John Wathan, who served as a player, coach, manager, broadcaster, and front office executive in Kansas City from 1971 to 2022, has been elected into the Royals Hall of Fame.
“After 52 years in baseball and 47 with the Royals, I can honestly say I have always bled Royal blue,” Wathan said in a statement. “This is the ultimate honor for living as a Royal all those years. I couldn’t begin to thank everyone involved on this journey with me. It has been a real privilege to be with one organization that long. It is a rare feat and one that I have been so proud of for all these years.”
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Wathan was drafted by the Royals out of the University of San Diego and made his MLB debut in 1976. He quickly became a valuable catcher known for his rare speed. His 36 stolen bases in 1982 are still the single-season MLB record for most steals by a catcher. He helped win a pennant in 1980, hitting .305 and playing all over the field, earning MVP votes. He won a title in 1985, his last season in the big leagues. He retired after ten seasons, having hit .262/.318/.343 with 21 home runs and 105 steals in 860 games. His nickname was “Duke” given to him because of his terrific impersonation of actor John Wayne.
After retiring, Wathan joined the coaching staff the next year, and took over as manager in 1987. He led the team to 92 wins in 1989, the third-most wins in a single season in club history. He managed the team until he was dismissed midway through the 1991 season, with a career record of 287-270 (.515).
After a brief stint coaching and managing the Angels, Wathan joined the Royals broadcasting team in 1996. He later joined the scouting department and became an advisor in the front office. His son Dusty was a catcher with the Royals in 2002 and is now a coach with the Phillies. Another son, Derek, also played in the Royals organization.
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Wathan will be the 32nd player inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame and he will be honored with a ceremony this summer at a date to be announced.
Wathan was not one of the nine names on the ballot presented last December, but under the voting rules, “At the discretion of the Royals Hall of Fame Executive Board a separate Veterans Committee vote will consider the candidacy of non-player personnel and alumni who previously received Royals Hall of Fame Voting (Regular Phase) votes but are no longer eligible for election in that manner.”
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