KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Longtime Royals coach Mike Jirschele is calling it a career.
On Friday, Jirschele announced his retirement following 38 seasons with the organization. Jirschele, who joined the Royals as a minor league player in 1988, was the third base coach for Kansas City during the club’s 2015 World Series title, and spent his final season as the manager of the Omaha Storm Chasers.
“People who know me know I don’t love the attention that comes from an announcement like this,” Jirschele said in a release from the Royals. “All I’ve wanted is to do my job. I’m grateful for a career in baseball, all these years with the Royals, and the friendships that have come along the way. I hope the people I’ve worked with think I’ve done my job, worked hard for them, and helped.”
Jirschele has spent 20 seasons of his time with the Royals managing in the minor leagues, with 17 of them in Omaha. In his time in Omaha, 95 players were promoted from Triple-A to Kansas City, including Zack Greinke, Eric Hosmer, Danny Duffy, Mike Moustakas and Yordano Ventura.
Three times Jirschele was named Manager of the Year, earning the award in the Gulf Coast League in 1992, Carolina League in 1994, and International League in 2024.
“It’s been an absolute honor to work alongside Jirsch,” said Royals general manager J.J. Picollo. “He’s done just about everything in player development and was obviously a big part of our World Series championship. And he did all of it with class and dignity.
Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) celebrates as he rounds the bases towards third base coach Mike Jirschele (59) after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of Game 3 of baseball’s AL Division Series in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)(Orlin Wagner | AP)
“Very few people can connect with players the way he has throughout his career. He’s truly a Royals legend and we will miss him dearly.”
Along with his time in the minor leagues, Jirschele spent 2014-19 as the third base coach for Kansas City under Ned Yost.
From 1998-2002, he was the Royals’ Minor League Infield Coordinator, and that followed his coaching career beginning in 1990 when he began as the hitting coach for Kansas City’s Class-A affiliate.
He closes his career as the all-time leader in wins in Omaha Storm Chasers history and managed 30% of Omaha’s 57 seasons as a Royals affiliate.
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