Royals Drop McRae, 3 Other Coaches

Four coaches, including Hal McRae, who passed up an offer to become Kansas City’s manager late last season, will not return in 1988, the Royals announced Thursday.

Leaving with McRae are pitching coach Gary Blaylock, third base coach Jose Martinez and first base coach Joe Jones. Only bullpen coach Jim Schaffer and Ed Napoleon will return to Manager John Wathan’s staff.

McRae, the veteran designated hitter who retired as a player last season, was offered the chance to become major league baseball’s fourth black manager when the Royals fired Billy Gardner Aug. 27.

But he balked at taking the job for only the 36 remaining games of the season, so the Royals turned to Wathan, who retired as a catcher for the team in 1986 and became manager of the Omaha farm club this year. Later, Wathan’s contract was extended.

Replacing McRae as the Royal hitting coach will be Mike Lum. Frank Funk will replace Blaylock as the pitching coach, while Adrian Garrett will be the third base coach and Bob Schaefer the first base coach.