Nebraska Minor League Baseball
Omaha Royals 1969-1998
American Association

In 1955 both the Denver and the Omaha franchise moved from the Class "A" Western League to the Class "AAA" American Association. 1959 was the last year for the Cardinals. In 1960 Omaha had no minor league baseball. In 1961 the Dodgers moved into Omaha. This lasted for two years.

For the 1963 season, the American Association folds and many of the teams move to either the International League or the Pacific Coast League. Omaha was dropped and without baseball from 1963-1969.

In 1969 the expansion Kansas City Royals located their "AAA" franchise in Omaha. The American Association is revived with six teams. Since that time Omaha has either been a club owned by Kansas City or a working agreement with Kansas City. Omaha is tied with Norfolk Virginia for the longest affiliation at the "AAA" level. Richmond Virginia has been a farm club of the Braves since 1966.


From 1969 through the 1985 season the Omaha Royals club was owned by the Kansas City Royals. During this time they won the American Association title in 1969, 1970 and 1978. Jack McKeon leads the Royals to their first two pennants.
The Omaha Royals of 1969 The Omaha Royals of 1970 The Omaha Royals of 1971 The Omaha Royals of 1972
The Omaha Royals of 1973 The Omaha Royals of 1974 The Omaha Royals of 1975 The Omaha Royals of 1976
The Omaha Royals of 1977 The Omaha Royals of 1978 The Omaha Royals of 1979 The Omaha Royals of 1980
The Omaha Royals of 1981 The Omaha Royals of 1982 The Omaha Royals of 1983 The Omaha Royals of 1984
The Omaha Royals of 1985

In 1986, Irving "Gus" Cherry purchased the team from the Kansas City Royals. A former minor league pitcher, Cherry purchases the Royals for about $800,000. Attendance skyrockets during his tenure as owner. He is popular with the fans and knows how to market the team. He made the team a part of Omaha and the Omaha fans responded. He owns the club through the 1991 season. His energy and enthusiasm for baseball and Omaha makes the Rosenblatt experience a great one for the fans. The Royals win the AA title in 1990.
The Omaha Royals of 1986 The Omaha Royals of 1987 The Omaha Royals of 1988 The Omaha Royals of 1989
The Omaha Royals of 1990 The Omaha Royals of 1991

The team is sold in late 1991 to the Union Pacific Railroad, with Warren Buffett and Walter Scott as minority owners. This ownership lasts until 2001 when Matt Minker takes over as majority owner of the club.
The Omaha Royals of 1992 The Omaha Royals of 1993 The Omaha Royals of 1994 The Omaha Royals of 1995
The Omaha Royals of 1996 The Omaha Royals of 1997

At the end of the 1997 season the American Association folds yet again. The Omaha franchise moves to the Pacific Coast League. After a couple of name changes (Royals to Golden Spikes to Spikes to Royals) the Omaha Royals continues as a member of the PCL today.

Omaha Royals Pacific Coast League

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