Al Fitzmorris

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August 24

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Al Fitzmorris

Al Fitzmorris grew up in San Diego, California, and started out his professional career as an outfielder in 1965 with the Chicago White Sox. He played as a position player for two years in the minor leagues before turning to pitching in 1967. In 1968 Al led the Carolina League in strikeouts and in November of that year was taken in the expansion draft by the Kansas City Royals. Fitzmorris was called up to the Major Leagues in 1969 and spent the next eight years in Kansas City. In 1976 he was a member of the first Royals team to win the Western Division Championship.

In November of 1976, the Royals lost Fitzmorris in another expansion draft with Al going to the Toronto Blue Jays. That same day he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Al was a member of three Major League teams all in the same day! He spent the next 1 1/2 years with Cleveland before going to the California Angels in June of 1978. Al finished out his professional career as a player-coach in 1979 in Hawaii which was the Triple A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Al finished with ten years in the Major Leagues and a career record of 77 wins and 58 losses and an ERA of 3.66. From 1974 through 1976, Al averaged 15 wins per year while with the Kansas City Royals.

Soon after retirement Al and his family, wife Jan, son Matthew and daughter Rebecca, moved back to the Kansas City area, settling in Olathe, Kansas, and have lived there for almost 20 years. Al and his wife Jan will celebrate their thirtieth year of marriage in July of 2001. His son Matthew played college baseball on scholarship and then signed with the Atlanta Braves and played for one year. Al's daughter Rebecca, after graduating from Olathe South High School, was given a full scholarship to play fastpitch softball at the University of Kansas. She earned her degree in teaching at Kansas State, and is currently teaching in the Kansas City area.

Al currently works throughout the community representing the Royals at many functions as well as charity events. He does approximately 75 speaking engagements per year to many different types of groups and is respected locally for his motivational speeches. Al also does the Royals Radio pre and post game shows and is beginning his tenth year. He also co-hosts the Royals Radio Networks weekly Hot Stove Shows, and the Buck O'Neil monthly Baseball Luncheon benefiting the Negro League Museum.

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