Johnny Damon was selected by the Kansas City organization in the first round of the 1992 draft, a high-ceiling speedster from Orlando who would become the face of the franchise’s late-nineties outfield, and he debuted in 1995 and immediately established himself as a premier leadoff threat.
In 1999, he broke through as a .300 hitter for the first time, recording 101 runs and 36 stolen bases. He followed that with a monumental 2000 season in which he became the most prolific run-scorer in the American League. That summer, he recorded a career-high 136 runs and 46 stolen bases, leading the AL in both categories while amassing 214 hits and a .327 batting average. He showed the organization he was a foundational superstar by providing the offensive engine for a lineup that featured fellow young stars Carlos Beltrán and Jermaine Dye.
With the small-market Royals unable to reach a long-term agreement with the rising star, the club sent Damon to the Oakland Athletics in a deal that brought back AJ Hinch, Angel Berroa, and Roberto Hernandez. He left behind a statistical footprint in Missouri that reflected his status as the premier leadoff man of his era, departing with 896 hits, 156 stolen bases, and a .292 batting average while wearing the Royal blue.
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