Former major league catcher Kurt Suzuki has been appointed as the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels, the team announced Tuesday. Suzuki steps into the role after serving three years as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian.
Suzuki’s career in Major League Baseball spanned 16 seasons across five teams. He was selected as an All-Star with the Minnesota Twins in 2014 and was part of the Washington Nationals’ World Series-winning team in 2019. Suzuki ended his playing career with two seasons in Anaheim before retiring after the 2022 season. He also won a College World Series while at Cal State Fullerton, located near Angel Stadium.
The 42-year-old replaces Ron Washington, who was not retained following two losing seasons with the Angels. Washington missed the second half of this season due to quadruple bypass heart surgery, during which Ray Montgomery served as interim manager. The Angels finished last in the American League West division.
The search for a new manager included Suzuki and fellow special assistant Torii Hunter after negotiations with Albert Pujols fell through. Pujols, a former Angels player with a personal services contract, was initially considered a favorite for the position but does not have major league coaching experience, nor does Suzuki.
Suzuki is now the fifth full-time manager for the Angels over eight seasons since Mike Scioscia’s departure. The team has struggled under owner Arte Moreno’s leadership, recording ten consecutive losing seasons and failing to make the playoffs for eleven straight years. Last season, they posted a record of 72-90 and finished 13th in their league.
Despite these challenges, general manager Perry Minasian has brought together promising young players like shortstop Zach Neto and outfielder Jo Adell to support veteran star Mike Trout.
Suzuki becomes one of only a few MLB managers of Asian heritage and is noted by the Angels as being the first Hawaiian-born full-time manager in major league history.
