KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Willie Mays Aikens, who went from World Series star to federal prison inmate, has been hired by the Kansas City Royals as a minor league coach.
The 56-year-old Aikens hit four home runs for the Royals in their 1980 World Series loss to Philadelphia. He got the winning hit in Game 3, KC’s first World Series victory.
Aikens later served almost 14 years on gun, bribery and crack cocaine charges. He was released in June 2008 from federal prison in Jesup, Ga. His case was often cited as an argument against the mandatory sentencing guidelines then in place.
Upon his release, Aikens apologized to Royals fans and said he hoped to get back into baseball.
The former first baseman will be based at Kansas City’s complex in Surprise, Ariz.
