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 Brett, who is now Kansas City's executive vice president of
baseball operations, played a key role on the 1985 Royals team that
won the World Series. Until the 2014 Royals defeated the Chicago
White Sox 3-1 on Friday night, that was the last team to enjoy one
of the champagne showers that come with clinching a playoff spot.
A span of 29 years without playoffs was finally broken and Brett
looked relieved.
"You can't blame them," he said, pointing to the current Royals.
"Blame me. Blame somebody else. Don't blame them. They played their
(butts) off. They played their (butts) off and they deserve all the
accolades they're going to get. One thing that I told some of the
guys is, 'it's a good year. Let's make it a great year. Let's not be
happy with a good year. Let's make it a great year.'"
Kansas City (88-72) is also alive in the chase for the American
League Central Division title thanks to a loss by the Detroit Tigers
on Friday that leaves the Royals one game back with two left to
play. They also maintained a one-game lead over the Oakland
Athletics for the AL's top wild card, which would assure Kansas City
of hosting the wild-card game Tuesday should they not win the
division.
"Where we're at right now is a good place," said left-hander Danny
Duffy, who will start the third game of this series Saturday. "It's
a very secure spot in the postseason, but there's more to be had.
So, what we're trying to do is get the most out of these last two
(games). We're going to have some fun tonight. I'm going to go home
to the hotel and be in bed by 11, but there's more celebrations to
be had. We've got to keep working toward that."
It didn't take them long to start their work Friday night.
The Royals scored three times in the first inning and that's all the
offense they needed. Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie stated and made
sure the Royals punched their playoff ticket by throwing another
strong outing against the White Sox (72-88).
Guthrie (13-11), who reached the 200-inning plateau in the fifth
inning, earned the win by pitching seven scoreless innings, striking
out six and scattering four hits.
"We were ready," Guthrie said. "We came out early, got the three
runs and they held up ... team effort."
Coming into the game, Guthrie was 6-3 with a 2.67 ERA against the
White Sox as a Royals pitcher. This was also his 10th quality start
in 14 outings for Kansas City against Chicago's AL franchise.
Right-handed closer Greg Holland pitched the ninth for his 46th save
and right-hander Wade Davis took care of the eighth, allowing a run
on two hits and striking out three.
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"It's special for them," said retiring White Sox first baseman Paul
Konerko, who went 0-for-4 in his first action of the series. "They
are the first team in a long time that has made the playoffs for
them, so they should be proud of it. This has kind of been a few
years in the making with that group over there. Just congratulations
to them."
Shortstop Alcides Escobar scored the game's first run just two
batters into the game off Chicago right-hander Hector Noesi (8-12),
who took the loss. Shortstop Alexei Ramirez went 1-for-4 and led the
White Sox by driving in their lone run with a single in the eighth
off Davis to follow a lead-off triple by center fielder Adam Eaton.
Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain went 1-for-4, scored a run and
extended his hitting streak to eight games, while first baseman Eric
Hosmer went 0-for-3 and had his seven-game streak snapped.
"It was great being in that position, knowing if we win we're in,"
Guthrie said. "You tip your cap to (Chicago). It was a special day
to compete against Paulie Konerko. I was happy to have that
opportunity, as much as he's meant to these White Sox. We went up
against a team that's given us a run all season long and we were
able to pull it out."
NOTES: White Sox RF Avisail Garcia didn't start Friday after leaving
the game on Thursday against the Royals in the second inning because
of stiffness in his lower back. Manager Robin Ventura expects Garcia
to get back in the lineup Saturday. "He was pushing to be in there
tonight, but I didn't think it was a good idea," Ventura said. "He's
shooting for (Saturday)." ... White Sox RHP Nate Jones (Tommy John
surgery) said he's scheduled to start throwing again the week before
Thanksgiving and plans to pitch next season. ... Ventura was asked
if he'd ever clinched a trip to the playoffs on an opponent's field
as a player. "Yeah, I have," he said. "It is weird. It's like a
silent movie. There are only a few people cheering for you. It still
doesn't change your emotions." ... The Royals still had no update on
INF Christian Colon (fractured right middle finger), who is supposed
to be playing instructional league games in Arizona to test his
finger. If he's healthy enough to play, Colon could factor into the
Royals' plans should they qualify for the postseason.
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