A.J. Hinch on his Royals playing career: ‘Once they lost me, it got worse’

During his seven years as a major-league player, Astros manager A.J. Hinch made a stop in Kansas City.

He hit .214 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 117 games for the Royals from 2001-02, serving as a backup catcher.

Royals fans don’t need to be reminded those seasons weren’t great. They lost 97 games in 2001 and then sustained their first 100-loss season.

“It wasn’t rock bottom when I played for them,” Hinch said Wednesday. “Once they lost me, it got worse.”

Again, he’s right. After winning 83 games in 2003, the Royals posted three straight 100-loss seasons, including a franchise-low 56-106 record in 2005.