World Series 9: 1943 Yankees vs. 1985 Royals
SERIES 9
(33) 1943 YANKEES VS. (96) 1985 ROYALS
The 1943 Yankees were led by their pitching staff. Spud Chandler (20-4, 1.64) became the only Yankee pitcher to be AL MVP, while Tiny Bonham (15-8, 2.27), Hank Borowy (14-9, 2.82) and Butch Wensloff (13-11, 2.54) all had strong seasons. Charlie Keller (31 HR, AL leading ,922 OPS) and Hall of Famer Bill Dickey (.351/.445/.492) led the offense. The Yankees beat the Cardinals in five games in the World Series. It was Joe McCarthy’s seventh, and final, championship.
The Royals won their first World Series title after coming back from 3-1 deficits against the Blue Jays in the ALCS and Cardinals in the World Series. Bret Saberhagen (20-6, 2.87) won the Cy Young Award while Charlie Liebrandt (17-9, 2.69) had a strong season and Dan Quisenberry excelled out of the bullpen (2.37 ERA and led AL with 37 SV & 84 games). George Brett was second in the MVP voting (.335/.436/.585, 30 HR, 112 RBI) while Steve Balboni’s 36 HR set the Royals record at the time (since broken).
Game 1: The Yankees took a 5-4 lead into the 9th before Willie Wilson led off with a triple and George Brett followed with a home run to give the Royals the lead. Charlie Keller’s RBI double off Dan Quisenberry tied the game. But, Lonnie Smith led off the 10th with a home run that gave the Royals a 7-6 win. Smith had 4 hits, 2 runs and 1 of the Royals’ 5 steals in the game. Keller homered and had three hits. Both Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen (5 R in 7 IP) and MVP Spud Chandler (5 R (2 ER) in 8 IP) were ineffective in their long outings.
Game 2: Frank White (3 run) and Steve Balboni hit back-to-back home runs in the 2nd to give the Royals a 4-0 lead. The Yankees trailed, 4-2, entering the 8th before they scored four runs off the Charlie Leibrandt (4 R in 7 IP) / Dan Quisenberry combo to give the Yankees a 6-4 win to even the series. The two home runs were the only damage off Tiny Bonham in his complete game win.
Game 3: Butch Wensloff had a no-hitter thru five innings before Lonnie Smith led off the 6th with an infield single. That was the only hit Wensloff allowed in his 7 shutout innings. The Yankees’ 3-1 win gave them a 2-1 lead in the series. Tuck Stainback had 3 (3 2B) of the Yankees’ 6 hits. Danny Jackson took the loss (3 R in 6 IP).
Game 4: The Yankees jumped out to a 5-2 lead thru 3 innings and that was all the scoring they needed for a 5-3 victory. Hank Borowy (3 R in 8 IP) outpitched Mark Gubicza (5 R (3 ER) in 4 IP). Charlie Keller homered for the Yankees.
Game 5: Bret Saberhagen took a shutout into the 9th (1 R in 8.2 IP) to lead the Royals to a 3-1 win to stay alive in the series. Spud Chandler had a good outing (3 R (2 ER) in 8 IP) in a complete game losing effort. Johnny Lindell had 3 hits for the Yankees.
Game 6: Charlie Liebrandt took a shutout into the 9th before Charlie Keller’s home run gave the Yankees their only run (Leibrandt: 1 R in 9 IP). The Royals tied the series with a 4-1 victory. Tiny Bonham took the loss (3 R in 6.1 IP). Billy Johnson had 3 hits for the Yankees.
Game 7: The 1985 Royals had already come back from 3-1 deficits to beat the Blue Jays in the ALCS and the Cardinals in the World Series. Now, they look to do it in this tournament. The Royals led 3-2 in the 7th before Billy Johnson’s RBI single tied the game and Nick Etten’s RBI single in the 8th gave the Yankees the lead. The Royals loaded the bases with 2 outs in the 9th before Johnny Murphy got Jorge Orta to fly out to deep right center to end the series. Butch Wensloff got his second win of the series (3 R (2 ER) in 8.2 IP) while Danny Jackson got a no decision (3 R in 6.1 IP). Darryl Motley had 3 hits for the Royals.
MVP: Butch Wensloff
SCORES
Royals 7, Yankees 6 (10)
Yankees 6, Royals 4
Yankees 3, Royals 1
Yankees 5, Royals 3
Royals 3, Yankees 1
Royals 4, Yankees 1
Yankees 4, Royals 3
The Yankees will advance to the second round of the winner’s bracket, to face a yet to be determined opponent.
The Royals go to the second round of the loser’s bracket, to face a yet to be determined opponent.
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FIRST ROUND SERIES
1. (25) 1984 Tigers beat (104) 2006 Cardinals, 4 games to 0
2. (103) 1987 Twins beat (26) 1955 Dodgers, 4 games to 3
3. (27) 2016 Cubs beat (102) 2000 Yankees, 4 games to 2
4. (28) 1950 Yankees beat (101) 2014 Giants, 4 games to 1
5. (29) 1920 Indians beat (100) 2021 Braves, 4 games to 3
6. (99) 2011 Cardinals beat (30) 1968 Tigers, 4 games to 3
7. (31) 1951 Yankees beat (98) 1974 A’s, 4 games to 2
8. (32) 2009 Yankees beat (97) 2023 Rangers, 4 games to 2
9. (33) 1943 Yankees beat (96) 1985 Royals, 4 games to 3
UPCOMING SERIES
10. (34) 1981 Dodgers vs. (95) 2003 Marlins
11. (35) 1947 Yankees vs. (94) 1980 Phillies
12. (36) 1956 Yankees vs. (93) 1990 Reds
13. (37) 1976 Reds vs. (92) 1959 Dodgers
14. (38) 1949 Yankees vs. (91) 1997 Marlins