Saturday, February 20, 2016

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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20 comments:

  1. That is just so cool! I am sure that is a memory you and your sons cherish. I did smile over not getting a picture of George Brett because you were just too awestruck to think straight. But, you know what is really great. Your mind captured the photo for you. Some things are meant to just be enjoyed and not shared with the world on film.

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    1. I have some other personal pictures (not of George Brett, sadly) from that day, but at the moment I can't find them. They were taken back in the film camera days...LOL. I'll add them once I locate them.

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  2. It was a great year of baseball then and last year! So much fun

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    1. It sure was, Barbara. Maybe Toronto will give you an equally fantastic year in the 2016 baseball season!

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  3. It was indeed a memorable event. To be at any World Series game is a boon but game 1 with your favorite team in the city you live in and on field access. Unbelievable. Great series and of course the crushing win against St.Louis resulted in one massive party downtown with 300,000 fans. The energy level was off the charts.

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  4. It was indeed a memorable event. To be at any World Series game is a boon but game 1 with your favorite team in the city you live in and on field access. Unbelievable. Great series and of course the crushing win against St.Louis resulted in one massive party downtown with 300,000 fans. The energy level was off the charts.

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    1. One for the memory books for sure, Chris. Handy that you lived in the team's home city at the time and got to be part of the fan celebration downtown after the Win. Too bad we were cheering for opposite teams that series -- you a KC fan, me a STL Cardinals fan! :)

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  5. What a wonderful baseball memory to keep, cherish, and repeat about this time every year!

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    1. It certainly is, Susan. It's probably the only World Series game I'll ever get to, so it is extra-special, especially since my favorite team was in the series! (Even if they didn't win). My oldest son was thrilled with the KC win, though -- he lived in Kansas City at the time and was a fan of the winning Royals! :)

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  6. I had to giggle about the forgotten camera during the awestruck moment. What a good memory and fun time.

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    1. I'll never do that again - just stand there and miss a photo moment, because some 'moments' are never to be again! At least I have the memory of that moment! :)

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  7. Wow!! What a lifetime memory to be at game one of a World Series. And, then come face to face with George Brett!! I know this memory will last forever. Thanks Pat.

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    1. It was a wonderful experience, Sam. I'll never forget it. :)

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  8. What a wonderful memory to have. I'm sure your sons will always remember it, too. It is a shame you didn't get that picture.

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  9. What a wonderful memory to have. I'm sure your sons will always remember it, too. It is a shame you didn't get that picture.

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    1. My sons and I still talk about that day now some 32 years later, Barbara. It's one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Today - with cell phones - I think it is easier to get those quick pictures we missed back then when it was still in the camera/film era. LOL.

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  10. I've been to one world series game too, quite a memory!

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    1. Nothing like being able to see a World Series game in person, is there? :)

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  11. I've never been to a baseball game in person until about a month ago. Now I'm hooked. There isn't a World Series game in my future, but you never know. I can live in hope.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Olivia. Hope you get to another baseball game some day. They can be fun.

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