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Despite finishing the year with their ninth losing record in a row, the Kansas City Royals saw their television ratings reach an all-time high in 2012, according to a report from Fox Sports Kansas City.
In 140 games televised by Fox Sports Kansas City the Royals telecasts pulled a 3.8 rating in the Kansas City DMA. That figure is a 13-percent increase from the ratings for games during the 2011 season. The 3.8 rating is the highest in club history, surpassing the previous season high of 3.4 in 2003 which was --coincidentally -- the team's last winning season. Available ratings data only reaches as far back as 1997.
The Royals finished the 2012 campaign with a 72-90 record, their best since 2008. The club finished in third place in the AL Central, 13 games behind the AL Central champion Detroit Tigers, and with a core of young talent -- as well as strong minor league talent on the way -- it's possible that this ratings record could be beaten next season.