# 1980 Kansas City Royals season

The 1980 Kansas City Royals season was their 12th in Major League Baseball. The Royals, under new manager Jim Frey, finished first in the American League West with a record of 97–65. Kansas City finally broke through in the postseason, sweeping the New York Yankees 3-0 in the 1980 American League Championship Series after falling to the Yankees in the ALCS in 1976, 1977 and 1978. The Royals lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the World Series.
George Brett had one of the best seasons in Major League Baseball history. Brett became the first Royals player to win a Most Valuable Player award, and his league-leading .390 batting average was the highest in the majors since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Brett also led the team in home runs (24) and set a single-season franchise record with 118 runs batted in.

## Offseason

* October 26, 1979: Keith Drumright was acquired by the Royals from the Houston Astros to complete an earlier deal (the Astros sent a player to be named later to the Royals for George Throop) made on April 27, 1979.
* December 6, 1979: The Royals trade Al Cowens, Todd Cruz and a player to be named later to the California Angels in exchange for Willie Aikens and Rance Mulliniks.
* April 1, 1980: The Angels received Craig Eaton from the Royals, completing the trade of December 6.

## Regular season

On September 30, while pitching for the Seattle Mariners against the Royals, Rick Honeycutt taped a thumbtack to his finger to cut the ball. Royals baserunner Willie Wilson spotted the tack from second base. The umpires investigated and not only found the tack, but also a gash in Honeycutt's forehead. Honeycutt was ejected from the game, suspended for 10 games, and fined.

### Opening Day starters

* Willie Aikens
* George Brett
* Clint Hurdle
* Pete LaCock
* Dennis Leonard
* Hal McRae
* Jamie Quirk
* U L Washington
* Frank White
* Willie Wilson

### Season standings

vteAL West :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| Kansas City Royals | 97 | 65 | .599 | — | 49‍–‍32 | 48‍–‍33 |
| Oakland Athletics | 83 | 79 | .512 | 14 | 46‍–‍35 | 37‍–‍44 |
| Minnesota Twins | 77 | 84 | .478 | 19½ | 44‍–‍36 | 33‍–‍48 |
| Texas Rangers | 76 | 85 | .472 | 20½ | 39‍–‍41 | 37‍–‍44 |
| Chicago White Sox | 70 | 90 | .438 | 26 | 37‍–‍42 | 33‍–‍48 |
| California Angels | 65 | 95 | .406 | 31 | 30‍–‍51 | 35‍–‍44 |
| Seattle Mariners | 59 | 103 | .364 | 38 | 36‍–‍45 | 23‍–‍58 |

### Record vs. opponents

1980 American League recordvte Sources: :
| Team | BAL | BOS | CAL | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIL | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TEX | TOR |
| Baltimore | — | 8–5 | 10–2 | 6–6 | 6–7 | 10–3 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 10–2 | 7–6 | 7–5 | 6–6 | 6–6 | 11–2 |
| Boston | 5–8 | — | 9–3 | 6–4 | 7–6 | 8–5 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 6–6 | 3–10 | 9–3 | 7–5 | 5–7 | 7–6 |
| California | 2–10 | 3–9 | — | 3–10 | 4–6 | 5–7 | 5–8 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 2–10 | 3–10 | 11–2 | 11–2 | 3–9 |
| Chicago | 6–6 | 4–6 | 10–3 | — | 5–7 | 2–10 | 5–8 | 5–7 | 5–8 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 6–7 | 6–7–2 | 5–7 |
| Cleveland | 7–6 | 6–7 | 6–4 | 7–5 | — | 3–10 | 5–7 | 3–10 | 9–3 | 5–8 | 6–6 | 8–4 | 6–6 | 8–5 |
| Detroit | 3–10 | 5–8 | 7–5 | 10–2 | 10–3 | — | 2–10 | 7–6 | 6–6 | 5–8 | 6–6 | 10–2–1 | 4–8 | 9–4 |
| Kansas City | 6–6 | 7–5 | 8–5 | 8–5 | 7–5 | 10–2 | — | 6–6 | 5–8 | 8–4 | 6–7 | 7–6 | 10–3 | 9–3 |
| Milwaukee | 6–7 | 7–6 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 10–3 | 6–7 | 6–6 | — | 7–5 | 5–8 | 7–5 | 9–3 | 5–7 | 5–8 |
| Minnesota | 2–10 | 6–6 | 6–7 | 8–5 | 3–9 | 6–6 | 8–5 | 5–7 | — | 4–8 | 6–7 | 7–6 | 9–3 | 7–5 |
| New York | 6–7 | 10–3 | 10–2 | 7–5 | 8–5 | 8–5 | 4–8 | 8–5 | 8–4 | — | 8–4 | 9–3 | 7–5 | 10–3 |
| Oakland | 5–7 | 3–9 | 10–3 | 7–6 | 6–6 | 6–6 | 7–6 | 5–7 | 7–6 | 4–8 | — | 8–5 | 7–6 | 8–4 |
| Seattle | 6–6 | 5–7 | 2–11 | 7–6 | 4–8 | 2–10–1 | 6–7 | 3–9 | 6–7 | 3–9 | 5–8 | — | 4–9 | 6–6 |
| Texas | 6–6 | 7–5 | 2–11 | 7–6–2 | 6–6 | 8–4 | 3–10 | 7–5 | 3–9 | 5–7 | 6–7 | 9–4 | — | 7–5 |
| Toronto | 2–11 | 6–7 | 9–3 | 7–5 | 5–8 | 4–9 | 3–9 | 8–5 | 5–7 | 3–10 | 4–8 | 6–6 | 5–7 | — |

### Notable transactions

* April 5, 1980: Eduardo Rodríguez was released by the Royals.
* June 16, 1980: Mark Huismann was signed by the Royals as an amateur free agent.
* June 17, 1980: Randy McGilberry was traded by the Royals to the New York Mets for Kevin Kobel.
* August 1980: Keith Drumright was purchased from the Royals by the Chicago Cubs.

### Roster
## Game log
### Regular season

1980 regular season game log: 97–65 (Home: 49–32; Away: 48–33) :
April: 10–8 (Home: 7–4; Away: 3–4)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
1April 107:35 p.m. CSTTigersL 1–5Morris (1–0)Leonard (0–1)—2:2834,9010–1L1
2April 117:35 p.m. CSTTigersW 4–0Gura (1–0)Schatzeder (0–1)—2:1314,6051–1W1
3April 121:35 p.m. CSTTigersW 8–6Pattin (1–0)Underwood (0–1)—2:5916,1302–1W2
4April 131:35 p.m. CSTTigersW 3–2Splittorff (1–0)Rozema (0–1)Christenson (1)2:2917,7203–1W3
5April 151:00 p.m. CST@ OriolesL 2–12Palmer (2–0)Leonard (0–2)—2:3250,1993–2L1
6April 166:30 p.m. CST@ OriolesL 1–2Flanagan (1–1)Gura (1–1)—2:167,4733–3L2
7April 176:30 p.m. CST@ OriolesL 2–5Stone (1–1)Gale (0–1)Stoddard (2)2:407,1663–4L3
8April 1812:30 p.m. CST@ TigersW 9–6 (11)Quisenberry (1–0)López (0–2)—3:3450,6874–4W1
9April 191:15 p.m. CST@ TigersL 6–8Morris (2–1)Martin (0–1)—2:1713,5834–5L1
10April 2012:30 p.m. CST@ TigersW 9–6Martin (1–1)Schatzeder (0–3)Quisenberry (1)2:5118,7555–5W1
11April 217:35 p.m. CSTBlue JaysL 1–7Stieb (2–0)Gale (0–2)—2:2921,1175–6L1
12April 227:35 p.m. CSTBlue JaysW 7–2Splittorff (2–0)Mirabella (1–1)—2:0816,9936–6W1
13April 237:35 p.m. CSTBlue JaysW 7–4Christenson (1–0)McLaughlin (1–1)Quisenberry (2)2:3318,8557–6W2
14April 257:35 p.m. CSTOriolesW 7–0Gura (2–1)Stone (1–2)—2:1820,4368–6W3
15April 267:35 p.m. CSTOriolesL 0–4Flanagan (2–2)Gale (0–3)—2:3425,9258–7L1
16April 271:35 p.m. CDTOriolesW 3–2Splittorff (3–0)Ford (1–1)—2:0220,4969–7W1
—April 28@ Blue JaysPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: August 8)
17April 296:30 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysL 1–3Clancy (1–1)Leonard (0–3)—2:2111,5539–8L1
18April 306:30 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 3–0Gura (3–1)Jefferson (0–1)—1:5414,02910–8W1 :
May: 17–10 (Home: 8–4; Away: 9–6)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
19May 27:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxL 5–6 (11)Lockwood (2–1)Quisenberry (1–1)—3:1725,96510–9L2
20May 37:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxL 0–7Rainey (1–0)Splittorff (3–1)—2:3028,76010–10L3
21May 41:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxW 5–3Leonard (1–3)Stanley (2–2)Quisenberry (3)2:1324,20911–10W1
22May 67:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 0–2Wortham (3–0)Gura (3–2)Farmer (8)2:067,93811–11L1
23May 77:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxW 12–5Christenson (2–0)Kravec (1–3)—2:547,58412–11W1
24May 87:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 2–8Burns (3–2)Splittorff (3–2)—3:017,41012–12L1
25May 96:30 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 6–5Leonard (2–3)Stanley (2–3)Quisenberry (4)2:4628,59713–12W1
26May 101:00 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 13–8Martin (2–1)Eckersley (1–5)Pattin (1)3:0330,51914–12W2
27May 111:00 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxL 2–5Rainey (2–0)Gale (0–4)—2:2424,68514–13L1
28May 127:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesW 12–3Gura (4–2)Tiant (2–2)Pattin (2)2:3517,01015–13W1
29May 137:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesW 4–1Martin (3–1)Griffin (0–2)Quisenberry (5)2:2920,10716–13W2
30May 147:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesL 3–16Guidry (3–0)Leonard (2–4)Figueroa (1)2:5821,95316–14L1
31May 167:35 p.m. CDTAngelsL 1–11Kison (2–4)Gale (0–5)—3:0122,26416–15L2
32May 177:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 2–1 (10)Gura (5–2)Clear (0–2)—2:4730,32617–15W1
33May 181:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 5–3Martin (4–1)Tanana (2–4)Quisenberry (6)2:2425,38218–15W2
34May 197:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 6–5 (11)Quisenberry (2–1)Hamilton (0–1)—3:3728,88919–15W3
35May 207:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 1–0Gale (1–5)Norris (5–2)Quisenberry (7)2:1323,69820–15W4
36May 217:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsL 2–4 (14)Lacey (1–0)Quisenberry (2–2)—4:1424,03020–16L1
37May 227:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 16–3Martin (5–1)Keough (5–4)—2:4423,12421–16W1
38May 239:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 13–9Leonard (3–4)Tanana (2–5)—3:0926,27022–16W2
39May 249:00 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 6–5 (10)Quisenberry (3–1)Clear (2–3)—3:3225,38223–16W3
40May 253:00 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 7–3Gura (6–2)LaRoche (1–1)—2:3230,32524–16W4
41May 263:30 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 1–4Keough (6–4)Martin (5–2)—2:3321,88224–17L1
42May 279:30 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsW 4–2Leonard (4–4)Kingman (2–5)—3:034,48825–17W1
43May 283:30 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 3–6Langford (4–3)Gale (1–6)—2:334,09425–18L1
44May 307:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 9–2Gura (7–2)Wortham (3–2)—2:2926,50026–18W1
45May 317:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 6–4Martin (6–2)Trout (2–5)Quisenberry (8)3:0229,05027–18W2 :
June: 17–12 (Home: 5–7; Away: 12–5)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
46June 11:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxL 1–6Burns (7–3)Leonard (4–5)—3:0333,42827–19L1
47June 27:35 p.m. CDTYankeesL 3–5Guidry (6–1)Splittorff (3–3)—2:4239,26127–20L2
48June 37:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 6–5 (10)Quisenberry (4–2)Davis (2–3)—3:1726,73428–20W1
49June 47:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 9–3Martin (7–2)Tiant (4–3)—2:2927,23429–20W2
50June 57:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 8–0Leonard (5–5)Kern (2–8)—2:3216,51230–20W3
51June 67:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 4–2Splittorff (4–3)Matlack (3–2)Quisenberry (9)2:3726,36731–20W4
52June 77:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 7–2Gale (2–6)Perry (3–4)—2:5824,53032–20W5
53June 87:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 5–4Christenson (3–0)Babcock (0–1)Quisenberry (10)3:0816,17933–20W6
—June 9@ IndiansPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: June 11)
54June 106:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 8–4Pattin (2–0)Barker (5–4)—3:256,06134–20W7
55June 11 (1)4:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 5–0Leonard (6–5)Waits (4–6)—2:17—35–20W8
56June 11 (2)7:27 p.m. CDT@ IndiansL 5–8Spillner (6–3)Gale (2–7)—2:4813,71235–21L1
57June 137:30 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 4–3Gura (7–3)Keeton (2–1)Quisenberry (11)2:3230,74036–21W1
58June 141:30 p.m. CDT@ BrewersL 2–5Travers (4–3)Martin (7–3)Castro (3)2:5150,60536–22L1
59June 151:30 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 7–2Leonard (7–5)Haas (6–6)—2:4928,38937–22W1
60June 167:35 p.m. CDTRangersL 3–6Babcock (1–2)Quisenberry (4–3)Lyle (7)2:2539,45737–23L1
61June 177:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 3–2Gale (3–7)Perry (3–6)—2:4525,32438–23W1
62June 187:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 10–2Gura (8–3)Denny (7–5)—2:5523,73639–23W2
63June 197:35 p.m. CDTIndiansL 4–5Barker (7–4)Martin (7–4)Stanton (3)3:0721,15839–24L1
64June 207:35 p.m. CDTBrewersL 5–10Haas (7–6)Leonard (7–6)Castro (4)3:0238,17939–25L2
65June 217:35 p.m. CDTBrewersL 1–5Sorensen (7–4)Splittorff (4–4)—2:0740,34439–26L3
66June 221:35 p.m. CDTBrewersW 7–4Gale (4–7)Caldwell (6–4)—2:3339,59240–26W1
67June 237:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 1–4Koosman (6–6)Gura (9–3)—2:237,52540–27L1
68June 24 (1)5:05 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 1–2Jackson (5–4)Quisenberry (4–4)—2:31—40–28L2
69June 24 (2)8:11 p.m. CDT@ TwinsW 4–2Martin (8–4)Erickson (1–5)Quisenberry (12)2:3711,55641–28W1
70June 257:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsW 4–1Splittorff (5–4)Zahn (6–10)Quisenberry (13)2:049,15042–28W2
71June 279:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersW 2–1Gale (5–7)Honeycutt (7–5)Quisenberry (14)2:2812,09943–28W3
72June 289:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersW 4–2Gura (10–3)Roberts (1–2)—2:1122,15444–28W4
73June 293:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 2–7Abbott (7–3)Leonard (7–7)—2:0010,01544–29L1
74June 307:35 p.m. CDTTwinsL 3–12Jackson (6–4)Martin (8–5)—2:4133,54044–30L2 :
July: 18–9 (Home: 12–6; Away: 6–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
75July 17:35 p.m. CDTTwinsL 1–2Corbett (5–2)Splittorff (5–5)—2:2020,22444–31L3
76July 27:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 4–3Beattie (4–7)Koosman (6–8)—2:4926,22545–31W1
77July 37:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 2–13Gura (10–4)Rawley (6)2:4321,77745–32L1
78July 47:35 p.m. CDTMarinersW 5–3Quisenberry (5–4)Roberts (1–3)—2:2327,89146–32W1
79July 57:35 p.m. CDTMarinersW 5–4Twitty (1–0)Parrott (1–10)Quisenberry (15)2:3730,61747–32W2
80July 61:35 p.m. CDTMarinersL 3–5Bannister (6–6)Splittorff (5–6)Rawley (7)2:3528,45847–33L1
51st All-Star Game in Los Angeles, CA
81July 107:35 p.m. CDTTigersW 3–2Splittorff (6–6)Wilcox (8–6)Quisenberry (16)2:1123,68448–33W1
82July 117:35 p.m. CDTTigersW 7–3Leonard (8–7)Morris (11–7)—2:1831,01749–33W2
83July 126:30 p.m. CDT@ OriolesL 1–3Stone (13–3)Martin (8–6)Stoddard (12)2:4641,51449–34L1
84July 131:00 p.m. CDT@ OriolesW 5–1Gura (11–4)Flanagan (8–8)—2:4621,31150–34W1
85July 146:30 p.m. CDT@ OriolesW 8–4Splittorff (7–6)McGregor (9–5)Quisenberry (17)2:5923,50451–34W2
86July 156:30 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 8–4Gale (6–7)Renko (5–3)—2:4326,86552–34W3
87July 166:30 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxW 5–1Leonard (9–7)Eckersley (5–8)Quisenberry (18)3:1227,21353–34W4
88July 176:30 p.m. CDT@ Red SoxL 4–12Tudor (3–1)Martin (8–7)—2:4125,61953–35L1
89July 187:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesW 13–1Gura (12–4)May (7–4)—2:5044,17054–35W1
90July 197:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesL 7–13Bird (1–0)Splittorff (7–7)Davis (6)3:0153,58354–36L1
91July 201:00 p.m. CDT@ YankeesW 14–3Gale (7–7)Guidry (10–6)Quisenberry (19)2:5250,32855–36W1
92July 217:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 2–1Leonard (10–7)Burns (10–8)Quisenberry (20)2:3437,05456–36W2
93July 227:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxL 1–6Trout (5–10)Busby (0–1)—2:4728,89156–37L1
94July 237:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 9–2Gura (13–4)Baumgarten (2–7)—2:4525,10557–37W1
95July 247:35 p.m. CDTWhite SoxW 12–4Splittorff (8–7)Wortham (4–5)—2:1129,05258–37W2
96July 257:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 6–1Gale (8–7)Tiant (6–4)—2:3140,03959–37W3
97July 267:35 p.m. CDTYankeesL 4–5Gossage (4–0)Leonard (10–8)—2:4141,86059–38L1
98July 271:35 p.m. CDTYankeesW 8–0Gura (14–4)John (15–4)—2:2840,05760–38W1
99July 297:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxW 9–8Quisenberry (7–4)Burgmeier (4–2)—3:0835,04261–38W2
100July 307:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxL 1–7Stanley (7–6)Busby (0–2)—2:5131,46861–39L1
101July 317:35 p.m. CDTRed SoxW 13–3Leonard (11–8)Eckersley (6–10)—2:2833,50062–39W1 :
August: 23–7 (Home: 9–5; Away: 14–2)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
102August 17:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxW 4–3Gura (15–4)Burns (10–9)Quisenberry (21)2:3023,31663–39W2
103August 27:30 p.m. CDT@ White SoxW 8–2Gale (9–7)Trout (6–11)Pattin (3)2:3914,90564–39W3
104August 31:15 p.m. CDT@ White SoxL 3–5Dotson (8–6)Splittorff (8–8)—2:3214,32964–40L1
105August 47:00 p.m. CDT@ TigersW 6–5Quisenberry (8–4)Schatzeder (6–8)—2:5937,01665–40W1
106August 57:00 p.m. CDT@ TigersW 6–3Leonard (12–8)Wilcox (11–7)Quisenberry (22)2:4427,46966–40W2
107August 67:00 p.m. CDT@ TigersW 5–4Gura (16–4)Morris (12–10)Quisenberry (23)2:5629,11567–40W3
108August 8 (1)4:30 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 9–0Gale (10–7)Clancy (10–8)—2:15—68–40W4
109August 8 (2)7:20 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 7–4Pattin (3–0)Garvin (3–7)—2:5722,14669–40W5
110August 96:30 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysL 3–4 (14)Willis (1–0)Eastwick (0–1)—3:3821,30069–41L1
111August 1012:30 p.m. CDT@ Blue JaysW 8–5Leonard (13–8)Jefferson (4–9)Pattin (4)2:5023,47370–41W1
112August 117:35 p.m. CDTOriolesL 1–2Martínez (3–1)Gura (16–5)—2:3341,33470–42L1
113August 127:35 p.m. CDTOriolesW 4–3Quisenberry (9–4)McGregor (13–6)—2:2634,91371–42W1
114August 137:35 p.m. CDTOriolesW 6–1Gale (11–7)Palmer (12–9)—2:1335,60072–42W2
115August 157:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 4–3Leonard (14–8)Jefferson (4–10)Quisenberry (24)2:2434,86173–42W3
116August 167:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 11–5Gura (17–5)Kucek (3–5)—2:4539,63174–42W4
117August 171:35 p.m. CDTBlue JaysW 8–3Splittorff (9–8)Clancy (11–9)Quisenberry (25)3:0830,69375–42W5
118August 187:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 6–3Gale (12–8)Figueroa (3–7)Quisenberry (26)2:4817,60976–42W6
119August 197:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 4–3Twitty (2–0)Darwin (10–2)Quisenberry (27)2:3617,80077–42W7
120August 207:35 p.m. CDT@ RangersW 5–3 (12)Quisenberry (10–4)Johnson (0–2)Martin (1)3:2116,99678–42W8
121August 217:35 p.m. CDTIndiansL 3–4Waits (10–11)Busby (0–3)Cruz (9)2:3932,13978–43L1
122August 227:35 p.m. CDTIndiansL 1–4Barker (15–8)Splittorff (9–9)Monge (11)2:4534,52678–44L2
123August 237:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 3–2Gale (13–8)Garland (6–6)Quisenberry (28)2:2140,19279–44W1
124August 241:35 p.m. CDTIndiansW 7–5Leonard (15–8)Grimsley (4–3)Quisenberry (29)2:4330,59380–44W2
125August 257:30 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 9–3Gura (18–5)Haas (14–11)Quisenberry (30)2:5715,91281–44W3
126August 267:30 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 7–6Busby (1–3)Caldwell (11–10)Quisenberry (31)2:4816,82482–44W4
127August 277:30 p.m. CDT@ BrewersW 5–4Splittorff (10–9)Mitchell (4–3)Martin (2)2:1918,81583–44W5
128August 287:35 p.m. CDTRangersL 6–10Rajsich (2–1)Twitty (2–1)—2:3425,94483–45L1
129August 297:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 7–3Leonard (16–8)Figueroa (3–8)—2:2932,78184–45W1
130August 301:35 p.m. CDTRangersL 5–7 (11)Johnson (2–2)Quisenberry (10–5)—3:1734,55784–46L1
131August 311:35 p.m. CDTRangersW 4–3Quisenberry (11–5)Lyle (3–2)—2:4137,39085–46W1 :
September: 8–18 (Home: 4–6; Away: 4–12)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
132September 17:35 p.m. CDTBrewersL 1–6McClure (2–6)Gale (13–8)—2:4928,59785–47L1
133September 37:35 p.m. CDTBrewersL 1–3 (10)Sorensen (10–8)Leonard (16–9)—2:4623,03785–48L2
134September 47:35 p.m. CDTBrewersL 5–9Castro (1–4)Quisenberry (11–6)—2:4321,89885–49L3
135September 56:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 2–1Splittorff (11–9)Waits (10–13)—1:5121,80886–49W1
136September 66:35 p.m. CDT@ IndiansL 3–8Barker (18–8)Martin (8–8)—3:0327,35286–50L1
137September 71:05 p.m. CDT@ IndiansW 6–4Leonard (17–9)Garland (6–8)Quisenberry (32)2:328,99087–50W1
138September 89:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsL 4–7Aase (7–13)Gura (18–6)Hassler (6)2:5323,05087–51L1
139September 99:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsL 3–4Tanana (8–10)Splittorff (11–10)Clear (9)2:1624,13187–52L2
140September 109:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsL 3–8Aase (8–13)Martin (8–9)Hassler (7)2:4524,76287–53L3
141September 119:30 p.m. CDT@ AngelsW 7–2Leonard (18–9)Ferris (0–1)—2:3822,84488–53W1
142September 129:30 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 5–9Langford (16–11)Chamberlain (0–1)—3:0517,44088–54L1
143September 133:30 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsL 2–6McCatty (12–13)Gura (18–7)—2:3711,25388–55L2
144September 143:30 p.m. CDT@ AthleticsW 4–3Splittorff (12–10)Kingman (7–18)Quisenberry (33)2:2010,75689–55W1
—September 16AngelsPostponed (Rain) (Makeup date: September 17)
145September 17 (1)5:05 p.m. CDTAngelsW 5–0Leonard (19–9)Botting (0–1)—2:17—90–55W2
146September 17 (2)7:57 p.m. CDTAngelsL 4–7LaRoche (3–5)Gura (18–8)Hassler (9)3:1325,90890–56L1
147September 187:35 p.m. CDTAngelsW 5–2Martin (9–9)Martínez (6–7)—2:4319,55991–56W1
148September 197:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsW 13–3Splittorff (13–10)Kingman (7–19)—2:3029,49392–56W2
149September 207:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsL 0–9Keough (16–13)Jones (0–1)—2:4337,52392–57L1
150September 211:35 p.m. CDTAthleticsL 3–9Norris (21–8)Leonard (19–10)—2:4741,32992–58L2
151September 229:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 4–5 (11)McLaughlin (3–6)Quisenberry (11–7)—3:168,64392–59L3
152September 239:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 3–7Beattie (5–13)Martin (9–10)—2:3210,87992–60L4
153September 249:35 p.m. CDT@ MarinersL 2–4Honeycutt (10–17)Splittorff (13–11)Parrott (3)2:1211,18092–61L5
154September 267:35 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 0–3Zahn (13–18)Leonard (19–11)—2:309,83792–62L6
155September 2710:35 a.m. CDT@ TwinsL 3–8Koosman (15–13)Gura (18–9)—2:216,84892–63L7
156September 281:15 p.m. CDT@ TwinsL 7–8Redfern (7–7)Gale (13–9)Corbett (22)2:426,93892–64L8
157September 307:35 p.m. CDTMarinersW 7–5 (14)Quisenberry (12–7)Parrott (1–15)—3:5917,27293–64W1 :
October: 4–1 (Home: 4–1; Away: 0–0)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceRecordBox/ Streak
158October 17:35 p.m. CDTMarinersW 4–1Pattin (4–0)Dressler (4–10)Brett (1)2:1815,60494–64W2
159October 27:35 p.m. CDTMarinersW 6–2Martin (10–10)Bannister (9–13)—2:2315,24195–64W3
160October 37:35 p.m. CDTTwinsL 3–5Koosman (16–13)Gura (18–10)Corbett (23)2:2920,71495–65L1
161October 47:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 17–1Leonard (20–11)Erickson (7–13)—2:4223,75196–65W1
162October 51:35 p.m. CDTTwinsW 4–0Splittorff (14–11)Jackson (9–9)Gale (1)2:0525,60397–65W2 :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Royals team member :

### Postseason Game log

1980 Postseason game log: 5–4 (Home: 4–1; Away: 1–3) :
AL Championship Series: vs. New York Yankees 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Away: 1–0)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/ Streak
1October 82:00 p.m. CDTYankeesW 7–2Gura (1–0)Guidry (0–1)—3:0042,598KC 1–0W1
2October 97:15 p.m. CDTYankeesW 3–2Leonard (1–0)May (0–1)Quisenberry (1)2:5142,633KC 2–0W2
3October 107:15 p.m. CDT@ YankeesW 4–2Quisenberry (1–0)Gossage (0–1)—2:5956,588KC 3–0W3 :
World Series: vs. Philadelphia Phillies 2–4 (Home: 2–1; Away: 0–3)
#DateTime (CT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveTime of GameAttendanceSeriesBox/ Streak
1October 147:30 p.m. CDT@ PhilliesL 6–7Walk (1–0)Leonard (0–1)McGraw (1)3:0165,791PHI 1–0L1
2October 157:20 p.m. CDT@ PhilliesL 4–6Carlton (1–0)Quisenberry (0–1)Reed (1)3:0165,775PHI 2–0L2
3October 177:30 p.m. CDTPhilliesW 4–3 (10)Quisenberry (1–1)McGraw (0–1)—3:1942,380PHI 2–1W1
4October 1812:45 p.m. CDTPhilliesW 5–3Leonard (1–1)Christenson (0–1)Quisenberry (1)2:3742,363Tied 2–2W2
5October 193:30 p.m. CDTPhilliesL 3–4McGraw (1–1)Quisenberry (1–2)—2:5142,369PHI 3–2L1
6October 217:20 p.m. CDT@ PhilliesL 1–4Carlton (2–0)Gale (0–1)McGraw (2)3:0065,838PHI 4–2L2 :
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Postponement Bold = Royals team member :

## Player stats

* = Indicates team leader

### Batting
#### Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
| C | Darrell Porter | 118 | 418 | 51 | 104 | 14 | 2 | .249 | 7 | 51 | 1 |
| 1B | Willie Aikens | 151 | 543 | 70 | 151 | 24 | 0 | .278 | 20 | 98 | 1 |
| 2B | Frank White | 154 | 560 | 70 | 148 | 23 | 4 | .264 | 7 | 60 | 19 |
| 3B | George Brett | 117 | 449 | 87 | 175 | 33 | 9 | .390 | 24 | 118 | 15 |
| SS | U L Washington | 153 | 549 | 79 | 150 | 16 | 11 | .273 | 6 | 53 | 20 |
| LF | Willie Wilson | 161 | 705 | 133 | 230 | 28 | 15 | .326 | 3 | 49 | 79 |
| CF | Amos Otis | 107 | 394 | 56 | 99 | 16 | 3 | .251 | 10 | 53 | 16 |
| RF | Clint Hurdle | 130 | 395 | 50 | 116 | 31 | 2 | .294 | 10 | 60 | 0 |
| DH | Hal McRae | 124 | 489 | 73 | 145 | 39 | 5 | .297 | 14 | 83 | 10 |

#### Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
| John Wathan | 126 | 453 | 57 | 138 | .305 | 6 | 58 | 17 |
| Dave Chalk | 69 | 167 | 19 | 42 | .251 | 1 | 20 | 1 |
| Jamie Quirk | 62 | 163 | 13 | 45 | .276 | 5 | 21 | 3 |
| Pete LaCock | 114 | 156 | 14 | 32 | .205 | 1 | 18 | 1 |
| Rusty Torres | 51 | 72 | 10 | 12 | .167 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Rance Mulliniks | 36 | 54 | 8 | 14 | .259 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| José Cardenal | 25 | 53 | 8 | 18 | .340 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Bob Detherage | 20 | 26 | 2 | 8 | .308 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Steve Braun | 14 | 23 | 0 | 1 | .043 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jerry Terrell | 22 | 16 | 4 | 1 | .063 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Onix Concepción | 12 | 15 | 1 | 2 | .133 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Manny Castillo | 7 | 10 | 1 | 2 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ken Phelps | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Germán Barranca | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Pitching
#### Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
| Larry Gura | 36 | 283.1 | 18 | 10 | 2.95 | 76 | 113 |
| Dennis Leonard | 38 | 280.1 | 20 | 11 | 3.79 | 80 | 155 |
| Paul Splittorff | 34 | 204.0 | 14 | 11 | 4.15 | 43 | 53 |
| Rich Gale | 32 | 190.2 | 13 | 9 | 3.92 | 78 | 97 |

#### Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | BB | SO |
| Renie Martin | 32 | 137.1 | 10 | 10 | 2 | 4.39 | 70 | 68 |
| Steve Busby | 11 | 42.1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6.17 | 19 | 12 |
| Mike Jones | 3 | 4.2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11.57 | 5 | 2 |

#### Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | BB | SO |
| Dan Quisenberry | 75 | 128.1 | 12 | 7 | 33 | 3.09 | 27 | 37 |
| Marty Pattin | 37 | 89.0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 3.64 | 23 | 40 |
| Gary Christenson | 24 | 31.1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5.17 | 18 | 16 |
| Jeff Twitty | 13 | 22.1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6.04 | 7 | 9 |
| Rawly Eastwick | 14 | 22.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5.32 | 8 | 5 |
| Ken Brett | 8 | 13.1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 5 | 4 |
| Craig Chamberlain | 5 | 9.1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.75 | 5 | 3 |
| Jerry Terrell | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 0 |

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

October 8 Royals Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| New York | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1 |
| Kansas City | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | X | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| W: Larry Gura (1-0) L: Ron Guidry (0-1) |||||||||||||
| HRs: NYY – Rick Cerone (1) Lou Piniella (1) KCR – George Brett (1) |||||||||||||

#### Game 2

October 9 Royals Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| New York | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| Kansas City | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| W: Dennis Leonard (1-0) L: Rudy May (0-1) S: Dan Quisenberry (1) |||||||||||||
| HRs: NYY – Graig Nettles |||||||||||||

#### Game 3

October 10 Yankee Stadium
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| Kansas City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 1 |
| New York | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| W: Dan Quisenberry (1-0) L: Rich Gossage (0-1) |||||||||||||
| HRs: KCR – George Brett (2) Frank White (1) |||||||||||||

#### World Series

NL Philadelphia Phillies (4) vs. AL Kansas City Royals (2) :
| Game | Score | Date | Location | Attendance | Time of Game |
| 1 | Royals – 6, Phillies – 7 | October 14 | Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia) | 65,791 | 3:01 |
| 2 | Royals – 4, Phillies – 6 | October 15 | Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia) | 65,775 | 3:01 |
| 3 | Phillies – 3, Royals – 4 (10 inns) | October 17 | Royals Stadium (Kansas City) | 42,380 | 3:19 |
| 4 | Phillies – 3, Royals – 5 | October 18 | Royals Stadium (Kansas City) | 42,363 | 2:37 |
| 5 | Phillies – 4, Royals – 3 | October 19 | Royals Stadium (Kansas City) | 42,369 | 2:51 |
| 6 | Royals – 1, Phillies – 4 | October 21 | Veterans Stadium (Philadelphia) | 65,838 | 3:00 |

## Awards and honors

* George Brett – American League Batting Champion (.390)
* George Brett, Hutch Award

## Farm system

| Level | Team | League | Manager |
| AAA | Omaha Royals | American Association | Joe Sparks |
| AA | Jacksonville Suns | Southern League | Gene Lamont |
| A | Fort Myers Royals | Florida State League | Brian Murphy |
| A | Charleston Royals | South Atlantic League | Ron Mihal |
| Rookie | GCL Royals Blue | Gulf Coast League | Joe Jones |
| Rookie | GCL Royals Gold | Gulf Coast League | Roy Tanner |
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: GCL Royals Blue