KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Royals have brought back Ned Yost as a senior adviser to general manager J.J. Picollo, welcoming the manager who guided them to back-to-back American League pennants and a World Series title in 2015.
The announcement was made Tuesday, just a day before pitchers and catchers were set to report for spring training.
“My love for the Royals, Kansas City, and its people has never faded,” said Yost, 69, who retired after the 2019 season. “I want to help because I know I can. I understand what it takes to build a world championship team, and I believe we’re close. Really close.”
After a tough 106-loss season just two years ago, the Royals improved to an 86-76 record last year, with young star Bobby Witt Jr. rising as a standout talent and a revamped pitching rotation producing two All-Star pitchers. The team secured an AL wild card and reached the divisional round before falling to the New York Yankees in four games.
Yost was hired as the Royals’ manager on May 13, 2010, and went on to record a franchise-best 746 wins. He was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame during a ceremony on September 2, 2023.
“Ned’s leadership helped create some of the greatest moments in Royals history, and our fans remember that,” said Picollo. “He knows what it takes to win a World Series here because he’s done it, and his experience with both leadership and developing young players will guide us in making better decisions as we aim for another championship.”
