The Kansas City Royals are closing out the season the way they started it… in full powder blue uniforms!
Today, the ballclub announced the full powder blue set would be worn for their final two games of the 2023 season — Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, both against the New York Yankees. It’s noteworthy that Royals legend Zack Greinke is scheduled to start that game on Sunday, October 1st, in what could end up being his swan song.
The Royals, who wore powder blue jerseys and pants on the road from 1973 to 1991, brought back powder blue as a home alternate jersey in 2008 but paired it with white pants. Over the next 15 seasons, the Royals had played around with the design of this powder blue top but had never worn the matching pants with it until their home opener here in 2023.
Kansas City’s powder blue uniforms were first introduced as a road-only set back in 1973, a request of Muriel Kauffman, who founded and owned the Royals alongside her husband, Ewing. The full powder blue look was re-introduced on Opening Day 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first appearance.
Kansas City was the last American League club to wear powder blue full-time on the road; they switched to baseball’s traditional grey for 1992 along with the National League’s Montreal Expos. Several notable ball players suited up in the Royals’ powder blue during their playing days, such as George Brett, Bret Saberhagen, Kevin Appier, Gaylord Perry, David Cone, Harmon Killebrew, and Orlando Cepeda.