GCL Royals Blue

• Location: Sarasota, FL
• League: Gulf Coast League 1979-1981
• Affiliation: Kansas City Royals
• Ballpark:

One of two teams the Kansas City Royals fielded in the Gulf Coast League for 3 years, from 1979 to 1981.

In 1979 the GCL Royals Blue was managed by Brian Murphy and finished 24-29, 5th in the 7 team league and 5 1/2 games behind GCL Royals Gold.

In 1980 Joe Jones managed the Royals Blue to the league title at 40-23, 17 1/2 games ahead of 9th place Royals Gold. Wallace Davis led the league with 74 hits, while Junior Cooper and Bert Johnson tied for the lead with 8 wins. OF Davis, P Cooper, and MGR Jones all made the All-Star team.

Jones was the manager again in 1981, leading the team to a 35-28 record, 3rd in the 10 team league and 8 1/2 games behind league champion Royals Gold. Bill Pecota led the league with 61 runs and Tom Thompson led the league with 10 HR and 44 RBI, splitting the year between Royals Gold and Royals Blue.

In 1982, the Royals went back to one GCL team, picking up the Butte Copper Kings instead.