Monarchs Manager Calfapietra Extended Through 2025

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — One of baseball’s most successful managers is staying in Kansas City for at least three more years.

The Kansas City Monarchs have signed Joe Calfapietra to a contract extension keeping him with the club through the 2025 season, the Monarchs announced Tuesday.

The two-time American Association Manager of the Year and 2022 Kansas City Coach of the Year thanked the Monarchs’ front office, including owner Mark Brandmeyer, CEO Mark McKee and team president Jay Hinrichs.

“They made me feel from day one like family, and that’s a big deal. My wife, my two girls, they love it in Kansas City.” Calfapietra said on Reign Reborn with Carter Woodiel. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities that I have here. I just want to continue to make everyone proud and keep doing what we’ve been doing in Kansas City.”

The full interview airs Wednesday at noon on the Monarchs’ Facebook page.

“We are pleased to announce the extension of our current agreement for the 2021 American Association Manager of the Year today,” said Brandmeyer. “Our organization is built on the basis of family and community. It is clear to us that Joe Calfapietra was going to contribute to our success in both areas as well as award winning baseball. His energy, passion and baseball intelligence have resulted in post season participation our last four seasons and American Association championships in 2018 and in 2021. We are excited to have Joe’s drive, skillset, and ability to sign and develop very talented ballplayers and lead the Monarchs to the playoffs year after year.”

Calfapietra is a two-time American Association champion, having guided the Monarchs to Miles Wolff Cup titles in 2018 and 2021. He earned the league’s Manager of the Year award in both of those seasons.

In April 2022, Calfapietra earned a citywide honor, taking the Coach of the Year award from the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation.

The Monarchs are looking to win their fourth straight division championship in 2023. Calfapietra has already signed a handful of big names, including former major leaguers Jacob Robson and Ryan Castellani.

Calfapietra enters the 2023 season with a 311-188 record in five seasons with Kansas City. Prior to joining the club he spent 14 seasons at the helm of the New Jersey Jackals, winning two Can-Am League Manager of the Year awards and making six appearances in the league finals.

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball played its first season in 2006. It is a professional partner league that is affiliated with Major League Baseball but not specifically with any one team. The league consists of 12 teams located primarily in the Midwest and the South of the United States. Its season runs from May to September and features players who are looking to showcase their talents for a chance to be signed by a major league team.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. This year, they are celebrating their 20th year of baseball in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965. The Monarchs won ten Negro American League championships and two Negro League World Series championships in their history. The team featured numerous notable players over the years, including Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson, Ernie Banks, and Buck O’Neil.