Tragic news has struck the Kansas City Royals organization as they announced the firing of manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred just hours after the team finished a disappointing 2022 season with a 65-97 record. This decision marks a significant shift for the franchise, which has struggled since winning the World Series in 2015.
Matheny, who was hired to lead the Royals in 2020, finished his tenure with a record of 165-219 over three seasons. Initially, he was brought on board to oversee a rebuild and to instill a new culture within the organization after the retirement of longtime manager Ned Yost. Despite some progress in his first season and the introduction of young talent, the team failed to live up to expectations in 2022. The Royals were largely out of playoff contention by mid-summer, a reality that prompted the leadership changes
General manager J.J. Picollo, who replaced longtime executive Dayton Moore shortly before the firing, emphasized the need for change within the organization. He stated, “The bottom line here is it’s time for change… There is a gap right now between where we are and where we expected to be”. The decision comes amid a broader reassessment of the Royals’ direction, highlighting the team’s ongoing challenges, particularly in developing pitching talent
Matheny’s dismissal is part of a larger trend in Major League Baseball, with several teams making managerial changes following disappointing seasons. He is the first of several managers to be let go this off-season. The Royals will now begin the search for their fifth manager since 2005, as they hope to find a leader who can guide them back to competitiveness
