Changes to the Kansas City Royals promised by owner John Sherman hit hyperdrive following the end of the 2022 season, as Manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred were fired. Coming into the season, Matheny had earned a contract extension, as the development of the team’s young pitching and arrival of rookie Bobby Witt Jr. had hopes of a Royals surge to contention. However, poor pitching and struggles of young position players led to a long season at Kauffman Stadium, leading to the late summer firing of long-time executive Dayton Moore.
Leading the Royals into 2023 will be general manager J.J. Picollo, charged with finding leadership to guide the franchise back into the postseason since 2015, when back-to-back World Series appearances led to a championship in five games over the New York Mets.
In his time with Kansas City, Matheny will finish with a record of 165-219. He is now the fifth manager to be fired in 2022. Two other managers will not return in 2023, as Chicago’s Tony LaRussa, citing healthy concerns, is retiring, and Miami’s Don Mattingly announced in September that he will not return to the Marlins next year.