The Los Angeles Angels have made a significant move by hiring former major league catcher Kurt Suzuki as their new manager, a decision announced on Tuesday. This appointment comes after Suzuki spent the previous three seasons serving as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian. With this hire, Suzuki becomes the fifth individual to take on the managerial role under Minasian's leadership during his five years at the helm.
Kurt Suzuki enjoyed a distinguished 16-season career in the major leagues, playing for five different teams. Notably, he was selected as an All-Star while with the Minnesota Twins in 2014 and celebrated a World Series victory with the Washington Nationals in 2019. Suzuki concluded his playing career with two seasons in Anaheim, retiring following the 2022 season. Additionally, he boasts a College World Series title, which he earned while playing for Cal State Fullerton, conveniently located just a few miles from Angel Stadium.
Suzuki's hiring marks a new chapter for the Angels as he replaces Ron Washington, who was not retained after two challenging seasons. Washington's tenure was further complicated by health issues, as he missed the latter half of the current season due to quadruple bypass heart surgery. In his absence, Ray Montgomery stepped in as interim manager, but the team finished last in the AL West, concluding the season with a disappointing record of 72-90.
The Angels initially considered former slugger Albert Pujols for the managerial position, who was viewed as a strong candidate due to his longstanding relationship with team owner Arte Moreno. However, negotiations with Pujols fell through, leading the Angels to focus on Suzuki and fellow special assistant Torii Hunter as top contenders. Despite both candidates lacking major league coaching experience, Suzuki emerged as the chosen leader for the beleaguered franchise.
As the Angels welcome Suzuki, they face the daunting reality of a franchise that has struggled significantly over the past decade. The team is currently in the midst of a 10-year streak of losing seasons and has not made the playoffs in 11 consecutive years. Under Minasian's direction, the Angels have begun to cultivate a young core, featuring promising talents like shortstop Zach Neto and outfielder Jo Adell, alongside three-time MVP Mike Trout. Nonetheless, the franchise continues to search for a path out of its extended slump.
Kurt Suzuki, a fourth-generation Japanese-American from Hawaii, joins an exclusive group of MLB managers with Asian heritage, including Don Wakamatsu and Dave Roberts. Notably, he is recognized as the first Hawaiian-born full-time manager in major league history, a milestone the Angels have proudly highlighted.
As Suzuki steps into his new role, he does so amidst ongoing negative publicity surrounding the franchise, particularly due to a high-profile trial concerning a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose in 2019. Mike Trout's testimony in the trial this week adds another layer of complexity to the team's current situation.
With Kurt Suzuki at the helm, the Angels are poised to embark on a new journey, one that fans hope will lead to a resurgence in performance and a brighter future for the franchise.
