Before George Brett. Before Kevin Seitzer. Before Gary Gaetti, Joe Randa and Mike Moustakas, the Royals had a pretty decent third baseman. His name was Paul Schaal.
Schaal was an outstanding high school baseball player who led his team, the Compton Tarbabes, to a California State Championship. After going undrafted, Schaal thought his playing days might be over. When he found out that the California Angels were holding an open tryout, Schaal rode his bicycle 18 miles to the tryout. Schaal impressed the Angels enough that they signed him to a free agent contract prior to the 1962 season.