Breaking out of a slump, Hal McRae delivered a pinch-hit triple in the eighth inning to lift the Royals to a 5-3 win over Seattle on a steamy Friday night at Royals Stadium. McRae had just eight hits in his last 50 at-bats and was given a night off by manager Jim Frey. But the … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: July 4

Seven runs in the eighth inning turned a close game into a blowout as Seattle took a 13-2 win over Kansas City on a hot and humid Thursday night at Royals Stadium. Royals starter Larry Gura, just two days after being named to the American League All-Star team, had his worst start of the year. … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: July 3

John Wathan’s one-out single in the 10th inning drove in the winning run—his third RBI of the game—as the Royals defeated the Twins 4-3 at Royals Stadium. Wathan’s hit scored Rusty Torres, who was running for Dave Chalk. Chalk led off the inning with a single and took second on Willie Wilson’s single. U L … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: July 2

A two-out single in the ninth lifted the Twins to a 2-1 win over Kansas City on an unpleasantly hot Tuesday night at Royals Stadium. Despite a gametime temperature of 97° after Kansas City reached a daytime high of 101°, Royals starter Paul Splittorff was still on the mound as the ninth inning began. He … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: July 1

The Royals seemed unprepared for the conditions, committing two first-inning errors and generally struggling as they were pummeled 12-3 by the Minnesota Twins on a sweltering Monday evening at Royals Stadium. Minnesota scored four runs in the first, thanks in large part to three Kansas City errors. The game started with 95° degree temperatures and … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: June 30

Seattle scored four runs in the second inning and cruised to a 7-2 win over the Royals on a Sunday afternoon at the Kingdome. Royals starter Dennis Leonard had an easy first inning but struggled in the second. Dan Meyer started the inning by reaching on shortstop U L Washington’s error. Tom Paciorek and Joe … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: June 29

For the third time in three games, Royals pitching came within one out of a shutout but couldn’t finish it off. However, for the fourth straight game, Kansas City came out a winner, this time with a 4-2 victory over the Mariners at the Kingdome in Seattle. This time, the pitcher in question was Larry … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: June 28

The Royals could have--probably should have--scored more runs. But Rich Gale, with some help from Dan Quisenberry, made sure the two they did get stood up in Kansas City’s 2-1 win over the Mariners at the Kingdome in Seattle. Royals hitters collected 11 hits and two walks, all against Seattle starter Rick Honeycutt. But double … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: June 27

The Royals had a day off as they traveled from Minnesota to Seattle for a three-game series with the Mariners.  Another round of All-Star vote totals was announced by the American League office. George Brett was the only Royal to lead his position, with a healthy 500,000-vote lead on New York’s Graig Nettles. Catcher Darrell … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: June 26

Paul Splittorff came within inches of a complete-game shutout, but had to settle for a 4-1 win over the Twins at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis. Splittorff held Minnesota to four hits through eight innings. He was content to let his infielders do the work, getting 20 outs via ground ball. Splittorff walked two and did … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: June 25