Tony Muser
Encyclopedia
Anthony Joseph Muser 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 Tony Peña
, Muser spent four seasons as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres under Bruce Bochy
.
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 , 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.
, 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 through spring training in when he was severely injured in a gas explosion in the Brewers Compadre Stadium clubhouse and missed the rest of the season. Muser was in line to succeed George Bamberger as manager but 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 until . In and , Muser was back at Triple-A, managing the Denver Zephyrs, the Brewers' top farm team.
In , Muser moved to the Chicago Cubs
, where he served as their hitting coach until , when he was named manager of the Kansas City Royals
.
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 West
. In , 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 season 8-15, Muser was fired as manager and replaced by John Mizerock
.
coaching staff for . He served as the Padres' bench coach until , then returned to the minor leagues as a manager. In , 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.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
organization. From 1997 until 2002, Muser served as the manager of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. After being replaced by Tony Peña
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
, Muser spent four seasons as the bench coach for the San Diego Padres under Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy
Bruce Douglas Bochy is the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to joining the Giants, Bochy had been the manager of the San Diego Padres for twelve seasons. Bochy is the only former Padres player to serve as the team's manager. He has participated in all five postseason appearances in...
.
Playing career
Signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "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
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, and Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. In , 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.
Coach and minor league manager
In , Muser was brought back into the Brewers organization, as he was hired as manager of the Stockton PortsStockton Ports
The Stockton Ports are a baseball team in Stockton, California. The Ports play in the Northern Division of the Class A – Advanced California League and are a Minor League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Their home field is Banner Island Ballpark which seats over 5,000 people and opened in...
, 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
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
. 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
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
, where he replaced Dick Phillips
Dick Phillips
Richard Eugene Phillips was a North American professional baseball player, manager and coach. A native of Racine, Wisconsin, who attended Valparaiso University, Phillips batted left-handed, threw right-handed, stood 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds .Phillips' playing career extended from ...
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 through spring training in when he was severely injured in a gas explosion in the Brewers Compadre Stadium clubhouse and missed the rest of the season. Muser was in line to succeed George Bamberger as manager but 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 until . In and , Muser was back at Triple-A, managing the Denver Zephyrs, the Brewers' top farm team.
In , Muser moved to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, where he served as their hitting coach until , when he was named manager of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
.
Royals manager
On July 9, 1997, Muser replaced Bob BooneBob Boone
Robert Raymond Boone is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who was a four-time All-Star. Born in San Diego, California, Bob Boone is the son of a major league player, the late third baseman Ray Boone, and the father of two major leaguers: former second baseman Bret Boone and...
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 West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
. In , the Royals moved to the Central Division
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
, and over the next four seasons finished 3rd, 4th, 4th, and 5th in the five-team division. After starting the season 8-15, Muser was fired as manager and replaced by John Mizerock
John Mizerock
John Joseph Mizerock was a backup catcher for the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves. He was the eighth overall pick in the 1979 draft.Since retiring as a player he has served as an interim manager and coach for the Kansas City Royals, and as a manager in the minor leagues.Mizerock managed...
.
Back to coaching
After being let go by the Royals, Muser was named to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
coaching staff for . He served as the Padres' bench coach until , then returned to the minor leagues as a manager. In , Muser was the manager for the Peoria Padres
Peoria Padres
The Arizona League Padres are the rookie-level team of the San Diego Padres in the Arizona Rookie League. They play their home games at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona, which is also the home of the minor league clubhouse for the Padres...
, the Padres' rookie level team in the Arizona League
Arizona League
The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona. It is a rookie-level professional baseball league run by Major League Baseball since 1989. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the...
. In 2008, he became a roving minor league instructor for the Padres.
Managerial records
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