1985 World Series Game 1: A Classic Showdown Between the Royals and Cardinals
The 1985 World Series was a thrilling seven-game series between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. The first game, played on October 19, 1985, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, set the stage for an intense and memorable series.
Starting Lineups and Pitching Matchup
The Cardinals, led by manager Whitey Herzog, sent veteran pitcher John Tudor to the mound. Tudor had a stellar 21-8 record during the regular season. The Royals, managed by Dick Howser, countered with 24-game winner Bret Saberhagen. The starting lineups were as follows:
| St. Louis Cardinals | Kansas City Royals |
|---|---|
| Ozzie Smith (SS), Tommy Herr (2B), Willie McGee (CF), Jack Clark (1B), George Hendrick (RF), Lonnie Smith (LF), Darrell Porter (C), Terry Pendleton (3B), John Tudor (P) | Lance Blankenship (CF), Frank White (2B), George Brett (3B), Hal McRae (LF), John Wathan (C), Willie Wilson (RF), Danny Tartabull (1B), Onix Concepcion (SS), Bret Saberhagen (P) |
Game Action
The game got off to a slow start, with both pitchers dominating the opposing lineups. The Royals broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning when George Brett hit a solo home run to left field, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals answered back in the bottom of the sixth when Ozzie Smith scored on a sacrifice fly by Jack Clark, tying the game at 1-1.
The game remained tied until the top of the ninth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, pinch-hitter Jim Sundberg hit a sharp grounder to third base. Terry Pendleton's throw to first base was off the mark, allowing the go-ahead run to score. The Royals led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Saberhagen, who had pitched a complete game in the ALCS clincher, was still on the mound for the Royals. He retired the first two batters in the ninth but walked pinch-hitter Steve Braun. Ozzie Smith then hit a sharp grounder to third base, but George Brett's throw to first base was wide, allowing the tying run to score. The game was tied 2-2, and the Cardinals had new life.
Extra Innings and the Walk-Off Winner
The game went into extra innings, with both teams' bullpens taking the mound. In the top of the tenth, the Royals loaded the bases with no outs. Hal McRae hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Jorge Orta and giving the Royals a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the tenth, the Cardinals threatened with runners on first and second with one out. But Saberhagen, who had already thrown 187 pitches, induced a groundout and a fly out to end the game and give the Royals a 3-2 victory.
The 1985 World Series Game 1 was a classic pitchers' duel that featured clutch hitting and dramatic moments. The Royals' victory gave them a 1-0 series lead, but the Cardinals would bounce back to win the next two games at home. The series would ultimately go the distance, with the Royals winning the seventh game in dramatic fashion to capture their first World Series title.
