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

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.

Regular season

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 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Royals team member

Postseason Game log

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 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Royals team member

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''

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''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts

Game 1
October 8 Royals Stadium

Game 2
October 9 Royals Stadium

Game 3
October 10 Yankee Stadium

Awards and honors

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

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: GCL Royals Blue