September 3: Quatraro attended a memorial service after the passing of his mother Dorann Stagnitta at age 84, reports Jaylon Thompson of the Kansas City Star. He is expected to return to the team before tomorrow’s game against the Guardians. MLBTR sends our condolences and best wishes to Quatraro and his family.
September 2: The Royals announced this morning that manager Matt Quatraro is away from the team while he tends to a personal matter. While Quatraro is away, bench coach Paul Hoover is set to serve as the club’s manager. It’s as of now unclear how long Quatraro expects to be away from the club.
Quatraro, 50, took the reins in Kansas City following the club’s decision to fire Mike Matheny after the 2022 season. His rookie season as manager was a tough one, as he piloted the club to a dreadful 56-106 record and a last place finish in the AL Central. A midseason breakout from star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. provided some optimism for the future, however, and the Royals decided to invest in attempting to contend in the short term over the offseason by handing free agent deals to veteran pieces like Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Despite those investments, the Royals entered the 2024 campaign widely expected to miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.
The club has shattered those expectations under Quatraro’s guidance, however, as the club has posted an excellent 75-63 record to this point in the year that places them firmly in Wild Card position and 3.5 games behind Cleveland for the AL Central crown in a surprising season that has long seemed sure to earn their skipper consideration for the AL Manager of the Year award this fall. As the club gears up for the final month of the regular season, however, they’ll be without Quatraro for an indefinite amount of time.
Taking Quatraro’s place at the helm of the Royals for the time being is Hoover, 48. A former big leaguer who appeared in 40 games across seven seasons between 2001 and 2010, Hoover joined the Royals as Quatraro’s bench coach last year. Prior to taking his current role in Kansas City, he served as the manager of the Rays’ rookie ball team in 2012 before later serving as the club’s minor league catching coordinator and eventually being promoted to the big league staff as the club’s major league field coordinator. He served on Kevin Cash’s coaching staff in that role from 2019 to 2022. Now, Hoover will be tasked with piloting the surprise contenders through at least part of the season’s final stretch, and potentially into the postseason depending on the length of Quatraro’s absence.
Hope everything is okay for him, whatever it is!
The second time this has happened. He left the team in June for another personal matter.
His mom died, dude.♂️
If your mom or loved one died and your boss at work screams WHY DID YOU MISS A DAY how would you feel?
Mariners, posing the same question to you as the other guy. Exactly what did you think I was implying? Pointing out that this is the second time he’s left the team has nothing to do with your false presumption.
Yes. This is now the second time he’s had to left the team. What is it that you believe I am implying? Short answer, you’d be presuming incorrect.
Sometimes we forget that athletes and coaches are real people with the same challenges we all face. They’re on the road for a quarter of the year (half a season), and many times playing at “home” isn’t where their family lives.
As great as a job as he’s done this year there are things in life that are bigger than the game. Hope to see him back soon and wish him all the best.
Royals are a feel-good story
I have been around long enough to remember those late 70’s early 80’s rivalry with the Yankees and of course the George Brett incident.
Be nice to start a new rivalry.
I hope everything is alright over there.
I hope he is ok
I’m hungry what are y’all eating for lunch (idk what else to say)
My man!!! Thousand island shouldn’t just be used for burgers and sandwiches it’s so good!
Chipotle
Hope all ok. My first thoughts is perhaps a sick child. Lengthy absence. Every parents nightmare.
Whatever it is hope all ok.
From a baseball side, let’s hope the team rallies around the news and Hoover pulls them out of their free fall or they won’t have a post season in any form.
Hopefully all Is well The man has done a good job despite the fact that the owner Is cheap and POBO Is a lite weight.
However If you want to be a front office Head man. You need to know how to be a yes man
Likely AL Manager of the year
Without a doubt. We all knew KC made some low key great additions this past winter but it goes without saying that a team going from a 100 loss season to probably making the playoffs definitely is an accomplishment and Matt deserves credit for being part of that quick turnaround.
Nah. Cleveland. KC is on the path to 85 wins and no playoffs
How is it anyone’s business why he was away? Do better, Trade Rumors.
Comment better
MLBTR commented thoughtfully and was non-judgmental so your criticism is unjustified. People are going to see that Quatraro was away from the team and putting proper context around it can head off unkind speculation.
Condolences to Quartraro and his family. Always a hard thing to handle when a parent passes.
Ugh. Players are supposed to plan these things for the offseason.