CHICAGO -- The mob arrived as soon as Salvador Perez squeezed that final foul popup, officially bringing Kansas City's playoff drought to an end.

Yes, the Royals are going back to the postseason.

Kansas City clinched a playoff spot Friday night for the first time in 29 years, beating the Chicago White Sox 3-1 behind seven scoreless innings from Jeremy Guthrie.

Editor's Picks More from ESPN.com Champagne was intentionally spilled on Kansas City Royals uniforms Friday for the first time in nearly three decades, Doug Padilla writes.

More from ESPN.com The Royals ended the longest active postseason drought in the four top North American leagues, and they did so with a unique offensive profile. 1 Related

Kansas City secured at least a wild card spot and ended the longest active postseason drought among the major North American sports leagues. The last time the Royals made it to the playoffs, George Brett led Kansas City to a World Series victory over St. Louis in 1985.

"It feels better than expected," said Billy Butler, a 2004 draft pick and eight-year veteran. "It's a great thing. I'm proud to bring this organization something they envisioned when they drafted me."

Small-market Kansas City endured more than its share of losing in recent years. But it contended into September last season and kicked down the playoff door on Friday.

The Royals crowded around Perez near the plate after he caught Michael Taylor's foulout.

A large contingent of Kansas City fans crowded near the visitors dugout, watching the party, and players tossed black and white playoff caps to them before walking off the field.

The clubhouse was as chaotic as expected, with players dousing each other with bubbly and snapping pictures, whooping it up as the franchise's years of losing gave way to pure joy.

As the scene unfolded, Brett stood nearby with a bottle in one hand and a cup in the other, doing his best not to get drenched.

"I got tired of the people criticizing the players on this team because they hadn't won a World Series since 1985," he said. "Ninety-five percent of these ... guys weren't even born in '85. It's not their fault. These guys played their [butts] off all year."