Coming off their historic comeback in the American League Championship Series, the Royals would now face a team that they often aspired to be - their cross state rival the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals had been a model franchise for years, having previously won nine World Series titles. The 1985 Cards had vanquished the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Champioship Series in six games and were anxious to face the Royals.
There were numerous story lines for the series. Among them:
· Royals manager Dick Howser had broken in as second baseman playing for the Kansas City Athletics in 1961.