The Royals are in first place in late August, a position no one expected them to be in before the season. Even after a hot start, they were as much as ten games back on June 25. But since that day, the Royals have gone 32-20, the best record in the American League, and they have closed the gap to tie the Guardians for first place.
First place this late in the season is rarefied air for the Royals. Here are the other times they were in first place after the All-Star break.
July 31 - August 16, 1973
The young Royals were in just their fifth year, but found their first pennant race with the nucleus of a club that would enjoy a number of division titles, including a rookie named George Brett.