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KC Royals: Top Ten Rookie Seasons All-Time

By Scott Dillon

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 23: Mark Teahen of the Kansas City Royals bats during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The Twins defeated the Royals 10-3. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 23: Mark Teahen of the Kansas City Royals bats during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, August 23, 2009. The Twins defeated the Royals 10-3. (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 2: Kansas City Royals first baseman Bob Hamelin reaches for but can’t get snag a single off the bat of Roberto Alomar of the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of their 02 April game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won the game, Baltimore’s season opener, 4-2. AFP PHOTO/Ted MATHIAS (Photo credit should read TED MATHIAS/AFP/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – APRIL 2: Kansas City Royals first baseman Bob Hamelin reaches for but can’t get snag a single off the bat of Roberto Alomar of the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning of their 02 April game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles won the game, Baltimore’s season opener, 4-2. AFP PHOTO/Ted MATHIAS (Photo credit should read TED MATHIAS/AFP/Getty Images) /

Number Four: Bob Hamelin – Rookie Year: 1994

They don’t come much bigger or fall much harder than ‘hammerin’ Bob Hamelin did back in 1994. He took the American League by storm in a strike shortened season that saw him hit 24 home runs in just 312 at-bats.

He went on to beat out Manny Ramirez for Rookie of the Year honors that season, and had an incredible slash line of .282/.388/.599 that season. Not only did he hit 24 home runs that year, but he also clubbed 25 doubles and drove in 65 RBIs.

He posted a 2.6 bWAR that season but, like Angel Berroa, he quickly fell out of favor. The next season he slashed .168/.278/.313 with only seven each of home runs and doubles. Ironically the National League Rookie of the Year winner that season was Raul Mondesi, the father of the Royals’ current top prospect.

He slightly resurrected his career when he moved on to play for the Detroit Tigers during the 1997 season, but he would call it quits shortly thereafter. With as close to a mic drop as he could come, he walked into the dugout following a groundout and told the manager:

"“I’m done.” The manager asked, “For the game?” and Hamelin answered, “No, for good,” and walked into the clubhouse for the last time."

He didn’t last long in this league, but for a brief moment the Royals’ fans got a look at what they thought could be a promising future. That seemed to be the case for so many seasons for Royals’ fans.

Next: Belted Deep To Center

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