Whitey Herzog

Inducted 2000
Manager 1975-1979

Widely regarded as one of the best tactical managers of his era, Herzog led the Royals to their first championships. His clubs captured three straight American League West division titles (1976, 1977, and 1978). He managed the 1977 Royals, perhaps the best team in franchise history, to a club record 102 wins. The first 13 players inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame all played during his five years in Kansas City. In each of those seasons, the Royals posted a winning record and never finished lower than second place. Herzog's Kansas City career ended as the Royals all-time winningest manager, posting a record of 410-304 (.574).

BORN: November 19, 1931, in New Athens, IL

PLAYING CAREER

Signed as an amateur free agent in 1949 out of New Athens High School (New Athens, IL) - View Stats

MLB DEBUT: April 17, 1956, with Washington Senators

FINAL MLB GAME: September 28, 1963, with Detroit Tigers

MLB CLUBS: Washington Senators (1956-1958); Kansas City Athletics (1958-1960); Baltimore Orioles (1961-1962); Detroit Tigers (1963)

MANAGERIEL CAREER

MLB DEBUT: April 7, 1973, with Texas Rangers

FINAL MLB GAME: July 5, 1990, with St. Louis Cardinals

MLB CLUBS: Texas Rangers (1973); California Angels (1974); Kansas City Royals (1975-1979); St. Louis Cardinals (1980-1990)

Herzog led the Royals to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1976 to 1978. The Kansas City skipper is seen here during Game 2 of the 1976 ALCS against the Yankees, when the Royals won their first playoff game in franchise history.

-- KC Royals

Herzog spent four-and-a-half years in Kansas City, where he posted a 410-304 record. However, his best season was in 1977, when he managed the Royals to a club-record 102 wins. Herzog's .574 winning percentage with the Royals is the highest in club history.

-- KC Royals

On July 25, 2010, Herzog was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. He's seen here in Cooperstown, N.Y. during an orientation visit.

-- AP Images