Royals exercise team option on manager Mike Matheny's contract for 2023 season

Following a 13-year playing career that included four Gold Gloves and ended in 2006, Matheny earned his first managerial gig with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. The former backstop got the Cards to within one game of the World Series that year before making it to the championship round in 2013.

St. Louis fell to the Boston Red Sox in the 2013 World Series in six games though, and while Matheny led the Cardinals to division crowns in 2014 and 2015, they didn't make another World Series appearance during his tenure. The Columbus, Ohio native was fired by the organization in July 2018 after the team started the campaign 47-46.

After the retirement of Ned Yost, the Royals hired Matheny as their manager in October 2019. He guided Kansas City to a 26-34 record during the pandemic-altered 2020 season and a 74-88 mark in 2021.

Matheny has a career managerial record of 691-596 (.537 winning percentage) and is 21-22 over four postseason appearances.

"Mike is one of the finest leaders I've been around and the Royals are fortunate to have him managing our team," Royals president Dayton Moore said in a statement. "He is a tremendous competitor who cares deeply about players, the Kansas City community and this great game of baseball."