Entire Royals coaching staff to be back in 2015
Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore told the media Wednesday that the team's entire coaching staff will return next season, according to Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star.
Moore said the team has re-signed first base coach Rusty Kuntz, who joins manager Ned Yost, hitting coach Dale Sveum, pitching coach Dave Eiland, third base coach Mike Jirschele, bench coach Don Wakamatsu, bullpen coach Doug Henry and catching coach Pedro Grifol as those who will be back.
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In 2014, the Royals reached the postseason for the first time since 1985 and Yost became the first manager in history to win his first eight playoff games. They won the AL pennant before losing in seven games to the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.
On Tuesday, Yost was named as a finalist for AL Manager of the Year, something he said is "nice" but doesn't believe he will win, according to McCullough. Voting ballots are submitted before the postseason begins.
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Yost has been managing Kansas City since 2010 and is signed through next season. 2014 was Wakamatsu's, Jirschele's and Sveum's first season as Royals coaches. Eiland has been with the team since 2011 and Kuntz since 2012.
- Molly Geary