Kansas City Royals: George Brett’s Five Most Memorable Moments

2. Winning the 1985 World Series

Entering the 1985 season, George Brett had accomplished virtually everything his in his career, but a World Series title had eluded his grasp. The Kansas City Royals were one of the elite teams in baseball for a decade, but they ran into the Yankees dynasty in the late 1970s and a 1984 Detroit Tigers team that was not to be denied. In their one appearance in the Fall Classic, Brett did his part with a .375/.423/.667 batting line and getting four extra base hits, but the Royals fell to the Phillies in six games.

In what would turn out to be the Royals final postseason appearance before 2014, they finally broke through. Thanks to a controversial call by Don Denkinger at first base in Game Six, the Royals were given new life and capitalized, coming back in that fateful game before crushing the Cardinals 11-0 in Game Seven.

After a brief conversation with Bret Saberhagen, where he told the pitcher to head his way first after recording the final out, that last fly ball of Andy Van Slyke‘s bat settled into Darryl Motley‘s glove, the Royals had their first title. It was a moment that had been a long time coming, with the Royals tasting heartbreak so often before finally breaking through.

While Saberhagen won the World Series MVP award, an honor that was well deserved, Brett did his part to help the team to the title as well. He produced a .370/.452/.407 batting line, scoring five runs while providing a calming influence on the young ace. There, as they celebrated together in Kauffman Stadium, Brett had finally reached the top of the mountain and tasted how sweet that championship was.

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