Though he spent most of his minor league career at shortstop, Floyd made the Orioles' 1969 opening day roster as a back-up infielder, receiving playing time at second and third as well. Floyd batted .219 with seven runs and just one RBI, also coming on a sac fly.[3]
Floyd went 0-for-10 in a brief trial before being demoted to the Triple-A Omaha Royals. Before the demotion, he collected his first RBI of the season on a ground out.[6]
He batted .292 with two home runs and 32 RBIs at Omaha to earn a return to the majors that September. In his first game back, Floyd got his first two hits of the season, and had a three-RBI game against the Chicago White Sox.[7] The next day, he went 3-for-7 in a doubleheader with the ChiSox. His sixth inningsingle off Wilbur Wood in the second game drove in the tying and winning runs.[8]
Floyd remained the club's regular shortstop over the remainder of the season. Albeit, with just eleven games left. In this short trial, Floyd batted .424 with eight RBIs and four runs scored.
During the off season, the Royals traded incumbent shortstop Jackie Hernandez to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a six player deal that netted the Royals shortstop Freddie Patek, whom they intended to use as their everyday shortstop.[9] Floyd began the 1971 season in Omaha, but received a call to the majors in late June. He batted .118 Through July, and was optioned back down. He again received a call up when rosters expanded in September, but batted only .163.
A stomach disorder suffered by Patek in spring training landed Floyd starting shortstop duties to start the 1972 season.[10] In nine games, Floyd batted .138 with two RBIs and one run scored, and committed two errors in 39 chances on the field. Once Patek was ready to return, Floyd was demoted to Omaha. He came back up in late June, and batted .190 with three RBIs and eight runs over the rest of the season.
Managerial career
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