Paul Schaal, a former Royals third baseman known for his post-career stints as a Kansas City area pizza restauranteur and chiropractor, died Friday at his home in Waikoloa, Hawaii, after a lengthy battle with cancer, his family confirmed to The Star. He was 74.
Schaal, who played for the Royals from their inaugural season in 1969 to 1974, was perhaps best known for being the man replaced by Hall of Famer George Brett, who debuted in 1973 before becoming a full-time starter in 1974. Years after his playing career concluded, Schaal retained a keen sense of humor about his place in baseball history.