1984 American League Championship Series

The 1984 American League Championship Series matched the East Division champion Detroit Tigers against the West Division champion Kansas City Royals. The Tigers prevailed three games to none, to advance to the 1984 World Series against the San Diego Padres.

(Note: Due to a strike by major league umpires, the series was played using local and collegiate umpires, with former AL umpire and league supervisor Deegan working home plate for all three games.)

Background
The 1984 American League Championship Series would prove to be no contest for the Detroit Tigers. It wasn't that surprising given the fact the Kansas City Royals won twenty fewer games during the season and had won the AL West by a mere three games over both the California Angels and Minnesota Twins.

Game 1
Tuesday, October 2, 1984 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri

Game 1 was a blowout in Kansas City, as Jack Morris pitched seven innings and allowed a single run, with Willie Hernández pitching the final two innings. The Tigers scored eight runs. Alan Trammell hit a triple and a home run for three RBIs, and Larry Herndon and Lance Parrish also hit home runs for Detroit.

Game 2
Wednesday, October 3, 1984 at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri

The Tigers took Game 2 in extra innings by a 5–3 score. Kirk Gibson doubled to drive in Lou Whitaker in the first inning and hit a home run in the third. Dan Petry pitched seven innings and gave up two runs, but lost his chance at a win when Willie Hernández surrendered the tying run in the eighth inning. Detroit's "Senor Smoke", Aurelio López, held the Royals scoreless in the ninth, tenth and eleventh innings for the win. Johnny Grubb hit a double off Dan Quisenberry in the eleventh inning to drive in Darrell Evans and Ruppert Jones.

Game 3
Friday, October 5, 1984 at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan

Game 3 was a pitching duel between Milt Wilcox and Charlie Leibrandt. Leibrandt pitched a complete game, allowing only one run and three hits, while Milt Wilcox gave up two hits and struck out eight Royals with Willie Hernández pitching the ninth inning for the save. Marty Castillo grounded out to drive in Chet Lemon for the only run of the game, as the Tigers completed a three-game sweep and advanced the World Series.

Had the ALCS gone the full five games, Game 5 on Sunday October 7, would have been a 1 p.m. ET time start instead of being in prime time. This would have happened because one of the presidential debates between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale was scheduled for that night. In return, ABC was going to broadcast the debates instead of a baseball game in prime time.

Composite box
1984 ALCS (3–0): Detroit Tigers over Kansas City Royals