1980 American League Championship Series - Aftermath

Aftermath

Dick Howser was fired shortly after the conclusion of the 1980 ALCS. Ironically, Howser would go on to win the 1985 World Series as manager of Kansas City. After losing the 1981 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers (whom they had beaten in consecutive World Series in the 1977 and 1978 after besting the Royals for the American League crown), the Yankees would not again appear in the Fall Classic until winning in 1996 under veteran manager Joe Torre—in a coincidental twist, their best subsequent opportunity prior to 1996 was also during a strike-shortened season: when the 1994 season prematurely ended, the Yankees had the best record in the American League, which was also the second best in baseball.

Four men involved with the 1980 ALCS (Dick Howser, Bobby Murcer, Johnny Oates, and Dan Quisenberry) have died of brain cancer. (Tug McGraw and John Vukovich of the Philadelphia Phillies, who played against the Royals in that year's World Series, also succumbed to the disease, as did Ken Brett, who pitched for Kansas City in the 1980–81 regular seasons.)