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History

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Att&T
Thank you for voting for the Top 10 Moments in Royals History! The ranking you've chosen will be revealed during the last homestand of the 2009 regular season, September 21-27. Join us at Kauffman Stadium for a Top 10 Moments countdown! There are plenty of fun events and promotions planned so we'll see you at The K! Promotional schedule »
  1. Your Top 10 Moments
  2. Moments 11-20
  3. Moments 21-30
  4. Moments 31-40
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1.
October 27, 1985: Darryl Motley Catches Final Out in Game 7, 1985 World Series

Al Michaels said it best, "To (Darryl) Motley...for the title! The Kansas City Royals are the 1985 World Champions."

 Darryl Motley Catches Final Out in Game 7, 1985 World Series
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2.
October 10, 1980: George Brett Home Run in Game 3, 1980 ALCS

On October 10, 1980, during game 3 of the ALCS, George Brett hit a towering 3-run home run off Goose Gossage that traveled well into the third deck of Yankees Stadium, putting the Royals up 4-2 and sealing a 3 game sweep. The pitch was clocked at 98 mph, which was Gossage's fastest of the game.

 George Brett Home Run in Game 3, 1980 ALCS
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3.
October 26, 1985: Dane Iorg Pinch Hits in Game 6, 1985 World Series

With the bases loaded and only one out in the bottom of the 9th of a 1-0 Cardinals lead, Dane Iorg was brought on to pinch hit. He delivered with a looping single to right field, scoring Onix Concepcion with the tying run and Jim Sundberg with the game-winning run and sending the series to a seventh game.

 Dane Iorg Pinch Hits in Game 6, 1985 World Series
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4.
August 17, 1980: George Brett Goes Over the .400 Mark

During the 1980 season, George Brett's batting average was at or above the .400 mark for the majority of the season and as late as September 19, before settling at .390. His high mark for the season came on August 26, when Brett's average stood at .407. The average of .390 is still the modern record for the highest average ever by a third baseman.

 George Brett Goes Over the .400 Mark
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5.
September 30, 1992: George Brett 3,000 Hit

On September 30, 1992 third baseman George Brett became just the 18th player to join the 3,000 hit club with a single off Angels' reliever Tim Fortugno, his 4th hit of the game. Brett was subsequently picked off first base.

 George Brett 3,000 Hit
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6.
July 25, 1999: George Brett Cooperstown Induction

In 1999, George Brett was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. He received an astounding 98.2% of votes cast in his first ballot and remains the only 'Royal' in the Hall of Fame. Brett became the first player in history to accumulate 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, 600 doubles, 100 triples, 1,500 RBI and 200 stolen bases. The 12-time All-Star played his entire 21-year career for the Royals, earning an AL MVP Award, a Gold Glove, three batting titles and a lifetime batting average of .305.

 George Brett Cooperstown Induction

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7.
October 22, 1985: Frank White Home Run in Game 3 1985 World Series

During game 3 of the 1985 World Series at Busch Stadium, Frank White made history by becoming the first second baseman to hit in the clean-up spot in the batting order during the World Series as a result of the DH not being in effect in National League ballpark. He came through by hitting a two run homer and added a run-scoring double to lead the Royals to a 6-1 win.

 Frank White Home Run in Game 3 1985 World Series
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8.
October 11, 1985: George Brett's Performance in Game 3 of the 1985 ALCS

George Brett has a game for the ages, going 4 for 4 with a single, a double, two home runs and a sparkling defensive play, leading the Royals to their first win of the series against the Blue Jays.

 George Brett's Performance in Game 3 of the 1985 ALCS
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9.
October 16, 1985: Jim Sundberg 3-RBI Triple in Game 7, 1985 ALCS

With the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth inning, Jim Sundberg came to the plate to face fading Blue Jays starter Dave Stieb. Sundberg hit a triple off the fence, scoring Hal McRae, Pat Sheridan and Steve Balboni, putting the dagger in the heart of the Blue Jays.

 Jim Sundberg 3-RBI Triple in Game 7, 1985 ALCS
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10.
July 24, 1983: George Brett Pine Tar Home Run

The Notorious Pine Tar Incident began as George Brett's 2 run home run off Goose Gossage gave the Royals a 5-4 lead. Brett was subsequently ruled out after the umpiring crew ruled the pine tar on the bat exceeded the allotted 18 inches. Brett said years later regarding his subsequent emergence from the dugout: "It was just such an extraordinary thing to hit a homer off [Gossage], the thought of losing it was too much."

 George Brett Pine Tar Home Run
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11.
April 8, 1969: Royals First Franchise Game/Win

Founded by Ewing Kauffman, the Kansas City Royals played their foundational game on April 8, 1969, defeating the Minnesota Twins 4-3 in 12 innings at Municipal Stadium, thus bringing baseball back to Kansas City.
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12.
April 27, 1973: Steve Busby No-Hitter #1

On April 27, 1973, at the age of 22, rookie Steve Busby throws his first no-hitter at Tiger Stadium against the Detroit Tigers in just the tenth game of his career. This was also the first no-hitter in Royals Franchise history.
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13.
October 10, 1980: Dan Quisenberry K's Randolph in Game 3, 1980 ALCS

Dan Quisenberry set down the Yankees 1-2-3 in the 9th inning, propelling the Royals to their first World Series berth. This capped a 3 and 2/3 inning performance of one-run baseball for Quisenberry.
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14.
July 11, 1989: Bo Jackson Hits Home Run and Becomes MVP of All-Star Game

Bo Jackson was the standout of the 1989 All-Star game. Jackson collected two hits, including a lead-off home run in the bottom of the first, to lead the AL All-Stars to a 5-3 victory. For his efforts, Jackson was named All-Star Game MVP.
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15.
October 27, 1985: Darryl Motley Home Run in Game 7, 1985 World Series

Darryl Motley homers to left off John Tudor in the bottom of the second to give the Royals a 2-0 lead in Game 7. The home run came one pitch after Motley had hit the previous pitch in the same area of the stands, but foul. It proved to be the difference in the game, as Bret Saberhagen pitched a complete game shut out to lead the Royals to an 11-0 series clinching win.
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16.
April 10, 1973: First Game at Royals Stadium

An enthusiastic crowd of 39,464 fans watched as the Royals win 12-1 over the Texas Rangers during the inauguration of Royals Stadium.
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17.
October 17, 1980: First World Series Game in Kansas City, Game 3 of the 1980 World Series

On October 17, 1980, the Royals came home to play their first ever home World Series game in front of a pulsating crowd of 42,380. They went on to win the game 4-3 in 10 innings. Dan Quisenberry got the win, going 2 and 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
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18.
October 6, 1978: George Brett's Three-Homer Game in Game 3, 1978 ALCS

On October 6, 1978, George Brett hit three home runs off of Yankees pitcher Catfish Hunter in Game 3 of the ALCS, becoming only the second player to hit three home runs in a League Championship Series game.
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19.
October 5, 1985: Willie Wilson RBI Single Wins AL West Title

Willie Wilson collects the last of his three hits, an RBI single in the 10th inning as the Royals clinch the AL West title by defeating the A's on the second-to-last day of the regular season. Dan Quisenberry collects the win by going three innings of scoreless relief.
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20.
June 12, 1973: Frank White Debut: First Academy Graduate

On June 12, 1973, 22-year-old Frank White made his debut for the Kansas City Royals. He was the first graduate of the Kansas City Royals Academy in Sarasota, FL, to make it to the Major Leagues.
21.
September 29, 1993: George Brett's Final Game at Kauffman Stadium

After three magical decades of baseball, the Royals legendary third baseman hung up his cleats by hitting one final single up the middle. Following the game, Brett rode around the stadium in a cart to thank fans, and knelt down and kissed home plate.
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22.
August 26, 1991: Bret Saberhagen No-Hitter

On August 26, 1991, Bret Saberhagen pitched a no-hitter, defeating the Chicago White Sox 7-0. It was the fourth no-hitter in Royals history and is the last no-hitter to be thrown by a Royals pitcher.
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23.
August 31-September 15, 1977: Royals Go on a 16 Game Winning Streak

Led by Whitey Herzog, the Royals won 16 consecutive games and went on to become the 1977 American League Western Champions. This 16 game winning streak was the longest in the major leagues in 24 years.
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24.
1980: George Brett's 30-Game Hitting Streak

On July 18, 1980, George Brett embarked on a 30-game hitting streak that lasted until August 19. During these 30 games Brett hit .467 going 57-122. He went on to be named the MVP of the 1980 season.
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25.
April 12, 1986: Dennis Leanard Comeback Start Shut-Out

Following four knee operations dating back to a 1983 tendon injury, Dennis Leanard comes back to the mound and pitches a remarkable three hit, complete game shut-out against the Toronto Blue Jays. Leonard finishes the year throwing a total of 192 and 2/3 innings and compiling an 8-13 record.
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26.
July 15, 1986: Frank White Homer at 1986 All-Star Game

On July 15, 1986, at the Astrodome in Houston, Frank White was called up to pinch hit during the 7th inning. He answered the call with a home run on a 0-2 pitch from pitcher Mike Scott, helping the American League to a 3-2 victory. White became just the 14th player in All-Star game history to have a pinch hit home run.
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27.
September 26, 1973: Paul Splittorff Wins 20th

In only his fourth major league season, Paul Splittorff wins 20 games during the 1973 season, making him the first 20-game winner in Royals History. He did so by defeating the Chicago White Sox 6-2.
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28.
September 30, 1989: Bret Saberhagen Wins 23rd Game

On September 30, 1989, Bret Saberhagen won his 23rd game by defeating the Oakland A's 6-1, setting a Royals record that still stands today. Saberhagen's 23-6 mark, 2.16 ERA, and twelve complete games were good enough for him to earn his second AL Cy Young Award.
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29.
June 19, 1974: Steve Busby No-Hitter #2

Steve Busby pitches the second no-hitter in his career against the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium. By doing so he became the first Major League pitcher to have a no-hitter in each of his first two seasons.
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30.
July 2, 1993: Royals Stadium Is Renamed Kauffman Stadium in Honor of the Founder

On July 2, 1992, the stadium that had been known as Royals Stadium since its debut in 1973, became Kauffman Stadium in honor of Ewing Kauffman, the owner/founder of the Kansas City Royals.
31.
October 18, 1980: Willie Aikens' Two Home Runs in Game 4, 1980 World Series

In Game 4 of the 1980 World Series vs. the Philadelphia Phillies, Royals first baseman Willie Aikens smashed two homers. He became the only player in World Series history to hit two homers in the same game twice during the same World Series.
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32.
April 12, 2003: Royals 9-0 Run to Start 2003 Season

Tony Pena led the Royals to a 9-0 start on his way to AL Manager of the Year Award. The team won 16 of its first 19 games and had a stranglehold on first place until August 20, finishing 83-79 for the first winning season since 1993.
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33.
April 5, 2004: Opening Day Comeback

With the White Sox up 7-3 in the bottom of the 9th, the Royals pulled off a miracle. Two walks started the inning, followed by a Benito Santiago RBI double. Relative unknown Mendy Lopez then stepped to the plate and delivered a game-tying, 3-run-homer. After an Angel Berroa single, Carlos Beltran capped the rally with a game-winning two run shot to electrify the crowd and give the Royals a 9-7 Opening Day victory.
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34.
September 29, 1977: Royals Win 100th Game

On September 29, 1977, the Royals won their 100th game of the year in just their ninth year of existence. They went on to win a Major League best 102 games before falling 3-2 in the ALCS to the New York Yankees.
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35.
August 27, 1988: Mark Gubicza 14 Strikeout Game

On August 27, 1988, Royals Pitcher Mark Gubicza struck out a record 14 batters against the Minnesota Twins in a complete game 4-1 win for the Royals. Gubicza threw 142 pitches, 83 for strikes, lowering his ERA to 2.70 for the year and improving to 16-7.
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36.
September 14, 1986: Bo Jackson Longest Home Run in Royals/Kauffman Stadium History

Bo Jackson launches his first career home run, a 475 foot shot off Seattle's Mike Moore, which still stands as the longest home run in the stadium's history.
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37.
July 13, 1982: Five Royals Are Named to the AL All-Star Team

George Brett, Dan Quisenberry, Hal McRae, Frank White and Willie Wilson all appeared on the 1982 AL All-Star Team. Brett finished 2 for 2, collecting the lone Royals' hits. Quisenberry pitched 2 innings, allowing 1 run.
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38.
June 5, 1989: Bo Jackson Throw in Seattle

On June 5, 1989, in Seattle, Bo Jackson ran down a deep line drive to left field in bottom of the 10th inning. Jackson pivoted and threw a strike to catcher Bob Boone, who tagged out Harold Reynolds trying to score the winning run from first. The Royals won the game 5-3 in 13 innings.
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39.
May 14, 1977: Jim Colborn No-Hitter

On May 14, 1977, Jim Colborn pitched a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers, leading the Royals to a 6-0 victory. This was the first no-hitter by a Royal at Royals Stadium.
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40.
1973 All-Star Game at Royals Stadium

On July 24, 1973, Royals Stadium hosted the 40th Midsummer classic. Before a crowd of 40,849 fans, the National League went on to win 7-1. The game featured three of Kansas City's own: Cookie Rojas, Amos Otis, and John Mayberry.