Being a Royals fan during the 2000s really was something. There aren’t a whole lot of teams historically that have been as dysfunctional the Royals were, from top to bottom, during those years.
Those dark times carried the narrative about the Royals as a franchise until 2014-15 and, to an extent, still does. It’s easy to forget about all the success the Royals have had as a franchise since their conception in 1969.
Their four pennants are the 9th most in American League history and the 18th most all-time. That might not sound all that impressive, but it’s more impressive when you consider that the the Royals are 68 years younger than the next closest team above them in the AL.