Kansas City Sports Bracketology: Top 64 Seasons, Round One, Part Two

Kansas City Chiefs and former Missouri Tigers quarterback Chase Daniel (10) – Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

(4) 2007 Missouri Football  vs. (13) 1981 KC Royals

Chase Daniel and the Missouri Tigers had a heck of a season in 2007. The quarterback led the Tigers to an 12-2 record and victory in the Cotton Bowl.

Mizzou also defeated rival Kansas in the first Border War at Arrowhead Stadium. The game, dubbed “Armageddon at Arrowhead,” featured both teams ranked in the top three and had possible national championship implications.

After Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Co. defeated the Jayhawks 36-28, they earned a date with Oklahoma in the Big 12 Conference championship game. The Tigers were tied at 17 with the Sooners at half, but lost 38-17.

It was the second time they lost to OU this season while beating everyone else on the schedule. Losing in the Big 12 title game caused the Jayhawks, who were 11-1, to leapfrog Mizzou in the bowl picture, eventually defeating Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

Although being relegated to the Cotton Bowl was tough on fans, they took some solace knowing that in defeating KU, they kept the Jayhawks from playing for a chance at the National Championship.

The 1981 MLB season featured a strike and two “halves” of the season. KC was 20-30 in the first half, but 30-23 in the second half and earned a spot in the playoffs during the odd season that allowed any team that finished first in either half to qualify for the postseason.

They were eventually swept by the A’s, but making the playoffs with an overall losing record was an interesting feat in itself. While Brett had his usual great season, leading the team in batting average at .314, first baseman Willie Aikens led the team with 17 homes runs in his second season with the club.

Next: Royals Strike Out