1980 Kansas City Royals season

1980 Kansas City Royals
American League Champions
American League West Champions
LeagueAmerican League
DivisionWest
BallparkRoyals Stadium
CityKansas City, Missouri
Record97–65 (.599)
Divisional place1st
OwnersEwing Kauffman
General managersJoe Burke
ManagersJim Frey (first season)
TelevisionWDAF-TV 4
(Al Wisk, Denny Trease)
RadioWIBW–AM 580
KMBZ–AM 980
(Denny Matthews, Fred White)
← 1979 Seasons 1981 →

The 1980 Kansas City Royals season was their 12th in Major League Baseball. The Royals, under new manager Jim Frey, finished first in the American League West with a record of 97–65. Kansas City finally broke through in the postseason, sweeping the New York Yankees 3-0 in the 1980 American League Championship Series after falling to the Yankees in the ALCS in 1976, 1977 and 1978. The Royals lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the World Series.

George Brett had one of the best seasons in Major League Baseball history. Brett became the first Royals player to win a Most Valuable Player award, and his league-leading .390 batting average was the highest in the majors since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. Brett also led the team in home runs (24) and set a single-season franchise record with 118 runs batted in.