Sports columnist Sam Mellinger leaving Kansas City Star to become Royals PR executive
The Kansas City Royals turned to the pages of The Star to fill the shoes of widely respected and longtime communications chief Mike Swanson.
Sam Mellinger, sports columnist for The Kansas City Star since March 2010, will leave his current position Dec. 20 to take on the title of Royals Vice President of Communications.
“I know it sounds really weird, and it’s not at all what you’re supposed to do if you take another job after this one,” Mellinger said. “But it never crossed my mind until Dayton (Moore) called. To be honest, I thought he was joking at first.
“Then after he told me what they want from that job, it felt like I fit. I’ve known Dayton for 15 years, and I respect him as much as anybody I’ve met in this job. The same goes for a lot of other people in that front office. So I kind of have a little bit of a head start on what I’m getting into in that way.”
A Kansas City resident and graduate of the University of Kansas, Mellinger’s ties to the area were crucial to the Royals.
“It became very clear that he would be the most complete person for the position,” said Moore, the Royals’ president of baseball operations, of the interview process. “He has got a great knowledge of the history of the Royals, a perspective of what we’re about, an idea of where we’re headed, a deep appreciation and love for Kansas City and our community and our fanbase. ...
“We’re certainly always going to respect the process. But Kansas City is a very special place, and to be able to hire somebody who feels as we all do and has that deep commitment to this community is vital. We wanted someone who is passionate about this team and this community and what we’re about.”
Mellinger pointed to Royals CEO and chairman John Sherman’s commitment to Kansas City as one of the primary draws.
“I love The Star,” Mellinger said. “Doing this job has been a thrill and has been an honor that I’ve tried to live up to every day that I’ve had it. The experiences that I’ve had, everything from covering games to championships, losing seasons, the people I’ve met, the readers I’ve connected with, it’s just been an absolute privilege.”
Mellinger, 43, will end a decorated 21-year run as a member of The Star’s sports staff.
A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Mellinger covered high school sports from 2000-06. He moved to the national baseball writer position, which he held until he became a general sports columnist in 2010. He has been honored by the National Headliner Awards and Associated Press Sports Editors for columns, features, and projects.
He also co-authored the book “The Art of Scouting: Seven Decades Chasing Hopes and Dreams in Major League Baseball” with longtime Royals scout Art Stewart, who died last month at the age of 94.
“It’s been an honor — and an adventure — working with Sam on his journey to becoming such an accomplished journalist,” said Star President and Editor Mike Fannin, who made Mellinger among his first hires after being named sports editor in 1999. “He made sure we were having fun while also considering the most important aspects of sports in a community.”
The Star and the Royals have shared a connection before. Joe McGuff, following his retirement as The Star’s editor, was selected in 1994 to the Royals board of directors that worked to keep the franchise in Kansas City following founder Ewing Kauffman’s death. Through his sports columns in the 1960s, McGuff lobbied successfully to keep Major League Baseball in Kansas City following the departure of the A’s to Oakland. He also threw out the first pitch in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series.
Swanson officially retires this month. He spent 43 years in Major League Baseball, including 21 years with the Royals across his two stints (1973-78 and 2007-21).
Following his retirement, Swanson will serve as a consultant for the club.
“To be able to interview a guy and spend some time with somebody like him who is willing to make this adjustment in his life at this point because he loves our sport that much and wants to be a part of it, it’s a tribute to him,” Swanson said. “It has been a joy for me to watch him start to make this transition.”
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
