<body><div>The Kansas City Royals have engineered a remarkable turnaround in 2024, transforming from a 56-win team to reach this year’s ALDS.Dig into the changes the team made, how a strong April and May put them on the path to a postseason berth and how Bobby Witt Jr.’s long-term commitment highlighted an important offseason.The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0DUwHF_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0DUwHF_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="762" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) celebrates with teammate MJ Melendez (1) after hitting a two-run home run in the eight inning during game one of a double header against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on Apr 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Melissa Tamez USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h2>No. 1: What fueled the Kansas City Royals early-season turnaround? </h2>The Kansas City Royals scored 92 runs through their first 19 games. What was behind the impressive start? | Published April 18, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3sHsII_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3sHsII_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="760" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez answers questions about working with new pitchers, being a captain and his health heading into the next season at Royals Rally on Feb. 3, 2024. Kylie Graham Special to The Star</figcaption></figure>No. 2: Royals captain Salvador Perez set goal for 2024 season: ‘Make it to the playoffs’The Kansas City Royals overhauled their roster with multiple free-agent acquisitions this offseason. | Published February 25, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3XZY9T_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3XZY9T_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="759" ><figcaption>The Kansas City Royals have returned to the Major League Baseball postseason for the first time since they won the 2015 World Series. Geoff Burke/file photo Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>No. 3: Anatomy of a revival: How the KC Royals went from 56 wins to MLB postseason berthWhen Royals reliever Will Smith asked “why not us?” in spring training, it seemed far-fetched. Not anymore. | Published September 28, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=432LyQ_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=432LyQ_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="760" ><figcaption>The Kansas City Royals have returned to the Major League Baseball postseason for the first time since they won the 2015 World Series. Gary A. Vasquez USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>No. 4: Kansas City Royals clinch MLB playoff berth for first time since 2015 World SeriesThe Royals didn’t prevail at Atlanta Friday, but they won big-time later in the evening when the O’s beat the Twins to send KC, at long last, back to the playoffs. | Published September 28, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=15qvU1_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=15qvU1_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="774" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals first baseman Salvador Perez (13), left fielder MJ Melendez (1), shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) and second baseman Michael Massey (19) celebrate a win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 30, 2024. Dan Hamilton USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>No. 5: How impressive were Kansas City Royals in April? The numbers just might surprise youThe Kansas City Royals set a franchise record for most wins prior to May this season. | Published May 1, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2KqgUh_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2KqgUh_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="760" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals left fielder Nelson Velázquez (17), center fielder Kyle Isbel (28) and outfielder Dairon Blanco (44) celebrate after the win over the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium on April 11, 2024. Denny Medley USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>No. 6: Amid 7-game winning streak, Kansas City Royals’ revival feels real and boundlessWhen the Royals’ Will Smith said, “Why not us?” in spring training, it was easy to question. But his words resonate now. | Published April 12, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1pd8kp_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1pd8kp_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="760" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) celebrates after clinching a wild card playoff birth after a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Brett Davis Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>No. 7: KC Royals’ 2024 roster was built for postseason pursuits. Here’s how they did itThe Royals’ long-awaited return to the MLB playoff is propelled by strong pitching and stingy defense. | Published September 28, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0tjboh_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0tjboh_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="748" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, smiles as he answers questions while the team’s owner, John Sherman, applauds during a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com</figcaption></figure>No. 8: Why Bobby Witt Jr. committed to the Royals long term: ‘Now is the perfect time’The Kansas City Royals topped a busy offseason by signing Bobby Witt Jr. to a new 14-year contract extension. | Published February 6, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Xz4Wu_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Xz4Wu_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="760" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, celebrates his opening-inning home run with third baseman Maikel Garcia during Thursday’s game against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium. Denny Medley USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>No. 9: Ex-MLB general manager breaks down why Royals’ early success is sustainableA former Major League Baseball general manager listed a number of reasons why the Royals could be in the playoff hunt all season. | Published April 19, 2024 | <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0lRd5A_0w08mQXz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0lRd5A_0w08mQXz00" width="1140" height="760" ><figcaption>Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro, left, congratulates shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. for scoring during a game against the Yankees at Kauffman Stadium. Denny Medley/File photo Imagn Images</figcaption></figure>No. 10: At last, KC Royals are in MLB playoffs again. Here’s why they can do damage thereThe Royals have completed one of the best turnarounds in MLB history. But it doesn’t have to be just a regular-season story. | Published September 28, 2024 | This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.</div></body>

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How did the Royals go from 56 wins to a playoff run in just one season? Dive in

The Kansas City Royals have engineered a remarkable turnaround in 2024, transforming from a 56-win team to reach this year’s ALDS. Dig into the changes the team made, how a strong April and May put them on the path to a postseason berth and how Bobby Witt Jr.’s long-term commitment highlighted an important offseason.

How did the Royals go from 56 wins to a playoff run in just one season? Dive in

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