Today is one of the greatest ‘dates’ in Royals History, though you may not even know it. In fact if you ever want lottery numbers related to the Royals keep both 12 and 2 in mind.

This is the ultimate Royals Hall of Fame Triple Play – all thanks to the ballclub’s first General Manager Cedric Tallis. Check this transaction line over the course of three straight years:

 

• 12/2/70 – Royals Hall of Famer #1

Kansas City trades Bob Johnson (P), Jack Hernandez (IF) and Jimmy Campanis (C) to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Bruce Del Canton (P), Jerry May (C) and Fred Patek (SS).

 

• 12/2/71 – Royals Hall of Famer #2

Kansas City trades Lance Clemmons (P) and Jim York (P) to the Houston Astros for Dave Grangaard (IF) and John Mayberry (1B).

 

• 12/2/72 – Royals Hall of Famer #3

Kansas City trades Roger Nelson (P) and Richie Scheinblum (OF) to the Cincinnati Reds for Wayne Simpson (P) and Hal McRae (OF).

 

Those are the only trades the Royals have ever made on this date – nothing before or since -which sort of makes you wish the Winter Meetings were this week instead of next. I would have advised Dayton to play off those incredible numbers and try to close his best deal on December 2 if at all possible – it has a steller track record for Kansas City

(Curt Nelson, Director – Royals Hall of Fame)