Royals hire Aikens to coach in minors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Willie Mays Aikens, who went from World Series star to federal prison inmate, has returned to baseball.

The 56-year-old Aikens was hired Tuesday as a minor league coach by the Kansas City Royals and will work at their complex in Surprise, Ariz.

Aikens hit four home runs for the Royals in their 1980 Series loss to Philadelphia. He later served almost 14 years on gun, bribery and cocaine charges.