In March 1968, Kansas City held a contest to name the team, and among the suggestions were the Batmen, Bovines, Canaries, Caps, Capsules, Cowpokes, Mules, Plowboys and Pythons.
The Kansas City’s eventual nickname had nothing to do with royalty, but an annual livestock show held in the city. The team’s board of directors approved the name by a 6-1 vote — the sole dissenter being team owner Ewing Kauffman, who preferred the Eagles, Kings, or Stars.
In order to ensure the team remained in smaller-market Kansas City, Kauffman willed the team to a trust, effectively donating the Royals to the city, upon his death in 1993.
