Former KC Royals player, manager Wathan to end nearly 50-year tenure in organization

Longtime member of the Kansas City Royals organization John “Duke” Wathan has decided to retire at the end of this season after 51 seasons involved in professional baseball, the club announced on Wednesday.

Wathan, a resident of Lee’s Summit who will turn 73 next week, most recently served as a special assistant to the player development department.

He spent 47 of his 51 years in the Royals organization.

“I’m very fortunate to have worked with the Royals, the classiest organization in baseball, and with so many great people through the years,” Wathan said in a news release from the Royals. “I’m grateful for the tremendous support from all the great Royals fans throughout the years, and my wife Nancy and I are proud to have made Kansas City our home and be part of this community.

“This was my dream as a kid, and I have had a full and blessed life to join this organization at 21 and work here until almost turning 73.”

Selected by the Royals with the fourth overall pick in MLB’s 1971 January Draft, Wathan spent 10 seasons in the majors as a catcher, first baseman and outfielder. He made 495 of his 646 career starts at catcher.

As a player, Wathan was part of the franchise’s first AL West Division title in 1976 as well as the first World Series championship in 1985, his final season in the majors. He was also a member of their 1980 World Series team.

Wathan hit .305 with more walks (50) than strikeouts (42) for the 1980 American League champion Royals. In 1982, he set a MLB record for catchers with 36 stolen bases and that mark still stands.

He became manager of the Royals in 1987 at the age of 37, and he compiled a 287-270 record from 1987-91.

He also went 39-50 as manager of the California Angels in 1992. From 1992-93, Wathan served in a variety of roles for the Angels, including interim manager, third base coach and bench coach.

He then went on to become the bullpen coach for the Boston Red Sox in 1994.

Wathan worked as a broadcast analyst for The Baseball Network in 1995 and for the Royals Radio Network from 1996-97.

He began his tenure in the scouting and player development side with the Royals in 1999.

“We are proud to celebrate Duke for his 47 years as a Royal,” Royals executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager J.J. Picollo said in a statement. “Not many people walking this earth have done so many things for one organization. Personally, I want to thank Duke for his complete honesty, regardless of the situation, and how he represents the game of baseball.”

Wathan, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been inducted into the Iowa Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame as well as the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the West Coast Conference Hall of Honor and the Athletic Hall of Fame at St. Augustine High School and the University of San Diego.

Wathan’s daughter, Dina, works in the Royals’ community impact department. His sons, Dusty and Derek, both played professionally. Dusty is the third base coach for the Philadelphia Phillies.