Author of the article:
Reuters
John Wathan is retiring after 51 years in professional baseball, including 47 years with the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals announced Wednesday that the 72-year-old Wathan will retire at the end of the season.
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Wathan played catcher for the Royals from 1976-85 and managed the team from 1987-91. He also managed the California Angels for part of the 1992 season before returning to Kansas City as a broadcaster, assistant coach, scout, roving instructor and special assistant to player development.
Wathan batted .262 with 21 homers, 261 RBIs and 105 stolen bases in 860 games. He set a major league record for catchers with 36 stolen bases in 1982 and won a World Series with the Royals in 1985.
He compiled a 326-320 record as a manager, including 39-50 with the Angels in 1992 when he took over after skipper Buck Rodgers was injured in a bus accident.
–Field Level Media
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