The Royal Mets: Over 100 players spent time with KC and NY

FILE - in this Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, file photo, Kansas City Royals pitcher Chris Young throws to a New York Mets batter during the 12th inning of Game 1 of the baseball World Series in Kansas City, Mo. They share the exact shade of blue, expansion era roots and an excellent run to this World Series. For teams that have rarely met, the Royals and Mets overlap more than many fans might imagine. Consider this: Over 100 guys, including Young, have played for both teams. AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File) FILE - in this Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, file photo, Kansas City Royals pitcher Chris Young throws to a New York Mets batter during the 12th inning of Game 1 of the baseball World Series in Kansas City, Mo. They share the exact shade of blue, expansion era roots and an excellent run to this World Series. For teams that have rarely met, the Royals and Mets overlap more than many fans might imagine. Consider this: Over 100 guys, including Young, have played for both teams. AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

By Associated Press October 31, 2015 5 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – They share the exact shade of blue, expansion-era roots and excellent runs to this World Series.

For teams that had rarely met until this week, the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets overlap more than some might imagine. Consider this: Over 100 guys have played for both teams, including the likes of stars David Cone, Bret Saberhagen and Carlos Beltran.

They’re the Royal Mets.

Clint Hurdle was among them, long before he became the popular and successful manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. A month beyond his teenage years, he made his big league debut with the Royals.

Just a few seasons later, he got key hits for them during their first World Series appearance in 1980. Then in 1983, he wound up with a less-than-stellar Mets club.