Royals fire Hillman after disastrous start
Zack Johnson, Reporter
May 24, 2010
Filed under Sports
The Kansas City Royals fired manager Trey Hillman on Thursday. The Royals have a record of 152-207 under Hillman, in just over two years. Former Milwaukee manager Ned Yost will come in to replace Hillman, and will coach the Royals through the rest of the 2010 season.
Hillman was informed of the decision to release him, and was given the option to coach one last game as the Royals’ manager. Hillman is the first Major League Baseball manager to be fired this year. The Royals won Hillman’s final game, 6-4 over the Cleveland Indians.
According to the Kansas City Star, Hillman said that he didn’t hesitate on the opportunity to coach one last game.
“I knew how many games in a row that we’d lost,” Hillman said. “I know how hungry this community is, and ownership and everybody, to see us win. I just wanted to appreciate it, and I’m glad we won.”
Hillman has spent 12 years in the New York Yankees’ organization, and won several manager of the year awards in the minor leagues, then spent five years in Japan. Hillman is known for his ability to work well with young players and possessing good communication skills with his teams.
The decision to fire Hillman came after a dismal 12-23 start in the 2010 season. The Royals have been disastrous so far this year; the bullpen is awful, starting pitchers are struggling, and the offense can’t seem to produce for stars like Zack Greinke, who was win-less through his first seven starts.
Hillman’s replacement, Yost, was the Milwaukee Brewers’ manager from 2003-2008, he was fires late in the 2008 season with an overall record of 457-502. The Royals organization hired Yost, in the winter of last year, as a special advisor for baseball operations.
The Royals organization hopes that the change in management can bring along a string of victories. The next home game will be Friday, May 14 against their division rivals, the Chicago White Sox.
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