1985 American League Championship Series

Game 1

Tuesday, October 8, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium

Exhibition Stadium

Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....

in Toronto, Ontario
The Toronto Blue Jays entered the series as the favorite to win the series. The first game featured Toronto pitcher Dave Stieb

Dave Stieb

David Andrew Stieb [STEEB] is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Playing career:Born in Santa Ana, California, Stieb played varsity baseball at Southern Illinois University as an outfielder...

and Kansas City pitcher Charlie Leibrandt

Charlie Leibrandt

Charles Louis "Charlie" Leibrandt, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1979 to 1993 for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers. Leibrandt was a productive pitcher throughout his 14 year career, and a member of the 1985 World Series...

at Exhibition Stadium

Exhibition Stadium

Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....

in Toronto. Neither team was able to score runs in the first inning; however, in the second inning the Blue Jays offense became productive. Jesse Barfield

Jesse Barfield

Jesse Lee Barfield is a former Major League Baseball right fielder who played for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed. He lived in Tenafly, a suburb of New York City.Barfield was well known for his powerful, accurate throwing arm...

singled and advanced to second base when Willie Upshaw

Willie Upshaw

Willie Clay Upshaw is a retired Major League Baseball player who played first base for the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians , both of the American League. Following his Major League career, he played two seasons in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks...

was hit by a pitch. Garth Iorg

Garth Iorg

Garth Ray Iorg is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career for the Toronto Blue Jays.-Career:After attending College of the Redwoods, Iorg was drafted in the 8th round in the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Yankees...

forced Barfield out at third, but with Iorg on first and Upshaw on second, Ernie Whitt

Ernie Whitt

Leo Ernest "Ernie" Whitt is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach who is the current manager for the minor league Clearwater Threshers. He is noted for the twelve years he spent as a player with the Toronto Blue Jays...

singled to score Upshaw with the first run of the series. Tony Fernández

Tony Fernández

Octavio Antonio Fernández Castro , better known as Tony Fernández, is a former Major League Baseball player most noted for his defensive skills setting a record for shortstops with a .992 fielding percentage in 1989.-Career:...

singled to shortstop allowing Iorg to score, and a single by Damaso Garcia

Dámaso García

Dámaso Domingo García Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player best known for his time spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980s....

loaded the bases with one out. Leibrandt induced a pop fly out by Lloyd Moseby

Lloyd Moseby

Lloyd Anthony Moseby was a Major League Baseball player. A center fielder, and good all-around athlete, Moseby's nickname Shaker was said to stem from his ability to get away from or "shake" players who attempted to defend him on the basketball court.Born in Portland, Arkansas, Moseby graduated...

and a ground ball out by George Bell.

After nearly breaking the game open in the second inning, the Blue Jays increased their lead in the third inning and Leibrandt was removed form the game. A double by Cliff Johnson was followed by a base on balls to Barfield. The game was forced into a rain delay. Whether the rain ended Leibrandt's effectiveness or the Jays simply figured him out, Upshaw's single loaded the bases with no outs and led to relief pitcher Steve Farr

Steve Farr

Steven Michael Farr , is a former professional baseball player who pitched primarily as a closer in the Major Leagues from 1984-1994. Farr attended DeMatha High School outside of Washington, D.C. and then American University. He gave up Jim Thome's first home run of his career.-External links:*...

entering the game. Rance Mulliniks

Rance Mulliniks

Steven Rance Mulliniks is a former Major League Baseball player.Originally drafted as a shortstop, Mulliniks made his major league debut in for the California Angels, batting .269 in 78 games...

singled to score Johnson and keep the bases loaded. A walk to Whitt scored Barfield to increase the score to 4–0. A sacrifice fly from Fernandez made it 5–0. Farr finally settled down and proceeded to get next two batters out; however, the Royals were down 5–0 en route to a 6–1 loss. The final Jays' run was scored when George Bell singled and scored on a throwing error by Steve Balboni

Steve Balboni

Stephen Charles Balboni is a retired Major League Baseball player with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers. He was a player with home run power and a tendency to strike out. He was nicknamed "Bye Bye" because of his home run hitting prowess...

on a fielder's choice to the next batter, Cliff Johnson.

Willie Wilson scored the Royals' only run in the ninth inning when he singled, moved to third on a George Brett

George Brett (baseball)

George Howard Brett , nicknamed "Mullet", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman, designated hitter, and first baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Kansas City Royals. Brett's 3,154 career hits are the most by any third baseman in major league history, and 15th...

single, and scored on a fielders choice ground out by Pat Sheridan

Pat Sheridan

Patrick Arthur Sheridan is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1981, 1983–1989, and 1991....

. The Blue Jays scored six runs and left nine runners on base. Leibrandt was credited with the loss while Stieb pitched eight innings for the win and Tom Henke

Tom Henke

Thomas Anthony Henke , nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and St...

pitched the ninth inning.

The victory gave the Jays a one game to none lead in the ALCS.

Game 2

Wednesday, October 9, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium

Exhibition Stadium

Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....

in Toronto, Ontario
Game 2 produced excitement and controversy with the Blue Jays winning, 6–5, in ten innings. This game featured Royals' pitcher Bud Black

Bud Black

Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...

against Toronto left-hander Jimmy Key

Jimmy Key

James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles...

. The Royals scored in the third inning when Buddy Biancalana

Buddy Biancalana

Roland Americo "Buddy" Biancalana is a retired Major League Baseball shortstop.Biancalana played for two teams in his career: the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros . He attended Redwood High School in Larkspur and was drafted by the Royals in the first round of the 1978 June Regular Phase...

singled and scored on an unexpected homerun by the light-hitting Willie Wilson to make the score 2–0. They increased their lead in the fourth inning when Darryl Motley

Darryl Motley

Darryl DeWayne Motley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played six seasons for the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves between and . In his MLB career, Motley played in 413 games, hit 44 home runs, 324 hits, 159 RBIs, and batted .243...

singled and scored on a double by Jim Sundberg

Jim Sundberg

James Howard Sundberg is a former professional baseball catcher known for being one of the best defensive catchers of his era. He played for a number of Major League teams, most significantly the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, with whom we won a World Championship...

. The Jays, trailing the game 3–0, got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning when George Bell reached base on an error by George Brett

George Brett (baseball)

and scored a run on Cliff Johnson's double to decrease the gap 3–1.

As in Game 1, rain interrupted the game with the Blue Jays at bat. In the sixth inning, with two outs and the Royals leading the game 3–1, Black hit Bell with a pitch, then Cliff Johnson singled to left field to put runners at first and second. Black threw a wild pitch, allowing the runners to advance. Blue Jays manager Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox

Robert Joseph "Bobby" Cox is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. He first led the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1981, and then managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985. He later rejoined the Braves in 1985 as a general manager...

pulled Johnson and sent in pinch-runner Lou Thornton

Lou Thornton

Louis Thornton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and pinch runner. He played parts of five seasons in the major leagues between and .-Sources:...

. This change was successful when Barfield singled up the middle to score both runners and tie the game at three runs apiece. Black retired Upshaw to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Royals manager Dick Howser

Dick Howser

Richard Dalton Howser was an American Major League Baseball shortstop, coach and manager. He is best known as the manager of the Kansas City Royals during the 1980s, and for guiding them to the franchise's only World Series title in 1985.-Playing career:A native of Miami, Florida, Howser grew up...

went to closer Dan Quisenberry

Dan Quisenberry

Dan Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals...

. With one out, Lloyd Moseby

Lloyd Moseby

singled, stole second base, and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jim Sundberg

Jim Sundberg

. When Moseby then scored on George Bell's sacrifice fly, the Blue Jays were only three outs from a 2–0 series lead. But Kansas City would not go quietly. Leading off the ninth inning, reserve outfielder Pat Sheridan

Pat Sheridan

Patrick Arthur Sheridan is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1981, 1983–1989, and 1991....

pinch-hit for Motley and drilled a game-tying home run off Tom Henke

Tom Henke

. Neither team scored and the game went into extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, Willie Wilson hit a low line drive on which center fielder Lloyd Moseby seemed to make a shoe-string catch. Replays showed that he may have made the play, but both Kubek and Costas agreed that it was very difficult to decide, even after watching it numerous times in slow motion. The play was ruled no catch, and Wilson was credited with a single. Wilson stole second with two outs and scored on a single by Frank White. The Blue Jays then came to bat with a controversial one-run Kansas City lead.

The Blue Jays responded in their half of the tenth inning with a single by Tony Fernández

Tony Fernández

. Fernandez moved to second on Damaso Garcia's fielder's choice and scored on Moseby's single, with Fernández running through third base coach Jimy Williams

Jimy Williams

James Francis "Jimy" Williams is an American former manager of three Major League Baseball teams. He was born in Santa Maria, California.-Playing career:...

' stop sign. Quisenberry then tried to pick off Moseby. The pick-off was initially successful, but Steve Balboni

Steve Balboni

missed the throw to first base and Moseby was safe at second. Al Oliver

Al Oliver

Albert Oliver, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. Over the course of his 18-year career, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Philadelphia Phillies , Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays...

drove Moseby home with the winning run and the Blue Jays headed for Kansas City with a two games to none series lead. Each closer was involved in the decision as Henke was credited the win and Quisenberry assigned the loss.

Game 3

Friday, October 11, 1985 at Royals Stadium

Kauffman Stadium

Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...

in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...

In past years, a 2–0 hole would mean a must-win game, but the Royals entered Game 3 not having to win to keep playing but only to keep the series close. Game 3 saw the Royals send the 1985 Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen

Bret Saberhagen

Bret William Saberhagen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Early years:Bret Saberhagen attended Grover Cleveland High School, located in Reseda, California. Saberhagen starred in both basketball and baseball...

to the mound against Doyle Alexander

Doyle Alexander

Doyle Lafayette Alexander is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers...

for the Blue Jays. And George Brett

George Brett (baseball)

's one-man show put the Royals back into the series. Entering the game, Dick Howser

Dick Howser

had an all-time postseason managerial record of 0–11.

With two outs in the first, Brett unloaded a home run to give the Royals a 1–0 lead. The Blue Jays threatened in the third when Garcia doubled and reached third on Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He made his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies on September 2, 1978 and later played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles...

's throwing error. Moseby grounded to Brett at third, who stunned everybody by gunning the ball home and getting Garcia to preserve the 1–0 Kansas City lead. In the fourth, Brett opened with a double, went to third on McRae's fly out to right, and scored on White's sacrifice fly to give the Royals a 2–0 lead.

But the Blue Jays fought back. In the fifth, Whitt singled and Barfield homered to tie the game at two. Garcia then doubled and Moseby singled off of Saberhagen's leg to put two on. Rance Mulliniks

Rance Mulliniks

Steven Rance Mulliniks is a former Major League Baseball player.Originally drafted as a shortstop, Mulliniks made his major league debut in for the California Angels, batting .269 in 78 games...

then drilled a three-run homer and the Blue Jays were suddenly ahead 5–2 and were 15 defensive outs from taking a 3–0 series lead. Bud Black

Bud Black

Harry Ralston "Bud" Black is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher and current manager of the San Diego Padres.-College:Black played two years at Lower Columbia College in Longview...

succeeded Saberhagen and promptly loaded the bases on singles by Johnson and Bell and a walk to Whitt. With Barfield, who had already homered, at the plate, Howser sent for Steve Farr

Steve Farr

, who got the Royals out of the jam with a 4–3 ground out.

The Royals fought back, getting a Jim Sundberg

Jim Sundberg

solo home run in the fifth to make it 5–3. In the sixth, Wilson singled and Brett hit his second homer of the night, tying the game at five. Dennis Lamp

Dennis Lamp

Dennis Patrick Lamp is a former middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1977 through 1992, Lamp played for the Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox , Toronto Blue Jays , Oakland Athletics , Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates .-Career:In a 19-season career, Lamp posted a...

replaced Alexander and retired the Royals without any further damage. In the eighth, Brett singled, went to second on McRae's bunt, went to third on White's infield grounder, and scored on Balboni's bloop single—Balboni's first hit of the series—to give the Royals a 6–5 lead. Howser stuck with Farr who got through the ninth in order and the Royals won, 6–5. Brett had arguably his best playoff performance ever, going 4 for 4 with a single, a double, two homers, three RBIs, four runs scored, and throwing out Garcia at the plate. The win narrowed the Blue Jays lead in the series to 2–1 entering Game 4 in Kansas City.

Game 4

Saturday, October 12, 1985 at Royals Stadium

Kauffman Stadium

in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

In Game 4, Toronto prevailed 3–1, making it the second game of the series in which the Blue Jays won after trailing going into their final at bat. This gave Toronto a 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven series, and put them one win away from becoming the first team outside the United States to represent their league in the World Series.

The fourth game was a rematch of the pitchers who had started Game 1, with Stieb taking on Leibrandt. Entering the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Jays had only two hits and the Royals only one. But a walk to Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith

and a single to Willie Wilson put runners at first and third with nobody out and the hot-hitting George Brett

George Brett (baseball)

at the plate. Showing great respect for Brett's dominance in the series, Toronto manager Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox

opted to intentionally walk him, loading the bases with nobody out. Initially, the play seemed to backfire, as Stieb walked Hal McRae

Hal McRae

Harold Abraham McRae is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals . Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his career, McRae batted and threw right-handed...

to give the Royals a 1–0 lead. But Stieb got out of the inning by inducing a Sheridan pop out and a double play grounder from Frank White.

Entering the ninth, it appeared the bases-loaded walk to McRae was going to be the difference in the game. Leibrandt opened the ninth having surrendered only four hits. But a walk to Damaso Garcia

Dámaso García

Dámaso Domingo García Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player best known for his time spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980s....

and a double by Moseby tied the game. Quisenberry entered the game and gave up a single to George Bell and a double to Al Oliver

Al Oliver

that scored Moseby and Bell, giving the Jays a 3–1 lead. The Royals did get two on and two out in the ninth, but Henke got out of the jam and emerged as the winning pitcher for the second time in three games.

Game 5

Sunday, October 13, 1985 at Royals Stadium

Kauffman Stadium

in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

A well-rested Danny Jackson

Danny Jackson

Danny Lynn Jackson was a pitcher with a 15-year career from to . He played for the Kansas City Royals of the American League and the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, St...

pitched for Kansas City trying to stave off elimination in the ALCS. The Blue Jays sent in their own well-rested starter, Jimmy Key

Jimmy Key

James Edward "Jimmy" Key is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , and Baltimore Orioles...

, to pitch with the goal of playing in the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

In the bottom of the first inning, Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith

doubled, stole third, and scored on a ground out by George Brett

George Brett (baseball)

. In the second inning, Frank White reached first on a bunt, advanced to third on a Balboni single, and scored on a sacrifice fly

Sacrifice fly

In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....

by Darryl Motley

Darryl Motley

.

Given an early 2–0 lead, Danny Jackson pitched well enough to earn the victory. The Blue Jays scattered eight hits but couldn't score a run. In the fourth inning, the Jays had runners on first and third with no outs yet failed to score. In the fifth inning, the Blue Jays had runners on second and third with no outs and were unable to score. In the sixth inning, they loaded the bases with two outs and again failed to score. Through the final three innings, no Toronto hitter was able to reach base. Jackson pitched a complete game shutout to cut the Blue Jays lead to three games to two, sending the series back to Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

Game 6

Tuesday, October 15, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium

Exhibition Stadium

Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....

in Toronto, Ontario
A win for the Royals in the first ever LCS Game 6 would force the first ever Game 7 while a win for the Blue Jays would earn the franchise its first appearance in the World Series. Game 6 was the first series appearance for pitcher Mark Gubicza

Mark Gubicza

Mark Steven Gubicza is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for 14 seasons for the Kansas City Royals and Anaheim Angels . He currently does color commentary for Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim games on Fox Sports...

, who started for the Royals against Blue Jays pitcher Doyle Alexander

Doyle Alexander

, the Game 3 starter for Toronto.

In the top of the first inning, walks to Wilson and Brett allowed the Royals' Willie Wilson to score a run when Hal McRae singled. The Blue Jays tied the score in the bottom of the first inning when Garcia doubled, Moseby singled, and Garcia scored when Mulliniks grounded into a double play. In the top of the third inning, George Brett reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a double by Hal McRae

Hal McRae

. The Blue Jays responded when Fernandez doubled to left field and moved up to third base on a wild pitch by Gubicza. Fernandez then scored on Moseby's ground out to tie the score at 2–2.

In the fifth inning, Brett hit his third homerun of the series—all of them against Blue Jays' pitcher Doyle Alexander

Doyle Alexander

—and the Royals led the game 3–2. In the sixth inning, Sundberg reached on a base on balls and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Sundberg subsequently scored on a double by Buddy Biancalana

Buddy Biancalana

. Biancalana advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on Lonnie Smith

Lonnie Smith

's double. The Blue Jays scored one run when Moseby singled, advanced to second base with a base on balls to Upshaw. Moseby scored on Cliff Johnson's single to make the score 5–3, but the Royals held on and tied the series at three wins apiece.

Game 7

Wednesday, October 16, 1985 at Exhibition Stadium

Exhibition Stadium

Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....

in Toronto, Ontario
Earlier in the day, Jack Clark

Jack Clark (baseball)

Jack Anthony Clark , also known as "Jack the Ripper," is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1975 through 1992, Clark played for the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox...

put the St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...

into the World Series with a three-run home run off the Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...

' reliever Tom Niedenfuer

Tom Niedenfuer

Thomas Edward Niedenfuer , is a retired American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He attended high school in Redmond, Washington and was a standout pitcher in college for Washington State University under coach Bobo Brayton. He left school before completing his senior season. He is a...

. The American League opponent would be the winner of this ALCS Game 7, promising an intriguing match-up for the World Championship: either an I-70 Series

1985 World Series

-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...

between Missouri's two major league teams, or the first appearance of a franchise from outside the United States. The Blue Jays sent Dave Stieb

Dave Stieb

to the mound for the third time in the series, as he had won both his previous starts. The Royals countered with Bret Saberhagen

Bret Saberhagen

, who was pitching for the first time since his injury in Game 3.

Up to this point, the Royals had scored the first run in every game except Game 1. This trend continued when Pat Sheridan

Pat Sheridan

Patrick Arthur Sheridan is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1981, 1983–1989, and 1991....

reached on a bunt, advanced to second base on a fielder's choice by Balboni, and scored on a single by Jim Sundberg

Jim Sundberg

. In the bottom of the third inning, the Blue Jays hit Saberhagen with a batted ball for the second time in the series, with Mulliniks winding up at second base. After Saberhagen retired the side, Leibrandt came on to pitch for the Royals.

In the fourth inning, Sheridan homered, giving the Royals a 2–0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, the Blue Jays reduced the lead to one when Garcia singled and scored on Upshaw's double. With the score 2–1, the Royals came to bat in the sixth inning against a tiring Stieb. Wilson hit a fly ball out, Brett walked and McRae was hit by a pitch. Sheridan subsequently hit into a fielder's choice that forced Brett out at third base, putting runners at first and second with two outs. Stieb then walked Balboni to face the presumably lesser hitting threat, Jim Sundberg. Sundberg drilled a high drive toward right field that hit the top of the fence and bounced high in the air, landing in play next to Jesse Barfield

Jesse Barfield

. All three runners, running on contact with two outs, scored easily and Sundberg stood at third base with an unlikely three-run triple, giving the Royals a 5–1 lead. Blue Jays relief pitcher Jim Acker

Jim Acker

James Justin Acker is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from to . He played college baseball at the University of Texas....

entered for Stieb and gave up a base hit single to Frank White that allowed Sundberg to score increasing the lead to 6–1.

Leibrandt was still on the mound to start the ninth inning. With one out, he gave up a single to Barfield and a double to Fernandez. Quisenberry made his third appearance of the series, and a chance to send the Royals to the World Series. He allowed one of the inherited runners to score on a ground out and closed out the game, giving the Royals a 6–2 win in Game 7. They became the first team to overcome a 3–1 deficit in the LCS. Kansas City Royals' George Brett

George Brett (baseball)

was 8 for 23 with two doubles, three home runs, five RBIs, seven walks, and a .348 batting average. Brett was named the series MVP, having played a role in 11 of Kansas City's 26 runs, scoring six and driving in five.

Composite box

1985 ALCS (4–3): Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...

over Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....

Aftermath

The seventh game of the series marked Blue Jays' manager Bobby Cox

Bobby Cox

's last with the team, as he left the organization to become the general manager of the Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

.

Amazingly, the Royals went on to win the 1985 World Series

1985 World Series

-Game 1:Saturday, October 19, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri-Game 2:Sunday, October 20, 1985 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri...

against the St.Louis Cardinals by again coming back from a 3–1 series deficit to take the title in seven games.

Ironically, both Danny Jackson

Danny Jackson

and Charlie Leibrandt

Charlie Leibrandt

, heroes of Game 5 and 7 respectively, would become goats for their teams in future postseasons against the Blue Jays. In Game 6 of the 1992 World Series

1992 World Series

-Game 1:Saturday, October 17, 1992 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, GeorgiaBraves fans had plenty to worry about in regard to both starting pitchers. Tom Glavine's post-season career had been less than stellar, including giving up eight runs in the second inning of Game 6 of the NLCS...

, Leibrandt (playing for the Atlanta Braves

1992 Atlanta Braves season

The 1992 Atlanta Braves season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Braves finishing first in the National League West with a record of 98 wins and 64 losses, clinching their second straight division title....

) gave up the game-winning double to Dave Winfield

Dave Winfield

David Mark Winfield is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is currently Executive Vice President/Senior Advisor of the San Diego Padres and an analyst for the ESPN program Baseball Tonight...

in the eleventh inning, becoming the losing pitcher in the series-clincher for the Blue Jays

1992 Toronto Blue Jays season

The Toronto Blue Jays played their 16th season in Major League Baseball. Toronto finished first in the American League East for the 4th time with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses, closing the season with an attendance record of 4,028,318...

. Jackson would start once again against the Blue Jays

1993 Toronto Blue Jays season

The Toronto Blue Jays season involved the Blue Jays finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 67 losses. They were shut out only once in 162 regular-season games. The Blue Jays would repeat as World Champions and become the first back-to-back champions since the New...

in Game 3 of the 1993 World Series

1993 World Series

-Game 1:Saturday, October 16, 1993 at SkyDome in Toronto, OntarioThe Series' first game sent two staff aces—Curt Schilling for Philadelphia and Juan Guzman for Toronto—against one another. The result was less than a pitcher's duel, however, as both teams scored early and often.The deciding plays...

for the Philadelphia Phillies

1993 Philadelphia Phillies season

The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies capture the National League East championship. The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1993 National League Championship Series in six games, before losing the World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays.-Regular season:After finishing in...

, getting shelled for three runs in the first inning and eventually taking the loss.

External links

1985 ALCS at Baseball-Reference

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