Heritage Sports Art

Some History

This 1985 home uniform shows the team has thankfully left the double-knit jersey and Sans-a-Belt pants behind (this was abandoned in 1983). Buttons-down-the-front are back and note also the fact that numbers are on the front of the jersey (this was introduced by the Royals for the 1st time in 83). Uniform numbers first made their appearance on the front of a uniform in 1952 - the Brooklyn Dodgers were the first team to wear uniform numbers on the front of their jersey. The Braves followed suit in 1953, and the Reds joined in beginning in 1956. The 1916 Cleveland Indians actually wore a uniform number on their sleeve, but it wasn't until the 52 Dodgers that the number made it to the front.

The Royals finished the 1985 season with a 91-71 record to claim their second straight AL West division title (the Royals lost to the Tigers in three straight games in the 1984 ALCS). In the ALCS Royals faced the upstart Toronto Blue Jays for the pennant in a best-of-seven affair.

The Royals lost the first two games in Toronto then came back in KC to win game three with George Brett going four-for-four at the plate, with four runs and 3 RBI. They would fall the next day to go down 3 games to 1, almost an insurmountable lead for the Jays. The key word here is Almost! The Royals shut out the Blue Birds 2-0 in game five in Kansas City, and then had to travel back to Toronto for games 6 and 7. The Royals tied the series with a win in game six, thus forcing a seventh and deciding game in Toronto. In game 7 the Royals left no doubt - the Royals led all the way and beat the Jays 6-2 for their second pennant (the first being in 1980).

In the All-Missouri World Series, the Royals took on the speedy St. Louis Cardinals, who led the Major League's in stolen bases this season with 314, compared to the Royals 128.

The Cards jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the series winning both games in Kansas City. The Royals won game three 6-1 behind the strong pitching of Brett Saberhagen. The next day they would find themselves in a hole once again as they lost game four 3-0 to fall behind 3 games to 1. Could lightning strike twice in the same post season?

Sure enough, the Royals took game five 6-1 in St. Louis and headed home to try to finish the job. Game Six provided a lot of drama that Cardinals fans can never forget. With the Cards leading 1-0 going into the bottom of the ninth, there is a disputed play at first, followed by a passed by and an intentional walk. That set the stage for Dane Iorgs dramatic two run pinch single in the bottom of the ninth and the series was tied 3-3.

On to Game 7 potentially the most dramatic game in all of baseball.

Saberhagen once again took the mound for the deciding game and this time pitched a five hit gem. But forget the drama Saberhagen and the Royals left no doubt in anyones mind as they took their first World Series Championship on the strength of an 11-0 blowout. Saberhagen was named the Series MVP with his two wins and miniscule 0.50 ERA. He capped off a remarkable year by being named the teams first Cy Young award winner. The hitting stars were George Brett, who went 10 for 27 for a .370 average, Willie Wilson who hit .367 and Lonnie Smith who hit .333.