MLB Shares Royals' Accomplishment Dating Back to 1978

On May 9, following a Friday night victory over the Boston Red Sox in extra innings, the MLB praised Kansas City on X for winning 16 out of the past 18 games, skyrocketing their 2025 record up to 24-16.

In doing so, they also shared the historic significance of this accomplishment.

"The last time the Royals won 16 of 18 games was in 1978 ," the MLB's social media team noted. That's almost 50 years ago!

Over this memorable stretch of games, spanning from April 20 through May 9, Kansas City has taken down several MLB challengers, including the Colorado Rockies (three-game sweep), Houston Astros (two of three), Tampa Bay Rays (three-game sweep), Baltimore Orioles (two of three) and Chicago White Sox (four-game sweep). Not to mention the first and last wins over the Tigers and Red Sox.

Granted, that's not the most impressive group of opponents. Outside of Detroit, Houston and Boston, all of these teams have records under .500, and the Royals actually lost three out of four to the Tigers at the start of this stretch.

Still, it takes a lot to stack victories like this in a sport as long and grueling as baseball. So, KC deserves their flowers, no matter who they've gone up against.

First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., catcher Salvador Perez and third baseman Maikel Garcia have all led the way in the RBI column this season, while Seth Lugo, Kris Bubic and Michael Wacha have impressed on the mound.

Even more amazing is that Royals ace Cole Ragans currently has the highest ERA of their five-man rotation, at 3.79. If he brings that number down, there's no telling how far Kansas City can take this hot streak.