Tony Muser

Anthony Joseph Muser (/ˈmjuːzər/; born August 1, 1947) is currently a roving instructor in the San Diego Padres organization. From 1997 until 2002, Muser served as the manager of the Kansas City Royals. After being replaced by John Mizerock, Muser spent four seasons as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres under Bruce Bochy.

Playing career

Signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 1967, Muser spent parts of nine seasons in the majors between 1969 and 1978. After debuting with the Red Sox, he also played for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Milwaukee Brewers. In 1973, he was the White Sox starting first baseman, setting career highs with 4 home runs and 30 runs batted in while batting .285 in 109 games. Following his major league career, he played in Japan for the Seibu Lions in 1979.

During his career, Muser played mostly first base, but did not hit for much in the way of average or power at a position that is historically more known for offense than defense. He had a lifetime .259 batting average and only seven home runs in his entire career.

Post-playing career

Coach and minor league manager

In 1980, Muser was brought back into the Brewers organization, as he was hired as manager of the Stockton Ports, one of Milwaukee's A-ball farm clubs. The Ports won the league championship in 1980, and Muser was moved up to the Double-A El Paso Diablos. After two-plus seasons in El Paso, during which Muser's teams went 176–162, Muser was promoted again, this time to the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians, where he replaced Dick Phillips in midseason. After a season and a half there, Muser was moved up to the Brewers' coaching staff, where he served as third base coach from 1985 through spring training in 1986 when he was severely injured in a gas explosion in the Compadre Stadium clubhouse and missed the rest of the 1986 season. Muser was in line to succeed George Bamberger as manager but because of his injuries was replaced as third base coach by Tom Trebelhorn who went on to manage the Brewers for five years. Muser returned as hitting coach from 1987 until 1989. In 1991 and 1992, Muser was back at Triple-A, managing the Denver Zephyrs, the Brewers' top farm team.

In 1993, Muser moved to the Chicago Cubs, where he served as their hitting coach until 1997, when he was named manager of the Kansas City Royals.

Royals manager

On July 9, 1997, Muser replaced Bob Boone as manager of the Kansas City Royals. The Royals were 36–46 at the time, but finished the season even worse, going 31–48 under Muser, finishing 4th in the American League Central. In 1998, the Royals moved to the Central Division, and over the next four seasons finished 3rd, 4th, 4th, and 5th in the five-team division. After starting the 2002 season 8–15, Muser was fired as manager and replaced by John Mizerock.

Back to coaching

After being let go by the Royals, Muser was named to the San Diego Padres coaching staff for 2003. He served as the Padres' bench coach until 2006, then returned to the minor leagues as a manager. In 2007, Muser was the manager for the Peoria Padres, the Padres' rookie level team in the Arizona League. In 2008, he became a roving minor league instructor for the Padres.

Managerial records