KC Royals All-Time Franchise Leaders In Triples

Joel Wagler

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

1985 World Series ring worn by Kansas City Royals former player George Brett (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

For 45 years, the KC Royals have never been much of a home run hitting team. Since 1969, the Kansas City Royals have the fewest home runs of any Major League franchise, not counting the four teams included in the expansion during the 1990’s.

In fact, even the Blue Jays and Mariners, who both joined the major leagues in 1977 are far ahead of the Royals in home runs. Kansas City has 5,474 home runs, Toronto has 6,183 (16th since 1969), and Seattle has 5,778 (22nd). (All stats courtesy of Fangraphs.)

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 17. Mark Teahen

Mark Teahen doesn’t leap to mind as much of a triples hitter, but he produced 24 in his five seasons with the Royals, including a career-high eight in 2007. Teahen was acquired as the supposed key player when Kansas City traded Johnny Damon.

Teahen just never developed into a legitimate, productive every day player, for the KC Royals or anyone else.

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 17. Kevin Seitzer

Kevin Seitzer first joined the KC Royals in 1986, and became the regular third baseman in 1987 in his first full year, moving Kansas City legend, George Brett across the diamond to first base.

As a rookie, Seitzer finished second in the American Rookie of the Year balloting, behind Mark McGuire. He hit .323, knocked out 207 base hits, and legged out eight triples. Unfortunately, Seitzer never topped those marks for hits and triples – not for the Royals or for anyone else.

Seitzer later spent time as the Royals batting coach.

Next: The Duke

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 16. John Wathan

Although John Wathan did play a variety of positions in his decade-long tenure with the Royals, he was predominantly a catcher. Being a backstop did not mean that Wathan didn’t have some speed – in 1982, he set the record for Stolen Bases by a Catcher with 36.

He also banged out 25 career triples in his Royals career, only hitting less than three in four of those seasons. His high mark was seven in 1980.

Wathan managed the KC Royals for at least parts of five seasons. He has the highest winning percentage (.515) since Dick Howser.

Wathan was a versatile player who not only was a catcher for the KC Royals, but he also played first base, left field, and right field.

The fact he added speed made him a valuable member of some of the best teams in Royals history.

Next: Off and Running

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Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 15. Jose Offerman

Jose Offerman only played three seasons in Kansas City, but he made the most of those seasons. He produced 27 triples in his brief stint, including a Major League-leading 13 in 1998. He also led the majors in 1999, but with the Red Sox.

Offerman qualified as one of the Royals’ best second basemen in franchise history, and will be toward the top of several offensive categories for the Royals. Unfortunately, he just didn’t wear the Royals’ blue long enough.

Offerman had by the far the fewest games of anyone on this list with just 415, which makes his appearance on this countdown pretty special.

Speed isn’t necessarily what really pops into mind first thing when you think of Jose Offerman, but he had plenty, and his swing worked very well in Kauffman Stadium, as it did the swings of so many on this list.

He also swiped 78 bags in his three seasons (and was caught stealing 32 times), so he was willing to use his legs at all times. His name may come as a surprise to some, but Offermaan coul dhit and his his speed – a great combo for hitting triples.

Next: The Toothpick

Kansas City Royals logo (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 14. U.L. Washington

During many of the glory years in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, U.L. Washington played shortstop for the KC Royals, all the while chewing on his trademark toothpick.

Washington was a speed guy, as his 120 stolen bases indicate, so it isn’t surprising he would make the list, even though he wasn’t a terrific hitter (.254 career batting average).

Those teams were built on speed, and Washington was one of many who took advantage of those big gaps and artificial turf in Kauffman Stadium, then known as Royals Stadium.

Even so, 11 of his 28 triples came in one season – 1980 – which was by far his best season in his career, overall and for hitting triples.

Washington is certainly a player that sticks in one’s mind as a part of the whole on some great teams, more so than as an individual. He wasn’t a star, but he added to the bigger puzzle. Still, 11 of his 28 triples came in one season – 1980 – which helped him make this countdown.

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 13. Jarrod Dyson

Jarrod Dyson was one of the speediest Royals ever and a fine defensive player as well.

In his last five seasons in Kansas City, Dyson legged out at least four triple, recording a career-high eight in 2016. His 29 triples made up 35 percent of his extra-base hits for the Royals!

His speed also came in handy on the basepaths. He swiped 176 bases in his career with the Royals, the sixth-highest total in franchise history. He was only caught 30 times – an incredible 85 percent success rate. Pretty good for a player who was never considered a regular starter.

He will forever be remembered as a key component to the Royals’ back-to-back World Series seasons in 2015 and 2016. His extraordinary speed would put a lot of pressure on opposing pitchers. It was fun to watch!

Dyson was a crowd favorite and he joyously proclaimed in postgame interviews, “That what speed do” whenever that speed figured into the outcome.

He was traded after the 2016 season to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Nathan Karns.

Next: Little Mac

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 12. Brian McRae

In the early 1990’s, Brian McRae was the KC Royals starting center fielder. He accumulated 32 triples in just 614 career games with Kansas City.

While averaging more than six triples a season while a Royal, he hit at least five in all four of his years as a full-time player. His career high mark was nine in 1991, and again in 1993.

While the Royals weren’t as consistently good during McRae’s tenure as they were in the glory days, Kansas City was still a competitive team. Mc

Rae’s presence in the center, and in the batting line-up, was a big part of those teams.

McRae played only half of his seasons in Kansas City, but he must be considered a Royal. He played in 200 more games as a Royal than any other team. while he was never an All-Star for any team, he was a solid player in Kansas City, and I always wished he had played longer in blue.

Alcides Escobar (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 11. Alcides Escober

Alcides Escober, who joined the Kansas City Royals before the 2011 season, is a fixture in the lineup that has brought winning baseball back to town. One of the biggest assets Escobar brings to the team his speed.

His six triples in the 2016 season bring his career total with the Royals up to 35. He hasn’t ever hit less than four in a season for the Royals, and he could climb much higher on this list before his time with Kansas City is finished.

Escobar is signed through the 2017 season. If he re-signs with the team for more seasons, he will easily move into the top ten in this category.

Escobar has looked like he has lost aa bit of his speed since a collision at second early in the 2015 season. As he gets older, that speed will diminish further. Still, the shortstop will only be 30 years old at the beginning of the 2076 season, so speed should still be a plus for him.

Next: The Littlest Royal

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 11. Freddie Patek

This diminutive Kansas City Royal is the first member in our top ten. Freddie Patek, who stood all of 5’5″, and weighed 148 pounds, may not even have gotten a chance to play in today’s game. Only the Astros’ Jose Altuve (5’6″, 175 pounds) is near Patek’s size, and Altuve is still bigger.

Size certainly didn’t deter Freddie Patek. In his nine seasons with the Royals, he hit five or more triples five times, including 11 in 1971. He served as the Royals starting shortstop for most their formative years.

While he wasn’t much of a home run hitter (only 28 for Kansas City), he had 261 Extra Base Hits in Kansas City. He also stole 336 bases as a Royal.

It is hard to imagine someone so small being such a productive hitter in today’s game. Even watching Altuve is kind of amusing. Patek had a terrific 14-year career, and the Royals were fortunate to have him in his prime.

Patek was a three-time All-Star, and finished sixth in the MVP balloting in 1971.

Next: Royals All-Star

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 9. Al Cowens

Another player on this list from the glory days, coming in at number nine, is Al Cowens. Cowens was a talented player who had one magnificent season that was pretty much an outlier.

In 1977, Cowens, who hit 44 triples in 812 games as a Royal, finished second in the American League MVP balloting behind Rod Carew. One of his incredible stats from that season was his career high 14 triples.

Cowens never came close to matching his stats in 1977, for the Royals or anyone else. His 14 triples were six more than his next highest total. Still, from 1975 through 1979, he never hit less than six, and averaged slightly more than eight a year.

Cowens had a pretty decent career after he left the Royals. If Cowens would have played a few more years in Kansas City, he may be considered on of the absolute franchise greats. As it is, he had one great year, and several very solid seasons with the KC Royals.

Next: Scrappy Royal

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 7. David DeJesus

David DeJesus replaced the player he is tied with on this countdown in center fielder, but he just wasn’t as talented of a player. DeJesus was one of the best players on some terrible teams.

He may have been miscast as a star for the KC Royals, but historically, he may have been an underrated player. He is a top ten player in Royals history in Wins Above Replacement, but that is a story for another day.

As far as triples go, DeJesus hit 45 in his Royals’ career, and in a five-year stretch from 2005 through to 2009, he never had more than nine or less than six.

He was a steady if unspectacular, performer for Kansas City for several seasons. He did miss chunks of some seasons due to injuries, and, therefore, his career numbers are a bit depressed.

He holds a strong place on this list, and should be remembered fondly by Royals’ fans.

Next: Former Royals Rookie of the Year

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 7. Carlos Beltran

For most of us, Carlos Beltran is the player we would most have liked to see play longer in Kansas City. He was a star for the Royals, and he continued to perform at those levels for a long time after his trade to the Astros in 2004.

By 2004, Royals owner David Glass was not spending money on the team as he is now. The Royals wouldn’t sign both Mike Sweeney and Beltran to appropriate contracts, and they chose to keep Sweeney and trade Beltran, basically for John Buck.

While Sweeney had many terrific seasons for the Royals, Kansas City should have been able to keep both, forming a solid foundation for the futures.

Beltran hit 45 career triples for the Royals, including 14 in 2001, and 12 in 2003. He should have had the opportunity to hit many more. Oh, what could have been.

Next: Great Career Began in KC

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 6. Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon was part of one of the most talented outfields in Royals’ history when he was teamed up with Carlos Beltran and Jermaine Dye. They were wasted behind one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors at the time. From 1998 through 2000, the Royals were 29th in the majors with a 5.33 ERA, and in WHIP, at 1.56.

All three went on to very productive careers after their time with Royals. Damon and Beltran will eventually receive at least consideration for the Hall of Fame, and Dye hit 228 home runs after his years in Kansas City.

Damon legged out 47 triples in just 803 games as a Royal, including ten twice. Damon finished his career with 109 triples, including a majors-leading 11 in 2002.

He is just another talented, home-grown player the Royals traded away because they supposedly could not afford to re-sign him. At least they got Roberto Hernandez and Mark Teahen in return!

Next: Who Made It Into The Top Five?

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 5. Frank White

Frank White, probably the second greatest KC Royal ever, and for sure the best second baseman in franchise history, produced 58 triples in his career, all with the Royals. He did it the hard way, never once in his 18 seasons did he hit more than six.

White was never shut out in this category over the course of a season, but he only hit one triple six times, and just two in two other seasons.

White brought much more to the field than the ability to hit triples, most notably his glove work, highlighted by his eight Gold Gloves.

Because of his longevity, White appears toward the top of most of the Royals offensive categories, and that is what makes him such a beloved Kansas City Royal, and such an integral part of the team’s history.

Personally, I wish the team and White would make up from whatever has separated them over the past few years. White deserves a visible place with the organization.

Next: Big Mac

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Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 4. Hal McRae

Hal McRae, whose son Brian appeared on this countdown at number 11, produced 63 triples in his yeas with the Royals. Like White, this number is as high as it is because of his longevity with the team.

While McRae wasn’t a prolific triples hitter, he did have 11 in 1977. In 1982, he had eight, but these were his only seasons over six in his career.

McRae maybe has two of the best-known videos associated with the Royals, outside of George Brett and Bo Jackson. In one, McRae famously took out the Yankees’ Willie Randolph at second in the 1977 ALCS.

Major League Baseball even made a rule against this sort of play because of this hustle. The other is McRae’s locker room meltdown when he was the manager for the Royals.

In honor of the kind of player McRae was for the Royals, let’s enjoy his hustle at second base as he takes out Randolph so Freddie Patek can score.

Take note of former Royal, and future fiery MLB Manager Lou Pinella getting into the discussion.

Next: Famous Amos

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 3. Amos Otis

Another longtime Royals’ great comes in at number three. Amos Otis covered center field for so long during the Royals’ glory days.

Like White and McRae, Otis wasn’t a prolific triples hitter, never hitting more than nine (1970, 1974), but he never hit less than two as Royal either.

Otis was an incredible all-around player. He was named an All-Star five times as a Royal and finished in the top ten in AL MVP voting four times. He was also a three-time Gold Glove winner.

It is great to get a chance to educate younger KC Royals fans on the history of the franchise. Most people will recognize the names like George Brett and Frank White, but the Royals had so many terrific players over the years. Players like Otis, McRae, Patek, and Cowens.

Countdowns like these give us a chance to either remember these outstanding players or to learn more about them.

Amos Otis was a terrific Kansas City Royal, and we need to appreciate his accomplishments. Coming in at number three on our triples list was a terrific achievement.

Next: Best Triples Hitter in the Majors in the Last 50 Years

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 2. Willie Wilson

Willie Wilson has more triples than any person in baseball since 1965, yet he is only second on the KC Royals all-time list with 133. He added 14 more to his career total after leaving the KC Royals, and he is 55th on the all-time Major League triples list with 147.

He would have been ranked 74th, just based on his Royals’ totals.

Willie Wilson was a speed guy, and triples were his specialty. He led the Majors in the category five times in his career, including 21 in 1985. Since 1949, only Curtis Granderson (23) in 2007 hit more in a single season (Lance Johnson also hit 21 in 1996).

Wilson hit double-digit triples six times, including legging out 15 in three separate campaigns. He truly knew how to use his speed and the broad expanse of artificial turf in Kauffman Stadium (then Royals Stadium) throughout his career.

He is an all-time great Royal, winning a Gold Glove, two Silver Sluggers, a batting title, and was named to two All-Star games to go along with his triples titles.

Next: King George

Kansas City Royals all-time franchise leaders in triples: 1. George Brett

Unless you know your Royals history, you may not have realized what a great triples hitter George Brett was. With 137 career three-baggers, he not only has more triples than any other Royals but has the second most in the majors since 1965, behind only his teammate, Willie Wilson.

Brett’s 137 triples rank 68th all time in baseball history.

Brett led the American League in triples three times, and from 1975-1988, Brett or Wilson led the majors eight times between the two of them. Brett lashed 20 in 1979; a feat accomplished just seven times since 1950, including Wilson’s 21 in 1985.

Of the top 100 triples hitters of all time, only 11 played a majority of their careers after World War II. Two were KC Royals, playing at the same time. They were something to watch.

Brett’s accomplishments are well documented – 13 All-Star games, three batting titles, a Gold Glove, and three Silver Sluggers. He finished in the top three in American League MVP voting four times, including his win in 1980. He finished second twice.

He is the KC Royals best player and their only Hall-of-Famer. He accomplished many things in his career, but his triples numbers are truly incredible, especially since Brett wasn’t a speedster like Willie Wilson. He was a great hitter, who hustled for all he was worth.

Next: Any Current Royals Close To The Top 15

(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Alcides Escobar already made this countdown, coming in at the twelfth spot. He has a good chance to move up a few more spots before he’s done. Alex Gordon could break into thi slist soon as well as he has 23.

Lorenzo Cain has 16, and could eventually move into the top 15. Eric Hosmer is close behind with 15.

Other interesting names include Darrell Porter, who s a catcher, hit 21 in just 555 games, Vince Coleman, who legged out 16 in only 179 games, and Bo Jackson, who recorded 14 in his career with the KC Royals. Raul Ibanez, who played with the Royals more than a decade ago, then joined the team for the stretch run in 2014, had 17 triples for Kansas City.

Triples are a huge part of the franchise history. Even over the past decade, when the Kansas City Royals weren’t very good, they are still fourth in the majors in triples. It is part of the organization’s identity. It is one thing they always seem to excel at.

The Royals may never be able to afford the big power bats in today’s market, but speed should be a big part of the KC Royals. With a big stadium, speed is a big plus, as has been proven over time.

The KC Royals have more triples than any team since 1969, and the best two individual triples hitters in that time frame. That is something in which to be proud.

Special thanks to Baseball-Reference, Fangraphs, and MLB.com for being such incredible statistical resources. I don’t know what I would do without them.

Next: Best Second Basemen In Royals' History

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Joel Wagler

Joel has been covering the NFL, MLB, college football and basketball, and even some entertainment topics for over 11 years. He's written for KC Kingdom, Arrowhead Addict, Kings of Kauffman, Yanks Go Yard, Toro Times, and Winter is Coming. Joel is currently the Senior Sports Director FanSided, part of the Minute Media family.