Ah, those fresh winter days of January when eager faces are peering in the frosty windows and looking toward those balmy days of Spring Training and new hope.

Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz were already in the warming bowl of alphabet soup. Pitchers Scott Elarton and Elmer Dessens also had enlisted. Pitcher Mark Redman had been picked up in a trade. And shortly before the new year came, right fielder Reggie Sanders and pitcher Joe Mays. What 106 losses? Past history.

Then, ouch. In February, pitcher Runelvys Hernandez reported overweight and pitcher Zack Greinke went home to undergo psychological counseling. From there, things continued to erode.

The Royals finished last and reached the 100-loss mark for the third straight year.

At the Winter Meetings, the Royals launched their pitching staff overhaul by signing free-agent Gil Meche and trading for Brian Bannister, sending reliever Ambiorix Burgos to the Mets. They also released Hernandez and signed closer Octavio Dotel.

JANUARY

A mini-camp at Surprise, Ariz., drew 32 players including hottest prospect Alex Gordon, the third baseman from University of Nebraska. New uniforms were unveiled with a traditional look -- could a return to 1985 glory be far behind? And for another touch of winning nostalgia, pitcher Mark Gubicza was named to the Royals Hall of Fame.

FEBRUARY

The fat jokes came out, but Royals brass wasn't laughing when Hernandez checked in at an undisclosed weight rumored to approach 290 pounds. And when the season began, he was assigned to Omaha.

Precocious right-hander Greinke had some psychological concerns and the understanding Royals sent him home for as-long-as-it-takes counseling. He didn't return to KC until September.

MARCH

Closer Mike MacDougal went out for six weeks with a sore shoulder and DH Mike Sweeney developed a bone bruise in his left ankle. Redman had knee surgery.

Center fielder David DeJesus signed a five-year, $13.8-million deal to give the club some stability with its young players.

Commissioner Bud Selig gave Kansas City an All-Star Game between 2010 and 2014 if a stadium-improvement tax passed (it did), and the Royals left Arizona with a 16-9-2 record and high aspirations.

APRIL

The season opener didn't go well, as the Tigers' Chris Shelton hit two home runs and the Royals fell, 3-1, as 41,054 fans filled Kauffman Stadium. The next day, voters approved a sales tax that would renovate the stadium over the next three years.

The Royals got their first win in the season's third game, wiping out a six-run White Sox lead, 11-7. But the month was a 5-17 quagmire, sticking the Royals in last place to stay.

MAY

Owner David Glass and president Dan Glass, frustrated by the club's losing ways, started looking for a replacement for general manager Allard Baird. Baird stayed on the job and the team continued to founder.

Slugger Sweeney was out with another back injury and the Royals lost 13 in a row until Angel Berroa's home run gave them a 7-6 victory over the Yankees. The win also ended a 14-game skid in the Bronx, but the month ended with the Royals 21 games out and with a new general manager. On May 30, Dayton Moore was hired from the Braves.

JUNE

Moore didn't officially begin duties until June 8, after the First Year Player Draft, in which the Royals took pitcher Luke Hochevar -- their first overall No. 1 choice in history.

On June 20, Moore made his first Major League trade, obtaining center fielder Joey Gathright from the Devil Rays.

On the field, Reggie Sanders hit his 300th career home run and became just the fifth player in Major League history with 300 homers and 300 stolen bases.

JULY

Left-hander Redman was named the Royals' lone All-Star Game representative. In the Futures Game, farmhand Billy Butler hit a two-run homer and was named MVP for his part in Team USA's 8-5 win over Team World.

Opening Day starter Scott Elarton, 4-9, was ruled out by a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Before the trade deadline, closer Mike MacDougal was dealt to the White Sox for two young pitchers; left-hander Odalis Perez was obtained from the Dodgers for reliever Elmer Dessens; lefty Jorge De La Rosa came from the Brewers for infielder Tony Graffanino, and first baseman Ryan Shealy arrived from the Rockies for pitchers Jeremy Affeldt and Denny Bautista.

AUGUST

Hochevar, the nation's No. 1 draft pick, signed a four-year deal that could bring him $5.2 million to $7 million pending certain incentives.

Sweeney returned to the lineup and, on Aug. 9, his single gave the Royals their first walk-off victory of the season. It came in a three-game sweep of the Red Sox.

Near month's end, Hernandez and Redman pitched 2-0 wins at Toronto and Minnesota respectively within a three-game period. The season ended for Mientkiewicz and Sanders because of surgery.

SEPTEMBER

Hernandez and catcher John Buck took some swings at each other in the dugout during a game at Cleveland on Sept. 13. Redman's 11th and last win ended an eight-game skid at the Metrodome, but the Royals' number in the loss column eventually reached 100.

But medical news predominated with manager Buddy Bell undergoing throat surgery and missing the last 10 games. Third baseman Mark Teahen underwent shoulder surgery and Grudzielanek missed the last 11 games with a groin injury.

Counting Oct. 1, this was the season's best month, 13-14.

OCTOBER

The Royals joined the baseball world in mourning the passing of icon Buck O'Neil and celebrated his life. Frank White decided to end his tour as Double-A Wichita manager and returned to the front office in Kansas City. Hochevar was pulled out of the Arizona Fall League because of arm concerns but it wasn't believed to be serious.

NOVEMBER

Grudzielanek won the first Gold Glove of his career at second base. Teahen was named the Royals' Player of the Year and Redman their Pitcher of the Year. Catcher Jason LaRue was obtained from the Reds in a trade.

DECEMBER

In one of the biggest signings of the Winter Meetings at Disney World in Florida, the Royals corralled right-hander Gil Meche on a five-year deal. He was 11-8 last summer for the Mariners.

After a Rule 5 Draft of right-hander Joakim Soria, the Royals released the disappointing Hernandez after a 6-10 season. Right-hander Brian Bannister, son of ex-Royals pitcher Floyd Bannister, was obtained from the Mets in exchange for reliever Ambiorix Burgos.

Just after getting home, Moore nailed down right-hander Octavio Dotel to be the closer for 2007.