KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Bench coach Jamie Quirk was released and first base coach Frank White was reassigned Tuesday in a shake-up of Kansas City's coaching staff.

Quirk, who played for the Royals in the 1970s and '80s, had been a coach for the past eight seasons.

White, a five-time All-Star second baseman, spent his entire 18-year playing career with the Royals and in 1985 became the first second baseman since Jackie Robinson to bat cleanup in the World Series. A Kansas City native, he has always been one of the city's most popular athletes.

The Royals said White would become a special assistant to general manager Allard Baird. His new duties will include scouting and evaluating players, and working on the business side of the baseball operations staff.

"This is an exciting promotion for Frank," Baird said in a statement. "Frank has had a desire to come into the front office for some time. His presence on the field will be difficult to replace. However, his major league experience as a player and a coach, along with his time managing in the minor league level, will be a great addition to our staff."

In his 18 years, he won eight Gold Gloves.

"I'm excited to have input in the player development side of the game and teach our young players the `Royal Way' of baseball," White said. "I've enjoyed my time as a coach. But when this opportunity came, I felt it was a position where I could most benefit the organization."

Replacements for White and Quirk have not been named. The Royals said the other members of Tony Muser's staff -- pitching coach Al Nipper, batting coach Lamar Johnson, third base coach Rich Dauer and bullpen coach Tom Gamboa -- had all been invited to return.