Vice President - Communications
Sam Mellinger is entering his third season as the Royals Vice President of Communications, after being hired in December 2021. In this role, Mellinger oversees the club¡¯s communications both on the field and off with fans and media. Among other responsibilities, the department is responsible for the publication of the team media guide, yearbook, press releases and daily game notes.
Mellinger joined the Royals following a 21-year run at The Kansas City Star, including the previous 11 as a sports columnist. In his two-plus decades at The Star, Mellinger covered everything from high school sports to the Olympics, Super Bowls and World Series. His work was honored nationally by the National Headliner Awards and Associated Press Sports Editors for columns, features and projects. He was also honored by the state APSE body and appeared regularly on TV and radio both locally and nationally.
In 2014, Mellinger co-authored the book ¡°The Art of Scouting: Seven Decades Chasing Hopes and Dreams in Major League Baseball¡± with the late Art Stewart, a longtime Royals scout. A 2000 graduate of the University of Kansas, Mellinger resides in Kansas City with his wife, Katie, and sons Sammy and JB.