The Fort Myers Royals were a minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals from 1978 to 1987. In 1978 the Royals were brought to Fort Myers, Florida by the Kansas City franchise. This was because Fort Myers served as the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals. The Royals were a Single A Florida State League franchise. The team played at Terry Park Ballfield from 1978 until 1987. In 1985 the Royals won the Florida State League Championship. Kevin Seitzer was a member of that Fort Myers Royals team. The Minor League franchise left Fort Myers in 1988 when the Major League Baseball franchise moved Spring Training to Haines City, Florida and Baseball City Stadium.

Fort Myers Royals
Minor league affiliations
Previous classesClass A (1978–1987)
LeagueFlorida State League
DivisionSouth
Major league affiliations
Previous teamsKansas City Royals
Minor league titles
League titles (1)1985
Division titles (2)
  • 1984
  • 1985
Team data
Previous parks
Terry Park

Season-by-season

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League champions Finals appearance * Division winner ^ Wild card berth ¤
Fort Myers Royals
Regular season
Year League Division Place Wins Losses WIN% GB Postseason
1978 FSL South 3rd 71 66 .518 7.0 Lost semifinals (Miami Orioles) 1-0
1979 FSL South 3rd 69 69 .500 20.5
1980 FSL South 3rd 66 70 .485 11.5
1981 FSL South 2nd 72 58 .554 7.0 Won semifinals (Fort Lauderdale Yankees) 1-0,
Lost finals (Daytona Beach Astros)3-1
1982 FSL South 3rd 69 68 .504 15.5
1983 FSL South 3rd 69 68 .504 15.5
1984 FSL South 1st ^ 81 60 .574 Lost semifinals (Fort Lauderdale Yankees) 2-0
1985 FSL West 1st ^ 82 57 .590 Won semifinals (St. Petersburg Cardinals) 2-1,
Won finals (Fort Lauderdale Yankees) 3-1
1986 FSL South 4th 50 85 .370 37.5
1987 FSL South 6th 54 87 .383 30.5

Ballpark

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The Fort Myers Royals played at Terry Park, located at 3410 Palm Beach Boulevard. Built in 1955, the historic ballpark was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It sustained hurricane damage in 2004, that resulted in the grandstands being rebuilt.[1] The ballpark still exists today as part of the Terry Park Sports Complex.[2]

Notable alumni

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Numerous Fort Myers Royals alumni reached the major leagues; some of note include:[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Terry Park - Fort Myers, Florida".
  2. ^ "Facility".
  3. ^ "Fort Myers, Florida Encyclopedia".