Wed 48 years ago when Royals met Yankees in ’76 playoffs, couple celebrates at The K

Verlee and Don Gilkerson of Kearny, Missouri, have a very good reason for remembering Oct 9, 1976, the day that Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees went head-to-head in Game 1 of the American League playoffs.

It was their wedding day, 48 years ago.

Last time, Don, now 71, was in his tux watching the game at home just before the wedding commenced.

Verlee, 69, had already heard that, because of the game, some guests were saying they might now show up at the Blue Ridge Methodist Church.

On Wednesday, the Gilkersons were the ones who didn’t want to miss the game.

“The wedding was during the game,” Don said.

“It was a Saturday,” said Verlee, a lifetime Royals fan. “My grandfather raised me as an A’s fan. When the A’s left and the Royals came, it was the Royals.”

In 2014, they watched the Royals play in the postseason. Couldn’t afford the tickets in 2015. They were snapped up too fast, Verlee said.

This time they were determined to return. When the Royals beat the Baltimore Orioles in the wild-card series, Verlee wondered.

“I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if they were here on October 9th? Because they were here on our wedding day.’ The minute I found out, I’m calling him and saying, ‘Get the tickets. Get the tickets. You have got to get the tickets.’ It was serendipity.

“Forty-eight years later, it’s October 9th, the same team, everything.”

Except, as the Gilkersons rightly remember, that was the championship series. The Yankees won 4-1, and went on to win the American League pennant in five games.

“But we’re here,” this time, Verlee said. It’s the anniversary gift they hope for. “Big W. Big W.”