It was all set up for the Royals. They took a 3-2 lead to the top of the ninth in Game Five of the World Series. They had the American League saves leader, Dan Quisenberry on the mound. If they could get three outs, they would head back to Philadelphia in command in the Series, … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 19

The Royals hit for the cycle in the first inning, using the four runs they scored in that frame to pick up a 5-3 win over Philadelphia and even the World Series at 2-2 on a Saturday afternoon at Royals Stadium. Phillies starter Larry Christenson lasted just 22 pitches in the first inning. Willie Wilson … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 18

The first World Series game ever played in Kansas City was a thriller, with Royals first baseman Willie Aikens playing the hero. Aikens drove in the game-winning run with a single in the 10th inning, snapping a tie as the Royals prevailed, 4-3, on a cool Friday night at Royals Stadium. After Philadelphia tied the … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 17

The World Series paused as the two teams traveled to Kansas City, with Philadelphia holding a 2-0 edge over the Royals. Both teams welcomed the day off as they faced injury concerns. The biggest one, and the most famous, was Royals third baseman George Brett’s hemorrhoid, which had become so painful that he left Game … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 16

For the second game in a row, Royals pitchers could not hold on to a lead. The Philadelphia Phillies scored four runs in the eighth inning for a comeback 6-4 win over Kansas City in Game Two of the World Series, on a Wednesday night at Veterans Stadium. In Game One, the Royals coughed up … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 15

The first World Series game in Royals history started off so well, with the team taking a 4-0 lead after three trips to the plate. But the Phillies exploded for five runs in the bottom of the third and went on to a 7-6 victory on a Tuesday night at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. The … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 14

The Royals and Phillies held workouts at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia the day before World Series Game One. As Philadelphia manager Dallas Green and Kansas City manager Jim Frey announced their starting pitching plans for the Series, the Royals appeared to be in better shape. Frey planned to send 20-game winner Dennis Leonard to the … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 13

The Royals finally learned who they would face in the World Series, as Philadelphia outlasted Houston, 8-7, in the deciding game of the NLCS. The Phillies scored five runs in the eighth to take a 7-5 lead, only to see the Astros score two in the bottom of the inning. But Garry Maddox doubled with … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 12

Basking in the afterglow of their ALCS sweep of the Yankees, the Royals remained in New York as they waited to find out their World Series opponent. Many members of the team had celebrated the title at a disco, so it’s fair to wonder if they were in shape to travel or not. In the … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 11

Finally. After 11 seasons and three crushing playoff losses, the Kansas City Royals advanced to the World Series, winning 4-2 in Yankee Stadium to earn a sweep of the ALCS and exorcise plenty of demons. Nearly four years to the day after Chris Chambliss hit a walkoff home run in the decisive Game Five to … Continue reading This Date In Royals History–1980 Edition: October 10