KANSAS CITY URBAN YOUTH ACADEMY - Key Persons
A Port Washington, N.Y. native, Eisenberg began his broadcasting career at the University of Maryland, where he called a variety of Maryland events for the Big Ten Network+ and WMUC Sports (the student radio station) before graduating in May of 2017. In 2015, he helped create the Maryland Baseball Network, a multi-platform home for Maryland Baseball that features radio broadcasts of each game. His broadcast experience also includes one season as a broadcaster for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Director - New Sales & Development
Adam Cain is in his 15th year with the team, and the Royals Director of New Sales & Development since November 2021. Prior to becoming the Director of New Sales & Development, Adam served in various leadership roles within the ticketing department. Over his tenure Adam has been instrumental in rethinking ticketing packages including the implementation of our first ever voucher driven season ticket package, the Select 64 which was a first of its kind for the Royals. Adam has a strong passion for not only connecting with fans but also growing careers of others within the sports industry as a whole. Under his leadership dozens of Sales Academy Associates have gone on to full time roles throughout the MLB, NFL, NBA, PGA, and NHL.
Adam graduated from Missouri State University in 2006 with a degree in Advertising & Promotion. Adam and his wife, Courtnie, live in Olathe, Kan. with their two children, Miles (8) and Stella (6).
Adam P. Sachs - Chief Legal Officer, SVP, VP
Job Titles:
- Chief Legal Officer
- SVP
- Vice President
Adam Sachs is in his third year with the Royals as Senior Vice-President (External Affairs) and Chief Legal Officer after joining the Club in May 2021. Prior to joining the organization, he was a Partner and Sr. Counsel at a large, regional law firm for 17 years, and a Principal with the firm's government affairs-related joint venture. Sachs has extensive experience advocating for clients at the local, state and federal levels of government, and has managed legal, government affairs and community relations aspects of several large, multi-dimensional real estate development projects.
He oversees legal and government affairs-related issues for the Club, and helps drive the team's community affairs, and civic and corporate partnerships. He also routinely works with the Commissioner's Office to implement League policy and protocols at the Club level.
Adam previously served in various senior legal and legislative roles on Capitol Hill, including a stint as Chief Counsel and Staff Director to a House Veterans Affairs Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee led by current House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC). During his most recent time on the Hill, Adam was awarded special recognition for his "distinguished service to veterans" by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG).
A Kansas City native and lifelong Royals fan, Sachs is highly active in civic affairs, currently or having previously served as Chairman of the Board, Urban League of Greater Kansas City; Vice-Chair, Harry S. Truman Library Institute; Vice-Chair (and current Chair-Elect), Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; Co-Founder, Monarchs Club; President, University of Virginia Club of Kansas City; Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, American Jewish Committee/Jewish Community Relations Bureau (AJC/JCRB) of Kansas City; Executive Committee, Pembroke Hill School Alumni Association; Board of Directors, First Tee of Greater Kansas City; Board of Directors, Gordon Parks Elementary School; Board Member, New Reform Temple; and Vice-Chair, Husch Blackwell Political Action Committee (PAC).
Sachs' baseball career fizzled out when his knees got the best of him as a backup catcher in the Ban Johnson Amateur League in Kansas City. He also has a journalism background, having been a photographer and sports editor for an award-winning school newspaper at the University of Virginia. His golf-related photographs have been published by Global Golf Post and GolfDigest.com.
Sachs received his Juris Doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis and his bachelor's degree in American Government from the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Julana, reside in Kansas City, Mo., and have four children: Haleigh Harper, Maggie Campbell (Andrew), Ellie Rose Sachs, and Phinney Sachs. Julana and Adam are also proud grandparents of Evelynne Grace Mitsuko Campbell, born in September 2020.
Job Titles:
- Analyst, Research & Development
Alan Kohler is entering his second season with the Royals as an Analyst, Research & Development. He joined the organization in May 2022, the same month he graduated from Georgia Tech, where he studied physics with minors in astrophysics and computer science. During his time at Georgia Tech, he served as a student manager for the baseball team.
In 2021, he was a Data Analyst for the Wenatchee AppleSox of the West Coast League. From 2019-20, he was an intern in the Office of Coast Survey at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Kohler now lives in Kansas City, Mo.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Hitting Performance, Major League Hitting Coach
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Corporate Partnerships
Alex Schulte is in his second year as the Royals Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, after joining the organization in December 2021. Prior to joining the Royals, Alex served as the Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships for both the New Orleans Pelicans and Saints from 2016-21. During his five-year stint in New Orleans, Alex was an integral part of their department leadership, overseeing the partnership strategy and sales teams while also helping to secure the naming rights to the Caesars Superdome.
He began his professional career as an MBA intern with International Speedway Corporation in Daytona Beach, Fla. in 2010, before being hired full-time as a Partnership Sales Manager. He was promoted to Partnership Sales Director in 2013 and remained in that role until his move to New Orleans in 2016.
Alex graduated from Florida State University in 2008 with a degree in business management. He continued his academic career at San Diego State University, where he earned his MBA in 2010. Alex and his wife, Eden, live in Leawood, Kan. with their two children, Adeline (7) and Easton (5).
Job Titles:
- Strategist / Bullpen Catcher
Allan de San Miguel is in his second season on the Royals Major League staff as a Bullpen Catcher/Strategist. He began transitioning into a coaching role at the minor league level in 2021, after managing the Melbourne Aces of the Australian Baseball League from 2020-21.
De San Miguel, who is a native of Perth, Australia, also played for Melbourne from 2010-20 each offseason, in addition to a 12-year career in the minor leagues, including two seasons in the Royals organization from 2016-17. His professional career began in 2005 with the Twins, before he joined the Orioles organization in 2012. He spent the 2014 season playing in the Independent Atlantic League, before briefly re-joining the Twins organization at the Triple-A level in 2015. During his playing career, de San Miguel mostly played catcher, but also spent time at both infield and outfield corner positions.
Job Titles:
- C - Suite Executive Assistant
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Sport Development
Job Titles:
- Associate Director Creative Operations
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Game Entertainment
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Ticket Operations
Anthony Blue is entering his second season as the Royals Vice President of Ticket Operations. In this role, Anthony oversees all aspects of ticketing for the club including ticket technology, distribution, reporting and gameday operations.
He joined the organization in August 2012 as Manager of Ticket Operations and was promoted to Senior Director of Ticket Operations in November 2013. Anthony's career began in 2003 as an intern with the Oakland Athletics, before working his way up to Box Office Manager. Anthony graduated from the sports management program at the University of Kansas in 2004.
He resides in Overland Park, Kan. with his wife, Valerie, and their children Alexa and Michael.
Job Titles:
- Assistant - Groundskeeping
Job Titles:
- Director - Authentic Merchandise Sales
Ashley Ficken is in her 8th season with the Royals. She started as an intern in 2016 and since served as a coordinator, manager, and now director of merchandise sales, primarily responsible for autographed and game-used memorabilia. Ashley also helps oversee the relationship with our food, beverage, and retail partner, Aramark.
Ashley has served on the Royals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council since 2018. The mission of the council is to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment through intentional engagement and support for our people, culture, and community. Ashley currently serves as one of three chairs for the council, which includes oversight of committee leads, monthly leadership meetings, and initiatives throughout the year.
Ashley attended the University of Central Missouri (UCM), most recently earning an MBA with an emphasis of management and organizational leadership in 2022.
A native of Odessa, Missouri, Ashley currently resides in Raytown, Missouri.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Community Investments / UYA
Job Titles:
- Director, Performance Science
Austin Driggers is in his 11th season with the Royals and fourth as the Sr. Director of Performance Science. He previously served as the Sports Science Coordinator from 2016-19 and as a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach in the four seasons prior.
Dr. Driggers joined the Royals in 2013 from East Tennessee State University, where he served ETSU Athletics as a sport scientist and strength and conditioning coach and as a research assistant for the Center of Excellence in Sport Science and Coach Education. Driggers' career in performance began as a sport physiology and strength and conditioning intern at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. He holds a bachelor's degree in applied health science from Wheaton College (IL), where he played baseball and football, a master's degree in exercise and sport science with a concentration in sport physiology and performance, and a PhD in health and human performance from Concordia University Chicago.
A native of Abilene, Texas, he currently resides in Overland Park, Kan., with his wife, Jillian, and three children, Rylan, Madelyn, and Ainsley.
Job Titles:
- Team Lead - Infrastructure & Operations
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to Baseball Operations
- Special Assistant to Baseball Operations / Leadership Development
Blaine Boyer is in his fifth year in the Royals front office, serving as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations/Leadership Development. In his role, he works on special assignment projects throughout the organization.
Boyer retired as a player after the 2018 season, when he pitched in 21 games with the Royals. In his 12-year big league career, the right hander pitched for Atlanta (2005-2009), St. Louis (2009), Arizona (2009), the Mets (2011), San Diego (2014), Minnesota (2015), Milwaukee (2016), Boston (2017) and Kansas City (2018). In 2008, he finished 9th in the National League, making 76 appearances with the Braves.
A native of Atlanta, Boyer resides in Alpharetta, Ga., with his wife, Ginsey and children, Levi, Benaiah and Mary Cora.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Senior Advisor
- Major League Baseball 's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Advisor
Bob Starkey was appointed Major League Baseball's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Advisor by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. on December 4, 2014. Starkey oversees financial operations for MLB and plays a key role on industry economics and analysis.
Starkey's association with Major League Baseball began in 1991, when he was engaged to analyze the industry's economics and financial condition. In the ensuing years, he worked closely with Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig and Manfred on a variety of industry economic and financial matters, including collective bargaining, the creation and administration of the revenue sharing system and debt-service rule, numerous new stadium projects and various club financial, valuation and transaction matters. Starkey has supported numerous MLB committees and special projects.
Starkey began his professional career as a CPA in the Minneapolis office of Arthur Andersen. After being admitted to the partnership in 1987, he soon became the partner-in-charge of the Andersen professional sports industry group. After resigning from Andersen in 1999, he formed his own sports consulting firm, Starkey Sports Consulting, LLC, through which he has advised MLB and several professional sports franchises on a variety of financial matters. In his hometown of Minneapolis, Starkey was involved in all aspects of the legislation, negotiation, development and financing of Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins.
Starkey is a graduate of Drake University. The Chicago native has resided in the Twin Cities for nearly 40 years.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Scoreboard Operations
Job Titles:
- Analyst for Research & Development / Player Development
Brandon Nelson is entering his second season as the Royals Analyst for Research & Development/Player Development after joining the organization in 2020 as a Player Development Coach.
He served as the Development Coach at Omaha in 2021, where he was the First Base Coach and worked closely with the pitching staff.
Nelson graduated from Willamette University in 2019 with a degree in Computer Science and minors in Mathematics and Economics. During his time at Willamette, Nelson was a pitcher for the baseball team and Sports Information Assistant for the athletic department.
A native of Murrieta, Calif., he now resides in Overland Park, KS, with his fiancée Reanna.
Job Titles:
- Major League Video Assistant / Minor League Video Coordinator
Brett Pener is in his 12th season with the Royals and his third as a Sr. Clubhouse Assistant/Umpire Services. He previously worked as a Clubhouse Assistant in the home clubhouse while also assisting with Equipment Operations at the Royals Urban Youth Academy, and Clubhouse Operations in Spring Training.
Pener was born and raised in Overland Park, Kan., and attended Blue Valley Northwest High School before attending the University of Central Missouri. He was a member of the Mules baseball team from 2008-2012. Currently resides in Overland Park with his wife, Megan.
Job Titles:
- Facilities & Operations Manager
- Facilities Manager UYA
Job Titles:
- Director - Business Systems
Entering his third season as a member of the Royals Technology team, Brian oversees the integration and maintenance of the club's business systems.
He started with the Royals in March 2021 as Manager - Business Systems. Prior to joining the organization, Brian spent seven years leading software development projects for Garmin International and nine years leading Business Analytics projects for Farmers Insurance.
Brian graduated from Missouri Western State Univerity with a degree in Computer Information Systems in 2005. He lives in Ottawa, KS with his son Beckett and Benjamin the cat.
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Technology & Business Analytics
Brian Himstedt is entering his second season as the Royals Vice President of Technology and Business Analytics. He provides strategic direction and oversees club investments in technology infrastructure and operations, cybersecurity, implementation and support of business systems, business data architecture, and business analytics and reporting.
He started with the Royals in November 2009 as Senior Director of Information Systems. Prior to joining the organization, Brian spent four years leading interactive marketing and client strategy at Brighton, an ad agency in St. Louis, Mo. He previously worked in consulting, initially with Accenture's Consumer Products practice, followed by time at Daugherty Business Solutions.
Brian graduated from Missouri S&T with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1994. He lives in Overland Park, Kan. with his wife, Melissa, and their two sons, Josh and AJ.
Job Titles:
- Director - Partnership Development
Brian joined the Royals in July 2022 as the Director of Partnership Development to bolster the team's new business partnerships efforts. Prior to joining the Royals, Brian served as the Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) and Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL). During his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brian was a instrumental department leader, overseeing the Franchise Corporate Sales team (AHL, NBA2K, NBA G-League).
He first stepped into Major League sports in 2018 with the Cleveland Cavaliers as their Director of Global Partnerships. While having three successful revenue driving seasons, Brian was promoted to a oversee all new business, retention, and upsell efforts for the Cavalier's Franchise teams. Brian has shown a robust ability to develop relationships with brands new to sports partnerships, on both a local and national level. Prior to his time in Cleveland, Brian served as the Sr. VP of Sales & Operations for the Iowa Wild, leading the formation of a brand new AHL franchise in Des Moines, IA. Notable awards include winning the AHL Corporate Department of the Year in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. Additional professional experience includes the Providence Sports & Entertainment, Capital District Sports, and Baseball Factory.
Brian is originally from Long Island, NY and graduated from Towson University in 2007 with a degree in Sports Management and Business Administration. He enjoys volunteering in the community, traveling, and has served as a coach for youth lacrosse. Brian and his wife, Gina, live in Northland, Kansas City, MS with their two boys, Calvin (6) and Lucas (4).
Job Titles:
- Pitching Coach / Pitching Coach
Job Titles:
- President of Business Operations
Brooks Sherman, Jr. (no relation to Mr. John Sherman) is in his fourth year with the Royals and first as the President of Business Operations, after serving for three years as the Sr. Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. In his current role, Sherman oversees business operations and administration. He also serves in a financial advisory role with Royal Blue Equity, LLC, the entity comprised of the Kansas City-based investment group formed to purchase the Kansas City Royals. He served in a similar capacity from 2016-19 as part of John Sherman's minority ownership in the Cleveland Guardians.
From December 2000 to June 2013, Brooks served as Chief Financial Officer, and ultimately President, of Inergy, L.P. and its affiliates, including two additional publicly traded Master Limited Partnerships. Prior to its merger with Crestwood Midstream Partners, L.P. in 2013, Inergy had achieved total enterprise value of nearly $5 billion through its ownership and management of growth oriented natural gas storage and transportation infrastructure and retail propane distribution businesses. He began his career as a CPA in public accounting with KPMG and Ernst & Young before spending 17 years in executive accounting and finance roles with publicly-traded finance and energy companies.
Brooks earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Missouri State University in 1988. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation-Kansas City Chapter and is also a member of the Board of Directors of The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Brooks and his wife, Carol, live in Leawood, Kan., and have three sons: Nick, Alex & Hank.
Job Titles:
- Director of Event Operations
Job Titles:
- Technician - Ballpark Operations
Job Titles:
- Manager, Digital Production
Job Titles:
- Manager - Digital Products & Emerging Tech
Job Titles:
- Manager - Game Entertainment
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Crown Schools & Science of Sport
- Coordinator - Urban Youth Academy
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager - Ballpark Security
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the GM / Player Development
Chino Cadahia is in his 47th season in professional baseball, 13th with the Royals and fourth season a Special Assistant to the General Manager/Player Development.
He spent the previous five seasons from 2015-19 as a Sr. Coordinator of Player Development, and he was an Advisor to Player Development in 2014. Cadahia served as the Royals Bench Coach at the Major League level from 2012-13 and was a Special Assistant to Player Development in 2011.
Prior to his tenure with the Royals, Cadahia spent 15 seasons in the Braves organization, including four as the Bench Coach for the Major League club from 2007-10. He started with the Braves in 1996 as the Roving Catching Coordinator and was named Minor League Field Coordinator in 1997. He also spent 12 seasons in the Texas Rangers minor league system as a Pitching Coach and Manager.
Cadahia was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Miami-Dade Community College. He played in the minors from 1977 to 1983 for the Phillies and Minnesota Twins.
Job Titles:
- Director - Ticket Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Athletic Trainer
- Major League Tissue Therapist / Second Assistant Athletic Trainer / Major League
Chris DeLucia is in his 17th season with the Royals and second as the Assistant Major League Athletic Trainer, after spending the previous three seasons on the Royals staff as the Tissue Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer. He previously served the Royals as the Minor League Medical Coordinator from 2010-18. He began with the Royals organization as the Athletic Trainer for the Double-A affiliate (Wichita and Northwest Arkansas) from 2007-09.
DeLucia is in his 31st season overall in Major League Baseball, spending time in the Texas Rangers (2001-06) and New York Yankees (1992-98) organizations. He was named the South Atlantic League Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1998, while working at Class-A Greensboro. He also spent two winters as the Athletic Trainer for Yankees players participating in the Australian Winter Baseball League.
He is a graduate of St. Leo University (Fla.), where he received a bachelor's degree in exercise science. DeLucia, who obtained certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Corrective Exercise and Performance Exercise Specialist, played soccer at St. Leo and worked in the athletic training room. He resides in Goodyear, Ariz., during the offseason. When not working, Chris enjoys mountain biking, hiking, playing golf and spending time with his family.
Job Titles:
- Director - Community Partnerships & Events
Job Titles:
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Chief Operations and Strategy Officer
Chris Marinak manages Major League Baseball's operations and strategy functions, including MLB's fan-facing digital technology across MLB.com, the MLB and Ballpark Apps, MLB.TV, and Statcast. Marinak, who joined MLB in 2008, reports directly to Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. His team includes the marketing and editorial departments responsible for telling the story of baseball and bringing the game to the next generation of fans. He also leads MLB's strategy function responsible for growing the reach of the game, working with the game's Competition Committee on strategic baseball initiatives, and creating the Major League playing schedule. A former member of MLB's Labor Relations Department, Marinak was a key part of the league's bargaining team for two consecutive collective labor agreements. The alumnus of the University of Virginia, where he pitched for the Cavaliers baseball team, attended Harvard Business School. Marinak is a member of the Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame.
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - New Business
Job Titles:
- Advisor - Clubhouse Operations
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - Membership Services
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Facilities and Grounds
Job Titles:
- Director - Business Data Architecture
Job Titles:
- Account Manager - Partnership Marketing
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager - Ballpark Services
Job Titles:
- First Base Coach / First Base Coach
Job Titles:
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Deputy Commissioner, Baseball Administration and Chief Legal Officer
Dan Halem was promoted to Deputy Commissioner, Baseball Administration by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. on Dec. 11, 2017. He remains MLB's Chief Legal Officer, the capacity in which he has served since Dec. 4, 2014. Halem oversees all of the Office of the Commissioner's legal affairs, labor relations, baseball operations, human resources, diversity efforts, the Department of Investigations and other areas.
Halem directs the administration of the revenue sharing system, the debt-service rule, the competitive balance tax, the salary arbitration system and the amateur draft support program, among other projects. Halem has played a key role in all collective bargaining issues with the MLB Players Association, including the renewals of the Basic Agreement in 2011 and 2016, as well as the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He also manages the bargaining relationship with the World Umpires Association.
Halem was named MLB's Executive Vice President, Labor Relations, by Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig on Dec. 12, 2013. In that role, he reported directly to Manfred. He first joined MLB in September 2007 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Labor.
Before joining MLB, Halem worked as a partner in the Labor and Employment Law Department at the New York office of Proskauer, where he represented employers in collective bargaining, arbitration and administrative proceedings as well as in state and federal litigations. As a part of Proskauer's Sports Law Group, Halem counseled MLB on collective bargaining issues related to its players and umpires and he represented individual Clubs in salary arbitration. Halem also represented and counseled the National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and the New York Jets of the National Football League prior to joining MLB.
Halem graduated from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations in 1988 and from Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, in 1991. He grew up in New Jersey and now resides with his family in New York.
Job Titles:
- Director - Business Analytics
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Community Partnerships & Events
Job Titles:
- Manual Therapist / Second Assistant Athletic Trainer
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - Group Retention & Sales
Job Titles:
- Lead - Mechanical Technician
Job Titles:
- Manager - Partnership Development
Job Titles:
- Manager - Parking and Transportation
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the General Manager
Job Titles:
- Director - Hitting Performance
Job Titles:
- Field Coordinator
- Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Manager - Ticket Operations
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the General Manager
Job Titles:
- Director - Sports Nutrition
Job Titles:
- Major League Video Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Major League Scouting / Assistant GM
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Baseball Operations
Job Titles:
- Business Analytics Software Engineer
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Media Relations
Job Titles:
- Vice President - People and Culture
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Ballpark Operations
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- General Manager
Job Titles:
- Director - Baseball Operations / Amateur Scouting
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Vault Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the Royals Broadcast Team
Jake Eisenberg enters his first season as a member of the Royals broadcast team. He will primarily be heard on the Royals Radio Network with Denny Matthews and Steve Stewart and will also deliver play-by-play on Bally Sports Kansas City for select games when Ryan Lefebvre is on radio.
Eisenberg, 28, was previously the play-by-play broadcaster with Kansas City's Triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers, from 2020-22. He also called two Royals games during the 2022 season, including May 3 vs. St. Louis, which featured Bobby Witt Jr's first career home run and MJ Melendez's Major League debut. Eisenberg made his Major League debut in 2022, ultimately working 41 games as a fill-in radio broadcaster for New York Mets baseball on WCBS880.
The 2022 season marked his fifth season broadcasting Minor League Baseball (not including the 2020 season), including stops at Double-A Richmond (Giants) in 2019, High-A Winston-Salem (White Sox) in 2018 and Short-Season Brooklyn (Mets) in 2017. He was also part of the radio broadcast team for the Eastern League All-Star Game in 2019.
In addition to his work on the air in Major and Minor League Baseball, Eisenberg has done play-by-play for the Big East Digital Network and Creighton Athletics and has called various events on ESPN+ and ACC Network Extra. He also worked as a college football and basketball studio host at Learfield IMG College in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Job Titles:
- Senior Account Executive - Premium Services
Job Titles:
- Director - Content Creation
Job Titles:
- Baseball Operations Assistant
Job Titles:
- Manager - Ballpark Services
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist
- Major League Rehab Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Director - Premium Retention and Sales
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Major League Team Operations
Job Titles:
- Event Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Manager - Group Retention & Sales
Job Titles:
- Director - Hall of Fame / Educational Programs
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Baseball Administration / Assistant GM
Job Titles:
- Senior Director - Payroll
Job Titles:
- Manager - Ballpark Security
Joel Goldberg is in his 16th season as part of the Royals broadcast team, serving as the host of the "Royals Live" pregame and postgame shows. Goldberg also provides reports from various locations in the stadium throughout Bally Sports Kansas City's game coverage.
Job Titles:
- End User Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager - Groundskeeping
Job Titles:
- Director - Stadium Services
Job Titles:
- Infield Coach / Infield Coach
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Executive Vice President
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer for Major League Baseball
Karin Timpone was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer for Major League Baseball in August 2021. Timpone oversees global marketing for the organization, working across all revenue, product and operations units, including the 30 independent Clubs, to connect and engage audiences as well as spearhead new initiatives to grow the next generation of MLB fans.
Timpone has an exceptional record in digital, marketing and customer experience, working at the forefront of brand transformation that enables the next generation of growth. She was Global Marketing Officer for Marriott International, where she led the creation of Marriott Bonvoy, tripling the audience of the top loyalty program in the travel hospitality category and leading the most comprehensive brand launch in the company's history. Karin was previously Senior Vice President for The Walt Disney Company, and introduced live streaming digital media on mobile devices years ahead of current market trends. Before that, Karin was Head of Marketing, Yahoo! Media Group and Head of Consumer/Customer Innovation. Prior to Yahoo!, Karin worked in global roles for Universal Studios as Senior Vice President and previously for its parent company, The Seagram Company Ltd.
A digital pioneer recognized by Adweek's roster of Top 50 in Media and Technology, Karin was recognized by Forbes, Business Insider, Ad Age and Adweek as one of the world's most influential CMOs. More recently, she expanded her expertise in the fintech arena, and served as founding CEO for a joint venture between a major financial institution and a media platform aimed at serving women. Timpone received her B.A. from Bryn Mawr College, her M.A. from New York University, and certification in Blockchain from MIT. She is a dual citizen, USA and Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Director - Sales & Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director - Minor League & International Operations
Job Titles:
- Manager - Ticket Solution & Services
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Social Media
Job Titles:
- Athletic Trainer
- Head
- Assistant Trainer / Assistant Trainer
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- General Counsel
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
Wisch has led Major League Baseball's Legal Department since July 2019, overseeing all of MLB's attorneys throughout the organization, including those who support MLB's business groups and the league office. Wisch is the first female General Counsel in the Office of the Commissioner's history. She joined MLB in 2004 and served as Senior Vice President & General Counsel of MLB Advanced Media, the digital arm of MLB, before her promotion to General Counsel of the Commissioner's Office. Throughout her tenure with MLB, she has served as a key legal advisor to each of Central Baseball's primary business lines, as well as each of the MLB Clubs, and has acted as corporate secretary or in a similar capacity for various boards of directors and ownership committees of MLB and its affiliated entities. Immediately prior to joining MLB, Wisch was an associate with the law firm of Vinson and Elkins. Wisch earned her B.S. from Cornell University and her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Stadium Operations Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Manager - Visiting Clubhouse
Job Titles:
- Manager - Media Relations
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Player Personnel
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the General Manager / Player Personnel
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Community Impact
Job Titles:
- Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach / Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - New Business
Job Titles:
- Director - Leadership & Cultural Development
Job Titles:
- Account Manager - Partnership Marketing
Job Titles:
- Content Producer - Motion Graphics / Video Editor
Job Titles:
- Director, Behavioral Science / MLB Mental Performance / Director, Behavioral Science / MLB Mental Performance
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - Membership Services
Job Titles:
- Advisor to the General Manager / Scouting & Player Development
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Partnership Marketing
Job Titles:
- Senior Advisor of Communications & Broadcasting
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to Baseball Operations / Leadership Development
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - New Business
Job Titles:
- Director - Player Development
Job Titles:
- Bullpen Coach / Bullpen Coach
Job Titles:
- Manager of Activations and Giveaways
Job Titles:
- Director - Infrastructure & Operations
Job Titles:
- Manager - Membership Services and Sales
Job Titles:
- Director - Media Relations
Job Titles:
- Director - Medical Services
- Head Athletic Trainer / Head Athletic Trainer
Job Titles:
- Director - Minor League Operations
Job Titles:
- Director - Guest Experience
Job Titles:
- Director - Events & Activations
Job Titles:
- Lead Strategist / Bullpen Catcher
Job Titles:
- Chief Communications Officer
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Chief Communications Officer of Major League Baseball
Patrick Courtney was appointed Chief Communications Officer of Major League Baseball by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. on December 4, 2014. Courtney oversees the communications strategy and media relations efforts of all MLB entities and serves as the chief spokesman for Commissioner Manfred. Courtney also is a top MLB liaison in various areas of the game's social responsibility and charitable efforts.
Prior to being named Chief Communications Officer, Courtney had served as Senior Vice President for Public Relations since April 2010, when he succeeded MLB's longtime head of PR, Richard Levin. As Senior Vice President, Courtney was the principal spokesman for Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig.
Courtney joined Major League Baseball as a Public Relations Assistant in 1992 after interning for the New York Yankees in 1991. He served in a number of positions in the PR Department prior to being promoted to Vice President of Public Relations in 2003. In that role, he acted as a liaison to all Major League Club public relations personnel and to other baseball organizations and was a main point of contact for the Baseball Writers Association of America and other media on all baseball matters pertaining to the Office of the Commissioner.
Courtney has directed all media operations for Major League Baseball's jewel events, including the World Series and the All-Star Game, since 1996. In 2000, he was a USA Baseball PR representative for the gold medal-winning Team USA at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In 2009, Courtney received the Robert O. Fishel Award for Public Relations excellence as voted by his peers and the BBWAA.
Courtney resides in New Jersey with his wife, Amelia, and their three daughters. He is an active supporter of his alma maters, the University of Richmond and the Princeton Day School.
Job Titles:
- Director - Risk Management
Job Titles:
- Account Manager - Partnership Marketing
Job Titles:
- Director - Pitching Performance
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Pacific Rim
Job Titles:
- Coordinator - Administration UYA
- Coordinator - Community Partnership Events
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the GM / Infield Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Stadium Operations Technician - Food Tech
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to Baseball Operations / Leadership Development
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Major League and International Operations / Assistant GM
Rex Hudler is in his 12th season with the Royals broadcast team as an analyst on Bally Sports Kansas City. Hudler worked in the same capacity alongside former Royals announcer, Steve Physioc, broadcasting the Los Angeles Angels for 11 seasons from 1999-2009.
A veteran with more than 40 years of baseball experience, including 21 as a player with the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, Hudler quickly became a fan favorite at all of his stops. Over 1,083 career big league games, Hudler, nicknamed "Wonder Dog," was a .261 career hitter with 56 home runs and 169 RBI.
Born in Tempe, Ariz., and a 1978 graduate of Bullard High School in Fresno, Calif., Hudler was a 1999 inductee into the Fresno Sports Hall of Fame. He excelled in all sports in high school, receiving 25 football scholarship offers before signing a letter of intent to play at Notre Dame. He chose baseball after being selected as the 18th overall pick by the Yankees in 1978.
Hudler is an award-winning broadcaster who began his announcing career as a special consultant for "Good Morning America" during the 1997 playoffs and 1998 Super Bowl. He is a four-time winner (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) of the Television Color Analyst of the Year by the Southern California Sports Broadcasters. Hudler won an Emmy in 2004 for "Angels in the Infield" and has loaned his voice to several baseball video games.
He is an active motivational speaker and he and his wife, Jennifer, founded "Team Up for Down Syndrome." The Hudlers have been awarded several honors for their community service. Rex and Jennifer have four children: Alyssa, Cade, William and David.
Job Titles:
- Analyst - Research & Development / Amateur Scouting
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Commissioner of Baseball
- Commissioner of Major League Baseball
Robert D. Manfred, Jr. was elected as the 10 th Commissioner in the history of Major League Baseball on August 14, 2014 by vote of the 30 Major League Clubs. He officially became the sport's leader on January 25, 2015. A July 2023 extension will continue Manfred's tenure through January 25, 2029.
Since Manfred began as Commissioner, two labor agreements have continued MLB's streak of uninterrupted play on the field since 1995, an unprecedented span of at least 31 consecutive seasons. In a landmark transaction in 2017, The Walt Disney Company acquired a 75% stake in BAMTech, a leading technology platform and video streaming company created by MLB. In 2022, the sport's revamped joint Competition Committee approved a series of historic changes to rules, which followed several years of fan polling and experimentation in the Minor Leagues. The fan-driven steps that debuted in 2023 are designed to improve pace of play, increase action, and reduce injuries. At the 2023 All-Star break, the season's average time of game (2:38) was the shortest since 1984; run-scoring per game was up 5% and league-wide batting average was up 5 points vs. 2022; and the success rate on stolen base attempts (79.4%) was on track to be the highest in baseball history.
Manfred has overseen the development of closer relationships with youth baseball and softball organizations and has allocated new resources toward improving MLB's presence in the amateur ranks. Under his leadership in 2015, MLB launched its signature PLAY BALL youth engagement program, which has resulted in meaningful increases in baseball and softball participation, per the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). Baseball and softball again combined to be the most participated sport in the United States among kids ages 6 to 12 with more than 6.5 million participants. In the first five years after the start of PLAY BALL, casual participation in baseball increased by nearly 90%.
Manfred has prioritized sustaining the game's international growth, including through global events like the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The tournament, which concluded with Angels MVP teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout meeting with the title on the line, was the most successful in the event's history. In 2016, MLB returned to Cuba for the first time since 1999 as the Tampa Bay Rays played an historic exhibition game vs. the Cuban National Team on March 22 nd at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana, jointly attended by President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro. In 2018, MLB staged regular season games in Puerto Rico and Mexico. In 2019, MLB opened its regular season in Japan, played multiple series in Mexico, and held an historic June series in London, which were the sport's first games ever played in Europe. MLB has also taken the game to non-traditional domestic locations with groundbreaking events in recent seasons at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, home of the Little League World Series; and in Omaha, Nebraska, home of the NCAA's Men's College World Series. In August 2021 and again in August 2022, MLB held a regular season game at the famed Field of Dreams site in Iowa, celebrating the beloved baseball film. The 2021 White Sox-Yankees contest was MLB's most-watched regular season game since 1998. In the summer of 2023, MLB announced that games would be staged in four different countries outside of the U.S. and Canada throughout 2024.
In 2020, Manfred oversaw the successful completion of a season impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, prioritizing health and safety in its operations and creativity on and off the field. MLB became the first sports league to start and finish a season during a pandemic, doing so in its home markets as a powerful visual example to fans of a responsible return to the workplace. The 2020 season included a streak of 59 consecutive days without a positive test among players; a positivity rate of 0.05% among Major League players and staff; and a schedule with 99.8% of its 900 games played, missing only two games that had no Postseason ramifications. As the industry's distribution model evolved during the 2023 season, Manfred's previous creation of a new Local Media Department prepared MLB for the massive transition, seamlessly expanding the reach of multiple local Club broadcasts.
Under Manfred's leadership, MLB has formed core partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Jackie Robinson Foundation and Stand Up To Cancer. In 2020, Manfred corrected a longtime mistake in the game's history by conferring Major League status on the Negro Leagues, allowing future generations to more easily learn about this pivotal chapter and its meaning to the sport. Manfred has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sports Lawyers Association and the Partnership for Clean Competition. He currently serves on the Board of DREAM, a nonprofit that uses the power of teams to inspire youth to recognize their potential. In April 2016, Manfred received the Judge William B. Groat Award from his alma mater, honoring outstanding professional achievement and service to Cornell's ILR. In November 2017, Manfred received the Jacob K. Javits Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater New York Chapter of the ALS Association for MLB's efforts against Lou Gehrig's Disease.
In 2021, Manfred established MLB's new annual Lou Gehrig Day to continue the game's support in the fight against ALS. Each June 2 nd - the day that Gehrig became the Yankees' starting first baseman, as well as the day he would pass away in 1941 - Lou Gehrig Day has brought many ALS organizations together toward the common goal of a cure. The 2023 season marked the debut of "MLB Together," the League's new platform emphasizing Baseball's efforts to make important societal contributions through the power of partnership and community. MLB Together focuses on community engagement, nonprofit partnerships, social impact, volunteerism, and mental health and wellness geared toward youth.
Prior to being elected Commissioner, Manfred had served as MLB's Chief Operating Officer since 2013, managing the Commissioner's Office in New York on behalf of Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. From 1998-2013, Manfred served as Executive Vice President, overseeing labor relations, economics and league affairs and directing all collective bargaining with the MLBPA. Competitive balance has been a hallmark of MLB the last two decades, as there have been 15 different World Series Champions in the last 22 seasons, the most variety of champions in professional sports during that span. In addition, no Club has repeated as a World Champion since 2000, an active streak that is the longest in the history of not only MLB, but all professional sports. Manfred also represented MLB on all upgrades to the game's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the toughest in American professional sports.
Manfred is a 1980 graduate of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) at Cornell University. In 1983, he received his law degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was an articles editor of the Harvard Law Review. Manfred was a part of the Labor and Employment Law Section of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP, and became a partner in the firm in 1992.
Manfred, a native of Rome, New York who was born in 1958, has been married to his wife Colleen since 1982. The New York residents have four adult children and five grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Analyst - Research & Development
Job Titles:
- Advisor to Baseball Operations
Royals Hall of Fame pitcher Jeff Montgomery is in his 14th season contributing to Royals broadcasts on Bally Sports Kansas City, serving as a co-host on "Royals Live" pregame and postgame shows. Monty also offers analysis in the broadcast booth during select games on Bally Sports.
He spent 12 of his 13 big league seasons with the Royals and is the club's all-time saves leader with 304. The three-time All-Star (1992, 1993, 1996) was the Rolaids American League Reliever of the Year in 1993, finishing tied for the league lead with 45 saves, matching a club record at that time. He also holds the club record for career appearances (686) and ranked 9th on Major League Baseball's all-time saves list at the time of his retirement.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Special Assistant to the GM / Quality Control
Ryan Lefebvre is in his 25th season as a Royals broadcaster on Bally Sports Kansas City and the Royals Radio Network and his 29th season on a Major League broadcast. Lefebvre won his second Mid-America Emmy Award in 2018, after also earning the honor in 2016.
Before joining the Royals prior to the 1999 season, Lefebvre spent four seasons as a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins on WCCO Radio, WCCO TV and Midwest Sports Channel. He was hired full-time at the age of 24, one year after graduating from the University of Minnesota. He also broadcast Gophers football, hockey and volleyball for WCCO and MSC.
The Los Angeles native graduated from Loyola High School in 1989 and began his broadcasting career as a freshman at the University of Minnesota at KUOM radio. As a Gopher baseball player, Lefebvre was a First Team All-Big Ten selection in 1993 and established school records for hits, triples and at-bats. He was selected in the 27th round of the 1993 First-Year Player Draft by Cleveland.
He is the son of former big league player and Manager, Jim Lefebvre. Actively involved in a number of Kansas City community activities, Lefebvre is the founder of Gloves for Kids, which has raised money for youth programs in Kansas and Missouri since 2001. In 2011, Lefebvre was the recipient of the John J. "Buck" O'Neil MVP Award for his commitment to youth in Kansas City. He was also named the 2006 Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Role Model of the Year, while in 2008 the Staples store in Zona Rosa (Kansas City) was dedicated in his honor for his "Philanthropic Spirit."
In 2015, Lefebvre was also named the recipient of the Olathe NAACP Diversity in Sports Award. He was also named one of the "25 Most Influential People" in the state of Kansas in 2014. In 2008, Lefebvre co-authored a book with Jeffrey Flanagan about his struggles with depression, titled: "The Shame of Me: One Man's Journey to Depression and Back".
Ryan and his wife, Sarah reside in Greenwood, Mo., with their sons, Micah, Evan and Lucas, and daughter, Callie. Sarah, a Registered Nurse, has traveled with various organizations to Mexico, Thailand, India, Kenya, Haiti, and Guatemala to provide aid and medical services.
Job Titles:
- Senior Account Executive - Membership Services
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Communications
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President - Chief Commercial and Community Impact Officer
Job Titles:
- Technician - Ballpark Operations
Job Titles:
- Group Director - Branded Content & Innovation
Job Titles:
- Vice President / Assistant GM
- VP, Major League Operations / Assistant GM
Job Titles:
- Director - Groundskeeping
Job Titles:
- Director - Communications Strategist
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - Group Retention & Sales
Job Titles:
- Manager - Sport Development / Baseball
Job Titles:
- End User Support Specialist
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - New Business
Royals Radio play-by-play broadcaster Steve Stewart is in his 16th season with the Royals, his 24th in the Major Leagues and his 32nd in baseball. Prior to coming to Kansas City, Stewart spent four years with the Cincinnati Reds, three of them on WLW radio and one on television with Fox Sports Ohio.
From 2000-2003 he worked in Baltimore for WBAL radio and television as a sports anchor/reporter and talk show host. One of his roles in Baltimore each year included filling in on Orioles radio, handling play-by-play duties. During the 2002 season he also broadcast several St. Louis Cardinals games on KMOX.
Stewart broadcast Triple-A baseball for the Calgary Cannons and the Richmond Braves, as well as college baseball at the University of South Carolina, where he was also part of the football and basketball broadcasts. His college play-by-play experience includes football at Maryland and Cincinnati as well as basketball broadcasts at Maryland, Cincinnati, Xavier, South Carolina and Richmond. He also spent seven years in local TV news and sports.
Stewart is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of Southern Methodist University. He lives in Overland Park, Kan. His son John is a graduate of the University of Kansas and last year received his master's in accounting at UMKC. He now works in accounting for Mariner Wealth Advisors.
Job Titles:
- Manager - Culinary Services
Job Titles:
- Account Director - Partnership Marketing
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the GM
Job Titles:
- Senior Director - Stadium Engineering
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to the GM
Job Titles:
- Manager - Clubhouse and Umpire Services
Job Titles:
- Member of the MLB Executives Team
- Chief Baseball Development Officer
In his role as Chief Baseball Development Officer, Reagins oversees the growth of youth and amateur levels of the sport, both domestically and internationally. Reagins, who joined the Commissioner's Office in March 2015, also is responsible for the operations of the Arizona Fall League.
His department emphasizes strengthening participation levels of baseball and softball, both at the grassroots and the development stages. This approach includes the continued growth of the "PLAY BALL" initiative, which launched in June 2015 and now includes multilateral partnerships with USA Baseball, USA Softball, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Little League International. Since the launch of PLAY BALL, participation in baseball has grown by +20% overall and +55% in casual forms of the game. In 2019, baseball and softball combined to rank as the most participated team sports in the U.S. with 25.1 million participants for the fourth consecutive year (source: SFIA).
Reagins also leads the proliferation of the "Breakthrough Series" amateur development camps - which now cover boys baseball, girls baseball, and softball - as well as additional programs such as Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), MLB Youth Academies, the Hank Aaron Invitational, Elite Development Invitational, DREAM Series, and the Andre Dawson Classic.
Prior to joining the Commissioner's Office, Reagins held several key roles with the Los Angeles Angels. His unique career path began with a dual internship in marketing & advertising sales and baseball operations before transitioning full-time to the baseball side. He served as the team's Director of Player Development and then became the fifth Black General Manager in baseball history in 2007. As General Manager of the Angels, Reagins amassed a record of 363-285 (.560), averaging nearly 91 wins per season. His highlights included consecutive American League West crowns in 2008-09 and the Club's first 100-win season in franchise history in '08, which resulted in Reagins being named the Rube Foster American League Executive of the Year. Reagins is a native of Indio, California and graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 1991.
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Pine Tar Collective
Job Titles:
- Senior Director - Groundskeeping & Landscaping
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - Group Retention & Sales
Job Titles:
- Major League Field Coordinator, Third Base Coach / Major League Field Coordinator, Third Base Coach
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Chief Financial Officer
Job Titles:
- Director - Arizona Operations
Job Titles:
- Engineer - Audio / Visual
Job Titles:
- Special Assistant to Baseball Operations / Leadership Development
Job Titles:
- Director of Major League Pitching Strategy, Assistant Pitching Coach
Job Titles:
- Director - Scoreboard Operations
Job Titles:
- Account Executive - New Business