ANAHEIM, CA – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim general manager Jerry DiPoto announced prior to Tuesday nights game at Safeco Field in Seattle, WA that the current managerial staff will be around for the next season. This include hitting coach Mickey Hatcher’s interim replacement (Jim Eppard) from this past May. This proclamation follows a series of rumors that manager Mike Scioscia which have now been officially been put into the fire – at least for now.
It helps that the Halos had a 27-13 record since August 20th – the best in the majors in that span. It helps even further that Mike Trout has been further along in talks as an MVP candidate. Scioscia has been with the Angels since the 200 season and is the longest tenured manage in the league right now. That is following the retirement of Tony LaRussa after the completion of last season.
Scioscia has had a great staff on board. Along with him and Hatcher, the only other manager for their championship season in 2002 on the staff is first base coach Alfredo Griffin (who himself won two rings with the Blue Jays on ’92 and ’93). The others have since accepted managerial positions other than Bullpen coach Orlando Mercado. who left two seasons after. Bud Black was the first to make the transition, this from pitching coach to manager. After 31 years with the halos coaching staff, Joe Maddon left for Tampa Bay after 2006, having twice been interim manager for a season each. Those were before and after Terry Collins was the skipper and was then replaced by Scioscia the second time.
Finally Ned Yost, who was fired towards the end of the 2008 season, would be replaced by Ken Macha to star 2009. Macha was subsequently fired and Roenicke was chosen to start in 2011 over Bobby Valentine, Joey Cora, and Bob Melvin. Dino Ebel was chosen as Roenicke’s replacement as third base coach. Ebel, know for his aggressive baserunning approach, was called up from managerial duties in AAA Salt Lake prior to Maddon’s departure.
Scioscia’s ability to develop his assistants’ pedigree is remarkable and has subsequently rewarded most of them, however Griffin has been content with his position in the LA Angels clubhouse. This despite not having been offered contracts by other clubs. With his unique coaching style, Scioscia has become one of the infamous coaches in regards to interacting with the team – especially outside of game-day. This includes one trip by the LA Zoo to the “Big A” by an elephant, an ostrich, and giraffe among other various team bonding experiences.
Fore-though the Halos may be watching the post season from their TV sets, there have been many positives out of this season. Also, the strong finish gives the fans in the seas of red something to look forward to. Albert Pujols, despite his lack of performance, has had the most home runs since the day he hit his first in an Angel uniform (May 6) – but still not enough to catch Miguel Cabrera or Josh Hamilton. At least the last game at Angel Stadium ended with “just another Halo victory” as they got to “light that baby up” in the dawn on of a great evening in Downtown Anaheim on Katella Avenue. Rory Markas always knew what was the story and Victor Rojas follows suit.
-Ricky
