New York Mets vs. Kansas City Royals: Who Has The Advantage In World Series?

Coaching Staff

Oct 26, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) watches batting practice during workouts the day before game one of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

This is a close one to call, as the Mets and Royals both have great coaching staffs. Both managers took over full time in 2011, armed with teams nowhere near the level they have now. But without them, these teams would not be reaching the levels they are.

Mets’ manager Terry Collins has waited a long time to get to this point, and he deserves a lot of credit. He wasn’t given much to work with throughout his years with the Mets, but once they got the players he turned this team into a true contender and NL Champions.

Ned Yost on the other hand leads the Royals, and has done a great job as well. Like Collins, he had to wait a little while for the success to come, as he took over for Trey Hillman in 2010. The Royals have improved every year since then, culminating in their second consecutive trip to the World Series.

Beyond the managers, there are also some good coaches. Dan Warthen needs some credit for what the Mets pitching staff has done this season. Hitting coach Kevin Long was cast aside by the New York Yankees, but the Mets quickly picked him up. He has worked well alongside Granderson, getting him to change his approach at the plate this season to be a great leadoff hitter.

Like Warthen, Dave Eiland deserves some credit for the work he has done with the Royals bullpen. There are some reclamation projects out there that are playing big roles now. The Royals also wouldn’t be here without the extra work put in by scouts Tom Conroy and Paul Gibson, and third base coach Mike Jirschele. They helped the Royals figure out the puzzle of David Price, as they found out the ways he tips his pitches and how to figure out how to run on a guy who hadn’t allowed a stolen base all season.

These are both strong staffs, as the teams wouldn’t be here without them. Collins and Yost have both put in the time to lead their teams to this point. This is as much a toss up as any of the other categories, and the only reason we are leaning in the direction we are is because of experience in these situations.

Advantage: Royals

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