The Atlanta Braves have strong connections with the Kansas City Royals.
111 players have suited up for both franchises, including National Baseball Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry and 2021 World Series hero Jorge Soler. But there's another famous connection between the two franchises, and it's in the front office. Several executives have worked for both organizations, with Dayton Moore beginning his baseball career in Atlanta and eventually moving to Kansas City to become general manager in 2006.
One person who went the other way, starting in Kansas City and later coming to Atlanta, is current Vice Chairman Emeritus John Schuerholz. Atlanta's general manager from 1990-2007, Schuerholz entered that role only after leaving Kansas City, where he was their general manager from 1981 to 1990.
And for everything he did in Kansas City, the Royals announced that they are adding Schuerholz to their team's Hall of Fame.
Only the third general manager in the team's history, Schuerholz was MLB's youngest-ever chief executive at the time. But before that, Schuerholz worked his way through the organization, starting off as an Administrative Assistant and helping establish the team's first minor league system in the early 1970s, serving as Assistant Farm Director (1970), Farm Director (1976), and Director of Scouting and Player Development (1977).
While General Manager in Kansas City, Schuerholz orchestrated several trades and signings that proved significantly impactful, including acquiring Lonnie Smith in 1985 in a move that resulted in a World Series championship that season. Schuerholz also signed Bo Jackson (1986), drafted Royals Hall of Famer Kevin Appier (1987), and acquired another Royals Hall of Famer in Jeff Montgomery (1988).
During Schuerholz’s time with Kansas City, the Royals won one World Championship, two American League pennants, and six division crowns. The Sporting News selected him as the Major League Executive of the Year in 1985 when Kansas City won the World Series.
Schuerholz later moved on to Atlanta in 1990 to serve as general manager, where he worked with current Royals general manager J.J. Piccollo and former Royals general manager Dayton Moore. Schuerholz saw several other assistants become general managers around the league, including Frank Wren and John Coppolella in Atlanta.
Schuerholz was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
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