With the Royals and Yankees squaring off in the playoffs for the first time since 1980 (how is that possible??) I thought it might be fun to take a walk down memory lane. Depending on your age, it could be traumatic.
The first time the two teams met was in the 1976 Championship Series. The Royals, in only their eighth season, held off the Oakland A’s for their first Western division crown. The Royals needed a very clutch pitching performance from Larry Gura to win the division. Fueled by brilliant performances by George Brett, Hal McRae, Amos Otis, Dennis Leonard, and Al Fitzmorris, the Royals built a comfortable lead in the division.