Manager Joe Sparks put together a number of lineups during the year as the Royals capture the Western Division Championship.

Roster:

Buddy Biancalana led the Omaha Royals with 9 triples. He also led the American Association in fielding (.969) and double plays (79). The 22 year old shortstop from Larkspur California also had a cup of coffee with Kansas City at the end of the year. He averaged .251 and received the Royal Lancers "Hustle Award". He was a first round pick of Kansas City in 1978 and played for six seasons in the majors.

Kelly Heath was drafted by the Royals in the 7th round of the 1977 draft. The 25 year old played second base for the Omaha Royals in 1982. He averaged .238 for the ORoyals. Born in Plattsburgh NY, Kelly lived in Greenville North Carolina. He played in one game for the Kansas City Royals on April 20, 1982.

Los Angeles native Jeff Cox averaged .225 for Omaha in 1982. He had a cup of coffee a couple of times with Oakland in 1980 and 1981.

Tending the garden for Omaha in 1982 was Pat Sheridan. He averaged .252. The Ann Arbor Michigan born 24 year old was drafted in 1979. He made his major league debut in September of 1981. After the 82 season he was a regular for Kansas City in 1983 through 1985. He then played for Detroit, San Francisco and the Yankees during his 9 season major league career.

Mark Ryal from Henryetta Oklahoma slammed 20 home runs for Omaha in 1982 while averaging .285. He took the trip down I-29 and made his major league debut in September of that year. He played a total of six seasons in the majors.

Bombo Rivera was a popular player in Omaha. He Ponce P.R. native averaged .318 for Omaha while smacking 27 home runs. He also had a cup of coffee with the parent Royals in 1982. He made his major league debut in 1975 and 1982 was the last time he played in the majors.

Steve Hammond was an I-29 regular during the 1982 season. The 25 year old Atlanta native played 46 games for the Kansas City Royals. While in Omaha he averaged .379.

Pitchers:
Derek Bothelho pitched for three different clubs in 1982. He had a 3-4 record with Jacksonville, a 7-5 record with Omaha and a 2-1 record with Kansas City. The 6' 3" right handed pitcher also had a cup of coffee with the Cubs in 1985.

Drafted in the first round of the 1980 draft, Keith Creel managed a 6-8 record with Omaha in 1982. The 23 year old Texan also made his major league debut in 1982 managing a 1-4 record with Kansas City. He had a lifetime 5-14 record in 4 seasons in the majors.

Dave Schuler was a 29 year old lefty who lived in the off season in Waverly Iowa. Born In Framingham MA, he was drafted by Clevelend in the 1975 draft. He was 6-2 for Omaha in 1982. He had a cup of coffee in the majors in 1979, 1980 and 1985.

Vince Yuhas played for both Jacksonville and Omaha in 1982. The 21 year old from New Jersey was 7-5 for Jacksonville with a 2.14 ERA and 4-2 during his stint in Omaha.

Mike Parrott was a 27 year old righty who was originally drafted in 1973. He had some major league experience, having played in the show for parts of five seasons from 1977-1981. He was 2-0 for Jacksonville and 3-3 for Omaha in 1982.

Lefty Bud Black was drafted in the 1979 amateur draft. The 25 year old Californian pitched in 22 games for Kansas City in 1982. He also had a 3-1 record for Omaha with a 2.48 ERA. He had a 15 year major league career.

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