Kevin Seitzer

Playing career

After starring at Eastern Illinois University, Seitzer was drafted by the Royals in the 11th round of the 1983 draft. Seitzer made his big-league debut as a September call-up in 1986 with the Royals. He made it to the majors to stay in 1987, where he started the season as the Royals' regular first baseman. He traded positions with Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett later in the season, in hopes of reducing Brett's chances of injury. Seitzer hit .323 with 15 home runs and 207 hits (tying the MLB record) in his rookie 1987 season and, though overshadowed by fellow rookie teammate Bo Jackson, he was selected to the American League All-Star team.

Seitzer also became one of only (currently) three Royals to collect six hits in a nine-inning game, which he did on August 2 of that year in a 13–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Royals Stadium; two of those hits were home runs. He also had seven RBI for the day, a single-game career high. He joined Bob Oliver in 1969 (the franchise's inaugural season) in accomplishing this feat; Joe Randa would join them in 2004. Seitzer finished the 1987 season as the runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year award, behind the Oakland A's Mark McGwire. He holds Royal rookie records in games (161), hits (207), singles (151) and walks (80) and is tied with Carlos Beltrán in extra-base hits (56) and total bases (301). He led the league in hits, singles and plate appearances (725). He ranks eighth on the Royals all-time list with 369 walks while his .380 career on-base percentage as a Royals is second all-time. He is one of six players in Royals history to top the 200 hits mark in a season (207 in 1987). He appeared in the postseason twice with the Indians in 1996 and 1997, appearing in the 1997 World Series for the Tribe against Florida.

After subsequent seasons of .304, .281, .275, and .265, the Royals released Seitzer during spring training in 1992. He signed with Milwaukee, who installed him as their regular third baseman. In 1993 Seitzer became a free agent, signed with Oakland and after a slow start was released at the All Star break that season. He then resigned with Milwaukee, solidified himself as an everyday player, and again made the All-Star team in 1995. He enjoyed what many feel was his best season in 1996 with the Brewers and Cleveland Indians. Seitzer batted .326 with 13 home runs and 78 RBI in '96 while posting a career-high .416 on-base percentage.

In two postseason appearances with Cleveland, mostly coming off the bench, he hit .192 with a double, one run scored and four runs batted in. He retired following the 1997 season with a career batting average of .295.

During the final years of his career, Seitzer wore an attachment to his batting helmet called a C-flap which was an extra piece of plastic attached to the ear flap that covered the left side of his jaw. He was forced to wear this protection after being hit in the face twice by a pitch; once in 1994 and again in 1995. The helmet evidently did not obscure his batting eye, as he wore it for the rest of his career.

Coaching career

On October 27, 2006, Seitzer was named hitting coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Seitzer was replaced by Rick Schu on July 11, 2007, as the Diamondbacks' hitting coach. On February 7, 2009, Seitzer was named hitting coach of the Kansas City Royals. On October 4, 2012, the Royals announced Seitzer's contract would not be renewed.

Seitzer was hired by the Toronto Blue Jays to be their hitting coach on October 31, 2013. He joined the Atlanta Braves in the same role on October 27, 2014. On October 10, 2024, the Braves announced that Seitzer would not return for the 2025 season.

On November 25, 2024, Seitzer was hired by the Seattle Mariners to serve as the team's hitting coach.

High school and college highlights

• In 1992, Seitzer was inducted into the Eastern Illinois University Athletics Hall of Fame.
• Seitzer was a member of Lincoln Community High School's fourth-place finish (Lincoln, Illinois) in the 1980 Class AA Illinois High School Association basketball tournament. He scored 46 points in four games in the tournament.
• in 1981 Seitzer played for Galesburg, Illinois in the Central Illinois Collegiate League.
• In 1982 Seitzer played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League, and won the championship that summer.
• In 1983 Seitzer played for the Butte Copper Kings (Mont.) Pioneer League; The Copper Kings were affiliated with the Kansas City Royals.
• In 2012 Seitzer had his number retired by Eastern Illinois University.

Personal life

Seitzer and his wife, Beth, reside in Leawood, Kansas. They have four sons, Tyler, Brandon, Nick and Cameron. They have two grandsons, Weston and Max. His stepson Nick Graffeo was drafted as a pitcher by the Kansas City Royals in the 2010 draft. He was released on March 29, 2013, by the Royals. His son Cameron was an infielder in the Chicago White Sox organization from 2011 to 2018; he is now a coach for the Great Falls Voyagers.

Seitzer owns and operates a baseball and softball training facility in Kansas City, Missouri, called Mac-N-Seitz Baseball and Softball with former Royals teammate Mike Macfarlane.

References

References

1. "Kevin Seitzer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More".
2. (12 July 2007). "Slumping Diamondbacks fire hitting coach Seitzer".
3. "MLB News, Scores, Videos, Standings and Schedule | Sporting News".
4. (October 4, 2012). "Royals fire hitting coach Seitzer". The Wichita Eagle.
5. (October 4, 2012). "Royals fire hitting coach Kevin Seitzer". NBC Sports.
6. Davidi, Shi. (October 31, 2013). "Blue Jays name Seitzer hitting coach". [[Sportsnet]].
7. (October 27, 2014). "Braves bring in Seitzer to be hitting coach". MLB.com.
8. (October 10, 2024). "Hitting coach Seitzer won't be retained after 10-year run". MLB.com.
9. (October 10, 2024). "Braves fire hitting coach, others after NL wild-card sweep". ESPN.com.
10. (November 25, 2024). "Edgar in expanded role, Seitzer to be named hitting coach for '25 (sources)". MLB.com.
11. "Eastern Illinois University Athletics - Hall of Fame".
12. "Archived copy".
13. Gray, John. (August 10, 1982). "Chatham A's Mean Business, Win Two for Shot at Title". The Cape Codder.
14. (September 5, 2012). "Athletics To Retire Kevin Seitzer's No. 2". Eastern Illinois University.
15. Kaegel, Dick. (June 9, 2010). "Seitzer's stepson selected by KC". mlb.com.
16. Wagler, Joel. (March 29, 2013). "Royals Recap: Perez & Cain Muscle Up; Gordon Bangs 7th HR". KC Kingdom.
17. Eddy, Matt. (December 24, 2016). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 10-22". baseballamerica.com.
18. "Mac N Seitz – Baseball & Softball Facility".