New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals: A Historic Rivalry

Introduction

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball (MLB). Their rivalry dates back to the early days of the American League, and has been marked by some of the most memorable moments in baseball history.

Early History

The Yankees and Royals first met in 1969, the year the Royals joined the AL as an expansion team. The Yankees won the first meeting, 5-2, at Yankee Stadium. The two teams would meet again in the AL Championship Series (ALCS) in 1980, with the Royals winning in four games.

The Pine Tar Incident

One of the most famous moments in the Yankees-Royals rivalry occurred in the 1985 ALCS. In Game 6, the Royals were leading 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly was called out at first base for having pine tar on his bat. The Royals went on to win the game and the ALCS, and the incident remains a controversial topic to this day.

Recent History

The Yankees and Royals have met in the playoffs several times in recent years, including the 2015 AL Wild Card Game and the 2017 ALDS. The Yankees have won all of these meetings, but the Royals remain a competitive team and always pose a threat to the Yankees' success.

Key Players

Some of the most famous players in Yankees-Royals history include: * Yankees: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter * Royals: George Brett, Frank White, Bo Jackson, Salvador Perez

Memorable Moments

In addition to the Pine Tar Incident, there have been many other memorable moments in the Yankees-Royals rivalry, including: * The Royals' "Cinderella" season in 1985, when they won the World Series as a wild-card team. * The Yankees' comeback victory in Game 6 of the 2000 ALCS, when they rallied from a 4-0 deficit to win. * The Royals' sweep of the Yankees in the 2015 AL Wild Card Game.

Conclusion

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals are two of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball. Their rivalry is one of the most intense and passionate in the sport, and it has produced some of the most memorable moments in baseball history.