Danny Tartabull arrived in the Kansas City organization via a December 1986 trade with the Seattle Mariners, a deal that sent Scott Bankhead and Mike Kingery to Seattle. A second-generation big leaguer, Tartabull possessed a specialized, violent swing that generated some of the highest exit velocities of the late 1980s.
Tartabull had his best season in 1991; he led the major leagues with a .593 slugging percentage and recorded a career-high 31 home runs. He also had 100 RBIs and a career-best .316 batting average, was 12th in MVP voting, and earned his only All-Star game appearance.
Between 1987 and 1991, Tartabull recorded four seasons with at least 25 home runs and three seasons with over 100 RBIs. He also got on base often, posting a .290 batting average and a .376 on-base percentage for the team.
After his breakout in 1991, Tartabull signed a massive five-year contract with the New York Yankees. Statistically speaking, he was not as good in Yankee pinstripes, but the Seinfeld guest appearance gave him a pop culture moment that he never would have obtained as a Royal.
With Kansas City, Tartabull compiled 674 hits and 124 home runs.
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