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. Offseason October 26, 1979: Keith Drumright was acquired by the Royals from the Houston Astros to complete an earlier deal (the Astros sent a player to be named later to the Royals for George Throop) made on April 27, 1979. Regular season On September 30, while pitching for the Seattle Mariners against the Royals, Rick Honeycutt taped a thumbtack to his finger to cut the ball. Royals baserunner Willie Wilson spotted the tack from second base. The umpires investigated and not only found the tack, but also a gash in Honeycutt's forehead. Honeycutt was ejected from the game, suspended for 10 games, and fined. Opening Day starters Willie Aikens George Brett Clint Hurdle Pete LaCock Dennis Leonard Hal McRae Jamie Quirk U L Washington Frank White Willie Wilson Season standings Record vs. opponents Notable transactions April 5, 1980: Eduardo Rodríguez was released by the Royals. June 16, 1980: Mark Huismann was signed by the Royals as an amateur free agent. June 17, 1980: Randy McGilberry was traded by the Royals to the New York Mets for Kevin Kobel. August 1980: Keith Drumright was purchased from the Royals by the Chicago Cubs. Roster Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg.