Steve Farr arrived in the Kansas City organization in 1985 via a minor trade with the Cleveland Indians, a right-hander whose specialized, high-velocity sinker and deceptive delivery made him an immediate asset for the bullpen. While he was a member of the World Series championship squad that October, his role during that run was modest as he adjusted to the pressure of a pennant race.
Farr’s specialty was inducing ground balls and escaping late-inning jams. Between 1987 and 1989, he showed the organization that he was a foundational professional by maintaining a sub-4.00 ERA while logging significant innings, often pitching multiple innings to bridge to the ninth. Farr did so well that in 1990, he was given the closer’s role.
In his only season as Kansas City’s top reliever, he recorded a career-high 1.98 ERA and a 0.992 WHIP. He showed the organization he was a foundational late-inning weapon by securing 22 saves. Farr departed the organization for the bright lights of the New York Yankees.
With the Royals, Farr owned a 22-20 record, 49 saves, and a 3.28 ERA.