The Royals have fired hitting coach Lamar Johnson. H e was the only member of the staff who was not asked to return next season. The Royals were hot at times, but not consistent. They finished 16th out of 30 teams in runs scored with 4.5 per game. Their .256 batting average was 21st in the majors. Jeff Pentland, who was the Cubs hitting coach for five and a half seasons, has replaced Johnson. Kansas City suffered its worst season ever by compiling a record of 62-100 in 2002
