MLB

Aikens: Royals Success of 2024 Resembles Pennant Winning Club of 1980

The former Royals slugger is hoping for a repeat of the team’s past postseason glory as Kansas City returns to the playoffs in 2024.
Aikens: Royals Success of 2024 Resembles Pennant Winning Club of 1980
Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals turns a double play on a ball hit by José Tena #8 of the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Nationals Park in Washington, DC on September 24, 2024. Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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It’s in the record books. On Friday evening the Kansas City Royals qualified for MLB postseason play for the first time since the 2015 season. One of the franchise’s all-time best, Willie Mays Aikens, is feeling like a proud father.

What a great story for the Royals getting to extend their season into October. With the club going home after the 2023 season with an embarrassing 56–106 record and turning things around to the tune of 85–75, with two games left on the schedule just a season later, this is exhilarating news for all of MLB.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.