Yost bringing entire KC coaching staff with him to All-Star Game
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Royals manager Ned Yost named Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon and Houston skipper A.J. Hinch to his All-Star Game staff Thursday morning.
Yost will manage the American League All-Stars on July 14 due to Kansas City's 2014 AL championship. The rest of the Royals' coaching staff -- pitching coach Dave Eiland, hitting coach Dale Sveum, first-base coach Rusty Kuntz, third-base coach Mike Jirschele, bullpen coach Doug Henry, catching coach Pedro Grifol and bench coach Don Wakamatsu -- will also join Yost in Cincinnati.
McClendon's Mariners entered Thursday 24-29 and in fourth place in the AL West. Hinch's Astros have been one of the biggest surprises of the season so far, leading their division by six games and owning a 34-20 record.
"I thought it'd be cool for Lloyd because he came up in Cincinnati as a player," Yost said. "He jumped at the chance when I asked him. A.J. Hinch, this kind of celebrates their great start they’re having over there."
Kansas City should also be well represented by players. In the latest AL ballot update, five Royals were slated to start: catcher Salvador Perez, shortstop Alcides Escobar, third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon.
First baseman Eric Hosmer, second baseman Omar Infante and designated hitter Kendrys Morales are each second in votes at their respective positions. Outfielder Alex Rios is fifth.
BUY A BRICK
Fans can once again purchase bricks to be displayed in front of Kauffman Stadium. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Royals Charities and the bricks will be installed prior to Opening Day 2016.
Fans can choose from two different brick sizes -- four by eight inches or eight by eight -- with the larger size able to accommodate either an AL championship logo or the classic interlocking "KC" emblem. They can be purchased at royals.com/bricks and prices range from $95 to $185.
GORDON'S APPEARANCE
Alex Gordon will be at the Olathe Hy-Vee on 151st Street on Friday as part of his work with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). ALSF raises money for childhood cancer research. Gordon will appear from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
