew a one out walk and Bobby Witt Jr followed with a two-run HR – a 427-foot blast to center – that put the Royals in front. It was HR #20 on the season for Witt, and along with his 34 stolen bases made him the first player in Major League history to record at least 20 HRs and 30 steals in each of his first four seasons, and no other player has even three. The two HRs gave the Royals a round tripper in 12 consecutive games at home (dating back to August 11, 2025, vs Washington) – a span in which the Royals had 23 HRs, matching the franchise record done twice previously, from August 23-September 8, 1985 (18 HRs) and April 19-May 22, 2023 (22 HRs). The Royals won 3-1 over the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

September 2, 2025

Kansas City Kid Comes Home - Carter Jensen MLB Debut

Carter Jensen made his MLB Debut and became the sixth player born in Kansas City, MO to appear in a big-league game for the Royals – the fourth to make his MLB debut for the Royals at Royals/Kauffman Stadium.

September 16, 2025

Carter Jensen Career HRs #1 & #2 – Royals Career HR Record for KCMO Born Player

Carter Jensen hit a two-out solo blast in the bottom of the fourth off Logan Golbert for his first big league HR – he was the second player born in Kansas City, MO to hit a HR for the Royals and the first to do so at home. He joined hometown boy Kit Pellow who homered in his third big league game on August 20, 2002, at Toronto. In the sixth, Jensen launched his second HR of the game making him the sixth player in Royals history to record his first two career HRs in the same game and the third in the 2025 season alone – following Jac Caglianone on June 19, 2025, John Rave on July 18, 2025, Mark Quinn on September 14, 1999, U.L. Washington on September 21, 1979 and Jim Rooker on July 7, 1969. And because the afore mentioned Kit Pellow had only the one HR in his 29 games with the Royals, Jensen also became the club career HR leader among players born in Kansas City, MO.

September 19, 2025

27 Hits Set Royals Record – Offensive Records Here, There, Everywhere

Carter Jensen had two doubles in the Royals seven run first inning – he was the first player in Royals history to record two extra-base hits in the first inning of a game, and the fourth (fifth instance) to have two extra-base hits in any inning of a game. Salvador Perez added his 30th HR of the season his second time reach that milestone matching Vinnie Pasquantino for the team lead, and they became the second teammates in Royals history with 30 or more HRs in the same season, joining Steve Balboni (36) and George Brett (30) in 1985. The Royals accumulated 27 hits to set a new franchise record, one better than their 26 hits on September 9, 2004, at Detroit. The Royals scored at least 20 runs in a game for the fourth time in franchise history, following April 6, 1974, vs. Minnesota (23 runs), June 15, 1976, at Detroit (21 runs) and September 9, 2004, at Detroit (26 runs). The Royals out-hit the Blue Jays by a margin of 24 (27-3), the largest differential in an MLB game since 1900. Twelve different Royals recorded a hit and ten had multiple hits, matching the MLB record done three times previously – most recently just 100 years before by the New York Giants on September 2, 1925. The Royals won 20-1 over the Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium.

March 30, 2026

Hottest Home Opener – New OF Dimensions – Old Dimensions HRs – First ABS Challenge By Royals Hitter

There was a Royals record set at the very start when temperature at first pitch was 85 degrees – the warmest home opener in club history surpassing 84 degrees on April 12, 1971, the first night home opener for the Royals, also against the Minnesota Twins. This was the first game in the new outfield dimensions at Kauffman Stadium, and the game included three HRs, two by the Royals – all of which would have also been out of the ballpark in the prior distances. The first was a lead off blast by the Twins Matt Wallner in the top of the second. Jonathan India led off the bottom of the frame with a single and with two-out Kyle Isbel launched a two-run shot to put the Royals in front. In the fifth, Maikel Garcia became the first Royals hitter to tap his helmet to signal a challenge. It worked. A 2-1 pitch originally ruled a strike was shown to be a ball – the 3-1 pitch Garcia ripped for a double. The Royals got an insurance tally when Isaac Collins added a one-out solo HR in the seventh – in so doing, he became the 31st player in Royals history to have his first hit with the club be a HR. The Royals won 3-1 over the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium.

April 4, 2026

Jen Pawol First Female MLB Umpire Makes Her First Appearance at Kauffman Stadium

The Friday night series opener was rained out the previous night, and the make-up day/night doubleheader. It was also a milestone in Royals history as Jen Pawol, who had become the first-ever female umpire in MLB when she debuted on August 9, 2025, at Atlanta, worked her first ever assignment at Kauffman Stadium. She was called up as an alternate umpire with Crew Chief Lance Barksdale's crew for a doubleheader - she worked first base during the day game, then moved to third base duties in the night game.