1980 Kansas City Royals

1980 Kansas City Royals / Franchise: Kansas City Royals / BR Team Page

Record: 97-65, Finished 1st in AL Western Division (1980 AL)

Clinched Division: September 17, 1980, vs. California Angels

Won AL Pennant

Managed by Jim Frey

Coaches: Bill Connors, Gordon MacKenzie, Jose Martinez and Jimmie Schaffer

Ballpark: Royals Stadium

History, Comments, Contributions

Third baseman George Brett of the 1980 Kansas City Royals won the American League MVP Award after flirting with a .400 batting average during the season. He ended the year hitting .390 but led the club to the World Series for the first time in its history.

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: George Brett, Larry Gura and Darrell Porter
• AL MVP: George Brett
• AL Rolaids Relief Award: Dan Quisenberry
• AL Gold Glove: Frank White (2B) and Willie Wilson (OF)
• AL Silver Slugger Award: George Brett (3B) and Willie Wilson (OF)

Further Reading

• J. Daniel: Phinally! The Phillies, the Royals and the 1980 Baseball Season That Almost Wasn’t, McFarland, Jefferson, NC, 2019. ISBN 978-1-4766-7088-1
• Josh Wood: "Ask Sports: What's the earliest date the Royals have ever clinched a division title?", The Wichita Eagle, Aug. 29, 2015

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NL Championship Series (3-2) Phillies over Astros

World Series (4-2) Phillies over Royals

AL Championship Series (3-0) Royals over Yankees