Results tagged ‘ Ned Yost ’
Ned Yost media session: May 26
Thata baby!
David DeJesus and wife Kim welcomed a 7 lb. 10 oz. baby boy into the world yesterday. Yost expects DeJesus to be at the game today, but isn’t putting any pressure on the outfielder to return until the mother and baby are taken care of adequately. Yost understands how special this occasion is and said DeJesus is very excited. Yost even received a picture of the beautiful newborn laying on his father’s chest last night.
Head over heels
Yuniesky Betancourt suffered a slight concussion in last night’s game after colliding with Rangers catcher Matt Treanor in the fifth inning. Yost said that the dizziness is gone and Betancourt feels better today, but it will still be a day or two before he returns to action. Yost added that he experienced no hesitation replacing Betancourt at shortstop with Mike Aviles.
Movin’ on up
Luke Hochevar will take the mound this afternoon, and Yost expects nothing less than a great pitching performance from the right-hander. The manager praised Hochevar for the way he pitched through tough situations instead of powering through them in his last outing. Yost hopes that the Royals pitching staff can raise their stats to the middle of the pack rather than dwell at the bottom.
Ned Yost Media Session: May 25
Revenge is a dish best served Royal Blue…
After being swept by the Texas Rangers less than three weeks ago in Arlington, the Royals are looking to turn the tables this time around. Royals manager Ned Yost said that the series in early May was tough to watch and his club should want to enact some revenge.
Getting the call…
Yost was asked about the Royals recent addition in utility man Wilson Betemit. Yost said that Betemit’s Major League experience and his ability to switch hit were key in the decision to bring him to the big leagues. Yost also mentioned the ability to use Betemit in a variety of different positions as a plus; citing specifically the need to give numerous starters time off or should the possibility of a double switch present itself in Interleague Play.
He’s beginning to mesh well…
Tonight’s starting pitcher Gil Meche looks like he has gotten past some early season struggles posting three consecutive quality starts. Yost attributes Meche’s recent success on his ability to command the strike zone and locate his pitches. Yost is looking for Meche to build on his success and put his club in a position to win tonight.
Turn and face the change…
Yost commented on Royals minor leaguer Alex Gordon’s recent position change. He said that Gordon has looked great in left field and he is swinging the bat well in Omaha. Yost also stated that they are trying to prepare to Gordon to play the corner outfield position at the Major League level and doesn’t see the position switch hampering Gordon’s swing.
Ned Yost media session: May 23
The first topic in Sunday’s interview with manager Ned Yost concerned base stealing and “small ball” in general. Yost believes there has been a trend toward “small ball” the last couple of years. He added that it’s important to maximize base stealers, which he does by being aggressive. In fact, Yost says there’s even times when a Billy Butler type player can steal, such as when the pitcher takes his focus off the runner. But he wants to make sure it is not counterproductive, meaning the runners should be successful at least three out of four times.
The manager then discussed the team’s bullpen ERA, which has dropped from over 5.00 to under 2.00 since he took over as manager. Despite the success during his short tenure, the skipper doesn’t take credit for the improvement. Yost simply said the pitchers are on a good roll and all he has done is give the guys confidence and put them in situations where they can be successful, which they then have taken advantage of.
Yost also had nothing but positive things to say about today’s starter Zack Greinke. He characterized Zack as extremely competitive, smart, bright, and truthful. Yost also described Greinke as the total package. Yost believes the Cy Young winner should just keep doing what he’s doing–attack, command, and be Zack.
Finally, Yost gave praise to third base coach Eddie Rodriguez. He said Rodriguez is doing a great job at third, which is the only coaching position that is actually more like a player. Like the players, Rodriguez’s decisions determine the outcome of the game. Yost said Rodriguez also plays a major role as the infield coach, where he makes sure everyone in the infield is in the right spot for every single pitch.
Ned Yost Media Session: May 22
Let the good times roll…
Ned Yost is excited about the positivity felt in the clubhouse since becoming the Royals manager. His goal is to get his players to play relaxed and stay on an even keel, stating it is necessary to temper the high points and reinforce confidence during the low points throughout the season.
On the mend…
Yost touched on two key pieces of the Royals’ roster currently on the disabled list; centerfielder Rick Ankiel and left-handed reliever John Parrish. Neither player has a firm date to return to the active roster, but Yost is encouraged by both players’ progress. Ankiel is continuing light work and Parrish threw off flat ground yesterday stretching his arm out to 105 ft.
What a relief!!!
Yost mentioned several of his bullpen hurlers this afternoon; including Robinson Tejeda, Blake Wood, and Joakim Soria. Yost has been extremely impressed by recent call up Blake Wood, specifically citing the efficiency of his pitches. Yost would like to get Tejeda in for a low pressure outing, but isn’t afraid use him immediately if the situation calls for it. Yost finished by saying that closer Joakim Soria will get an inning today after not seeing action in four straight games.
Ned Yost media session: May 21
The boys are back in town…
…and manager Ned Yost (shown at left with last week’s honorary lineup) is feeling good. In Friday’s pre-game interview with the media, Yost began by saying he’s glad to be back, especially with such nice weather.
Free your mind and the rest will follow…
Yost feels that the biggest impact he’s had in his first week as Royals manager is getting the guys to relax. He believes the team was pressing too hard because they didn’t want former manager Trey Hillman to take the heat for their poor performance. As a result, Yost has been trying to get the team back to square one and playing in a relaxed atmosphere where they can get back to their natural ability.
I like it like that…
After going 5-2 over the past week, Yost found a lot to like about the boys in blue. He listed several positives, including how the team had quality at-bats, how the pitchers attacked, how the relievers limited damage in tight situations, and how the team scored runs.
Don’t look back…
According to the manager, baseball is a marathon, so you must maintain a day-to-day focus. Yost said it’s important to forget the day before and move on to the next one, but it’s also important to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each day.
Put me in coach…
Yost also provided brief injury updates before the game. Robinson Tejeda (strained left calf) was cleared yesterday and Yost wanted to ease him in against the Indians, but it just wasn’t necessary with the way Luke Hochevar was pitching. Tejeda also has the green light today. Additionally, Rick Ankiel (right quad strain) took batting practice today and is still making progress. John Parrish is also making progress, but still hasn’t thrown off a mound.
Ned Yost media session: May 16
In Sunday’s interview with manager Ned Yost, Yost began the conversation by talking about the lineup. Yost said he didn’t change today’s order because he wants to get his feet on the ground, especially after a quick turnaround from last night’s game, but will likely start changing it up while on the road. Yost continued by saying that eventually he wants a set lineup and will try to refrain from moving hitters up and down in the order on a regular basis. The manager also mentioned that he sees a couple candidates for the Royals three-hole, but he would like to keep a certain comfort level in the clubhouse, so he doesn’t want to make any drastic changes.
Yost also discussed the work ethics of several players, including Scott Podsednik, whom he managed in Milwaukee, Mike Aviles and Mitch Maier. The manager said that all three are good examples of players taking full advantage of opportunities. Yost also expressed that the three represent the type of players he wants to manage–those who come willing to work their tails off every single day. The new manager doesn’t want players who are satisfied with being good, but rather those who want to be great.
Finally, Yost provided brief injury updates on Jose Guillen, Robinson Tejeda, John Parrish, and Rick Ankiel. Yost said that after getting hit in last night’s game, Guillen’s finger went numb for about an inning but is fine now. Additionally, Tejeda (strained left calf) feels virtually no pain in his leg, Parrish (inflamed rotator cuff) is feeling better, and Ankiel (right quad strain) is also feeling better but is still some days away. Both Parrish and Ankiel will go out on rehab assignments before they return to Kauffman.
Ned Yost Media Session: May 15
RAIN DELAY UPDATE: We are expecting to start the game at 7:10 p.m.
With his first day and win as Royals manager in the books, Ned Yost addressed the Kansas City media this afternoon. Yost was excited about the first 24 hours in Kansas City, stating that much of what he has been working on to this point was getting his staff organized and communicating his coaching philosophy to staff and players.
Yost was asked about his bullpen and how he plans on using it. He responded by saying that to this point the bullpen is still a little unsettled and that late inning roles tend to define themselves. Yost stated that he will consider using Royals closer Joakim Soria in four-out situations; but believes that closers are at their best when they are used for only three outs. Yost reaffirmed that everyone is starting with a clean slate; he approaches his bullpen under the mindset that everyone will be successful at their jobs and won’t change that thinking unless proven otherwise. When asked on situational use of late-inning arms, Yost said he doesn’t restrict himself to the conventional lefty-lefty or righty-righty matchups. Some situations will require going by the numbers and others will call Yost to go with his ‘gut’. Ultimately, Yost said he will manage each situation in order to win the ballgame and not just cover himself and go by the book.
Yost was also asked to comment on his role players and how he views the second base job. Yost said his primary concern is to find playing time for Kila Ka’aihue, Willie Bloomquist, Chris Getz, and Brayan Pena. Yost understands the difficulty of their roles on this team, but told them to always be prepared to perform when called upon. Yost also stated that infielder Mike Aviles’ hot bat will continue to find him in the lineup at second base.
New Kansas City manager Ned Yost meets with the media
Royals Manager Ned Yost had his first press conference today in front of a standing room only contingent of media in the Kauffman Stadium interview room.
Yost has been following Kansas City’s Double-A affiliate, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, for the last week General Manager Dayton Moore contacted Yost about the managing job on Thursday morning. After accepting the job, he sifted through possible lineups at his Springfield, Mo., hotel room. Yost was awake until 3:30 this morning. He took a two-hour nap and was up at 5:30 for the drive to Kansas City! He doesn’t anticipate major radical changes in the lineup at this time.
Yost described himself as a person who has a knack for motivating players. He wants to work heavily with individual players at first. While Trey Hillman was a hands on manager, Yost is not. He said that Trey Hillman did a great job of getting players prepared every day and that the players have been a class act. The club is a little shell-shocked at the moment. Yost’s main job at the moment is to get the players to leave everything they have on the field every day. He believes that this club is more advanced than the club that he inherited in Milwaukee and that they are not that far away from turning things around.
Yost stated that 85 percent of his managing philosophy comes from Bobby Cox, who he worked for in Atlanta. The other 15 percent comes from what Yost learned as Milwaukee’s manager.
He knows that the Royals have ingredients for success in their minor league system. Yost believes that Mike Moustakas will be a “big-time Major League player”. He also mentioned that Milwaukee (where he managed previously) stockpiled young power hitters like Prince Fielder, while the Royals are stockpiling young power pitchers including Aaron Crow and Mike Montgomery.
Yost’s philosophy on coaching is to have one coach totally in charge of the infield and one totally in charge of the outfield. Rusty Kuntz is back as the first base coach and will coach the outfielders, a position he held in 2008 and 2009. Yost emphasized the importance of bringing Kuntz back. Eddie Rodriguez will shift to the third base coaching box. He will also be the infield coach. Rodriguez speaks fluent Spanish and Yost believes that will factor into Rodriguez’ work with infielders Alberto Callaspo and Yuniesky Betancourt.
Yost believes that this is an attractive job. He is up for the challenge and understands the frustration of the fan base. He has full confidence that he can do the job. He added that George Brett (who celebrates a birthday on Saturday) called him from Italy and wished him well.
Former Milwaukee manager Ned Yost named Special Advisor to Baseball Operations
The Royals have announced the hiring of Ned Yost as the club’s special advisor to baseball operations.
The 54-year old Yost most recently served as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2003 to 2008, compiling a 457-502 record and leading the franchise from a 68-94 mark in his first season to an 83-67 mark in 2008 at the time he was relieved of his duties on September 15. While managing the Brewers, Yost was a part of Tony La Russa’s National League All-Star coaching staff in 2005. Prior to his time in Milwaukee, the resident of Marietta, Ga., worked under manager Bobby Cox as bullpen coach (1991-98) and third base coach (1999-2002). As a player, Yost caught for parts of six seasons in the Majors from 1980-1985 with the Brewers, Texas Rangers and Montreal Expos.
Yost and his wife, Deborah, have one daughter, Jenny, and three sons, Ned IV, Josh and Andrew.
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