The Kansas City Royals may not have the longest history in Major League Baseball, but when they’ve reached the World Series, they’ve made it count. With two championships and countless unforgettable moments, the Royals have provided their fans with dramatic comebacks, clutch performances, and some of the most iconic plays in baseball history.
From their first championship run in 1985 to their thrilling return in 2015, the Royals’ World Series moments are etched into the hearts of Kansas Citians. Let’s take a look back at the greatest moments in Royals’ Fall Classic history.
The Comeback Against the Cardinals (1985)
If you mention 1985 to any Royals fan, they’ll immediately think of one word: comeback. Down three games to one against their cross-state rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Royals seemed on the brink of elimination. But what followed was one of the most legendary turnarounds in World Series history.
Game 6 remains the most talked-about moment. Down 1-0 in the ninth inning, Jorge Orta led off with an infield single on a controversial call at first base. The Royals took advantage, scoring twice to win the game in dramatic fashion. Then, in Game 7, Kansas City left no doubt, crushing the Cardinals 11-0 behind a complete-game shutout from Bret Saberhagen. The Royals were World Series champions for the first time in franchise history.
Bret Saberhagen’s Game 7 Gem (1985)
Bret Saberhagen was just 21 years old during the 1985 World Series, but he pitched like a seasoned ace. His Game 7 performance was a masterpiece. With everything on the line, he delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits while striking out two.
The Royals’ offense provided plenty of support, and as the final out was recorded, Kansas City erupted in celebration. Saberhagen was named World Series MVP, finishing the series with two wins, a 0.50 ERA, and just one earned run allowed in 18 innings. His performance remains one of the most dominant in World Series history.
The Mad Dash: Eric Hosmer’s Game 5 Gamble (2015)
Fast forward 30 years, and the Royals found themselves back on baseball’s biggest stage. In Game 5 of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets, the Royals were trailing 2-1 in the ninth inning. With one out, Eric Hosmer stood on third base as Salvador Pérez hit a ground ball to third.
Then came one of the most daring plays in World Series history. As soon as Mets third baseman David Wright threw to first, Hosmer took off for home. The throw to the plate was off-target, and Hosmer slid in safely, tying the game and shocking the Mets. The Royals eventually won in extra innings, securing their second World Series title.
The Five-Run 12th Inning That Sealed the 2015 Title
Hosmer’s mad dash forced extra innings, but the Royals weren’t done. In the 12th inning, Kansas City exploded for five runs, putting the game—and the series—out of reach.
Christian Colón, who hadn’t played the entire postseason, came through with the go-ahead RBI single. Lorenzo Cain later delivered the exclamation point with a bases-clearing three-run double, sealing a 7-2 victory. When Wade Davis struck out the final batter in the bottom of the inning, the Royals were World Series champions once again.
Alex Gordon’s Game-Tying Home Run (2015)
Game 1 of the 2015 World Series was already shaping up to be an instant classic. The Royals trailed the Mets 4-3 in the ninth inning, down to their final two outs. That’s when Alex Gordon delivered one of the biggest home runs in franchise history.
With a deep drive to dead center off Mets closer Jeurys Familia, Gordon sent the ball over the fence and sent Kauffman Stadium into a frenzy. His game-tying blast forced extra innings, where the Royals eventually won on a walk-off sacrifice fly. It set the tone for the entire series and proved that this team had a flair for the dramatic.
The 2014 Wild Ride to the World Series
Before their championship in 2015, the Royals made an unforgettable run to the World Series in 2014. They entered the postseason as a Wild Card team, making their first playoff appearance in 29 years. What followed was an eight-game winning streak, including sweeps of the Angels and Orioles.
Though the Royals fell just short in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Giants, their 2014 run reignited baseball fever in Kansas City. Salvador Pérez’s foul pop-out to end Game 7 left fans hungry for more—and they wouldn’t have to wait long. The experience set the stage for their dominant return the following season.
The Kansas City Royals’ World Series history is filled with unforgettable moments. Whether it was the dramatic comeback in 1985, the relentless never-quit attitude of the 2015 team, or the heartbreak that fueled their fire in 2014, these memories define the franchise.
Baseball in Kansas City isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about magic. And when the Royals take the field on baseball’s biggest stage, magic seems to follow.
