After getting the 5-4 win on Sunday over Oakland Athletics to end the 2018 MLB season, Mike Scioscia announced he is stepping down as Los Angeles Angels’ manager. Scioscia, whose contract is expiring at the end of the season, is leaving the Angels’ after spending 19 years with the team.
“It’s been second to none. It’s been incredible,” – Scioscia said of his time with Angels.
Mike Scioscia took over the Angels in 2000 and led them to first and only World Series in franchise’s history in 2002 while winning six additional West Division titles. Still, Scioscia didn’t want to take the credit for the team’s success.
“This game is not about the manager, GM or owner,” – he said. “The game is about the players and it always will be. We had guys that just put it all on the line, whether we were going good or going bad. That’s what I’m going to take away.”
Angels owner Arte Moreno thanked Scioscia in a statement, saying that he helped to turn the franchise into an “elite organization.”
“Mike’s tenure as manager of the Angels includes six division titles, a pennant, and a world championship that transformed this franchise, and its perception on both local and national levels,” – said Moreno.
While Los Angeles Angels found early success with Mike Scioscia, the team struggled in the recent years. They have finished the 2018 season with 80-82 record, which was the first time that Scioscia had three consecutive seasons with a losing record. The team also failed to win a postseason game since 2009, and it was evident that a fresh approach might benefit the Angels’ going forward.
