Biggest Baseball Thrill

Attending a World Series Game!

 

Kansas City Royals All-Time Greats 1985 - 2015

1985 World Series Game 1 - at Kansas City - Saturday, October 19

What was to become known as the I-70 World Series - a series between two Missouri Teams, the AL Kansas City Royals and the NL St. Louis Cardinals, was special to us because we were living in Central Missouri at the time and were Cardinals baseball fans. It became even more special when we had the opportunity to attend Game 1 in Kansas City on Saturday, October 19, 1985.

At the time, Bob was the Band Announcer for Marching MIzzou, the University of Missouri-Columbia Marching Band, and the band was invited to perform "The National Anthem" for the Opening Game of the Series. We traveled by buses from Columbia, MO to Kansas City, got to stand on the sidelines while Bob announced from the broadcasting booth and the band performed, then got to stay and watch the game. To this died-in-the-wool baseball fan, there is no greater thrill than to be at a World Series Game in person!

A World Series Memory

My Program from the World Series Game

While waiting on the sidelines along first base prior to the marching band getting ready to perform the National Anthem, we saw the players go out on the field to warm up tossing balls around. My two sons were standing with me when George Brett walked right past us close enough to reach out and touch.  I was so 'awestruck' that I just stared as Brett walked past.  My oldest son was a big fan of George Brett and it never even occurred to me to call out to Brett or even try and take his picture with the camera I was holding in my hand!  A never-to-be-repeated opportunity missed!

The 1985 World Series was very exciting and we had a great time cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals. But...Kansas City rallied from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to capture their first world championship by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the "I-70 Series"...the Royals became the first club in the 82-year history of the Fall Classic to lose their first two games at home and come back to win the title...KC was only the fifth team on record to come back from a 3-1 deficit and win the Series...the Royals became the first AL expansion club to win a world championship and the 2nd expansion team overall, joining the New York Mets...KC's talented and youthful pitching staff held the Major League's best hitting club to 13 runs and a batting average of .185 -- the lowest ever in a seven-game World Series...George Brett, Willie Wilson, Lonnie Smith and Steve Balboni all hit over .300 during the Series...Bret Saberhagen earned Most Valuable Player honors with two wins and a 0.50 ERA.

Official Film from the 1985 World Series

 

Official 1985 World Series Film

St. Louis led 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series and victory seemed certain. But Umpire Don Denkinger incorrectly called Kansas City's Jorge Orta safe at first and St. Louis responded with a collapse.

The Royals won Games six and seven, and World Series MVP Bret Saberhagen pitched a complete game in the clincher.

Being able to attend Game 1 of the 1985 World Series will always hold a special place in my baseball memories.

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