Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels are considering Mike Butcher for the club’s open pitching coach position (link).
Butcher, who pitched for four seasons with the then-California Angels from 1992 to 1995, has served as a pitching coach for the last fourteen seasons in the major leagues. Recently dismissed after a four-year run in the Arizona dugout, Butcher previously held stints with the Rays in 2006 and with Anaheim’s club from 2007 to 2015–so Butcher’s hire would represent something of a homecoming.
Of course, that stop in Tampa coincided with Joe Maddon’s time there, so it would be apropos for the Angels to welcome back two former franchise members with a working familiarity with one another. LA’s previous pitching coach, Doug White, was fired after the org helped manager Brad Ausmus to the door at September’s end. Maddon will also be in search of a new bench coach in the coming months.
I’d welcome butch back as the angels pitching coach.
Why? He was terrible then, he’s still terrible now
jdodson1822
completely agree with you
me too!
Borrowing this from 5toolmvp:
“During his tenure with the Angels (2007-15), they ranked among AL teams in quality starts (2nd, 796), wins (2nd, 807), complete games (T-2nd, 58), ERA (3rd, 4.00) and shutouts (3rd, 105) … his starters led the AL with 590 wins, while his relievers tied for first with 409 saves … Prior to his 1-year stint as Joe Maddon’s pitching coach with the Rays in 2006, spent 6 seasons in the Angels’ Minor League system (2000-05) … was pitching coach for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League in 2003 … In his 13 seasons as pitching coach for Tampa Bay (2006), Los Angeles-AL (2007-15) and Arizona (2016-), 13 different pitchers were named to an All- Star Team: Scott Kazmir (2006), Francisco Rodriguez (2007-08) John Lackey (2007), Joe Saunders (2008), Ervin Santana (2008), Brian Fuentes (2009), Jered Weaver (2010-12), Jordan Walden (2011), C.J. Wilson (2012), Hector Santiago (2015), Zack Greinke (2017-18), Robbie Ray (2017) and Patrick Corbin (2018).”
I will definitely take that over 3 tommy john surgeries per rotation every season.
He still owes the Angels. I remember in 94 or 95 as like a 12 year old seeing Marcel Lachmen call in Butch and knowing distincly that we had given up on the game. ’95 Butch was the most horrifying full season pitcher in my Angel lifetime.
Great coach though, come on back.
You make some points, but do you think Butcher was responsible for Weaver, Lackey and Haren? Someone else turned Rich HIll into a pitcher.
I don’t.
Ervin Santana was worse here… in his prime, than anywhere else. The year after he left here, he had the second best WAR of his career.
Wilson got worse when he came here. Blanton was better before he got here and after he left.
I was never a fan of Butcher.
Of those:
How many had TJ surgery though? Would you rather have what we have now or go through a period from 02-09 with Butcher as the pitching coach?
I’ll take winning the division for a majority of those seasons and reaching the ALCS once over 1 post season appearance in 10 years.
As far as the TJ surgery, you make some good points.
I don’t think he turned Weaver or Lackey or Haren into good pitchers. If you do, fine. But I don’t think he ever developed a young pitcher. At least not here. He didn’t turn around anyone’s career. And Richards hurt his arm on his watch. Unless you think he was fine at the start of the 2016 season.
Let Maddon pick his pitching coach. If he chooses Butcher, I’ll be disappointed.
@Amigo
Ha! Full disclosure I copied it from here…
m.dbacks.mlb.com/ari/roster/coach/111807/mike-butc…
How about someone that is innovative. We’ve already been down this road..
Maybe somewhere inbetween. Doug White was *too* innovative.
White wasn’t innovative beyond making up non sensical words that the younglings didn’t understand.
Might as well bring Dino back for the bench…as long as my Halos get back to winning again that is all that matters. I’d like to have an exciting October next season and cheer for them and not the Dodgers or other teams. All I know is pitching better be next…lots of pitching
Maybe the next pitching coach should be Gerrit Cole approved first.
With a focus on pitching in free agency and players returning from injury, this team can be vastly improved.
The Human Rain Delay 2 is back
Butcher earned a reputation for ruining guys by having them throw too many sliders. The Angels injury epidemic came after him.
I wouldn’t be happy with this hire, but I don’t think he was as bad as people remember.
Tim wallach for bench coach?
Really hope this is a joke dude is beyond terrible.
I’m not sure if Mikes the right guy or not.. but I don’t remember the Angels having so many pitching injuries or TJ surgery when he was here.. so if he can help keep the pitching healthy, I’m all in with him…
Yeah so terrible…seems people have a not so good, selective memory.
During his tenure with the Angels (2007-15), they ranked among AL teams in quality starts (2nd, 796), wins (2nd, 807), complete games (T-2nd, 58), ERA (3rd, 4.00) and shutouts (3rd, 105) … his starters led the AL with 590 wins, while his relievers tied for first with 409 saves … Prior to his 1-year stint as Joe Maddon’s pitching coach with the Rays in 2006, spent 6 seasons in the Angels’ Minor League system (2000-05) … was pitching coach for Scottsdale in the Arizona Fall League in 2003 … In his 13 seasons as pitching coach for Tampa Bay (2006), Los Angeles-AL (2007-15) and Arizona (2016-), 13 different pitchers were named to an All- Star Team: Scott Kazmir (2006), Francisco Rodriguez (2007-08) John Lackey (2007), Joe Saunders (2008), Ervin Santana (2008), Brian Fuentes (2009), Jered Weaver (2010-12), Jordan Walden (2011), C.J. Wilson (2012), Hector Santiago (2015), Zack Greinke (2017-18), Robbie Ray (2017) and Patrick Corbin (2018).
I’ll take top 3 rankings for SEVEN team pitching categories any day.
what’s next? Mickey Hatcher as the hitting coach? jeeez
Maybe Sosh as GM? :P
Rumor is Bud Black is going to be fired to become whatever job is vacant.