The Kansas City Royals made a terrific choice on Sunday for their new manager. Bethlehem Central High School graduate Matt Quatraro will take the reins of the Major League Baseball franchise, taking over for Mike Matheny, who was fired after a disappointing season. New Royals executive vice president and general manager, J.J. Picollo tabbed Quatraro on Sunday to guide his team to reach their potential.

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Matt Quatraro brings a wealth of small-market, winning experience to Kansas City. The 48 year-old served as the assistant hitting coach for Terry Francona on Cleveland, when the then-Indians went to the World Series in 2016. Quatraro returned to the Fall Classic in 2020, as the bench coach for the Tampa Bay Rays. Matt has served as Kevin Cash's right-hand bench coach in Tampa Bay since 2018. The Bethlehem native was a finalist for the New York Mets job in 2021 with the job eventually going to Buck Showalter.

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Quatraro will have his work cut-out for him in Kansas City. This is a small-market franchise that expects to win. In 2015 they beat the New York Mets in five games to win their second World Series championship in their 53-year franchise history. Shortstop, Bobby Witt, Jr., catcher MJ Melendez and right-handed pitcher Brady Singer are among the young stars that ownership believes should be playing winning baseball. The Royals fired long-time team president Dayton Moore in mid-September. Manager Pat Matheny was let go weeks later by Moore's replacement, J.J. Picollo.

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I can tell you first-hand Matt Quatraro is a terrific person and relates to people extremely well. He was an assistant coach with UAlbany baseball for a few years while I was there and has been nice enough to appear on The Drive with Charlie & Dan several times. Matt always provides well thought-out, intelligent answers. I have watched Quatraro work with scores of youth baseball players, always treating them with respect and teaching them a true love for the game. Matt will work as hard as anyone to get the most out of his team. The Royals just gained plenty fans with this hire. Good luck Matt!

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