The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team and a member of the American League Central Division. The Royals joined the league as an expansion team in 1969, shortly after the Kansas City Athletics left for Oakland. George Brett is considered the best player in franchise history and is currently the only member in the Hall of Fame inducted as a Royals player. The Royals only real rival is the St. Louis Cardinals, mostly due to geographical proximity. Despite being in different leagues, the Royals and Cardinals play six times a year.