KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Their lives after the Yankees aren’t yet measured in decades, but judging by the intoxicating success Dave Eiland and Kevin Long have enjoyed outside The Bronx, it’s been very satisfying.
The friends and coaches who played big parts in the Yankees winning the 2009 World Series will meet in the World Series, when Eiland’s Royals pitchers attempt to muzzle Daniel Murphy and the Mets as Long’s hitters try to find a way to dent the Royals’ nuclear bullpen.
Game 1 is Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
It’s not the first time Eiland and Long have been in different dugouts: Eiland has been the Royals’ pitching coach for four years and Long was the Yankees’ hitting coach until last season.