Top Five Kansas City Royals Managers Of All-Time
By Mike Norris
Manager John Wathan #12 of the Kansas City Royals (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Record: 287-270
Division titles: 0
Playoff appearances: 0
Playoff record: 0-0
World Series appearances/wins: 0/0
Like McRae, John Wathan never won a division title or took the Royals to the playoffs, but he still was one of the more successful skippers the team has had.
Jim Frey is the only KC manager to take the team to the playoffs and not make this list, but he managed just two seasons, and couldn’t win a World Series with what was arguably the best team in the Major Leagues in 1980.
Wathan showed great consistency with the team, finishing under .500 only once in five seasons (although he did not finish out the 1991 season as manger).
He had a nearly identical record as McRae, but in his worst season the Royals still won 75 games.
For some KC managers, that would get them an extension.
Despite having Cy Young winner Brett Saberhagen, Wathan and the Royals finished seven games out in the AL West with 92 wins in 1989.
The closest his teams came to the playoffs was in his first year in 1987, when KC finished two games behind eventual World Series Champion Minnesota.
Wathan was fired 37 games in to the 1991 season with the team holding a 15-22 mark. In a statement issues by the Royals, he said he wished the team success.
"“I have always wanted what is best for the organization,” he said after being fired. “I hope whoever comes in to manage will be successful and turn it around. I think it is a good club and will grow in the future, and I hope everyone will be patient with the new manager.”"
That new manager would be McRae.
Next: Number 3