KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred were fired by the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, shortly after the floundering franchise finished the season 65-97 after a 9-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
The Royals exercised the option in Matheny’s contract to continue to have him through 2023 during spring training, when the club hoped to improve from mere entrant to title contender.
But plagued by poor pitching, struggling young position players and a rather mediocre group of veterans, the Royals fell out of playoff contention in midsummer.
Disappointing on-field product led owner John Sherman last month to fire Dayton Moore, chief executive officer and architect of the back-to-back American League champions and 2015 World Series champions.
Sherman was replaced by JJ Picollo, his longtime protégé, who made the decision to fire Matheny hours after the season ended.
“Managing the Royals has been a true privilege,” Matheny said in a statement. “I am grateful to many, primarily Dayton Moore and the coaches and players I worked with. I would like to thank Mr. John Sherman and the ownership group for the opportunity to manage his team and everyone involved in this great organization.
“I came to the Royals knowing they were an organization of excellence and care, and they showed me that care every day. Royals fans should be excited for the group of players and I look forward to seeing their continued development.”
Matheny spent parts of seven seasons managing the St. Louis Cardinals, finishing each with a winning record and winning the National League pennant in 2013. But after his firing in mid-2018, he was hired by the Royals in a role of consultant.
He was then tasked with succeeding Ned Yost, who was the longtime manager until he retired prior to the 2020 season.
Charged with rebuilding work, Matheny went 26-34 during the COVID-19-shortened season, his first year. He seemed to make some progress last season, when the Royals with young prospects went 74-88.
The expectation was to take another step forward this season, but instead the Royals spent September trying not to get to 100 losses.
Matheny finished his time with the Royals 165-219, but the number that may be more important in the future of the team is 29, the number of players who made their major league debuts during his tenure.
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KC fires pilot Mike Matheny and coach Cal Eldred