GCL Royals Gold

• 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 Gold was managed by Jose Martinez and finished 29-23, 3rd in the 7 team league and 5 1/2 games ahead of GCL Royals Blue. Mike Brewer led the league with 76 hits, 47 RBI, and a .371 BA. Robin Townley led with 43 runs, while Leon Doak tied two others with 5 HR.

In 1980, Royals Gold was managed by Roy Tanner and was 22-40, 9th in the 10 team league and 17 1/2 behind league champ Royals Blue. 1B Charles Barclift and 2B Wade McKinney made the large All-Star team.

Tanner was back in 1981 to lead Royals Gold to the league title with a 44-20 record, 8 1/2 games ahead of 3rd place Royals Blue. Tom Thompson led the league with 10 HR and 44 RBI, while splitting the year between Blue and Gold. Mark Gubicza led the league with 8 wins (tied with John Hardy. OF Richard Plautz, OF Rolund Oruna, and C Mitchell Ashmore made the All-Star team.

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