The KC Royals had quick success for an expansion team finishing with a winning record and second-place finish in just their third season. By 1976, they won the American League West and made their first playoff appearance.
They would repeat finishing on top in their division two more years in a row. Each time they squared off against the Yankees for the American League pennant. Every year they would be turned away from the World Series and this easily established a strong rivalry between the two clubs.
After losing the division by three games in 1979, the Royals rallied to once again fight for a trip to the World Series in 1980.