Kansas City's Top 10 Sports Victories

Despite many misses, Kansas City has had its share of sports moments. Here are the Top 10 sports moments in Kansas City history. Again, this includes the college teams. Again, it’s pity that MU isn’t more prominent in this list.

10. Chiefs defeat Oilers in 1994 Playoffs

Going into the 1994 NFL Playoffs, the Houston Oilers were probably the AFC favorite to advance to the Super Bowl. They won 12 consecutive games coming into the playoffs and did not appear they would slow down anytime soon, especially after jumping up 10-0. But with Joe Montana at the helm, the Chiefs came back and won 28-20. A week later, they lose at Buffalo, falling one game shy of the Super Bowl. It was the last playoff victory for both Marty Schottenheimer and the Kansas City Chiefs. Who knew?

9. Wildcats defeat Sooners in 2003 Big XII Championship

Five years after experiencing major heartbreak in the Big XII Championship Game, the Wildcats earn a similar upset by blowing out Oklahoma 35-7. The world was introduced to Darren Sproles and the Wildcats earned their first Big XII Championship under Bill Snyder. Snyder, who took over the program when it was arguably the worse in the nation, took KSU one game away from the national title and earned the school’s first conference title in forever. The Wildcats would go on to lose to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl a few weeks later.

8. Chiefs defeat Raiders in 1970 AFL Championship Game

This one was history. While it wasn’t the first AFL title won by the Chiefs, it was very significant. It turned out this was the final AFL game before the merge, and it was a victory over the Oakland Raiders, the Chiefs fiercest rival. The Raiders-Chiefs were playing for the arguably the status as the team of the league. The Chiefs won the game and would win the Super Bowl by knocking off the Vikings. Of course, it was the Chiefs only title in their franchise history.

7. Tigers defeat Jayhawks in Arrowhead Armageddon

Entering the game, it was clear the winner of this game would be the #1 ranked team in the country. #1 LSU lost on Friday, and KU entered #2 while the Tigers entered Arrowhead #3. It was by far the biggest game in the football portion of the Border War rivalry. It was a playoff or championship atmosphere at the same was arguably Kansas City’s biggest story in 2007. Both teams had arguably their greatest seasons in school history and were in prime contention to win. Having the game at Arrowhead made it more spectacular. Oh, and Carl Peterson, how does it feel having a college game as the most important game in Arrowhead Stadium history?

6. Royals defeat Cardinals in Game 6 in 1985 World Series

While everyone remembers 11-0, the Royals had to get to Game 7 first. Entering the 9th inning down 1-0, it appeared it would be more heartbreaking failure for the Royals in the playoffs. But instead, break after break went the Royals way. Yes, Cardinal fans, Denkinger blew the call. No doubt about that. But do you people remember a certain pop-fly that would have been an out but wasn’t? How about a wild pitch? Oh yeah, and you guys had this game called Game 7 and urinated down your pants. Since the Royals became a franchise, the two teams are tied with one World Series victory each. Deal with it, St. Louis. I know you guys won a bajillion World Series years ago, but not too many lately. Deal with it.

5. KU wins 1988 National Championship over Oklahoma.

Gag. I have to do it. Danny Manning and Larry Brown carry a team of four guys who many have probably forgotten to the national championship. The team knocks off Kansas State, Duke and Oklahoma to win the national championship in one of the least likely runs in NCAA tournament history. Bonus points for this game happening in Kansas City.

4. George Brett takes Goose Gossage Deep in 1980 ALCS

A little context here. The Yankees had absolutely ripped the hearts out of the Kansas City Royals and their fans in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Three years of heartbreak in a row due to the Evil Empire in New York. Whether it was Chris Chambliss going deep in 1976 or the Royals melting in the top of the ninth in 1977, there was heartbreak and frustration all over. Most of that ended when George Brett took a ball deep into the New York night into Yankee Stadium’s upper deck to clinch the 1980 ALCS. From then, the Royals would lose to a team from another jerk city – Philadelphia.

3. KU wins 2008 National Championship over Memphis.

Gag II. Oh well. I have this one ranked ahead of 1988 because of the nature of the game. KU looked absolutely dead until Mario Chalmers hits the shot of the decade to tie the game at 63. The shot will hopefully replace Tyus Edney when it comes to highlights CBS uses for the tournament. The Jayhawks dominated overtime. The run was also more fulfilling as it completed a 37-3 season, including a victory of Roy Williams in the Final Four. The Jayhawks exorcised all of their demons this tournament and have a very bright future under Bill Self. Darn it.

2. Royals win 1985 World Series

After a thrilling Game 6 victory, the Royals pound the Cardinals 11-0 in the World Series to win their first championship. Bret Saberhagen pitched like God in that series and the Royals pitching dominated throughout the series. The Royals also played great defense and had some clutch moments in both Game 6 and Game 7. The only dark cloud was watching Whitey Herzog, a former manager of the Royals, lose since he was the Cardinals manager that season.

1. Chiefs win Super Bowl IV

I place this number one for various reasons, most notably: It was Kansas City’s first professional championship. The Kansas City Athletics had left town and the Chiefs had just arrived a number of years earlier. After losing to Lombardi’s great Packer team in Super Bowl I, the Chiefs would prevail three years later and win Kansas City’s first championship. Another reason: no matter how bad they’ve been the past few years, the city is still a football town. Period. Arrowhead will probably be sold out because of the youth movement and 80,000 will be screaming as JaMarcus Russell leads the Raiders into town in September to open up the season.


Just missing the cut:

• KU knocks off North Carolina, Roy Williams in 2008 Final Four
• Missouri knocks off Nebraska in 2003
• K-State knocks off Nebraska in 1998
• Kansas City wins its last playoff game at home in 1994 against Pittsburgh
• Royals win 1985 ALCS in Toronto
• Chiefs defeat Buffalo in 1966 AFL Championship Game
• KU wins 1952 National Championship