Every year, Royals first-base coach Rusty Kuntz says he is ready to retire from the organization’s big-league staff and take on a role as a roving instructor. And every year, manager Ned Yost has convinced him to return.
It appears that 2017 will be no different.
Yost confirmed on Monday that Kuntz, the mastermind behind the club’s base running and outfield defense, will return in the same role next season.
“Rusty will be back,” Yost said.
When asked if Kuntz had signed on to return, Yost paused, eliciting a laugh from reporters.
“Well …” Yost said.