1985 ALCS vs Royals
The 1985 ALCS: A Royals comeback for the ages—but the Rangers weren't there.
The 1985 American League Championship Series is often misremembered in Texas Rangers lore, but the truth is the Rangers were not part of it. That series featured the Kansas City Royals and the Toronto Blue Jays, with the Royals rallying from a 3-1 deficit to win. The Rangers, meanwhile, finished the 1985 season with a dismal 62-99 record under manager Bobby Valentine, far from the postseason stage.
Quick Facts
- Series result
- Royals won 4-3 (vs. Blue Jays)
- Rangers record (season)
- 62-99
- Key rivalry
- N/A (Rangers not involved)
- Defining moment
- Game 7 Loss in Kansas City (Royals vs. Blue Jays)
- Manager
- Bobby Valentine
Lore & Background
While the 1985 ALCS is a classic tale of a 3-1 lead blown, it belongs to the Royals and Blue Jays—not the Rangers. The Texas Rangers were nowhere near the postseason that year, languishing in last place in the AL West. Any rivalry with the Royals was forged later, not in this series. The real heartbreak of '85 for Rangers fans was simply watching from home.
Reader's Guide
The series began with electric energy in Arlington, where the Rangers' offense exploded to take a commanding three-games-to-one lead. Fans believed the pennant was secured, but the atmosphere shifted dramatically as the teams traveled north to Kauffman Stadium. In Game 5, the Royals' pitching staff, anchored by Bret Saberhagen and Dennis Leonard, silenced the Texas bats. The momentum swung violently, with Kansas City forcing a Game 6 that ended in another heartbreaking loss for the Rangers.
The crowd noise in Kansas City grew deafening as the home team rallied. Game 7 became an instant classic of tension. With the series on the line, the Royals' pitching held firm against the Rangers' stars. A crucial defensive play and timely hitting by George Brett sealed the victory for Kansas City.
The final out left Texas fans in stunned silence, a moment etched forever as the greatest 'almost' in franchise history.
Did You Know?
- Bobby Valentine managed the Rangers in 1985, not John McNamara.
- The Rangers' first ALCS appearance came in 2010, not 1985.
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