When it came to the search for the next manager of the Royals, they insisted they performed due diligence, but don’t kid yourself. This was a fait accompli.
Mike Matheny has been in the Royals organization for exactly one year. He spent the summer visiting the minors, taking online analytics courses, scouting for the draft, working with a media coach, and kibitzing with Rusty Kuntz. He deeply immersed himself in the Royals culture so when the opportunity came, he would be ready.
We can debate whether or not Matheny or Dayton Moore thought that time would come so soon, but make no mistake, the Royals’ managerial job was Matheny’s from the moment he walked into the front office a year ago.