The Los Angeles Angels‘ next manager will be former All-Star catcher Kurt Suzuki. The team made the announcement on Tuesday after conducting interviews with Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter.
The 42-year-old is familiar with the organization after serving as a special assistant to GM Perry Minasian. Suzuki played the final two seasons of his 16-year career with the Angels in 2021-22. He built a connection with the organization by spending time with them during spring training, leading to him being named their next general manager.
What Suzuki Brings to the Angels
Suzuki previously interviewed for the San Francisco Giants manager position. However, he has no professional management or coaching experience. That might cause problems since he needs to hire a new coaching staff. He does, however, have the right to retain any coach he chooses, as the Angels next manager.
A positive aspect of hiring Suzuki is that he has played with multiple players on the roster. This includes the likes of Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, Anthony Rendon and Logan O’Hoppe. Suzuki was an All-Star in 2014 with the Minnesota Twins before winning the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. He ended his playing career with 143 home runs, 295 doubles and 730 RBI in 1,635 appearances.
Fifth Manager in Five Seasons
Suzuki is set to replace Ron Washington, who left the team after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery in June. The Angels placed Washington on season-ending medical leave before choosing Ray Montgomery to take his place. Montgomery finished this season as the team’s interim manager, but they decided not to bring him back for the 2026 season. Both men were offered to return to the organization in a different capacity.
Suzuki will be the Angels’ fifth full-time manager since 2018. The team is in an 11-season playoff drought and hasn’t had a winning record since 2015. The Angels improved this season with a record of 72–90, but it has problems that must be addressed. This includes ranking 25th in runs scored, 28th in on-base percentage and 28th in ERA this season.
The Angels are looking to find success after a decade of losing and think Suzuki will be the one to usher in this new era.
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