Between a widely anticipated Royals plummet as they transition into rebuild mode and his own plunge into a near-death experience in November, the offseason might have been a tempting farewell phase for manager Ned Yost.
At 62, Yost’s legacy includes a key role in the revival of a dormant franchise into World Series champions and the prestige of being the most victorious manager in club history.
He has nothing to prove to anyone, least of all to those who dismissed him as a dunce and maybe still do. And this restart will be marked by sporadic gains with absolutely no assurance of similar rewards ahead this time around.