As we await the beginning of the World Series on Tuesday night, Major League Baseball made some headlines on Sunday with the hiring of two managers. First, the Los Angeles Angels began to move on from long-time manager Mike Scioscia with the hiring of Brad Ausmus. The former Detroit Tigers manager was without a dugout job last season, although, he was the assistant of Angels general manager Billy Eppler. The Angels' GM made the announcement on Sunday afternoon, but did not specify any contract details at this time.
The former Houston Astros catcher will be introduced for his new role on Monday at Angel Stadium, taking over for the man that held the job since the 2000 season. Scioscia announced that this past season was his last after 19 years with the club, as he earned 1,950 victories and the 2002 World Series title. His last season ended with an 80-82 record, giving them three straight losing seasons for the first time since 1994-1997. They have played in just three Postseason games in the past nine seasons, losing all of them to the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 ALDS.
Ausmus spent four seasons as the Detroit Tigers manager from 2014-2017 before getting fired in favor of Ron Gardenhire. He did win the AL Central Title with 90 wins in his first season with the team, but he finished with a record of 314-332. That included a 64-98 2017 season that saw them finish in last place in the division, which led to him joining the Angels' front office last November.
Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Reds went with their former infielder, David Bell, as their new manager, which they announced on Sunday as well. Bell agreed to a three-year contract at his new position, with a team option for the 2022 season. The Reds will introduce the man that is taking over for Bryan Price at Great American Ballpark on Monday.
This is Bell's second stint with the Reds organization, as he spent four seasons as a minor league manager from 2008-2011. The 46-year-old has been with the San Francisco Giants for the past two seasons as a vice president of player development. He played 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Reds.
After these two hires, the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins remain as the only teams without a manager.
The former Houston Astros catcher will be introduced for his new role on Monday at Angel Stadium, taking over for the man that held the job since the 2000 season. Scioscia announced that this past season was his last after 19 years with the club, as he earned 1,950 victories and the 2002 World Series title. His last season ended with an 80-82 record, giving them three straight losing seasons for the first time since 1994-1997. They have played in just three Postseason games in the past nine seasons, losing all of them to the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 ALDS.
Ausmus spent four seasons as the Detroit Tigers manager from 2014-2017 before getting fired in favor of Ron Gardenhire. He did win the AL Central Title with 90 wins in his first season with the team, but he finished with a record of 314-332. That included a 64-98 2017 season that saw them finish in last place in the division, which led to him joining the Angels' front office last November.
Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Reds went with their former infielder, David Bell, as their new manager, which they announced on Sunday as well. Bell agreed to a three-year contract at his new position, with a team option for the 2022 season. The Reds will introduce the man that is taking over for Bryan Price at Great American Ballpark on Monday.
This is Bell's second stint with the Reds organization, as he spent four seasons as a minor league manager from 2008-2011. The 46-year-old has been with the San Francisco Giants for the past two seasons as a vice president of player development. He played 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Reds.
After these two hires, the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins remain as the only teams without a manager.
