1985 Kansas City Royals season

The 1985 Kansas City Royals season was the 17th season in Royals franchise history. It ended with the Royals' 1st World Series champion over their intra-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Royals won the American League West Division for the second consecutive season and the sixth time in ten years. The team improved its record to 91–71 on the strength of its pitching, led by Bret Saberhagen's Cy Young Award-winning performance.

In the postseason, the Royals went on to win the 1985 American League Championship Series for just the second time and the 1985 World Series|World Series for the first time (they previously lost the 1980 World Series). Both the ALCS and the World Series were won in seven games after the Royals lost the first two games at home and three of the first four games overall. The championship series against the Cardinals was forever remembered in St. Louis by umpires' supposedly blown calls in Game Six: one that cost the Royals a run in the 4th, and a blown call by umpire Don Denkinger that allowed Jorge Orta to reach first. The World Series is remembered in Kansas City as the culmination of ten years of dominance by the Royals, during which they reached the playoffs seven times, with stars such as George Brett, Hal McRae and Willie Wilson.

The team was managed by Dick Howser in his fourth and final full season with the Royals.

The Royals did not return to the postseason until 2014 and won the World Series again in 2015.

Offseason

• January 18, 1985: Danny Darwin was traded as part of a 4-team trade by the Texas Rangers with a player to be named later to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers sent Jim Sundberg to the Kansas City Royals. The New York Mets sent Tim Leary to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Kansas City Royals sent Don Slaught to the Texas Rangers. The Kansas City Royals sent Frank Wills to the New York Mets. The Texas Rangers sent Bill Nance (minors) (January 30, 1985) to the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the trade.
• February 25, 1985: Jamie Quirk was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals.

Offense

Team leaders

Statistic		Player
Runs	108	George Brett
Hits	184	George Brett
Doubles	38	George Brett
Triples	21	#Willie Wilson
Home runs	36	3Steve Balboni
Runs batted in	112	George Brett
Stolen bases	43	Willie Wilson
Batting average	.335	2George Brett
Notes: Template:Hlist

Pitching

Team leaders

Statistic		Pitcher
Games pitched	84	#Dan Quisenberry
Innings pitched	237.2	Charlie Leibrandt
Wins	20	2Bret Saberhagen
Strikeouts	158	Bret Saberhagen
Complete games	10	Bret Saberhagen
Shutouts	3	Danny Jackson & Charlie Leibrandt
Saves	37	1Dan Quisenberry
Earned run average	2.69	2Charlie Leibrandt
Notes: Template:Hlist

Regular season

The Royals opened the season at home on Monday, April 8, in a three-game series versus the Toronto Blue Jays. In his second straight opening day start, Bud Black faced off against the Blue Jays' Dave Stieb and allowed only a single earned run on four hits as the Royals won, 2–1. Stieb held the Royals scoreless for 62⁄3 innings before giving up the game-winning runs on a double by Willie Wilson. Black exited the game in the eighth inning with two outs after giving up a single and a walk. Dan Quisenberry closed out the game for his first save of the new season. The attendance of 41,086 was the highest of any home opener and wasn't exceeded until the 2005 season. It was also the second highest of any of the Royals' regular season home games in 1985.

The Seattle Mariners had the strongest start in the division—winning their first six games at home by sweeping the Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins. But the Mariners quickly faded into sixth place as they lost twelve of their next thirteen games. After their losses in Seattle, the Athletics returned home to win seven of their next nine games, and on April 21 were in a three-way tie for first with the Mariners and the California Angels. However, a seven-game losing streak at the end of April pushed them down into sixth place on May 1 and five games below the Angels. At the end of April the Royals had a record of 11–8 (.579), but they had fallen two games behind the Angels who had finished the month with a six-game winning streak and had a 14–7 record.

The Royals began the month of May by losing seven of their first eight games, culminating in an 11–3 loss on May 11 at home to the New York Yankees. The team was three games below .500, in fourth place and 51⁄2 games behind the Angels. Three days and three wins later, with a record of 15–15, the Royals would not drop below .500 at any time during the remainder of the season. (But they would have a .500 record as late as July 12 when they were 42–42.) With two six-game winning streaks, the team won thirteen of their next seventeen games to enter a first-place tie with the Angels on May 29, with a record of 25–19. This stretch of games was highlighted by three complete-game shutouts pitched by Bret Saberhagen, Bud Black, and Charlie Leibrandt in which they allowed only a combined 8 hits and 4 walks. And despite being on the road, from May 15 through May 17, the three starters each threw a complete game and allowed a combined two earned runs (a 0.67 ERA), 14 hits, and just one walk.

The Royals struggled to make headway in the divisional race through June and into late July. Between May 30 and July 21 they were 21–25 and fell to 71⁄2 games behind the Angels. With New York arriving in Kansas City to start a six-game home series on Monday, July 22, the Royals began a seven-game winning streak which was the longest in the season to that point. Dan Quisenberry picked up his 19th, 20th, and 21st saves as the Royals swept the Yankees, and he put in relief appearances in three of the next four games—picking up two more saves. On July 29, the Angels' lead had shrunk to 21⁄2 games. They would remain there through September 1 as the Royals were 16–14 during that period and the Angels were 17–15.

The eight-game winning streak (all at home) between September 2 and 8 was the longest of the season for the Royals. The streak included three games in extra innings. After winning five of their next seven games, the Royals achieved a 21⁄2-game lead over the Angels on September 15. However, the Mariners, who had given them trouble earlier in the year—winning five of their six previous contests—shut out the Royals twice in a four-game sweep in Kansas City, dropping the Royals into a tie for first place on September 19. Winning four of their next nine games, the Royals dropped a game behind the Angels on September 29.

After being swept at home in three games by the Twins and with only seven games remaining in the regular season, the Royals faced a four-game series at home versus the Angels. On September 30 the Royals won the first game 3–1 with Saberhagen pitching a complete game and giving up just one run on a home run by Doug DeCinces. Saberhagen collected ten strikeouts in the game and allowed only seven batters to reach first base. The Angels claimed the following game on October 1 by the score of 4–2 with Mike Witt pitching. The Royals won the third game on October 2 with Black pitching a complete-game shutout and allowing only five batters to reach first base. Three of the four runs scored by the Royals came in the bottom of the first inning with no outs as George Brett hit an inside-the-park home run to center field with two runners on base. The final game of the series on October 3 was won, 4–1, by the Royals with Quisenberry recording the final out of the game and his 36th save of the season. Starting pitcher Danny Jackson had given up just one run in 82⁄3 innings despite allowing 11 hits. The Royals' runs came on three home runs by Frank White, Steve Balboni, and Brett. With the win, the Royals had a one-game lead on the Angels.

The Royals hosted the Athletics for the final three games of the season while the Angels traveled to Arlington Stadium to battle the Rangers. On October 4, the Royals defeated the Athletics by the score of 4–2, and the Angels were shut out, 6–0, by the Rangers' starting pitcher Dave Schmidt. This gave the Royals a two-game lead and assured them of at least a tie for first. The division championship was claimed in a dramatic fashion on the following day as the Royals come from behind to defeat the Athletics in ten innings by the score of 5–4. The final game of the season on October 6 was a loss, and the Royals finished the season with a record of 91–71 (.562).

Notable transactions

• June 3, 1985: Brian McRae was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1st round (17th pick) of the 1985 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1985.
• June 3, 1985: Chris Jelic was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 2nd round of the 1985 amateur draft.
• June 3, 1985: Deion Sanders was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 6th round of the 1985 amateur draft, but did not sign.

Opening Day Lineup

colspan="3" style="Template:Baseball primary style"|Opening Day Starters
style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| #	style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| Name	style="Template:Baseball secondary style;| Position
6	Willie Wilson	CF
15	Pat Sheridan	RF
5	George Brett	3B
3	Jorge Orta	DH
45	Steve Balboni	1B
24	Darryl Motley	LF
20	Frank White	2B
8	Jim Sundberg	C
2	Onix Concepción	SS
40	Bud Black	P

Roster

1985 Kansas City Royals roster
Roster
Pitchers 27 Joe Beckwith 40 Bud Black 26 Steve Farr 41 Tony Ferreira 23 Mark Gubicza 32 Larry Gura 38 Mark Huismann 25 Danny Jackson 17 Mike Jones 30 Mike LaCoss 37 Charlie Leibrandt 22 Dennis Leonard 29 Dan Quisenberry 31 Bret Saberhagen		Catchers 18 Jamie Quirk  8 Jim Sundberg 12 John Wathan Infielders 45 Steve Balboni  1 Buddy Biancalana  5 George Brett  2 Onix Concepción 61 Bob Hegman  4 Greg Pryor 16 Jim Scranton 20 Frank White		Outfielders  9 Dane Iorg 35 Lynn Jones 36 Dave Leeper 28 Omar Moreno 24 Darryl Motley 15 Pat Sheridan 21 Lonnie Smith  6 Willie Wilson Other batters 11 Hal McRae  3 Jorge Orta		Manager 10 Dick Howser Coaches 43 Gary Blaylock (pitching) 41 Mike Ferraro (third base) 42 José Martínez (first base) 14 Lee May (hitting) 44 Jimmie Schaffer (bullpen)

All-Stars

• Dick Howser, Manager
• George Brett, 3B

Game log

Regular season

Template:Game log start Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#cfc;" | 1 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CST || Blue Jays || W 2–1 || Black (1–0) || Stieb (0–1) || Quisenberry (1) || 2:30 || 41,086 || 1–0 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CST || Blue Jays || L 0–1 (10) || Caudill (1–0) || Beckwith (0–1) || Lavelle (1) || 2:52 || 14,740 || 1–1 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 3 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CST || Blue Jays || L 3–4 (10) || Caudill (2–0) || Quisenberry (0–1) || Acker (1) || 3:14 || 17,798 || 1–2 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:20p.m. CST || Tigers || L 1–3 || Morris (2–0) || Black (1–1) || — || 2:35 || 21,823 || 1–3 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 5 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CST || Tigers || L 1–5 || Petry (2–0) || Saberhagen (0–1) || Hernández (2) || 2:31 || 24,447 || 1–4 || L4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CST || Red Sox || W 2–0 || Jackson (1–0) || Clemens (1–1) || — || 2:09 || 16,886 || 2–4 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CST || Red Sox || W 6–1 || Leibrandt (1–0) || Nipper (0–1) || — || 2:38 || 18,685 || 3–4 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 8 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CST || Red Sox || L 3–4 (14) || Ojeda (1–0) || Jones (0–1) || — || 4:11 || 22,587 || 3–5 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 9 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CST || @ Tigers || W 9–2 || Saberhagen (1–1) || Petry (2–1) || — || 2:35 || 35,432 || 4–5 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 10 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:15p.m. CST || @ Tigers || L 3–4 || Hernández (2–0) || Quisenberry (0–2) || — || 2:30 || 27,339 || 4–6 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 11 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:30p.m. CST || @ Tigers || W 3–2 (13) || Quisenberry (1–2) || Berenguer (0–1) || Gura (1) || 4:05 || 30,168 || 5–6 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 12 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CST || @ Blue Jays || W 2–0 || Leibrandt (2–0) || Stieb (1–2) || — || 2:13 || 20,281 || 6–6 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 13 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CST || @ Blue Jays || W 7–6 || Beckwith (1–1) || Caudill (3–2) || Quisenberry (2) || 2:46 || 18,491 || 7–6 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 14 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:35p.m. CST || @ Blue Jays || L 2–10 || Leal (1–1) || Saberhagen (1–2) || — || 2:17 || 18,006 || 7–7 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 15 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CST || @ Red Sox || L 2–5 || Clemens (2–2) || Gubicza (0–1) || — || 2:40 || 26,647 || 7–8 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 16 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:20p.m. CST || @ Red Sox || W 5–4 || Quisenberry (2–2) || Stanley (0–2) || — || 3:03 || 24,430 || 8–8 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 17 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:05p.m. CDT || @ Red Sox || W 5–2 || Leibrandt (3–0) || Boyd (2–1) || Beckwith (1) || 2:43 || 23,882 || 9–8 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 18 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Indians || W 3–2 || Black (2–1) || Heaton (1–1) || Quisenberry (3) || 2:36 || 19,295 || 10–8 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 19 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Indians || W 5–1 || Saberhagen (2–2) || Roan (0–4) || — || 2:27 || 16,282 || 11–8 || W4 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 20 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Indians || L 5–6 || Schulze (3–0) || Gubicza (0–2) || Waddell (5) || 3:23 || 16,699 || 11–9 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 21 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:00p.m. CDT || @ Yankees || L 1–7 || Rasmussen (1–1) || Jackson (1–1) || — || 2:36 || 20,603 || 11–10 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 22 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:00p.m. CDT || @ Yankees || L 2–5 || Guidry (2–3) || Leibrandt (3–1) || — || 2:14 || 22,532 || 11–11 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 23 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:00p.m. CDT || @ Yankees || L 2–6 || Niekro (4–2) || Black (2–2) || Righetti (7) || 2:33 || 50,209 || 11–12 || L4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 24 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Orioles || L 2–4 || Dixon (3–0) || Saberhagen (2–3) || Stewart (5) || 2:14 || 21,664 || 11–13 || L5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 25 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Orioles || W 9–8 || LaCoss (1–0) || McGregor (1–3) || — || 2:54 || 19,793 || 12–13 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 26 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Yankees || L 4–6 || Guidry (3–3) || Leibrandt (3–2) || Righetti (8) || 2:48 || 34,000 || 12–14 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 27 || Template:Dow tooltip || 3:05p.m. CDT || Yankees || L 3–11 || Rasmussen (2–1) || Black (2–3) || — || 2:35 || 38,011 || 12–15 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 28 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Yankees || W 6–5 || Quisenberry (3–2) || Righetti (1–2) || — || 3:04 || 31,009 || 13–15 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 29 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Orioles || W 5–2 || Jackson (2–1) || Davis (1–1) || Quisenberry (4) || 2:41 || 24,611 || 14–15 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 30 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Orioles || W 5–3 || Gubicza (1–2) || McGregor (1–4) || Quisenberry (5) || 2:32 || 22,202 || 15–15 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 31 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Indians || W 5–1 || Leibrandt (4–2) || Schulze (3–3) || — || 2:35 || 4,169 || 16–15 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 32 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Indians || W 7–1 || Black (3–3) || Creel (0–1) || — || 2:25 || 3,051 || 17–15 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 33 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Brewers || W 3–0 || Saberhagen (3–3) || Darwin (3–3) || — || 2:14 || 10,587 || 18–15 || W6 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 34 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Brewers || L 2–7 || Haas (4–2) || Jackson (2–2) || — || 2:28 || 20,334 || 18–16 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 35 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || @ Brewers || L 10–11 || Gibson (4–1) || Quisenberry (3–3) || — || 3:37 || 43,256 || 18–17 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 36 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Rangers || L 7–8 || Schmidt (2–2) || Beckwith (1–2) || — || 2:49 || 18,945 || 18–18 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 37 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Rangers || W 5–0 || Black (4–3) || Tanana (0–5) || — || 2:07 || 14,018 || 19–18 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 38 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Rangers || W 6–3 || Saberhagen (4–3) || Noles (2–5) || Quisenberry (6) || 2:28 || 15,447 || 20–18 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 39 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || White Sox || W 8–4 || Jackson (3–2) || Burns (5–4) || Quisenberry (7) || 3:01 || 32,599 || 21–18 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 40 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:20p.m. CDT || White Sox || W 3–0 || Leibrandt (5–2) || Seaver (4–3) || — || 2:01 || 25,920 || 22–18 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 41 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || White Sox || W 3–2 || Black (5–3) || James (1–2) || Quisenberry (8) || 2:33 || 32,563 || 23–18 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 42 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || W 4–2 || Saberhagen (5–3) || Noles (2–6) || Quisenberry (9) || 2:19 || 30,803 || 24–18 || W6 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 43 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || L 1–6 || Hooton (2–1) || Gubicza (1–3) || — || 2:39 || 19,160 || 24–19 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 44 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || W 6–2 || Jackson (4–2) || Hough (4–4) || Quisenberry (10) || 2:17 || 20,692 || 25–19 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 45 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || L 3–4 || Seaver (5–3) || Leibrandt (5–3) || James (9) || 2:40 || 16,041 || 25–20 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 46 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || L 3–8 || Bannister (3–4) || Black (5–4) || Nelson (1) || 2:39 || 25,493 || 25–21 || L2 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 47 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:00p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || L 7–8 || James (2–2) || Jones (0–2) || — || 3:19 || 32,398 || 25–22 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 48 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:30p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || L 1–4 || Dotson (3–3) || Gubicza (1–4) || James (10) || 2:33 || 23,153 || 25–23 || L4 |-style=background:#bbb | — || June 3 || || Brewers || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 5) |-style="background:#cfc;" | 49 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Brewers || W 4–3 || Leibrandt (6–3) || Vuckovich (1–3) || LaCoss (1) || 2:26 || 18,788 || 26–23 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 50 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Brewers || L 2–10 || Higuera (4–3) || Black (5–5) || — || 2:25 || 18,666 || 26–24 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 51 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:30p.m. CDT || @ Angels || W 6–0 || Saberhagen (6–3) || Witt (3–6) || — || 2:26 || 29,414 || 27–24 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 52 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:00p.m. CDT || @ Angels || W 4–1 || Gubicza (2–4) || Slaton (4–4) || Quisenberry (11) || 2:19 || 46,393 || 28–24 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 53 || Template:Dow tooltip || 3:00p.m. CDT || @ Angels || L 0–1 || Romanick (7–2) || Jackson (4–3) || Moore (12) || 2:04 || 41,973 || 28–25 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 54 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || L 1–2 (10) || Howell (5–3) || Quisenberry (3–4) || — || 3:33 || 16,500 || 28–26 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 55 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || L 3–4 || Howell (6–3) || Black (5–6) || — || 2:43 || 7,201 || 28–27 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 56 || Template:Dow tooltip || 2:15p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || W 3–2 (14) || Jones (1–2) || McCatty (2–3) || — || 4:19 || 11,010 || 29–27 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 57 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || W 4–3 || Gubicza (3–4) || Wilkinson (0–1) || Quisenberry (12) || 2:41 || 8,691 || 30–27 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 58 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || L 5–13 || Wills (2–0) || Jackson (4–4) || — || 3:10 || 10,765 || 30–28 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 59 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:05p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || L 1–2 || Young (5–8) || Leibrandt (6–4) || Vande Berg (3) || 2:34 || 26,067 || 30–29 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 60 || Template:Dow tooltip || 3:35p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || L 1–2 || Best (2–1) || Beckwith (1–3) || — || 2:34 || 14,103 || 30–30 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 61 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Twins || W 10–3 || Saberhagen (7–3) || Viola (7–6) || — || 2:15 || 31,885 || 31–30 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 62 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Twins || W 10–3 || Gubicza (4–4) || Smithson (5–6) || — || 2:36 || 21,662 || 32–30 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 63 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Twins || W 3–2 || Jackson (5–4) || Filson (3–4) || Quisenberry (13) || 2:17 || 22,033 || 33–30 || W3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 64 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Twins || L 8–11 || Eufemia (1–0) || Beckwith (1–4) || Whitehouse (1) || 3:32 || 31,461 || 33–31 || L1 |-style=background:#bbb | — || Template:Dow tooltip || || Mariners || colspan="8" | Postponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 19) |-style="background:#fcc;" | 65 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mariners || L 1–2 || Swift (2–1) || Saberhagen (6–4) || Núñez (7) || 2:35 || 35,959 || 33–32 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 66 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Mariners || L 2–8 || Moore (5–4) || Black (5–7) || — || 2:54 || 31,080 || 33–33 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 67 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Twins || W 12–6 || Gubicza (5–4) || Filson (3–5) || — || 3:08 || 24,035 || 34–33 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 68 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Twins || W 3–0 || Jackson (6–4) || Butcher (4–7) || — || 2:04 || 31,885 || 35–33 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 69 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Twins || L 1–2 || Schrom (7–5) || Leibrandt (6–5) || — || 2:14 || 20,060 || 35–34 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 70 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Angels || W 5–4 (14) || Quisenberry (4–4) || Corbett (2–1) || — || 4:50 || 32,651 || 36–34 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 71 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Angels || L 1–7 || Lugo (3–1) || Black (5–8) || — || 2:46 || 39,451 || 36–35 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 72 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Angels || W 3–1 || Gubicza (6–4) || Romanick (8–4) || Quisenberry (14) || 2:23 || 33,173 || 37–35 || W1 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 73 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Athletics || L 3–4 || Atherton (4–4) || Jackson (6–5) || Howell (17) || 2:59 || 31,781 || 37–36 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 74 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Athletics || W 10–1 || Leibrandt (7–5) || Langford (0–2) || — || 2:29 || 19,676 || 38–36 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 75 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Athletics || W 3–0 || Saberhagen (8–4) || Codiroli (8–4) || Quisenberry (13) || 2:17 || 22,142 || 39–36 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 76 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Orioles || L 3–5 || Martínez (7–5) || Black (5–9) || Snell (4) || 2:26 || 40,616 || 39–37 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 77 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Orioles || L 3–6 || Boddicker (9–7) || Gubicza (6–5) || Stewart (6) || 2:42 || 30,488 || 39–38 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 78 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:20p.m. CDT || Orioles || L 3–8 || McGregor (7–7) || Jackson (6–6) || — || 2:44 || 26,898 || 39–39 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 79 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Orioles || W 8–4 || Leibrandt (8–5) || Davis (1–1) || Quisenberry (16) || 2:52 || 24,131 || 40–39 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 80 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:10p.m. CDT || @ Yankees || W 5–2 || Saberhagen (9–4) || Niekro (7–8) || — || 2:16 || 17,193 || 41–39 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 81 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:00p.m. CDT || @ Yankees || L 4–6 || Guidry (11–3) || Black (5–10) || Righetti (15) || 3:11 || 24,528 || 41–40 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 82 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12Noon CDT || @ Yankees || L 5–6 || Righetti (7–6) || Quisenberry (4–5) || — || 2:53 || 35,274 || 41–41 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 83 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Indians || W 1–0 || Jackson (7–6) || Ruhle (2–4) || — || 2:26 || 5,256 || 42–41 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 84 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Indians || L 4–5 (11) || Waddell (4–5) || Quisenberry (4–6) || — || 3:22 || 8,058 || 42–42 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 85 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Indians || W 5–1 || Saberhagen (10–4) || Blyleven (8–9) || — || 2:20 || 12,794 || 43–42 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 86 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:35p.m. CDT || @ Indians || W 9–5 || Black (6–10) || Heaton (5–11) || Quisenberry (17) || 3:14 || 25,466 || 44–42 || W2 |-style=background:#bbbfff |colspan="12"|56th All-Star Game in Minneapolis, MN |-style="background:#fcc;" | 87 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Orioles || L 3–8 || McGregor (8–7) || Saberhagen (10–5) || Stewart (7) || 2:53 || 25,579 || 44–43 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 88 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:05p.m. CDT || @ Orioles || W 10–3 || Leibrandt (9–5) || Boddicker (9–10) || — || 2:45 || 29,410 || 45–43 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 89 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:20p.m. CDT || @ Orioles || W 7–5 || Jackson (8–6) || Flanagan (0–1) || Quisenberry (18) || 2:40 || 26,366 || 46–43 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 90 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:05p.m. CDT || @ Orioles || L 4–6 || Martinez (2–2) || Black (6–11) || Aase (4) || 2:51 || 31,278 || 46–44 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 91 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:10p.m. CDT || Yankees || W 5–4 || Jones (2–2) || Rasmussen (3–5) || Quisenberry (19) || 2:56 || 40,938 || 47–44 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 92 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Yankees || W 5–2 || Saberhagen (11–5) || Whitson (5–7) || Quisenberry (20) || 2:40 || 32,450 || 48–44 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 93 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Yankees || W 5–3 || Leibrandt (10–5) || Cowley (8–4) || Quisenberry (21) || 2:45 || 31,580 || 49–44 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 94 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Indians || W 7–1 || Jackson (9–6) || Romero (0–1) || — || 2:43 || 27,860 || 50–44 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 95 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Indians || W 6–3 || Black (7–11) || Reed (0–3) || Quisenberry (22) || 2:23 || 33,473 || 51–44 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 96 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Indians || W 7–4 || Gubicza (7–5) || Ruhle (2–7) || Quisenberry (23) || 2:36 || 38,352 || 52–44 || W6 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 97 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:10p.m. CDT || @ Tigers || W 4–2 || Saberhagen (12–5) || Petry (11–10) || — || 2:48 || 36,068 || 53–44 || W7 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 98 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Tigers || L 7–11 || Morris (12–6) || Leibrandt (10–6) || Hernández (21) || 3:27 || 34,261 || 53–45 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 99 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:30p.m. CDT || @ Tigers || W 5–2 || Jackson (10–6) || Terrell (10–6) || Quisenberry (24) || 2:30 || 34,276 || 54–45 || W1 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#cfc;" | 100 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Red Sox || W 4–3 (10) || Quisenberry (5–6) || Clear (1–2) || — || 3:04 || 37,212 || 55–45 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 101 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Red Sox || L 4–5 || Clemens (7–4) || Gubicza (7–6) || Crawford (4) || 3:15 || 40,370 || 55–46 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 102 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Red Sox || L 5–6 (12) || Stanley (6–5) || LaCoss (1–1) || Clear (3) || 3:48 || 31,020 || 55–47 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 103 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Tigers || L 4–8 || Terrell (11–6) || Jackson (10–7) || Hernández (22) || 2:53 || 41,251 || 55–48 || L3 |-style=background:#bbb | — || Template:Dow tooltip || || Tigers || colspan=8 | Postponed (Strike) (Makeup date: Template:Dow tooltip) |-style=background:#bbb | — || Template:Dow tooltip || || Tigers || colspan=8 | Postponed (Strike) (Makeup date: Template:Dow tooltip) |-style="background:#cfc;" | 104 || Template:Dow tooltip
(1) || 5:05p.m. CDT || Tigers || W 10–3 || Saberhagen (13–5) || Tanana (6–11) || — || 2:39 || — || 56–48 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 105 || Template:Dow tooltip
(2) || 8:19p.m. CDT || Tigers || W 6–4 || Gubicza (8–6) || Petry (12–11) || Quisenberry (25) || 3:04 || 35,585 || 57–48 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 106 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Blue Jays || W 4–2 || Black (8–11) || Stieb (10–8) || — || 2:21 || 25,868 || 58–48 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 107 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Blue Jays || W 4–3 (10) || Quisenberry (6–6) || Caudill (4–5) || — || 2:54 || 34,448 || 59–48 || W4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 108 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Blue Jays || L 3–5 (10) || Henke (3–0) || Beckwith (1–5) || — || 3:27 || 27,457 || 59–49 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 109 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Red Sox || W 3–2 || Gubicza (9–6) || Nipper (7–8) || Quisenberry (26) || 2:39 || 22,843 || 60–49 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 110 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Red Sox || W 6–3 || Saberhagen (14–5) || Ojeda (5–7) || Quisenberry (27) || 3:03 || 23,189 || 61–49 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 111 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Red Sox || L 3–16 || Hurst (8–9) || Black (8–12) || — || 2:56 || 22,870 || 61–50 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 112 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:35p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || W 4–2 || Leibrandt (11–6) || Key (9–5) || — || 2:31 || 38,269 || 62–50 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 113 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:20p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || W 4–2 || Jackson (11–7) || Alexander (12–7) || Quisenberry (28) || 2:21 || 42,313 || 63–50 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 114 || Template:Dow tooltip || 12:35p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || L 6–10 || Gubicza (9–7) || Filer (6–0) || — || 3:02 || 37,458 || 63–51 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 115 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Tigers || W 2–1 (10) || Saberhagen (15–5) || Morris (13–7) || — || 2:42 || 20,929 || 64–51 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 116 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || L 1–2 || James (5–5) || Quisenberry (6–7) || — || 2:46 || 19,318 || 64–52 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 117 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || W 2–1 || Leibrandt (12–6) || Bannister (5–11) || Quisenberry (29) || 2:51 || 16,243 || 65–52 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 118 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || @ White Sox || W 7–3 || Jackson (12–7) || Davis (1–1) || Quisenberry (30) || 3:05 || 22,505 || 66–52 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 119 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || L 3–4 || Schmidt (5–3) || Quisenberry (6–8) || — || 3:05 || 33,483 || 66–53 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 120 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || W 8–2 || Saberhagen (16–5) || Hooton (5–8) || — || 2:33 || 39,100 || 67–53 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 121 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || L 3–7 || Hough (13–12) || Black (8–13) || — || 3:00 || 28,350 || 67–54 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 122 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Rangers || W 9–2 || Leibrandt (13–6) || Russell (1–4) || — || 2:44 || 28,085 || 68–54 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 123 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Brewers || L 5–8 || Cocanower (4–3) || Jackson (12–8) || Gibson (10) || 2:48 || 8,034 || 68–55 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 124 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Brewers || W 8–2 || Gubicza (10–7) || Vuckovich (6–10) || — || 2:38 || 7,626 || 69–55 || W1 |-style=background:#bbb | — || Template:Dow tooltip || || @ Brewers || colspan=8 | Postponed (Rain; Site change) (Makeup date: September 6) |-style="background:#fcc;" | 125 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Rangers || L 1–4 || Hough (14–12) || Black (8–14) || — || 2:18 || 14,330 || 69–56 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 126 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Rangers || L 4–6 || Harris (4–3) || Leibrandt (13–7) || — || 2:34 || 14,709 || 69–57 || L2 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 127 || Template:Dow tooltip || 6:05p.m. CDT || @ Rangers || L 3–5 || Mason (6–12) || Jackson (12–9) || Henry (1) || 2:04 || 10,587 || 69–58 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 128 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || White Sox || W 3–2 || Gubicza (1–3) || Nelson (8–9) || Quisenberry (31) || 2:46 || 32,681 || 70–58 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 129 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || White Sox || W 3–2 || Saberhagen (17–5) || Seaver (12–10) || — || 2:10 || 17,521 || 71–58 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 130 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || White Sox || W 6–5 (10) || Jones (3–2) || James (6–6) || — || 3:38 || 19,940 || 72–58 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 131 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Brewers || W 4–1 || Leibrandt (14–7) || Haas (4–2) || — || 2:14 || 2,527 || 73–58 || W4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 132 || Template:Dow tooltip
(1) || 5:05p.m. CDT || Brewers || W 4–3 (11) || Quisenberry (7–8) || Fingers (1–5)|| — || 2:48 || — || 74–58 || W5 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 133 || Template:Dow tooltip
(2) || 8:28p.m. CDT || Brewers || W 7–1 || Farr (1–0) || Burris (9–11) || — || 2:34 || 26,403 || 75–58 || W6 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 134 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Brewers || W 7–4 || Gubicza (12–7) || Cocanower (4–5) || Quisenberry (32) || 2:46 || 29,510 || 76–58 || W7 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 135 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Brewers || W 13–11 (11) || Farr (2–0) || Fingers (1–6) || — || 3:48 || 20,737 || 77–58 || W8 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 136 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:30p.m. CDT || @ Angels || L 1–7 || Candelaria (5–1) || Saberhagen (17–6) || — || 1:57 || 29,688 || 77–59 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 137 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:30p.m. CDT || @ Angels || W 6–0 || Leibrandt (15–7) || McCaskill (9–11) || — || 2:12 || 37,813 || 78–59 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 138 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:30p.m. CDT || @ Angels || W 2–1 || Jackson (13–9) || Romanick (13–8) || Quisenberry (33) || 2:41 || 32,906 || 79–59 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 139 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || W 5–2 || Gubicza (13–7) || Rijo (3–3) || Quisenberry (34) || 2:45 || 11,253 || 80–59 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 140 || Template:Dow tooltip || 3:05p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || W 2–1 || Saberhagen (18–6) || John (4–8) || — || 2:22 || 30,628 || 81–59 || W4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 141 || Template:Dow tooltip
(1) || 2:15p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || L 2–4 || Codiroli (12–12) || Leibrandt (15–8) || Howell (25) || 2:23 || — || 81–60 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 142 || Template:Dow tooltip
(2) || 5:13p.m. CDT || @ Athletics || W 7–2 || Black (9–14) || Young (0–3) || — || 2:31 || 15,236 || 82–60 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 143 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mariners || L 1–5 || Moore (15–8) || Jackson (13–10) || — || 2:33 || 21,666 || 82–61 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 144 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mariners || L 0–7 || Young (12–15) || Farr (2–1) || — || 2:36 || 17,770 || 82–62 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 145 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mariners || L 0–6 || Thomas (7–0) || Gubicza (13–8) || — || 2:58 || 16,863 || 82–63 || L3 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 146 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Mariners || L 4–6 || Núñez (7–2) || Quisenberry (7–9) || Tobik (1) || 3:00 || 7,633 || 82–64 || L4 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 147 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Twins || W 5–1 || Leibrandt (16–8) || Blyleven (14–16) || — || 2:42 || 22,845 || 83–64 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 148 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Twins || W 6–5 (10) || Huismann (1–0) || Davis (2–6) || — || 3:11 || 25,102 || 84–64 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 149 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Twins || L 3–7 || Viola (16–14) || Jackson (12–12) || — || 2:31 || 21,277 || 84–65 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 150 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || L 2–5 || Moore (16–8) || Gubicza (13–9) || — || 2:26 || 6,433 || 84–66 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 151 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || W 5–4 || Saberhagen (19–6) || Young (12–17) || Farr (1) || 2:55 || 6,588 || 85–66 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 152 || Template:Dow tooltip || 9:35p.m. CDT || @ Mariners || W 5–2 || Leibrandt (17–8) || Swift (5–10) || Quisenberry (35) || 2:48 || 6,840 || 86–66 || W2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 153 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Twins || L 1–4 || Viola (17–14) || Black (9–15) || — || 2:01 || 13,035 || 86–67 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 154 || Template:Dow tooltip || 11:00a.m. CDT || @ Twins || L 3–5 || Burtt (2–1) || Jackson (13–12) || Davis (24) || 2:31 || 13,256 || 86–68 || L2 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 155 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:15p.m. CDT || @ Twins || L 3–6 || Butcher (11–14) || Gubicza (13–10) || Davis (25) || 2:43 || 11,292 || 86–69 || L3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 156 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Angels || W 3–1 || Saberhagen (20–6) || Candelaria (6–3) || — || 2:09 || 34,200 || 87–69 || W1 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 157 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Angels || L 2–4 || Witt (14–9) || Leibrandt (17–9) || Moore (30) || 2:36 || 26,273 || 87–70 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 158 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Angels || W 4–0 || Black (10–15) || Romanick (14–9) || — || 2:08 || 28,401 || 88–70 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 159 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Angels || W 4–1 || Jackson (14–12) || Sutton (15–10) || Quisenberry (36) || 2:24 || 40,894 || 89–70 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 160 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Athletics || W 4–2 || Gubicza (14–10) || Rijo (6–4) || Quisenberry (37) || 2:32 || 19,694 || 90–70 || W3 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 161 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Athletics || W 5–4 (10) || Quisenberry (8–9) || Howell (9–8) || — || 3:23 || 32,949 || 91–70 || W4 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 162 || Template:Dow tooltip || 1:35p.m. CDT || Athletics || L 3–9 || Codiroli (14–14) || Jones (3–3) || Mura (1) || 2:36 || 20,935 || 91–71 || L1 |- Template:Game log section end | *An MLB Players strike forced the cancellation of all regular season games on August 6 and 7. Most games were made up later in the season. |- style="text-align:center;" | Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement
Bold = Royals team member Template:Game log end

Postseason Game log

Template:Game log start Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || L 1–6 || Stieb (1–0) || Leibrandt (0–1) || — || 2:24 || 39,115 || TOR 1–0 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 || Template:Dow tooltip || 2:05p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || L 5–6 (10) || Henke (1–0) || Quisenberry (0–1) || — || 3:39 || 34,029 || TOR 2–0 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 3 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:15p.m. CDT || Blue Jays || W 6–5 || Farr (1–0) || Clancy (0–1) || — || 2:51 || 40,224 || TOR 2–1 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:15p.m. CDT || Blue Jays || L 1–3 || Henke (2–0) || Leibrandt (0–2) || — || 3:02 || 41,112 || TOR 3–1 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 5 || Template:Dow tooltip || 3:35p.m. CDT || Blue Jays || W 2–0 || Jackson (1–0) || Key (0–1) || — || 2:21 || 40,046 || TOR 3–2 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:15p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || W 5–3 || Gubicza (1–0) || Alexander (0–1) || Quisenberry (1) || 3:12 || 37,557 || Tied 3–3 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:15p.m. CDT || @ Blue Jays || W 6–2 || Leibrandt (1–2) || Stieb (1–1) || — || 2:49 || 32,084 || KC 4–3 || W3 |- Template:Game log section end Template:Game log section start |-style="background:#fcc;" | 1 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || Cardinals || L 1–3 || Tudor (1–0) || Jackson (0–1) || Worrell (1) || 2:48 || 41,650 || STL 1–0 || L1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 2 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CDT || Cardinals || L 2–4 || Dayley (1–0) || Leibrandt (0–1) || Lahti (1) || 2:44 || 41,656 || STL 2–0 || L2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 3 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:35p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || W 6–1 || Saberhagen (1–0) || Andújar (0–1) || — || 2:59 || 53,634 || STL 2–1 || W1 |-style="background:#fcc;" | 4 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:25p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || L 0–3 || Tudor (2–0) || Black (0–1) || — || 2:19 || 53,634 || STL 3–1 || L1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 5 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:25p.m. CDT || @ Cardinals || W 6–1 || Jackson (1–1) || Forsch (0–1) || — || 2:52 || 53,634 || STL 3–2 || W1 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 6 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:25p.m. CDT || Cardinals || W 2–1 || Quisenberry (1–0) || Worrell (0–1) || — || 2:47 || 41,628 || Tied 3–3 || W2 |-style="background:#cfc;" | 7 || Template:Dow tooltip || 7:30p.m. CST || Cardinals || W 11–0 || Saberhagen (2–0) || Tudor (2–1) || — || 2:46 || 41,658 || KC 4–3 || W3 |- Template:Game log section end |- style="text-align:center;" | Legend:        = Win        = Loss     
Bold = Royals team member Template:Game log end

Postseason

ALCS

Game 1

Tuesday, October 8, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario

Team	Template:Linescore/style | 1	Template:Linescore/style | 2	Template:Linescore/style | 3	Template:Linescore/style | 4	Template:Linescore/style | 5	Template:Linescore/style | 6	Template:Linescore/style | 7	Template:Linescore/style | 8	Template:Linescore/style | 9	Template:Linescore/style | R	Template:Linescore/style | H	Template:Linescore/style | E
Kansas City	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	5	1
Toronto	0	2	3	1	0	0	0	0	X	6	11	0
Template:Br separated entries Game 2 Wednesday, October 9, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario Team Template:Linescore/style | 1 Template:Linescore/style | 2 Template:Linescore/style | 3 Template:Linescore/style | 4 Template:Linescore/style | 5 Template:Linescore/style | 6 Template:Linescore/style | 7 Template:Linescore/style | 8 Template:Linescore/style | 9 Template:Linescore/style | 10 Template:Linescore/style | R Template:Linescore/style | H Template:Linescore/style | E Kansas City 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 5 10 3 Toronto 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 2 6 10 0 Template:Br separated entries Game 3 Friday, October 11, 1985, at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri Team Template:Linescore/style | 1 Template:Linescore/style | 2 Template:Linescore/style | 3 Template:Linescore/style | 4 Template:Linescore/style | 5 Template:Linescore/style | 6 Template:Linescore/style | 7 Template:Linescore/style | 8 Template:Linescore/style | 9 Template:Linescore/style | R Template:Linescore/style | H Template:Linescore/style | E Toronto 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 5 13 1 Kansas City 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 1 X 6 10 1 Template:Br separated entries Game 4 Saturday, October 12, 1985, at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri Team Template:Linescore/style | 1 Template:Linescore/style | 2 Template:Linescore/style | 3 Template:Linescore/style | 4 Template:Linescore/style | 5 Template:Linescore/style | 6 Template:Linescore/style | 7 Template:Linescore/style | 8 Template:Linescore/style | 9 Template:Linescore/style | R Template:Linescore/style | H Template:Linescore/style | E Toronto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 7 0 Kansas City 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 Template:Br separated entries Game 5 Sunday, October 13, 1985, at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri Team Template:Linescore/style | 1 Template:Linescore/style | 2 Template:Linescore/style | 3 Template:Linescore/style | 4 Template:Linescore/style | 5 Template:Linescore/style | 6 Template:Linescore/style | 7 Template:Linescore/style | 8 Template:Linescore/style | 9 Template:Linescore/style | R Template:Linescore/style | H Template:Linescore/style | E Toronto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 Kansas City 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 2 8 0 Template:Br separated entries Game 6 Tuesday, October 15, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario Team Template:Linescore/style | 1 Template:Linescore/style | 2 Template:Linescore/style | 3 Template:Linescore/style | 4 Template:Linescore/style | 5 Template:Linescore/style | 6 Template:Linescore/style | 7 Template:Linescore/style | 8 Template:Linescore/style | 9 Template:Linescore/style | R Template:Linescore/style | H Template:Linescore/style | E Kansas City 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 5 8 1 Toronto 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 8 2 Template:Br separated entries Game 7 Wednesday, October 16, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario Team Template:Linescore/style | 1 Template:Linescore/style | 2 Template:Linescore/style | 3 Template:Linescore/style | 4 Template:Linescore/style | 5 Template:Linescore/style | 6 Template:Linescore/style | 7 Template:Linescore/style | 8 Template:Linescore/style | 9 Template:Linescore/style | R Template:Linescore/style | H Template:Linescore/style | E Kansas City 0 1 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 6 8 0 Toronto 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 8 1 Template:Br separated entries World Series File:1985 Kansas City Royals at White House.jpg Manager Dick Howser (to left of podium) presents President Ronald Reagan with a Royals jacket, hat, and bat at the White House. With the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the National League Championship Series, the 1985 World Series was destined to become one of the most memorable series for the cross-state rivals. It was popularly known as the Show-Me Series (Missouri is "the Show-Me State") and the I-70 Series. The 1985 World Series was played by National League rules, with no designated hitter, so the Royals were without the regular services of one of their best players, Hal McRae. As they had done in the ALCS, the Royals lost three of their first four games with the Cardinals. The key game in the Royals' comeback was Game 6, a game famous for a tremendous Kansas City comeback, unfortunately belittled in St. Louis as due to supposed umpire errors. A call in the 4th inning cost the Royals their closest scoring opportunity when Frank White was called out after stealing second, and appearing on replay to have been safe, and the next batter, Pat Sheridan, got a hit. Facing elimination, the Royals trailed 1–0 in the bottom of the ninth inning before rallying to score two runs and win. In what has been called "one of the most controversial and famous plays in Series history", Jorge Orta led off the bottom of the ninth with a ground ball to Cardinal first baseman Jack Clark, who flipped the ball to pitcher Todd Worrell covering first. First base umpire Don Denkinger called Orta safe, but television replays showed that Worrell had beaten him to the base. Orta was later put out on the basepaths (the only out recorded in the inning), but Kansas City would go on to win as the Cardinals unravelled with a dropped pop up, a passed ball and poor pitching as the Royals capitalized on the opportunity. The Cardinals became completely undone in Game 7. The Royals' Bret Saberhagen pitched a five-hit shutout, allowing the Royals to win 11–0 and clinch the franchise's first World Series title as the Cardinals' pitchers fell apart. AL Kansas City Royals (4) vs NL St. Louis Cardinals (3) Game Score Date Location Attendance 1 St. Louis Cardinals – 3, Kansas City Royals – 1 October 19 Royals Stadium 41,650 2 St. Louis Cardinals – 4, Kansas City Royals – 2 October 20 Royals Stadium 41,656 3 Kansas City Royals – 6, St. Louis Cardinals – 1 October 22 Busch Stadium II 53,634 4 Kansas City Royals – 0, St. Louis Cardinals – 3 October 23 Busch Stadium II 53,634 5 Kansas City Royals – 6, St. Louis Cardinals – 1 October 24 Busch Stadium II 53,634 6 St. Louis Cardinals – 1, Kansas City Royals – 2 October 26 Royals Stadium 41,628 7 St. Louis Cardinals – 0, Kansas City Royals – 11 October 27 Royals Stadium 41,658 Free agents After the season these players became free agents: Dane Iorg, signed with the San Diego Padres Lynn Jones, re-signed Hal McRae, re-signed Jamie Quirk, re-signed Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases Pos Player G AB R H HR RBI Avg. SB C Jim Sundberg 115 367 38 90 10 35 .245 0 1B Steve Balboni 160 600 74 146 36 88 .243 1 2B Frank White 149 563 62 140 22 69 .249 10 3B George Brett 155 550 108 184 30 112 .335 9 SS Onix Concepción 131 314 32 64 2 20 .204 4 LF Lonnie Smith 120 448 77 115 6 41 .257 40 CF Willie Wilson 141 605 87 168 4 43 .278 43 RF Darryl Motley 123 383 45 85 17 49 .222 6 DH Hal McRae 112 320 41 83 14 70 .259 0 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases Player G AB R H HR RBI Avg. SB Jorge Orta 110 300 32 80 4 45 .267 2 Pat Sheridan 78 206 18 47 3 17 .228 11 Lynn Jones 110 152 12 32 0 9 .211 0 John Wathan 60 145 11 34 1 9 .234 1 Buddy Biancalana 81 138 21 26 1 6 .188 1 Dane Iorg 64 130 7 29 1 21 .223 0 Greg Pryor 63 114 8 25 1 3 .219 0 Omar Moreno 24 70 9 17 2 12 .243 0 Jamie Quirk 19 57 3 16 0 4 .281 0 Dave Leeper 15 34 1 3 0 4 .088 0 Jim Scranton 6 4 1 0 0 0 .000 0 Bob Hegman 1 0 0 0 0 0 ---- 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts; BB = Walks allowed Player G GS IP W L ERA SO BB Charlie Leibrandt 33 33 237.2 17 9 2.69 108 68 Bret Saberhagen 32 32 235.1 20 6 2.87 158 38 Danny Jackson 32 32 208.0 14 12 3.42 114 76 Bud Black 33 33 205.2 10 15 4.33 122 59 Mark Gubicza 29 28 177.1 14 10 4.06 99 77 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L SV ERA SO Steve Farr 16 37.2 2 1 1 3.11 36 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G GS W L SV ERA SO Dan Quisenberry 84 0 8 9 37 2.37 54 Joe Beckwith 49 0 1 5 1 4.07 80 Mike Jones 33 1 3 3 0 4.78 32 Mike LaCoss 21 0 1 1 1 5.09 26 Mark Huismann 9 0 1 0 0 1.93 9 Larry Gura 3 0 0 0 1 12.46 2 Tony Ferreira 2 0 0 0 0 7.94 5 Dennis Leonard 2 0 0 0 0 0.00 1 Awards and honors Cy Young Award Bret Saberhagen World Series MVP Bret Saberhagen Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award Dan Quisenberry ALCS MVP George Brett Gold Glove Award Third base—George Brett Silver Slugger Award Third base—George Brett Executive of the Year General Manager John Schuerholz Records and milestones Batting Triples Willie Wilson set the Royals single season record with 21 triples. Home runs Steve Balboni set the Royals single season record with 36 home runs. Strikeouts Steve Balboni set the Royals single season record with 166 strikeouts. Pitching Games pitched Dan Quisenberry set the Royals single season record with 84 games pitched and finished the season with 444 on the all-time Royals list, passing Paul Splittorff (with 429) for first place. Saves Dan Quisenberry, first on the all-time Royals list, finishes the season with 217. Farm system Template:MLB Farm System LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Fort Myers References 1985 Kansas City Royals at Baseball Almanac Notes: