the league. On September 19, the Cardinals became the first team in the majors to advance to the playoffs. Matheny became the first manager in MLB history to guide his club to the postseason in each of his first four full seasons. With an 11–1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 30, the Cardinals won 100 games for the first time in Matheny's managerial career, while clinching their third consecutive NL Central division title. The Pirates, who had kept close for most of the season, had already won 96 games, while clinching a wild-card berth. However, the Cubs, the second wild-card entrant, defeated the Cardinals in the NLDS in four games. Matheny finished second in the NL Manager of the Year Award voting, and was a co-winner of the J. G. Taylor Spink St. Louis Baseball Man of the Year Award. 2016−2018 On May 27, 2016, Matheny gained his 400th career win in a 6–2 defeat of the Washington Nationals. In 2016, Matheny's contract was extended to 2022. On May 1, 2018, Matheny became the fourth person, after Red Schoendienst, Whitey Herzog, and Tony La Russa, to manage 1,000 Cardinals games. He was fired by the Cardinals on July 14, 2018. His 2018 record was 47–46 and his career in St. Louis over 1,065 games was 591–474 (.555). Kansas City Royals On October 31, 2019, Matheny was hired as manager of the Kansas City Royals after the retirement of Ned Yost. The Royals exercised a contract option on March 31, 2022, retaining Matheny through the 2023 season. On October 5, 2022, the Royals announced Matheny would not return as manager for the 2023 season. Managerial record Awards and accomplishments Accomplishments First manager in MLB history to guide team to playoffs in each of first four seasons (2012–15) 100-win season as manager (2015) MLB record for consecutive games caught without an error (252 from 2002–04) One of three catchers in MLB history with fielding percentage of 1.000 with at least 100 games caught (2003) Three consecutive seasons with fielding percentage of .999 or above, one or fewer errors and at least 100 games caught (2003–05) San Francisco Giants' single-season record for catcher's fielding percentage (.999 in 2005) 1,000 games managed (St. Louis Cardinals) Awards 2× Baseball America Toolbox Awards for best manager (2014 – 2nd, 2015 – 2nd) Darryl Kile Good Guy Award (2003) Major League Baseball All-Star (2014) Missouri