The Royals’ postseason history is divided by separate eras. The first lasted a decade, from 1976-1985 and included 43 games and two World Series appearances. The second, which started last season, has 31 games and two more World Series.
Both involved an ascent with a first shot at the World Series ending in disappointment. But in both cases, some of the major players stayed together and were joined by fresh faces to put the Royals over the top.
Three decades ago, it was George Brett, Frank White, Hal McRae and Willie Wilson, joined by a young pitching staff who created the chemistry for a World Series title.
This season, the circle of familiar names is longer. Six position players — outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon; infielders Eric Hosmer, Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas; and catcher Salvador Perez — played in all 31 postseason games in the last two years. Yordano Ventura was the only returning starting pitcher. Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Danny Duffy returned in the bullpen.
Newcomers such as second baseman Ben Zobrist, designated hitter Kendrys Morales, right fielder Alex Rios and pitchers Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, Chris Young and Ryan Madson were the newcomers who helped push the Royals to a championship level.
An end date has not been applied to the current era. More success may await. As for which title team was better, Brett offered his opinion at the Union Station celebration Tuesday.
“After watching them play the last two years, I want to congratulate them for two things: winning the World Series in 2015 and becoming the greatest team in Kansas City Royal history,” Brett said. “These guys are the best team ever.”
Perhaps. But the 1985 championship team was in its seventh postseason in 10 years, longevity that may not be possible with today’s financial structure.
But the eras stand together on career leader charts. Here are the top five in primary batting and pitching lists that encompass the Royals’ postseason history:
Royals career postseason leaders
Batting average (min. 30 at-bats)
.375 | Willie Aikens | 15 for 40 | 1980-81 |
.337 | George Brett | 56 for 166 | 1976-85 |
.333 | Clint Hurdle | 11 for 33 | 1978-81 |
.311 | Alcides Escobar | 42 for 135 | 2014-15 |
.306 | Freddie Patek | 15 for 49 | 1976-78 |
Runs
30 | George Brett | 1976-85 |
24 | Lorenzo Cain | 2014-15 |
21 | Alcides Escobar | 2014-15 |
18 | Eric Hosmer | 2014-15 |
17 | Alex Gordon | 2014-15 |
Hits
56 | George Brett | 1976-85 |
42 | Alcides Escobar | 2014-15 |
36 | Lorenzo Cain | 2014-15 |
35 | Willie Wilson | 1980-85 |
35 | Eric Hosmer | 2014-15 |
Doubles
11 | Hal McRae | 1976-85 |
10 | Alex Gordon | 2014-15 |
9 | Alcides Escobar | 2014-15 |
8 | George Brett | 1976-85 |
8 | Ben Zobrist | 2015 |
Triples
5 | George Brett | 1976-85 |
3 | Alcides Escobar | 2014-15 |
2 | Willie Wilson | 1978-85 |
1 | Seven tied |
Home runs
10 | George Brett | 1976-1985 |
6 | Mike Moustakas | 2014-15 |
5 | Salvador Perez | 2014-15 |
4 | Willie Aikens | 1980-81 |
4 | Kendrys Morales | 2015 |
RBIs
29 | Eric Hosmer | 2014-15 |
23 | George Brett | 1976-85 |
19 | Lorenzo Cain | 2014-15 |
17 | Alex Gordon | 2014-15 |
16 | Frank White | 1976-85 |
Stolen bases
8 | Amos Otis | 1976-81 |
8 | Lorenzo Cain | 2014-15 |
6 | Willie Wilson | 1978-85 |
4 | Frank White | 1976-85 |
4 | Alex Gordon | 2014-15 |
4 | Jarrod Dyson | 2014-15 |
4 | Terrance Gore | 2014-15 |
Pitching victories
3 | Dennis Leonard | 1976-81 |
3 | Dan Quisenberry | 1980-85 |
3 | Wade Davis | 2014-15 |
2 | 10 tied |
Innings pitched
50 | Dennis Leonard | 1976-81 |
46 1/3 | Yordano Ventura | 2014-15 |
39 2/3 | Charlie Leibrandt | 1984-85 |
38 2/3 | Paul Splittorff | 1976-80 |
33 1/3 | Bret Saberhagen | 1984-85 |
Games pitched
22 | Kelvin Herrera | 2014-15 |
20 | Wade Davis | 2014-15 |
18 | Dan Quisenberry | 1980-85 |
11 | Greg Holland | 2014 |
10 | Dennis Leonard | 1976-81 |
10 | Yordano Ventura | 2014-15 |
Games started
9 | Dennis Leonard | 1976-81 |
9 | Yordano Ventura | 2014-15 |
8 | Larry Gura | 1976-81 |
5 | Four tied |
ERA (minimum 10 innings)
0.00 (10 2/3 innings) | Luke Hochevar | 2015 |
0.36 (25) | Wade Davis | 2014-15 |
0.82 (11) | Greg Holland | 2014 |
1.04 (26) | Danny Jackson | 1985 |
1.26 (28 2/3 ) | Kelvin Herrera | 2014-15 |
Strikeouts
38 | Wade Davis | 2014-15 |
38 | Kelvin Herrera | 2014-15 |
36 | Yordano Ventura | 2014-15 |
31 | Dennis Leonard | 1976-81 |
23 | Edinson Volquez | 2015 |
Saves
7 | Greg Holland | 2014 |
4 | Wade Davis | 2014-15 |
3 | Dan Quisenberry | 1980-85 |
1 | Steve Mingori | 1976-78 |
Individual accomplishments this postseason
Alcides Escobar: 15-game hitting streak, longest in Royals postseason history
Ben Zobrist: Eight doubles tied a major-league record for a single postseason, matching the totals of David Freese and Albert Pujols, who each had eight for the Cardinals in 2011.
Eric Hosmer: In addition to setting the Royals’ career postseason RBI record, his 17 RBIs this year set a club record and fell four short of baseball’s record for a postseason.
Lorenzo Cain: Reached safely in all 16 postseason games and the last four of 2014, extending his club record for reaching base to 20 games.
Wade Davis: Ran his postseason scoreless innings streak to 20 2/3 innings
Ned Yost: His 22-9 record for a .710 winning percentage in playoff games ranks eighth in baseball history and is first among the 24 managers who have won at least 20 games.
Royals lineup: The Royals used the same eight position players in the lineup in all 16 postseason games and the same lineup overall for the first 13 games of the postseason. According to Elias Sports Bureau, 12 games with the same lineup had been the record, set by the 2005 White Sox.
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