This Day (March 28) in Royals History

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In recent years, March 28 has twice served as the backdrop for the start of the Royals' regular season, providing fans with both the jubilation of a new beginning and the sting of a close defeat.

On March 28, 2019, the Royals opened their 50th anniversary season with a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Brad Keller set the tone for the season, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing only two hits. The offense was fueled by a towering two-run home run from Adalberto Mondesi, helping the Royals start the year with a win in front of a sellout home crowd.

2024: The Pitcher's Duel: Five years later, on March 28, 2024, the atmosphere was once again electric in Kansas City as the Royals faced the Minnesota Twins. The game was a tight defensive battle, highlighted by Maikel Garcia launching a solo home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game. However, despite a strong outing from Cole Ragans, the Royals couldn't overcome the Twins' late-inning surge, falling 4-1.  

 

Royals Birthdays

While no Hall of Fame Royals were born on this day, March 28 is the birthday of several players who left their mark on the franchise:

Austin Cox (Born 1997): A left-handed pitcher who was a key part of the Royals' youth movement. Cox made his MLB debut in 2023 and has been valued for his versatility as both a starter and a high-leverage reliever.  

Shawn Boskie (Born 1967): A veteran right-hander who spent the 1995 season in Kansas City. Boskie was a reliable arm in the rotation during a transitional era for the team, posting several gutsy performances in the hitter-friendly confines of the AL Central.

Craig Paquette (Born 1969): An infielder known for his power potential, Paquette played for the Royals in 1996 and 1997. He is often remembered by fans for his ability to play multiple positions and provide timely hits during the late-90s "Blue Crew" years.

Beyond the box scores, March 28 is a day of reflection for the broader baseball world that touches the Royals' history. It is the birthday of Lon Warneke (born 1909), a five-time All-Star pitcher and respected umpire who saw the game evolve from the pre-expansion era to the birth of franchises like the Royals.  

 

It is also a day that highlights the "what-ifs" of spring training. In 1990, MLB briefly considered a plan to allow pitchers to earn wins with only three innings of work due to a shortened spring training—a rule that would have fundamentally changed how early-season Royals legends like Kevin Appier were managed.

The 2019 Opening Day was a high point for the Royals' 50th-anniversary season, featuring a dominant pitching performance and an electric atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium. Here is the deeper dive into that 5-3 win over the White Sox: The lineup that afternoon reflected a team in transition, blending established veterans from the 2015 championship era with the "speed-and-defense" identity they were trying to rebuild.

The 2019 Opening Day was a high point for the Royals' 50th-anniversary season, featuring a dominant pitching performance and an electric atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium. Here is the deeper dive into that 5-3 win over the White Sox:

Here is the 2019 Opening Day Starting Lineup:

1 Whit Merrifield 2B - Extended his hitting streak to 21 games (dating back to 2018).

2 Adalberto Mondesi SS - Hit a massive two-run triple in the 7th to break the game open.

3 Alex Gordon LF - Collected an RBI and showed why he remained the heart of the franchise.

4 Jorge Soler RF - Finished 0-for-3 but would go on to hit a franchise-record 48 HRs that year.

5 Ryan O'Hearn 1B - Provided a steady glove at first for the young rotation.

6 Chris Owings 3B - Made his Royals debut after signing as a free agent.

7 Martin Maldonado C - Provided elite defense behind the plate for Brad Keller.

8 Lucas Duda DH - Drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

9 Billy Hamilton CF - Made his debut, highlighting the team's focus on elite outfield speed.

The 2019 Opening Day was a high point for the Royals' 50th-anniversary season, featuring a dominant pitching performance and an electric atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium. Here is the deeper dive into that 5-3 win over the White Sox

The lineup that afternoon reflected a team in transition, blending established veterans from the 2015 championship era with the "speed-and-defense" identity they were trying to rebuild.

Key Highlights from the Field: 

Brad Keller's Command: Brad Keller became the youngest Royals Opening Day starter since Zack Grienke. He was efficient and fearless, retiring the first 10 batters he faced and needing only 88 pitches to get through seven innings.

The Big 7th Inning: Leading 3-2 in the 7th, Adalberto Mondesi cleared the bases with a triple to the right-center gap. His speed was the talk of the league that spring, and that hit essentially sealed the victory.

The Bullpen Finish: While Ian Kennedy would eventually transition to the closer role later that year, the 9th inning was handled by Wily Peralta, who notched the save despite allowing one run.

This game marked the beginning of Ned Yost’s final season as manager. Winning on Opening Day was a fitting start for the winningest manager in franchise history, especially in a year dedicated to celebrating the team's 50-year legacy in Kansas City.