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KANSAS CITY -- While many people assume the expansion Kansas City Royals got their nickname in 1969 to honor kings or something monarchial, the Royals name actually was a salute to the city’s heritage in the livestock industry.
A contest among fans attracted thousands of entries, including suggestions such as “Cowpokes” and “Mules.”
A fan named Sanford Porte was named the winner for his “Royals” entry.
Porte wrote at the time: “Kansas City’s new baseball team should be called the Royals because of Missouri’s billion-dollar livestock income, Kansas City’s position as the nation’s leading stocker and feeder market and the nationally known American Royal parade and pageant.”