# 1985 Kansas City Royals season

The 1985 Kansas City Royals season was the 17th season in Royals franchise history. It ended with the Royals' first World Series championship over their intra-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Royals won the American League West 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 ALCS for just the second time and the 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 | Statistic | Player |
| Runs | 108 | George Brett |
| Hits | 184 | George Brett |
| Doubles | 38 | George Brett |
| Triples | 21 | Willie Wilson |
| Home runs | 36 | Steve Balboni |
| Runs batted in | 112 | George Brett |
| Stolen bases | 43 | Willie Wilson |
| Batting average | .335 | George Brett |
| Notes: ^# Led the majors^1 Led league^2 Second place^3 Third place |||

## Pitching

Team leaders :
| Statistic | Statistic | Pitcher |
| Games pitched | 84 | Dan Quisenberry |
| Innings pitched | 237.2 | Charlie Leibrandt |
| Wins | 20 | Bret Saberhagen |
| Strikeouts | 158 | Bret Saberhagen |
| Complete games | 10 | Bret Saberhagen |
| Shutouts | 3 | Danny Jackson & Charlie Leibrandt |
| Saves | 37 | Dan Quisenberry |
| Earned run average | 2.69 | Charlie Leibrandt |
| Notes: ^# Led the majors^1 Led league^2 Second place^3 Third place |||

## 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).

### Season standings

vteAL West :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| Kansas City Royals | 91 | 71 | .562 | — | 50‍–‍32 | 41‍–‍39 |
| California Angels | 90 | 72 | .556 | 1 | 49‍–‍30 | 41‍–‍42 |
| Chicago White Sox | 85 | 77 | .525 | 6 | 45‍–‍36 | 40‍–‍41 |
| Minnesota Twins | 77 | 85 | .475 | 14 | 49‍–‍35 | 28‍–‍50 |
| Oakland Athletics | 77 | 85 | .475 | 14 | 43‍–‍36 | 34‍–‍49 |
| Seattle Mariners | 74 | 88 | .457 | 17 | 42‍–‍41 | 32‍–‍47 |
| Texas Rangers | 62 | 99 | .385 | 28½ | 37‍–‍43 | 25‍–‍56 |

### Record vs. opponents

1985 American League recordvte Sources: :
| Team | BAL | BOS | CAL | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIL | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TEX | TOR |
| Baltimore | — | 5–8 | 7–5 | 8–4 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 9–4 | 6–6 | 1–12 | 7–5 | 6–6 | 10–2 | 4–8 |
| Boston | 8–5 | — | 5–7 | 4–8–1 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 5–7 | 5–8 | 7–5 | 5–8 | 8–4 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 9–4 |
| California | 5–7 | 7–5 | — | 8–5 | 8–4 | 8–4 | 4–9 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 3–9 | 6–7 | 9–4 | 9–4 | 5–7 |
| Chicago | 4–8 | 8–4–1 | 5–8 | — | 10–2 | 6–6 | 5–8 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 8–5 | 9–4 | 10–3 | 3–9 |
| Cleveland | 5–8 | 5–8 | 4–8 | 2–10 | — | 5–8 | 2–10 | 7–6 | 4–8 | 6–7 | 3–9 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 4–9 |
| Detroit | 7–6 | 7–6 | 4–8 | 6–6 | 8–5 | — | 5–7 | 9–4 | 3–9 | 9–3 | 8–4 | 5–7 | 7–5 | 6–7 |
| Kansas City | 6–6 | 7–5 | 9–4 | 8–5 | 10–2 | 7–5 | — | 8–4 | 7–6 | 5–7 | 8–5 | 3–10 | 6–7 | 7–5 |
| Milwaukee | 4–9 | 8–5 | 3–9 | 7–5 | 6–7 | 4–9 | 4–8 | — | 9–3 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 4–8 | 8–3 | 4–9 |
| Minnesota | 6–6 | 5–7 | 4–9 | 7–6 | 8–4 | 9–3 | 6–7 | 3–9 | — | 3–9 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 8–5 | 4–8 |
| New York | 12–1 | 8–5 | 9–3 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 7–5 | 6–7 | 9–3 | — | 7–5 | 9–3 | 8–4 | 6–7 |
| Oakland | 5–7 | 4–8 | 7–6 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 4–8 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 5–8 | 5–7 | — | 8–5 | 6–7 | 5–7 |
| Seattle | 6–6 | 6–6 | 4–9 | 4–9 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 10–3 | 8–4 | 7–6 | 3–9 | 5–8 | — | 6–7 | 2–10 |
| Texas | 2–10 | 7–5 | 4–9 | 3–10 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 7–6 | 3–8 | 5–8 | 4–8 | 7–6 | 7–6 | — | 3–9 |
| Toronto | 8–4 | 4–9 | 7–5 | 9–3 | 9–4 | 7–6 | 5–7 | 9–4 | 8–4 | 7–6 | 7–5 | 10–2 | 9–3 | — |

### 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

Opening Day Starters :
| # | Name | 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 |

### All-Stars

* Dick Howser, Manager
* George Brett, 3B

## Game log
### Regular season

1985 regular season game log: 91–71 (Home: 50–32; Away: 41–39) :
April: 11–8 (Home: 5–5; Away: 6–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
1April 81:35 p.m. CSTBlue JaysW 2–1Black (1–0)Stieb (0–1)Quisenberry (1)2:3041,0861–0W1
2April 107:35 p.m. CSTBlue JaysL 0–1 (10)Caudill (1–0)Beckwith (0–1)Lavelle (1)2:5214,7401–1L1
3April 117:35 p.m. CSTBlue JaysL 3–4 (10)Caudill (2–0)Quisenberry (0–1)Acker (1)3:1417,7981–2L2
4April 1312:20 p.m. CSTTigersL 1–3Morris (2–0)Black (1–1)—2:3521,8231–3L3
5April 141:35 p.m. CSTTigersL 1–5Petry (2–0)Saberhagen (0–1)Hernández (2)2:3124,4471–4L4
6April 167:35 p.m. CSTRed SoxW 2–0Jackson (1–0)Clemens (1–1)—2:0916,8862–4W1
7April 177:35 p.m. CSTRed SoxW 6–1Leibrandt (1–0)Nipper (0–1)—2:3818,6853–4W2
8April 187:35 p.m. CSTRed SoxL 3–4 (14)Ojeda (1–0)Jones (0–1)—4:1122,5873–5L1
9April 196:35 p.m. CST@ TigersW 9–2Saberhagen (1–1)Petry (2–1)—2:3535,4324–5W1
10April 2012:15 p.m. CST@ TigersL 3–4Hernández (2–0)Quisenberry (0–2)—2:3027,3394–6L1
11April 2112:30 p.m. CST@ TigersW 3–2 (13)Quisenberry (1–2)Berenguer (0–1)Gura (1)4:0530,1685–6W1
12April 226:35 p.m. CST@ Blue JaysW 2–0Leibrandt (2–0)Stieb (1–2)—2:1320,2816–6W2
13April 236:35 p.m. CST@ Blue JaysW 7–6Beckwith (1–1)Caudill (3–2)Quisenberry (2)2:4618,4917–6W3
14April 2412:35 p.m. CST@ Blue JaysL 2–10Leal (1–1)Saberhagen (1–2)—2:1718,0067–7L1
15April 266:35 p.m. CST@ Red SoxL 2–5Clemens (2–2)Gubicza (0–1)—2:4026,6477–8L2
16April 2712:20 p.m. CST@ Red SoxW 5–4Quisenberry (2–2)Stanley (0–2)—3:0324,4308–8W1
17April 281:05 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 5–2Leibrandt (3–0)Boyd (2–1)Beckwith (1)2:4323,8829–8W2
18April 297:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 3–2Black (2–1)Heaton (1–1)Quisenberry (3)2:3619,29510–8W3
19April 307:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 5–1Saberhagen (2–2)Roan (0–4)—2:2716,28211–8W4 :
May: 14–13 (Home: 7–5; Away: 7–8)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
20May 17:35 p.m. CDTIndiansL 5–6Schulze (3–0)Gubicza (0–2)Waddell (5)3:2316,69911–9L1
21May 37:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesL 1–7Rasmussen (1–1)Jackson (1–1)—2:3620,60311–10L2
22May 41:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesL 2–5Guidry (2–3)Leibrandt (3–1)—2:1422,53211–11L3
23May 51:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesL 2–6Niekro (4–2)Black (2–2)Righetti (7)2:3350,20911–12L4
24May 77:35 p.m. CDTOriolesL 2–4Dixon (3–0)Saberhagen (2–3)Stewart (5)2:1421,66411–13L5
25May 87:35 p.m. CDTOriolesW 9–8LaCoss (1–0)McGregor (1–3)—2:5419,79312–13W1
26May 107:35 p.m. CDTYankeesL 4–6Guidry (3–3)Leibrandt (3–2)Righetti (8)2:4834,00012–14L1
27May 113:05 p.m. CDTYankeesL 3–11Rasmussen (2–1)Black (2–3)—2:3538,01112–15L2
28May 121:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 6–5Quisenberry (3–2)Righetti (1–2)—3:0431,00913–15W1
29May 136:35 p.m. CDT@ OriolesW 5–2Jackson (2–1)Davis (1–1)Quisenberry (4)2:4124,61114–15W2
30May 146:35 p.m. CDT@ OriolesW 5–3Gubicza (1–2)McGregor (1–4)Quisenberry (5)2:3222,20215–15W3
31May 156:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 5–1Leibrandt (4–2)Schulze (3–3)—2:354,16916–15W4
32May 166:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 7–1Black (3–3)Creel (0–1)—2:253,05117–15W5
33May 177:35 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 3–0Saberhagen (3–3)Darwin (3–3)—2:1410,58718–15W6
34May 181:35 p.m. CDT@ BrewersL 2–7Haas (4–2)Jackson (2–2)—2:2820,33418–16L1
35May 191:35 p.m. CDT@ BrewersL 10–11Gibson (4–1)Quisenberry (3–3)—3:3743,25618–17L2
36May 207:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersL 7–8Schmidt (2–2)Beckwith (1–2)—2:4918,94518–18L3
37May 217:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 5–0Black (4–3)Tanana (0–5)—2:0714,01819–18W1
38May 227:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 6–3Saberhagen (4–3)Noles (2–5)Quisenberry (6)2:2815,44720–18W2
39May 247:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 8–4Jackson (3–2)Burns (5–4)Quisenberry (7)3:0132,59921–18W3
40May 2512:20 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 3–0Leibrandt (5–2)Seaver (4–3)—2:0125,92022–18W4
41May 261:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 3–2Black (5–3)James (1–2)Quisenberry (8)2:3332,56323–18W5
42May 277:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 4–2Saberhagen (5–3)Noles (2–6)Quisenberry (9)2:1930,80324–18W6
43May 287:35 p.m. CDTRangersL 1–6Hooton (2–1)Gubicza (1–3)—2:3919,16024–19L1
44May 297:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 6–2Jackson (4–2)Hough (4–4)Quisenberry (10)2:1720,69225–19W1
45May 307:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 3–4Seaver (5–3)Leibrandt (5–3)James (9)2:4016,04125–20L1
46May 317:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 3–8Bannister (3–4)Black (5–4)Nelson (1)2:3925,49325–21L2 :
June: 12–14 (Home: 5–6; Away: 7–8)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
47June 16:00 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 7–8James (2–2)Jones (0–2)—3:1932,39825–22L3
48June 21:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 1–4Dotson (3–3)Gubicza (1–4)James (10)2:3323,15325–23L4
—June 3BrewersPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 5)
49June 47:35 p.m. CDTBrewersW 4–3Leibrandt (6–3)Vuckovich (1–3)LaCoss (1)2:2618,78826–23W1
50June 57:35 p.m. CDTBrewersL 2–10Higuera (4–3)Black (5–5)—2:2518,66626–24L1
51June 79:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 6–0Saberhagen (6–3)Witt (3–6)—2:2629,41427–24W1
52June 89:00 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 4–1Gubicza (2–4)Slaton (4–4)Quisenberry (11)2:1946,39328–24W2
53June 93:00 p.m. CDT@ AngelsL 0–1Romanick (7–2)Jackson (4–3)Moore (12)2:0441,97328–25L1
54June 109:35 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 1–2 (10)Howell (5–3)Quisenberry (3–4)—3:3316,50028–26L2
55June 119:35 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 3–4Howell (6–3)Black (5–6)—2:437,20128–27L3
56June 122:15 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsW 3–2 (14)Jones (1–2)McCatty (2–3)—4:1911,01029–27W1
57June 139:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersW 4–3Gubicza (3–4)Wilkinson (0–1)Quisenberry (12)2:418,69130–27W2
58June 149:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 5–13Wills (2–0)Jackson (4–4)—3:1010,76530–28L1
59June 159:05 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 1–2Young (5–8)Leibrandt (6–4)Vande Berg (3)2:3426,06730–29L2
60June 163:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 1–2Best (2–1)Beckwith (1–3)—2:3414,10330–30L3
61June 177:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 10–3Saberhagen (7–3)Viola (7–6)—2:1531,88531–30W1
62June 187:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 10–3Gubicza (4–4)Smithson (5–6)—2:3621,66232–30W2
63June 197:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 3–2Jackson (5–4)Filson (3–4)Quisenberry (13)2:1722,03333–30W3
64June 207:35 p.m. CDTTwinsL 8–11Eufemia (1–0)Beckwith (1–4)Whitehouse (1)3:3231,46133–31L1
—June 21MarinersPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 19)
65June 227:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 1–2Swift (2–1)Saberhagen (6–4)Núñez (7)2:3535,95933–32L2
66June 231:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 2–8Moore (5–4)Black (5–7)—2:5431,08033–33L3
67June 247:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsW 12–6Gubicza (5–4)Filson (3–5)—3:0824,03534–33W1
68June 257:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsW 3–0Jackson (6–4)Butcher (4–7)—2:0431,88535–33W2
69June 267:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 1–2Schrom (7–5)Leibrandt (6–5)—2:1420,06035–34L1
70June 287:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 5–4 (14)Quisenberry (4–4)Corbett (2–1)—4:5032,65136–34W1
71June 297:35 p.m. CDTAngelsL 1–7Lugo (3–1)Black (5–8)—2:4639,45136–35L1
72June 301:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 3–1Gubicza (6–4)Romanick (8–4)Quisenberry (14)2:2333,17337–35W1 :
July: 17–10 (Home: 9–4; Away: 8–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
73July 17:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsL 3–4Atherton (4–4)Jackson (6–5)Howell (17)2:5931,78137–36L1
74July 27:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 10–1Leibrandt (7–5)Langford (0–2)—2:2919,67638–36W1
75July 37:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 3–0Saberhagen (8–4)Codiroli (8–4)Quisenberry (13)2:1722,14239–36W2
76July 47:35 p.m. CDTOriolesL 3–5Martínez (7–5)Black (5–9)Snell (4)2:2640,61639–37L1
77July 57:35 p.m. CDTOriolesL 3–6Boddicker (9–7)Gubicza (6–5)Stewart (6)2:4230,48839–38L2
78July 61:20 p.m. CDTOriolesL 3–8McGregor (7–7)Jackson (6–6)—2:4426,89839–39L3
79July 71:35 p.m. CDTOriolesW 8–4Leibrandt (8–5)Davis (1–1)Quisenberry (16)2:5224,13140–39W1
80July 87:10 p.m. CDT@ YankeesW 5–2Saberhagen (9–4)Niekro (7–8)—2:1617,19341–39W2
81July 97:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesL 4–6Guidry (11–3)Black (5–10)Righetti (15)3:1124,52841–40L1
82July 1012 Noon CDT@ YankeesL 5–6Righetti (7–6)Quisenberry (4–5)—2:5335,27441–41L2
83July 116:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 1–0Jackson (7–6)Ruhle (2–4)—2:265,25642–41W1
84July 126:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansL 4–5 (11)Waddell (4–5)Quisenberry (4–6)—3:228,05842–42L1
85July 136:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 5–1Saberhagen (10–4)Blyleven (8–9)—2:2012,79443–42W1
86July 1412:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 9–5Black (6–10)Heaton (5–11)Quisenberry (17)3:1425,46644–42W2
56th All-Star Game in Minneapolis, MN
87July 186:35 p.m. CDT@ OriolesL 3–8McGregor (8–7)Saberhagen (10–5)Stewart (7)2:5325,57944–43L1
88July 197:05 p.m. CDT@ OriolesW 10–3Leibrandt (9–5)Boddicker (9–10)—2:4529,41045–43W1
89July 2012:20 p.m. CDT@ OriolesW 7–5Jackson (8–6)Flanagan (0–1)Quisenberry (18)2:4026,36646–43W2
90July 211:05 p.m. CDT@ OriolesL 4–6Martinez (2–2)Black (6–11)Aase (4)2:5131,27846–44L1
91July 227:10 p.m. CDTYankeesW 5–4Jones (2–2)Rasmussen (3–5)Quisenberry (19)2:5640,93847–44W1
92July 237:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 5–2Saberhagen (11–5)Whitson (5–7)Quisenberry (20)2:4032,45048–44W2
93July 247:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 5–3Leibrandt (10–5)Cowley (8–4)Quisenberry (21)2:4531,58049–44W3
94July 267:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 7–1Jackson (9–6)Romero (0–1)—2:4327,86050–44W4
95July 277:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 6–3Black (7–11)Reed (0–3)Quisenberry (22)2:2333,47351–44W5
96July 281:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 7–4Gubicza (7–5)Ruhle (2–7)Quisenberry (23)2:3638,35252–44W6
97July 297:10 p.m. CDT@ TigersW 4–2Saberhagen (12–5)Petry (11–10)—2:4836,06853–44W7
98July 306:35 p.m. CDT@ TigersL 7–11Morris (12–6)Leibrandt (10–6)Hernández (21)3:2734,26153–45L1
99July 3112:30 p.m. CDT@ TigersW 5–2Jackson (10–6)Terrell (10–6)Quisenberry (24)2:3034,27654–45W1 :
August: 15–12 (Home: 8–7; Away: 7–5)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
100August 27:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxW 4–3 (10)Quisenberry (5–6)Clear (1–2)—3:0437,21255–45W2
101August 37:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxL 4–5Clemens (7–4)Gubicza (7–6)Crawford (4)3:1540,37055–46L1
102August 41:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxL 5–6 (12)Stanley (6–5)LaCoss (1–1)Clear (3)3:4831,02055–47L2
103August 57:35 p.m. CDTTigersL 4–8Terrell (11–6)Jackson (10–7)Hernández (22)2:5341,25155–48L3
—August 6TigersPostponed (Strike) (Makeup date: August 8)
—August 7TigersPostponed (Strike) (Makeup date: August 19)
104August 8 (1)5:05 p.m. CDTTigersW 10–3Saberhagen (13–5)Tanana (6–11)—2:39—56–48W1
105August 8 (2)8:19 p.m. CDTTigersW 6–4Gubicza (8–6)Petry (12–11)Quisenberry (25)3:0435,58557–48W2
106August 97:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 4–2Black (8–11)Stieb (10–8)—2:2125,86858–48W3
107August 107:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 4–3 (10)Quisenberry (6–6)Caudill (4–5)—2:5434,44859–48W4
108August 111:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysL 3–5 (10)Henke (3–0)Beckwith (1–5)—3:2727,45759–49L1
109August 126:35 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 3–2Gubicza (9–6)Nipper (7–8)Quisenberry (26)2:3922,84360–49W1
110August 136:35 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 6–3Saberhagen (14–5)Ojeda (5–7)Quisenberry (27)3:0323,18961–49W2
111August 146:35 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxL 3–16Hurst (8–9)Black (8–12)—2:5622,87061–50L1
112August 166:35 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 4–2Leibrandt (11–6)Key (9–5)—2:3138,26962–50W1
113August 1712:20 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 4–2Jackson (11–7)Alexander (12–7)Quisenberry (28)2:2142,31363–50W2
114August 1812:35 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysL 6–10Gubicza (9–7)Filer (6–0)—3:0237,45863–51L1
115August 197:35 p.m. CDTTigersW 2–1 (10)Saberhagen (15–5)Morris (13–7)—2:4220,92964–51W1
116August 207:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 1–2James (5–5)Quisenberry (6–7)—2:4619,31864–52L1
117August 217:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxW 2–1Leibrandt (12–6)Bannister (5–11)Quisenberry (29)2:5116,24365–52W1
118August 227:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxW 7–3Jackson (12–7)Davis (1–1)Quisenberry (30)3:0522,50566–52W2
119August 237:35 p.m. CDTRangersL 3–4Schmidt (5–3)Quisenberry (6–8)—3:0533,48366–53L1
120August 247:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 8–2Saberhagen (16–5)Hooton (5–8)—2:3339,10067–53W1
121August 251:35 p.m. CDTRangersL 3–7Hough (13–12)Black (8–13)—3:0028,35067–54L1
122August 267:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 9–2Leibrandt (13–6)Russell (1–4)—2:4428,08568–54W1
123August 277:35 p.m. CDT@ BrewersL 5–8Cocanower (4–3)Jackson (12–8)Gibson (10)2:488,03468–55L1
124August 287:35 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 8–2Gubicza (10–7)Vuckovich (6–10)—2:387,62669–55W1
—August 29@ BrewersPostponed (Rain; Site change) (Makeup date: September 6)
125August 307:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersL 1–4Hough (14–12)Black (8–14)—2:1814,33069–56L1
126August 317:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersL 4–6Harris (4–3)Leibrandt (13–7)—2:3414,70969–57L2 :
September: 18–12 (Home: 11–5; Away: 7–7)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
127September 16:05 p.m. CDT@ RangersL 3–5Mason (6–12)Jackson (12–9)Henry (1)2:0410,58769–58L3
128September 27:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 3–2Gubicza (1–3)Nelson (8–9)Quisenberry (31)2:4632,68170–58W1
129September 37:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 3–2Saberhagen (17–5)Seaver (12–10)—2:1017,52171–58W2
130September 47:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 6–5 (10)Jones (3–2)James (6–6)—3:3819,94072–58W3
131September 57:35 p.m. CDTBrewersW 4–1Leibrandt (14–7)Haas (4–2)—2:142,52773–58W4
132September 6 (1)5:05 p.m. CDTBrewersW 4–3 (11)Quisenberry (7–8)Fingers (1–5)—2:48—74–58W5
133September 6 (2)8:28 p.m. CDTBrewersW 7–1Farr (1–0)Burris (9–11)—2:3426,40375–58W6
134September 77:35 p.m. CDTBrewersW 7–4Gubicza (12–7)Cocanower (4–5)Quisenberry (32)2:4629,51076–58W7
135September 81:35 p.m. CDTBrewersW 13–11 (11)Farr (2–0)Fingers (1–6)—3:4820,73777–58W8
136September 99:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsL 1–7Candelaria (5–1)Saberhagen (17–6)—1:5729,68877–59L1
137September 109:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 6–0Leibrandt (15–7)McCaskill (9–11)—2:1237,81378–59W1
138September 119:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 2–1Jackson (13–9)Romanick (13–8)Quisenberry (33)2:4132,90679–59W2
139September 139:35 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsW 5–2Gubicza (13–7)Rijo (3–3)Quisenberry (34)2:4511,25380–59W3
140September 143:05 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsW 2–1Saberhagen (18–6)John (4–8)—2:2230,62881–59W4
141September 15 (1)2:15 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 2–4Codiroli (12–12)Leibrandt (15–8)Howell (25)2:23—81–60L1
142September 15 (2)5:13 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsW 7–2Black (9–14)Young (0–3)—2:3115,23682–60W1
143September 167:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 1–5Moore (15–8)Jackson (13–10)—2:3321,66682–61L1
144September 177:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 0–7Young (12–15)Farr (2–1)—2:3617,77082–62L2
145September 187:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 0–6Thomas (7–0)Gubicza (13–8)—2:5816,86382–63L3
146September 197:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 4–6Núñez (7–2)Quisenberry (7–9)Tobik (1)3:007,63382–64L4
147September 207:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 5–1Leibrandt (16–8)Blyleven (14–16)—2:4222,84583–64W1
148September 217:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 6–5 (10)Huismann (1–0)Davis (2–6)—3:1125,10284–64W2
149September 221:35 p.m. CDTTwinsL 3–7Viola (16–14)Jackson (12–12)—2:3121,27784–65L1
150September 249:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 2–5Moore (16–8)Gubicza (13–9)—2:266,43384–66L2
151September 259:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersW 5–4Saberhagen (19–6)Young (12–17)Farr (1)2:556,58885–66W1
152September 269:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersW 5–2Leibrandt (17–8)Swift (5–10)Quisenberry (35)2:486,84086–66W2
153September 277:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 1–4Viola (17–14)Black (9–15)—2:0113,03586–67L1
154September 2811:00 a.m. CDT@ TwinsL 3–5Burtt (2–1)Jackson (13–12)Davis (24)2:3113,25686–68L2
155September 291:15 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 3–6Butcher (11–14)Gubicza (13–10)Davis (25)2:4311,29286–69L3
156September 307:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 3–1Saberhagen (20–6)Candelaria (6–3)—2:0934,20087–69W1 :
October: 4–2 (Home: 4–2; Away: 0–0)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
157October 17:35 p.m. CDTAngelsL 2–4Witt (14–9)Leibrandt (17–9)Moore (30)2:3626,27387–70L1
158October 27:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 4–0Black (10–15)Romanick (14–9)—2:0828,40188–70W1
159October 37:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 4–1Jackson (14–12)Sutton (15–10)Quisenberry (36)2:2440,89489–70W2
160October 47:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 4–2Gubicza (14–10)Rijo (6–4)Quisenberry (37)2:3219,69490–70W3
161October 57:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 5–4 (10)Quisenberry (8–9)Howell (9–8)—3:2332,94991–70W4
162October 61:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsL 3–9Codiroli (14–14)Jones (3–3)Mura (1)2:3620,93591–71L1 :
*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. :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Royals team member :

### Postseason Game log

1985 Postseason game log: 8–6 (Home: 4–3; Away: 4–3) :
AL Championship Series: vs. Toronto Blue Jays 4–3 (Home: 2–1; Away: 2–2)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/ Streak
1October 87:30 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysL 1–6Stieb (1–0)Leibrandt (0–1)—2:2439,115TOR 1–0L1
2October 92:05 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysL 5–6 (10)Henke (1–0)Quisenberry (0–1)—3:3934,029TOR 2–0L2
3October 117:15 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 6–5Farr (1–0)Clancy (0–1)—2:5140,224TOR 2–1W1
4October 127:15 p.m. CDTBlue JaysL 1–3Henke (2–0)Leibrandt (0–2)—3:0241,112TOR 3–1L1
5October 133:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 2–0Jackson (1–0)Key (0–1)—2:2140,046TOR 3–2W1
6October 157:15 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 5–3Gubicza (1–0)Alexander (0–1)Quisenberry (1)3:1237,557Tied 3–3W2
7October 167:15 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 6–2Leibrandt (1–2)Stieb (1–1)—2:4932,084KC 4–3W3 :
World Series: vs. St. Louis Cardinals 4–3 (Home: 2–2; Away: 2–1)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/ Streak
1October 197:35 p.m. CDTCardinalsL 1–3Tudor (1–0)Jackson (0–1)Worrell (1)2:4841,650STL 1–0L1
2October 207:30 p.m. CDTCardinalsL 2–4Dayley (1–0)Leibrandt (0–1)Lahti (1)2:4441,656STL 2–0L2
3October 227:35 p.m. CDT@ CardinalsW 6–1Saberhagen (1–0)Andújar (0–1)—2:5953,634STL 2–1W1
4October 237:25 p.m. CDT@ CardinalsL 0–3Tudor (2–0)Black (0–1)—2:1953,634STL 3–1L1
5October 247:25 p.m. CDT@ CardinalsW 6–1Jackson (1–1)Forsch (0–1)—2:5253,634STL 3–2W1
6October 267:25 p.m. CDTCardinalsW 2–1Quisenberry (1–0)Worrell (0–1)—2:4741,628Tied 3–3W2
7October 277:30 p.m. CSTCardinalsW 11–0Saberhagen (2–0)Tudor (2–1)—2:4641,658KC 4–3W3 :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss      Bold = Royals team member :

## Postseason
### ALCS
#### Game 1

Tuesday, October 8, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Dave Stieb (1–0) LP: Charlie Leibrandt (0–1) |||||||||||||

#### Game 2

Wednesday, October 9, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Tom Henke (1–0) LP: Dan Quisenberry (0–1) Home runs: KCR: Willie Wilson (1), Pat Sheridan (1) TOR: None ||||||||||||||

#### Game 3

Friday, October 11, 1985, at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Steve Farr (1–0) LP: Jim Clancy (0–1) Home runs: TOR: Rance Mulliniks (1), Jesse Barfield (1) KCR: George Brett 2 (2), Jim Sundberg (1) |||||||||||||

#### Game 4

Saturday, October 12, 1985, at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Tom Henke (2–0) LP: Charlie Leibrandt (0–2) |||||||||||||

#### Game 5

Sunday, October 13, 1985, at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Danny Jackson (1–0) LP: Jimmy Key (0–1) |||||||||||||

#### Game 6

Tuesday, October 15, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Mark Gubicza (1–0) LP: Doyle Alexander (0–1) Sv: Dan Quisenberry (1) Home runs: KCR: George Brett (3) TOR: None |||||||||||||

#### Game 7

Wednesday, October 16, 1985, at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto, Ontario
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | 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 |
| WP: Charlie Leibrandt (1–2) LP: Dave Stieb (1–1) Home runs: KCR: Pat Sheridan (2) TOR: None |||||||||||||

### World Series

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

| Level | Team | League | Manager |
| AAA | Omaha Royals | American Association | Gene Lamont |
| AA | Memphis Chicks | Southern League | Tommy Jones |
| A | Fort Myers Royals | Florida State League | Duane Gustavson |
| A-Short Season | Eugene Emeralds | Northwest League | Frank Funk |
| Rookie | GCL Royals | Gulf Coast League | Joe Jones |
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Fort Myers