Call to the pen
Fansided

25 Most Memorable MLB Postseason Moments

By Neil Harrington

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MLB Postseason
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 01: The Kansas City Royals Franchise Four, Janie Quisenberry (widow of Dan Quisenberry), Frank White, Bret Saberhagen, and George Brett, throw out the first pitch prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium on September 1, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

6. The Kansas Royals defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in controversial fashion

MLB Postseason Moment: 1985 World Series Game 6. Kansas City Royals at the St. Louis Cardinals.

Why It’s Memorable:  The Cardinals were about to put the finishing touches on their second World Series title in three seasons when Don Denkinger made one of the most memorable MLB  Postseason, or regular season, umpiring blunders to this day.

A weak ground ball to first base and a flip to first would have been the first out of the inning for the Cardinals, who were just three outs away from winning it all.

Royals Jorge Orta clearly got to the bag after Cardinals closer Todd Worrell, but Denkinger said: “Safe! Safe.” This set off a chain reaction with the Royals ultimately winning the game, leaving the Cardinals reeling, who didn’t bother showing up for game seven.

The Royals won the rubber match game 11-0, behind the arm of Brett Saberhagen, and the hot bats of their determined lineup.

Don’t bring up 1985 to St. Louis Cardinals fans, even though it’s over 30 years since the missed call, where there is still a bitter taste of Royal blue — and umpire blue as well — in the mouths of fans.

We were hoping for a rematch of that the past couple of seasons, but the Cardinals didn’t do their part in 2014 or 2015 to join the Royals for a rematch of the I-75 World Series. Two years later, the Cardinals suffered another game seven World Series defeat, at the hands of the Minnesota Twins.

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