Francona has earned his lofty spot in Red Sox history

Terry Francona has outlasted the legendary Boston star system to quietly become the most successful manager in the history of the Red Sox.

Manager's impact is tough to gauge

Does a good manager make a team, or vice versa? Other than using wins and losses, a manager's true impact is tough to measure.

Story | Conversation | April 25, 2008

Slow starters in April who rose to play in October

Starting 9 looks back through baseball history and pays homage to nine April laggards who found their mojo in time to play in October.

Soria drawing comparisons to Mo

Joakim Soria was summoned into the office of then-Royals manager Buddy Bell last summer, and Bell and pitching coach Bob McClure explained to Soria that he was going...

Blog Entry | Conversation | April 06, 2008

Padres 3, Royals 2(10)

Padres 3, Royals 2(10)

Rangers hope for best from Hamilton, Bradley

The Rangers are taking a chance on new outfielders Josh Hamilton and Milton Bradley, who bring exceptional tools and personal baggage.

Fantasy Camp Notes: Pirate catchers boning up

A.J. Mass has the fantasy spin on the latest spring training news, including the defensive help the Pirate catchers are getting to keep them in the lineup.

Kansas City Royals fantasy team preview

Christopher Harris previews the Kansas City Royals from a fantasy perspective. There isn't much fantasy value to be found in KC, but there are some names to know.

...City, Mo. Hillman comes to the Royals after managing five seasons in Japan taking over for Buddy Bell who quit at the end of the season. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kansas City on the road to respectability

There is reason to be optimistic in Kansas City. The Royals are moving in the right direction, and GM Dayton Moore might have another big move in him.

Hillman joins the Royals after managing in Japan the past five years

The Royals introduced Trey Hillman as manager Monday.

...City, Mo. Hillman comes to the Royals after managing five seasons in Japan taking over for Buddy Bell who quit at the end of the season. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Hillman reaches multiyear deal to manage Royals

Trey Hillman was hired Friday as manager of the Kansas City Royals, taking over a long-struggling team that hasn't been to the playoffs since winning the 1985 World Series.

ChiSox hire ex-Royals manager Bell for minor league instruction job

The White Sox hired former Royals manager Buddy Bell as the organization's director of minor league instruction on Tuesday.

Hafner's two RBIs end regular season on positive note

Hafner drove in two runs to reach 100 RBIs for the fourth straight year and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 Sunday in the final game of the regular season.