Royals fire Mike Matheny after 3 seasons

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The Kansas City Royals fired manager Mike Matheny on Wednesday as he completed his third season with the organization.

The Royals dropped the final game of the season to the American League Central division-champion Cleveland Guardians 9-2. The team also fired pitching coach Cal Eldred.

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Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny answers questions before the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros on June 5, 2022, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)

Kansas City had initially exercised Matheny’s option for the 2023 season hoping it would have ended up better than 65 wins during the regular season.

"We are grateful to Mike for leading us through some unusual times these last three seasons," Royals vice president/general manager J.J. Picollo said in a news release. "He met those challenges head on and helped us move forward in a positive manner. We thank him for his leadership and know his influence will have a positive impact moving forward."

Matheny joined the Royals’ dugout ahead of the 2020 season but did not get to manage the team until the middle of the summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. Even with the expanded playoffs at the time, Kansas City failed to get to the postseason as they put together a 26-34 record.

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Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny watches the team play against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning of a baseball game Sept. 3, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez, File)

The Royals won 74 games in 2021, marking the highest total during his tenure. He