Darryl Motley – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Darryl Motley wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1987 after six seasons as an outfielder for the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on January 21, 1960, Motley will always have a place in Royals history for his clutch moments during their 1985 World Series championship run.

His dramatic two-run homer in Game 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals helped spark the 11-0 victory that brought Kansas City its only World Series title.

Motley’s MLB statistics might look modest at first glance—a .243 average, 44 home runs, and 159 RBIs across 413 games—but he made a bigger impact than those numbers suggest. His journey from high school draft pick in Portland, Oregon to World Series hero really highlights how unpredictable baseball careers can be.

Motley gave fans memorable moments, like catching the final out of the 1985 World Series and receiving a heartfelt letter from manager Dick Howser during a tough time.

This look at Motley’s career follows his path from amateur baseball to his professional debut, his defining years in Kansas City, and his transition away from the majors. His story shows how a player can leave a lasting mark with clutch performances in the sport’s biggest moments—even if the stats don’t tell the whole story.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Darryl DeWayne Motley was born on January 21, 1960, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He moved to Portland, Oregon, where he attended U.S. Grant High School.

His high school baseball career caught the attention of MLB scouts. The Kansas City Royals picked him in the second round of the 1978 amateur draft.

Childhood in Muskogee, Oklahoma

Darryl DeWayne Motley entered the world on January 21, 1960, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The city in eastern Oklahoma set the stage for his earliest years.

Not much is known about his childhood in Muskogee. Still, like a lot of future pros, Motley probably started loving baseball during those early days.

His family later moved to the Pacific Northwest. That move turned out to be pretty big for his baseball development, putting him in a new environment during important teenage years.

Grant High School Athletic Achievements

Motley attended U.S. Grant High School in Portland, Oregon. There, he grew into a standout baseball player.

The school’s baseball program gave him a chance to show off for scouts. He played outfield and displayed the tools that would eventually land him in the pros.

Baseball in the Pacific Northwest during the late 1970s was tough. For Motley to stand out in that crowd, he needed real talent and drive.

MLB Draft and Signing

The Kansas City Royals picked Motley in the second round of the 1978 MLB June Amateur Draft. That selection came straight out of U.S. Grant High School.

Getting drafted that high meant the Royals had real faith in his potential. They saw him as a player with a lot of upside.

Motley signed and started his journey through the minor leagues. He spent the next three years working on his game before making his MLB debut on August 10, 1981, at just 21 years old.

Professional Beginnings and Minor League Success

Motley’s path to the majors started when the Kansas City Royals drafted him in 1978. His minor league career showed steady growth and power that kept scouts interested.

Fort Myers Royals and Development

Motley kicked off his pro career with the Fort Myers Royals in the Florida State League. The young outfielder from Muskogee, Oklahoma, adjusted quickly to pro ball.

His time in Fort Myers helped him build the basics for higher levels. Coaches worked with him on his swing and outfield positioning.

The warm Florida weather meant he could train year-round. That extra time let him work on his swing and get stronger for more power.

Motley’s performance in Fort Myers earned him promotions up the Royals’ farm system. The organization took notice of his speed and power from the right side.

Omaha Royals Highlights

The Omaha Royals were his last stop before the big leagues. His time with the Triple-A club proved he was ready.

Motley’s isolated power numbers jumped during his Omaha stint. He learned how to turn more at-bats into extra-base hits.

Facing Triple-A pitching, which often included former major leaguers, helped him get ready for the next step. The competition was no joke.

His defense in the outfield also improved in Omaha. The bigger parks forced him to learn better positioning for different hitters.

Key Minor League Statistics

Motley’s minor league stats showed he kept getting better at hitting for power. His home run totals climbed as he moved up the ladder.

He learned to work counts and make his plate appearances count. That patience at the plate would help him in the majors.

The Royals tracked his steady progress. Coaches saw him improve both his hitting approach and his defense.

That success in the minors led to his first call-up in August 1981. The Kansas City Royals believed he could make an impact right away.

MLB Career with the Kansas City Royals

Darryl Motley spent most of his six-year MLB career with the Kansas City Royals from 1981 to 1986. He grew from a promising rookie into a regular outfielder and played a big role in the team’s 1985 World Series win.

Major League Debut and Initial Seasons

Motley made his MLB debut on August 10, 1981, at 21 years old with the Kansas City Royals. He got the call from Triple-A right after the 1981 strike ended.

He played often in right field for the rest of that season. In 42 games, he hit .232 during his first taste of the majors.

Even though he helped during the regular season, Motley didn’t get into the AL Division Series, where the Royals got swept by the Oakland Athletics. That early playoff experience probably taught him a thing or two about postseason pressure.

After his rookie year, Motley spent most of 1982 and 1983 back in Triple-A. He hit .254 with 8 homers in 1982, then .281 with 16 home runs in 1983.

The Royals called him up again in 1983 for 19 games. He struggled with a .235 average but still showed flashes of the talent that got him drafted.

Role as an Outfielder

Motley established himself as a reliable right-handed outfielder for the Royals. At 5’9″ and 196 pounds, he brought solid defense and growing offensive skills to the team.

He mainly played right field and became a dependable glove out there. His arm and fielding made him a real asset in the outfield mix.

Kansas City’s coaches liked his work ethic and instincts. He handled all sorts of game situations, which helped him earn more playing time.

The team gave him more plate appearances as he proved himself. Motley became a guy who could help both at the plate and in the field.

His power numbers kept improving with Kansas City. That made him a more complete player and a bigger part of the Royals’ success.

1984 and 1985 Regular Season Highlights

Motley became a regular starter for the Royals in 1984 and 1985. These years were the peak of his MLB career.

In 1984, he earned a steady spot in the Kansas City lineup. His offensive production and defense kept him in the outfield.

The 1985 season was his best with the Royals. He stayed in the lineup and helped the team on their way to a championship.

His runs scored and home run totals showed his growth as a hitter. Motley became more important as a run producer and on-base threat.

Key 1985 Statistics:

• Regular outfield starter
• Consistent offensive production
• Important contributor to World Series championship team

The 1985 AL pennant chase really showed how Motley had grown into a reliable player who could handle pressure.

1985 World Series and Notable Achievements

Darryl Motley played a major role in the Kansas City Royals’ 1985 World Series win, batting .364 in the seven-game battle against the St. Louis Cardinals. He came through with clutch hits, including a huge Game 7 home run that helped seal the franchise’s first championship.

Standout Performances

Motley stepped up as an unlikely hero in the 1985 World Series. He hit .364 with five hits in eleven at-bats across the series. That was especially impressive given his .222 average during the regular season.

His World Series stats proved he could deliver when it counted. Motley racked up four hits, including a home run, and drove in three RBIs. His on-base percentage of .364 topped his regular season mark by a good margin.

He didn’t just do it with the bat. Motley made key plays in right field too, helping the Royals come back from a three-games-to-one hole against their Missouri rivals.

His World Series showing stands out as one of the best by a Kansas City role player. Those clutch hits helped fuel the Royals’ incredible comeback.

Game 7 Home Run

In Game 7, Motley came up in the first inning with a runner on and one out. The Royals needed some early offense to set the tone.

He delivered, cracking a crucial home run that gave Kansas City an early lead. That shot helped kick-start an 11-0 rout of the Cardinals.

Timing really was everything. After the Royals had struggled to score in earlier games, his first-inning blast broke the ice at just the right moment.

That home run was the peak of Motley’s major league career. It’s still one of the most important hits in Royals history and helped deliver Kansas City’s first—and only—World Series title.

Impact on Royals’ Championship

Motley’s efforts were vital to the Royals’ championship run. His .364 average led several key regulars during the World Series. Manager Dick Howser’s decision to keep him in the lineup paid off.

Motley’s surge helped the Royals overcome a so-so regular season. Kansas City had just 91 wins in 1985. His hot streak in the postseason showed how the team could step up when it mattered most.

His World Series performance became a big part of Kansas City baseball lore. Those homers and clutch hits ended the franchise’s long wait for a title. Baseball almanac records show his .364 average ranks among the best by any Royal in the World Series.

That championship run was the highlight of Motley’s career. His bat helped bring the first crown to Kansas City.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1987

Darryl Motley played his last season of professional baseball in 1987 with the Atlanta Braves. His final year included limited playing time and struggles at the plate, which eventually led him to step away from Major League Baseball.

Trade to Atlanta Braves

The Kansas City Royals traded Darryl Motley to the Atlanta Braves during the 1986 season. That move shook things up for Motley, who’d spent almost his whole MLB career with Kansas City.

Motley played just five games for Atlanta in 1986. He stepped up to the plate 11 times and managed two hits in 10 at-bats.

He finished with a .200 batting average for the Braves that year. It wasn’t exactly what anyone hoped for.

After five seasons as a regular with the Royals, Motley suddenly found himself with a much smaller role on his new team. The trade pretty much signaled that his pro career was winding down.

1987 Performances and Stats

Motley’s 1987 season with Atlanta barely got off the ground. He only played in six games all year.

Over those six appearances, he had eight plate appearances and eight official at-bats. He didn’t get a single hit that season.

His batting average for 1987? .000. That must’ve stung, especially for someone who used to be a regular starter.

Despite not getting a hit, he still managed to drive in one run. Motley struck out once in those limited chances.

His last game came on May 17, 1987, when he was just 27 years old. It’s wild how quickly things changed from his earlier Kansas City days, where he hit 44 home runs in his career.

Decision to Retire from MLB

After such a tough 1987, Motley decided to retire from professional baseball. His final MLB game happened on May 17, 1987, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He wrapped up his career after six years and 413 total games. Motley finished with a career batting average of .243 and 159 RBIs.

He played his best ball in 1984, showing up in 146 games for Kansas City. Retiring at 27, it seems like performance issues pushed him out more than anything else.

His career started out with promise in Kansas City but ended with limited chances in Atlanta.

International and Independent League Career

After leaving Major League Baseball in 1987, Darryl Motley kept playing ball across different countries and leagues. He spent five years in Mexico and Japan, then made a name for himself in American independent leagues.

Years in Japan and Mexico

Motley joined the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league for the 1992 and 1993 seasons. His time in Japan was short, but it marked his jump into international baseball.

He played just 44 games with the Marines over those two years. Maybe he struggled to adjust to Japanese ball or had some injuries—it’s hard to say for sure.

Before and after Japan, Motley played in the Mexican leagues as well. Those five years overseas helped him keep his game sharp and earn a living outside the States.

The Mexican and Japanese leagues gave Motley a chance to keep competing at a high level. A lot of former MLB guys took that route to extend their careers back then.

Achievements in Independent Baseball Leagues

Motley really shined in America’s independent baseball leagues, especially the Northern League. He became a star there, which is impressive considering it was outside the usual baseball system.

Baseball America even named him Independent Baseball Player of the Year, which says a lot about how well he played after leaving the majors.

Fans in Fargo still remember him for his time with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. The phrase “Motley’s Crew Rocks Fargo” pretty much sums up his impact there.

In 2001, Motley managed the Adirondack Lumberjacks for a bit before returning to the field as a player. With the team off to an 8-13 start, he stepped in to boost their offense and ended up serving as hitting coach and designated hitter.

Post-Baseball Career and Legacy

After leaving MLB in 1987, Darryl Motley faded from the national spotlight but stayed close to the game. His role in the Kansas City Royals’ 1985 World Series win and his steady play in the mid-1980s made sure fans and record books wouldn’t forget him.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

Once his MLB days ended, Motley moved into coaching. He worked in player development, passing on what he learned in the majors to younger guys in the minors.

He really emphasized fundamentals and work ethic—qualities he showed from 1981 to 1987 as a player.

Motley’s versatility in the outfield made him a solid teacher for defensive skills and base running. He also helped prospects with the mental side of the game.

Coaching let Motley stay in baseball and help shape new talent. Having six major league seasons under his belt gave him real credibility with up-and-coming players.

Legacy Among Kansas City Royals Fans

Motley still means a lot to Kansas City Royals fans as a key contributor to the 1985 World Series title. He batted .364 in that series, which stands out as a career highlight.

Fans remember him as a reliable outfielder during the Royals’ best stretch in the ’80s. He played alongside big names like George Brett and Willie Wilson back when the team was at its peak.

His 44 home runs and 159 RBIs over six seasons aren’t Hall of Fame numbers, but they show he was a solid part of the lineup. Motley came through for the team when it counted.

The 1985 World Series win is still the Royals’ most recent championship, so players like Motley are part of a pretty exclusive group in franchise history.

Presence in Baseball Records and Almanacs

You’ll find Motley’s career stats in all sorts of baseball reference materials, like Baseball Almanac and a bunch of other historical databases.

He posted a .243 batting average over 413 games during his six seasons in the majors.

Record books tell the story of his rise from a second-round draft pick in 1978 to a World Series champion.

He made his debut on August 10, 1981, and that really kicked off his professional baseball journey.

Statistical databases keep track of his career numbers, like 324 hits, 44 home runs, and 159 RBIs.

Fans and researchers can dig into his full playing record whenever they want.

After his MLB days, Motley spent 1992 and 1993 playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

International baseball records picked up those seasons too, so his career stretched even further than the majors.