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Best Opening Day starts in Kansas City Royals history

By Leigh Oleszczak

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: A detailed view of the ceremonial Opening Day logo home plate used during the pre-game ceremonies prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on April 4, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: A detailed view of the ceremonial Opening Day logo home plate used during the pre-game ceremonies prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on April 4, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Gil Meche of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Gil Meche of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Kansas City Royals Best Opening Day Starts – No. 9: Gil Meche (2007)

Ahhh, Gil Meche. For those of you who are new to the Royals’ fan club, let me tell you a little bit about Gil Meche.

Meche had never really put up big numbers with the Mariners — who spent their first-round pick on him in the 1996 draft and that’s what made the Royals giving him a five-year deal worth $55 million (the largest in franchise history at the time) so shocking.

With that kind of money, Meche was obviously named the Opening Day starter for the 2007 season and that gave Royals fans their first glimpse at their newest addition. Meche performed well, pitching 7.1 innings and surrendering six hits and one run while striking out six batters. It was the kind of performance the Royals were hoping to see from their expensive acquisition and he delivered.

Meche was the Royals’ lone All-Star representative in 2007 and had respectable numbers. He threw 216 innings and had a 3.67 ERA through 34 starts. The Royals looked to finally have their ace, but they were still really bad, finishing the season with 93 losses. You know a team is bad when simply not losing 100 games is an accomplishment.

This won’t be the last time that Meche appears on this list.

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