SUNDAY, 3:38pm: In response to Nightengale’s report, Scioscia told media (including Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times): “This is insanity. That’s it.”
12:58pm: Scioscia decided before the season began that this will be his final year as a manager with the Angels or anyone else, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. He plans to retire at the end of the season, according to Nightengale.
10:38am: For what it’s worth, Scioscia denied Rosenthal’s report on Sunday, telling media members (including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register): “Nothing has changed since we talked last October. That’s the best way I can put it. There’s always chatter out there. The only word I have is poppycock. That’s all it is.”
SATURDAY: Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who’s in the last season of a 10-year, $50MM contract, is expected to step down at the end of the campaign, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Scioscia’s not under pressure from the club to walk away, according to Rosenthal. Rather, the soon-to-be 60-year-old would depart of his own volition, and it’s unclear whether he’d be open to managing elsewhere in the future.
Scioscia, the longest-tenured manager in baseball, has been atop the Angels’ dugout since the club hired him prior to the 2000 season. The union between the Angels and Scioscia, a former Dodgers catcher, has been fruitful. The franchise won its only World Series title under Scioscia in 2002, taking out Barry Bonds and the Giants in a memorable seven-game set. The Scioscia-led Angels have also gone to the playoffs in six other seasons, each of which included a division title, and combined for a 1,625-1,402 regular-season record. Only 17 other managers have won more games than Scioscia, and 12 are enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
While the Scioscia era has gone well in the aggregate, recent Angels teams haven’t been able to approach the early success the franchise had with him at the controls. Despite having the majors’ best player, center fielder Mike Trout, dating back to his breakout 2012 season, the Angels haven’t won a playoff series since 2009. They haven’t even won a postseason game with Trout, who was part of the most recent Angels playoff team – the 2014 club that Kansas City swept in the ALDS.
With Trout in his third-last year of team control, the Angels made several key moves this past offseason to return to prominence. Most notably, the Halos signed Japanese-born superstar Shohei Ohtani, a starting pitcher/designated hitter who was the majors’ top free agent in the offseason. Ohtani has wowed as a two-way player, but a right elbow sprain has kept him off the mound since June 6 and limited him to 49 1/3 innings. He’s among a host of Angels who have dealt with injury issues this season, which has helped lead to an underwhelming 55-57 record. As a result, the Angels are well out of the playoff race, trailing the AL West-leading Astros by 15 1/2 games and another division rival – the Athletics – by 10 1/2 for a wild-card spot.
Barring a miraculous comeback (and a change of heart from Scioscia), it appears his tenure in Anaheim will conclude in disappointing fashion and with a fourth straight non-playoff season. The Angels’ next skipper will be taking over for a team icon, one who has garnered AL Manager of the Year honors twice. Rosenthal notes that individual may come from inside the organization, though he does expect the Angels to explore outside candidates, too. The Halos hired former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus last winter as a special assistant to GM Billy Eppler, and he stands out as their most obvious in-house Scioscia successor. Otherwise, fellow Eppler assistant Eric Chavez or Scioscia’s bench coach, Josh Paul, could be possibilities, per Rosenthal.
Regardless of whether the Angels’ next manager ultimately comes from within, the club shouldn’t have difficulty attracting interest in the job. Led by Trout and Ohtani, there’s enviable talent on the Angels’ roster, and the franchise has consistently run high payrolls under owner Arte Moreno. This year’s team entered the campaign with the game’s seventh-most expensive roster, but unfortunately for the Angels and Scioscia, a dreary ending appears to be in store.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Mets need to go get him!!!!!!
You’ll regret that.
.
You don’t buy new appliances when your building’s wiring is bad.
Well put
Headass
He qualifies as an expert in the field of TJS.
Hey Freddie:
How? They won’t spend the $$&.
Why? He won’t work for a cheapskate.
Who? Only a dummy takes the job.*
*Ask Mickey and he will admit that he had a momentary lapse in judgement when he took the job.
PS-do you think that a good manager fixes the ills of a pathetic franchise run by the three stooges and owned by Abbott and Costello?
Time to join the boycott man.
Do not buy Mets tickets.
Do not Watch SNY.
Wow I mean wow I know it’s for the good but so many memories good and bad, thank you Sosh, thank you.
And Halofan will be out for the next 18 months with TJS
Lol
Unnecessary comment
TJS got you too
Might be true
Lol
Your comment is “PoppyCock”
This is inanity. That’s it
any chance he manages the Dodgers
Why would the dodgers even consider getting rid of Dave Roberts rn? Let alone sign Scioscia
No.
Um….
“bigpapi4everandever”
Is this a zombie or a new troll account?
That ship sailed long ago when FOX chose Dave Johnson over Sciosh. All he did then was take a team of Dodger coaches and win a ring down the freeway.
Dave Johnson? Well he gave us that memorable Chan Ho Park gives up 2 grand slams to the same player in the same inning moment. That was neat.
Roberts is going nowhere. He’s elite, top tier manager.
Hardly
Say what you want about his tenure, but it’s pretty cool to see a modern professional sports organization amicably separate from their coach/manager. A rare phenomenon these days.
You never really know if this was his choice or just done to save face.
Who knows who initiated it. The point is that they came together and figured out the best way to end it positively. In the current day and age, great or even legendary coaches are fired in disgrace. Accomplishments are often thrown out the window.
I’m not even an Angels fan, just think it’s cool how they handled this.
Agreed.
I bet urban Meyer is about to suddenly decide to step down following the seasons end too
If he makes it that long
Old broken down horses are usually put out to pasture to mate. Happy mating Mike
It’ll be good for the Angels to get a new voice, but I can’t help but wonder how many more WS the Angels would have if there was a different owner. Team lost its identity changing the name from Anaheim to LA and trying to compete with the Dodgers with one bad long term deal after another. If they don’t hit on Trout, its a 100 loss season each year.
I’m thinking with Eppler’s ties to the NYY, I can see Girardi coming to LAA
I really hope he does
As long as it’s not Brad Ausmus, I’m good
Oh no
Good call, I can totally see that happening.
Very good call
I also think girardi. Wanted bud black but this would be a nice consolation prize.
I always thought he was good as a Boston fan but, I recall one of the reasons he left NY was by his own admission a difficulty connecting with the younger group coming up.
“…one of the reasons he left NY was by his own admission a difficulty connecting with the younger group coming up.“
Nice try. It was difficulty connecting with the “younger” Sanchez. (How is Sanchez doing this year?)
The Angels would be lucky to have Girardi.
Well that’s what everyone is saying. All angels fan who have seem to be commenting have posted that we want girardi either as our 1st choice or consolation prize. Either way, we have all seem to be happy if girardi is our next manager. So therefore that Clarifies that we’d be lucky to have him. Just like all your others posts, seems to be quiet unnecessary and just repeating what other people have already said.
You misunderstood my post then. And you almost had me. No need to get personal.
He’s generalizing reason for Girardi’s dismissal by saying he couldn’t connect with “younger players.” It was just Sanchez.
Stick to following your team. (Scroll past my posts)
It was mostly Sanchez.
I don’t even know what you’ve said about Sanchez, and I have no idea what Girardi or Boone has been doing with Sanchez. In either case, who ever is playing the best player that will help their team win, wether it be girardi or Boone, I’m agreeing with.
I’m so gone man. I’m about passed out. I know you repeat what the author of the article stated a lot, it’s fine with me bro. Whatever you wanna do, I know you wanna be a sports journalist, but idk if this is your outlet just repeating other people
It is obvious your disagreements with me, stem deeper than the post you’re replying to.
Yeah you probably right
When the most overrated managers ever.
One of?
No. clearly he meant ‘When the’
Big Angels homer here and some time Scioscia hater. All that said, the stats beat out the exact opposite.
Only Joe Torre has beaten his teams expected wins versus their actual wins. That said, there have often been rumors about how much he hates analytics and it seems like Eppler gave him a chance to win and now he’s gonna find one of his guys.
maybe he comes to the Dodgers
This mans been manager of my favorite team my whole life. Angel fans hate on him but he’s a top 10 manager and he will be missed. Lots of memories
Totally agree with you man, but with all this analytics coming out and new info, especially with him being exposed by jerry dipoto, his time of being a manager his over. I do think he’d be a perfect bench coach or scout. Otherwise, I’m sorry but he’s not fit to all the analytics and change.
Hard for us to know how much of the analytics he’s accepted and how much he thinks is silly, but he def leans toward the old school approach. Which, your right, makes his time as a manager over. I also feel like it’s time, just venting on how i grew up watching sosh and how he’ll be missed
The Angels haven’t given him a chance with that crap bullpen and no closer. Can anyone name a starting pitcher? You still have 38 yr old Albert jogging to 1st base, can anyone name the infield besides Simmons? And ownership expects this team to compete with the Astros? Lol
“[C]an anyone name the infield besides Simmons?”
Pujols is part of the infield.
He’s leaving to work at a nuclear power plant.
Solid work squeezing in that Simpson’s reference!
I hope not. He’ll be lucky to live through the night.
Source?
Springfield Shopper.
Thank god, please retire. Caught lightning in a bottle once and then rode it out for literally 16 years.
That sounds a lot like a description of Jon Gruden
He’s one of the winningest managers of all time…
You could not be more off
He has constantly been an underachiever. You can point to his record, but it should be better. He’s a bad manager and wrecks literally every pitcher that touches his mound
Underachiever? He’s bested his pythagorean record by 21 wins over his tenure
Wait, 1 ring= 16 years?
Bochy3 =lifetime!
Now it would be cool if Bochy stepped down too. I mean, he would be great in another role with the team, but I think it’s Bsm bam’s turn.
Big news. Some have suggested that he doesn’t like new analytics style of the game. He prefers to micromanage all aspects himself.
Good luck to him.
You had a good run, Mike. 16 year run, is more than most.
Congrats on the 2002 World Series Ring.
And you were well-compensated. Mike Scioscia makes more 2018 ($6m) than Kevin Cash will make in 5 years managing the Rays (<$5 million)
And he deserves to make that money
Well yeah he deserves all that money from the respect that he has earned from the Halo community, from the money that Arte Moreno and all other managers have given to players/coaches for past performance (2002 World Series), and his tenure, then yeah he does deserve every penny of that contract. But man, he’ll be lucky to get another managerial job unless it’s from another owner like Arte. I love scioscia, I’m a huge angels fan. But it’s time to let loose. Jeff Luhnow, Dave Roberts, Joe Maddon, and the boys from Tampa have showed us that you dont need an all star team like the yanks or Red Sox to compete with them. Scioscia and the Halos have shown that that’s not true, and Scioscia is wrong, because look at y, not even a .500 team. Analytics and all the new crap in the game is gonna help the Halos win, and I’m all for it if that means Scioscia is gone. I want the Halos to win, and quite frankly, idc who has to go in order for us to win, even its Trout. I want to win. I hope the Halos can figure it out
Cubs and Astros were complete tear downs with multiple last place seasons. Eppler doesn’t have that luxury with Trout and Pujols on the roster. He has to build the team incrementally, which is the complete opposite of the Cubs/Astros/TB situations.
“But it’s time to let loose. Jeff Luhnow, Dave Roberts, Joe Maddon, and the boys from Tampa have showed us that you dont need an all star team like the yanks or Red Sox to compete with them.”
Really, you are just going to ignore Oakland having the 4th best record in MLB like that and focus on Dodgers manager, who really does have an all-star team? Matter of fact so do the Astros and Cubs. The A’s are the team you meant to say here, the team that whooping everyone right now with the worst rotation of a contender since the 2015 Royals.
No I for sure meant to leave out Oakland. Oakland has a few good seasons that they always claim is real but everyone else thinks it’s a fluke, and then they tank and sit at last place for 5 years. I would never have Oakland in a list of teams that I idolize their management. Sorry bud
“But it’s time to let loose. Jeff Luhnow, Dave Roberts, Joe Maddon, and the boys from Tampa have showed us that you dont need an all star team like the yanks or Red Sox to compete with them.”
Ok but you also claimed the Astros, Dodgers and Cubs have no All-stars when like their entire squads are made up of them, so maybe what you think you know about baseball is a little off?
“Oakland has a few good seasons that they always claim is real but everyone else thinks it’s a fluke”
You mean making the playoffs during a contention window? Yeah, the A’s do that, then due to like, one misstep, their window closes and they rebuild, like they are doing right now, as the 4th best team in MLB.
Notice that I said Jeff Luhnow, not AJ Hinch. I mentioned Luhnow because of his analytic analysts. Notice I mentioned Joe Maddon because he seems to be trying different things and is one of the most unconventional managers. Dave Roberts because look at his damn team before Dozier and Machado, did anyone think they would be that good with the injuries they have suffered? Hell no, Dave is a top tier coach in my eyes. And the boys in Tampa! Because look at their payroll year in and year out and look what they are able to do. Your Oakland Athletics should look up to the Rays, they put a competitive team on the field every damn year.
Sorry Andrew but Dave Roberts and Joe Maddon do manage all star teams., and Tampa Bay currently sits 22.5 games out of 1st place in their division, so yea..If Roberts doesn’t take the Dodgers to the promised land this year, he’s out and Scioscia’s in.
How many pitcher injuries happened on his watch, comparatively with league average?
Too many!! Get rid of him and whoever else is responsible for all the injuries!!!
Is this a joke? “Whoever is resppnsibpe for the injuries?”
Learn about UCL injuries. The damage is cumulative, beginning with improper use/instruction at the LL and travel ball level. It isn’t the result of improper training or conditioning at the MLB level. It is simply that the injury occurs before our eyes at that level.
BTW, nobody talks about the pitchers who had TJ surgery in high school or at the college level. It’s just assumed it is the result of poor management or training on MLB team X.
It is cumulative, which is on the manager to look at his staff and do research to figure out who had some podunk idiot manager in college or high school making them throw 150+ pitches a game, multiple games a week, and adjust his pitch counts accordingly. Scioscia was relentlessly bad at that, and acted as if anyone on his team was brand new. Now every arm including God Ohtani, is hurt. He really is one of the worst managers ever.
Given the year, I’ll just assume he stepped down to get Tommy John Surgery.
So overrated. Doesn’t let his catcher call a game. He thinks he above the game. Good Bye. You should have been let go years ago
Doesn’t let his catcher call a game? Where exactly have you gotten that idea? That’s simply not true. Soshs signs are for base runners, like every other manager
Girardi is Sciocia 2.0 another guy who doesn’t like the analytics of baseball. Let him go to St. Louis they deserve him.
Troll. (Or misinformed)
You couldn’t be more wrong. Girardi’s the man. Some Yankee fans thought he was overly-analytical. (I didn’t) Ever wonder what’s inside that binder he carried 24/7?
I think Yankees would have better record with Girardi at the helm today. At very least… wouldn’t be 81/2 deficit
Yankees blew it getting rid if Girardi for Boone
I think you’re right bro, Boone is just a puppet of cashman. Girardi is a true manager. I really hope the Halos get him
Girardi’s work merits praise and a job offer.
Girardi either Angels or Cardinals will get him. Since he’s a Midwest guy, the cardinals have the edge
And there was much rejoicing
My guess would be either Joe Gurardi or Brad Ausmus as the new manager next season .
Angels have been very high on Dino Ebel for a long time. I’d be surprised if he isn’t at the top of their list.
Oh damn man I totally forgot about him. Wasn’t he our bench coach for a few years? Idk if he still his cause isn’t roenicke our 3rd base coach? Idk, but Ebel would be a nice choice, but I’m still going to Girardi
Dino is back at third base coach, Roenicke is boston’s bench coach
Yes, Josh Paul is current bench coach.
Dusty Baker?
I thought I was the only one who wanted to kick the tires on Dusty Baker. 3 year deal. See what he’s got.
OK, the guy had his minuses. Had a whole lot of pluses too. Overall, pretty good at what he did. And ya, it looks more like a mutual parting of the ways than a simple step-down. I’m sure Moreno keeps him as an advisor.
And ya, Joe G. would be a lock……
What GREAT news!!!!
Alex Rodriguez would be a GREAT manager, but hey! He is young and knows baseball inside and out, why would Halo Clown want that? You all are okay with being 20 games out, under .500, and not being able to sniff the playoffs years after year as long as you have your boy wonder Trout.
And then Get trout on those PEDs. Whether or not he would, I don’t think it would be a good move.
A-Rod is too beta to be a manager. J-LO has bigger balls than him.
I agree with alot of posts on here…. it’s been a love hate thing….
But this has been way way way WAY over due
Surprising. I just expected him to be around forever.
He has been. 2002 was 16 years ago. He coasted almost 2 decades off one title, meanwhile Boston or NY out here firing all their managers for not winning one within 5 years.
It’s about time. He’s a bum
This is wonderful news for Angels fans. Scioscia is a dinosaur.
Hope he stays around and works with charity and fan events. Great guy, but the game has passed him by.
He’s probably the last of the manage by gut feeling not data guys.
Kenny Lofton should be in the hall of fame
Chuckle. Maybe, but this comment is out of left (center) field!
Dick Allen, Kevin Brown, Lou Whitaker and Bobby Grich all need to be in there too.
FINALLY!!!!!!! Angel fans have been waiting for a long time for this. It’s time for Dino Ebel to get a chance at managing the angels.
Most future MLB managers don’t get demoted from bench coach to 3rd base coach.
Ebel would be more of the same. If you’re wanting to get away from Scioscialism, Ebel would be the worst pick as the new Halo manager.
Maybe the Dodgers will sign him to come in and pitch.
I’m surprised social is still managing. The most recent pkayoff team had a 102 win season, must have over achieved. Surprised socia overcane his radiagion poisining.
simpsonsworld.com/video/310380099768?playlist=bc90…
This comment gave me cancer.
I hope it’s not health related but it’s the best news all year. New direction.
Now the Angels can bring in Bobby V and just call it a day.
Just lies.
Mike Matheny being considered as replacement.
if billy expletive hires mike matheny i would be insanely shocked. And pissed. billy and matheny have completely different ideas
if billy eppler** not expletive
And yet it’s funnier calling him Billy Expletive in this context.
The Sciosciapath out?!!
Mike is an amazing coach. The GM of the Angels is the one who screwed him by signing over the hill and oft-injured players.
I’d gladly take him as the Rangers coach.
“GM of the Angels” is also the one who got them Ohtani.
Arturo, Give that man a contract extension Lol.
I doubt the Angels’ recruitment of Ohtani was much different than many other teams.
The relationship between Eppler and Ohtani is what closed the deal. It was a direct result of Eppler first, the Angels west-Coast location second.
No, it is well noted that location was the main reason in Ohtani’s decision.
A reason? Sure. The main reason? Nope.
The story was very well-reported at the time that the defining factor in the decision was the trust Eppler had built with Ohtani, going back to when Eppler was scouting him in high school in Japan for the Yankees. He always stayed in touch and left a great, permanent impression on Ohtani.
There are plenty of other factors (AL club, playing with Trout, etc), but the basis was the personal relationship.
mazzith:
“Coach”? In baseball, the head field guy is the “manager”.
By “GM of the Angels” I hope you’re talking about Jerry Dipoto.
Best to Sosh. He’s done a great job in his tenure with the Angels. We were fortunate to have him.
What you said
^^
I can’t wait until I see this same headline but with Andy Green’s name inserted instead.
Get some rest, Skipper. You been trying to nail Jell-O to a tree for too long.
Great run. Sadly, the game has passed him by.
He’s a very good manager, don’t get me wrong, but I think this parting was loooooong overdue.
He probably should’ve been let go somewhere around 2012 or 2013.
I mean, that World Series Championship was SIXTEEN YEARS ago. That’s a loooooong time.
Again, very good manager, but the Angels just need some new managerial blood.
Everyone is way off as to the next manager of the Angels… It’s got to be Mike Piazza. Former Dodger catcher, first name Mike, Italian… Angels have not proven to be overly creative since Disney sold them.
He’s the longest-tenured manager, but it’s laughable how mediocre this guy is. Almost all of his teams have underperformed in a weak division and he’s barely over .500. That he gets to leave “on his own volition” is a privilege he didn’t earn, nor does he deserve. He should have been fired years ago.
I’m going out of the limb on this but why not Angel great Tim Salmon!! I’d like someone to give Phil Nevin a chane.
2 ex juicers
Mike Scioscia will sign a new 5 year contract
Too much talent not to win. Team hit by injuries annually to key players hasn’t helped. But a fresh face. Maybe O’s Buck can lead them to next step. He to had dried up under leadership.
FINALLY!!!!!!!! Most overrated manager in history. Ruined the careers of many future major league players.
Ah yes, the best way to get people to stop saying how out of touch you are is to use a 1920’s word.
You heard it here first, Mike would like to order a case of Poppycock. He’s hungry.
I love Scioscia as a manager, but it’s time for change. they need new blood in the clubhouse.
Albert Pujols should retire and become the new manager! Kills two birds with one stone!
Not a bad idea or he can coach 1st base with scioscia on his new team.
No no step down try your luck somewhere else I don’t care if you win every division from here on out, just not with the Angels.
I’m surprised Erstad’s name hasn’t came up or been mentioned. I’d like to see the angels pluck him from Nebraska.
Because that would be a stupid fan move as much as fans love him there is no proof he can coach a mlb roster especial one with hof talent. Plus he already has built Nebraska into a good program why would he leave a place where he would be worshipped to be criticized for every move he makes.
Anyone else see Girardi coming?
Yankees should fire Boone and bring Girardi back.
Girardi has to be the top external option. I know a lot of people don’t like Asmus but the dude is ivy league educated, played C in the bigs, has managerial experience, and (IIRC) embraced analytics. He and Girardi should be two strong candidates
Nightingale doubling Down?
Scioscia stop playing games and walk away. Enjoy retirement or another team…..but not the Angels!!!
Okay this is turning into a joke
Scioscia is a spectacularly mediocre manager. Please stay. Oh and hey whatever happened to Rev HaloFan? He was entertaining AF.
Insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results. Sounds like Scioscia to me.
Mike Scioscia, if this is false then give details why it is false. Why you are right and the media is wrong. Provide evidence too if you can. Otherwise, we will have to believe the media.
Why does he have to answer to the media? Why should he care?
That is kind of like, you know, part of his job
It is possible Mike doesn’t know yet
This may all be coming from Moreno, who plans to “accept the resignation” of Mike come Oct, whether Mike plans on leaving or not. Arte/his office may just be leaking the canned excuse they have prepared for the moment when said moment comes.
The report says “stepping down” – wouldn’t Scioscia know more about that than Nightengale?
Edit: Lol, I should have read darkstar61’s comment, which makes sense, before replying.
Sad to say but I think the new manager was already hired last off-season. I hope I am wrong that Brad Ausmus will the new manager. He could not manage the flys in the clubhouse let alone talented players.
Torri Hunter come on down
By the news it seems Eric Chavez is a done deal. He’s been working with Eppler closely for two years in the FO and is now managing AAA SL.
Sounds liked its time to trade Trout to the Phillies… He’s headed there anyway…might as well get something for him.
Is is possible scioscia is full of it? GET OUT bye Felicia
If the Dodgers don’t win the World Series Roberts will be out and Scioscia will slide right in as manager of the Dodgers.
Scioscia is gone and Eppler will bring his buddy Joe Girardi in to manage the Angels…..Just kissing it is gonna be Josh Paul.
Oh my god I thank u god
To clarify the cryptic tweet, here’s a full story:
latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-scioscia-20…
Basically, a complete denial of the retirement story.
In his own words when asked about the rumor he said ” poppycock “