After almost five seasons of losing, the Royals fired manager Tony Muser late last night. The team’s 8-15 record this season was not good enough for Muser to keep his job. He took over for fired Bob Boone after the All-Star Break in 1997. In that time Muser compiled a record of 317-431, setting a franchise record for losses by a manager. Kansas City failed to achieve a winning record in that time. In fact, in ’99 and ’01 the Royals lost 97 games, also a franchise record. Most frustrating to Royals fans had to be the teams record in close affairs. Kansas City was 69-115 in one-run games under Muser. He became the fourth manager to be axed this April, setting a Major League record. The Royals haven’t announced Muser’s replacement, though many believe it will be Bucky Dent, who’s currently managing their Triple-A team in Omaha…….Before Tony Muser was fired, he was kicked out. Muser was ejected in the Royals 4-0 win over the Tigers. Jeff Suppan pitched a complete game 2-hit shutout. The game was scoreless until Carlos Febles scored on Jeff Weaver’s wild pitch in the eighth inning. Febles, Joe Randa, and Donnie Sadler all drove in runs in the ninth.
