Dick Drago arrived in the Kansas City organization via the 1968 Expansion Draft, a right-hander plucked from the Detroit Tigers system before he had ever thrown a pitch in the big leagues. While the move thrust him into a foundational role earlier than expected, he proved to be a nice find for the fledgling franchise.
Drago’s best year by far was in 1971. He was manipulating the strike zone at will, recording 17 wins and a localized best 2.98 ERA. He showed the organization he was a foundational professional by tossing 241 innings and leading the staff with 15 complete games, a performance that earned him a fifth-place finish in the Cy Young voting. His tactical value was defined by his elite precision, as he consistently ranked among the league's top ten in fewest walks per nine innings.
Between 1970 and 1972, Drago was a club workhorse, averaging nearly 33 starts per season and proving to be a foundational leader for a young pitching staff. While his 61-70 record reflected the growing pains of a new franchise, his specialized 3.52 ERA and his technical mastery of the "low-walk" approach made him essential for the Royals.
After the 1973 season, Drago was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Cecil Upshaw. With Kansas City, Drago had 61 wins, 63 complete games, and a 3.52 ERA.
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