Angels Countdown to Spring - 22 Days

1/20/20 - Jay Sheehy - Founder and Editor-In-Chief 2:11 PM PST

After having the longest tenured manager in baseball in Mike Scioscia (2000-2018), the Angels decided that one year of Brad Ausmus was enough after the team’s underwhelming 2019 season. Can you really lay all the blame on a manager? Well, if you’re general manager Billy Eppler, and 2020 is the final year of your contract extension, then you have to try and shift the blame to everyone except yourself for the sake of your job. Let’s be clear, however, that Brad Ausmus did not accomplish anything that might make it difficult for the Angels brass to fire him. Inconsistent lineups, an inability to incorporate some of the Angels younger players in a positive way (Matt Thaiss, Jared Walsh, Taylor Ward), and pulling pitchers far too quickly were all trademarks of the 2019 Los Angeles Angels. Although there is word that Ausmus might interview for the Houston Astros job, the possibility exists that maybe he just isn’t a very good manager. Or, maybe it was just the Angels.

Either way, it would be universally accepted that the Los Angeles Angels were able to secure the services of a better manager when they let Ausmus go after the season. That manager, the 22nd manager in the history of the Los Angeles Angels (he was also the 18th manager in their history, on an interim basis in 1996; his first of two tries) is another reason why the Angels will make the playoffs in 2020.

Reason #22: The 22nd manager in Los Angeles Angels history, Joe Maddon

Welcome home, Joe. When Maddon left the Angels organization following the 2005 season he had spent the previous 31 seasons as part of the organization. But, it wouldn’t be Anaheim where he made his mark. When he signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now Rays) organization following the 2005 season he was signing with a perennial loser in every sense of the word. In their eight seasons to that point, Tampa Bay had finished last in the AL East seven times, only securing a fourth place finish in 2004 to break the streak. No playoffs. No meaningful games. Pure dread.

During his first two seasons as a manager Joe Maddon preached patience to the Tampa Bay fan base (thought that’s a strong word for a team who usually is in the last spot or two in attendance). Then, it happened. 2008. Tampa Bay not only secured the first winning season in franchise history (by August 29th), or their first division title, but in making the playoffs for the first time they eventually went all the way to the World Series, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games. It was Joe Maddon’s first Manager of the Year award. Maddon spent nine years managing Tampa Bay, leaving after the 2014 season with a winning record (754-705; .517).

Then, he took on the Curse of the Billy Goat. Arriving in the Windy City in November of 2014, the Chicago Cubs made him the highest paid manager in baseball. Similar to Tampa Bay, Maddon arrived to an organization that had little success the prior seasons (usually the case, or they wouldn’t be looking for a manager). Their 73-89 record allowed Theo Epstein to fire Rick Renteria just one season into a three year deal and then sign Joe Maddon as their new manager. It worked. In his first season in Chicago, Maddon led the Cubs to a 97-65 record, the final wild card spot and a one game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They won. Then, they swept the St. Louis Cardinals. It wasn’t to be, however, as they were swept by the New York Mets in the NLCS. The sting of defeat only lasted one season for Maddon and the Cubs as they went 103-58 in 2016. They beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 in the NLDS. Then, the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 in the NLCS. The Cubs were going back to the World Series. After an exciting seven game series against the Cleveland Indians (another team with a long drought) the Cubs persevered by scoring two runs in the top of the tenth inning to secure their first title in 108 years. Maddon won his second manager of the year award.

Award winning manager? Check. World Series winning manager? Check. Likable and well thought of? Check. Los Angeles Angel in his heart? Check. When you get right to it, Joe Maddon’s homecoming with the Angels has been a long time coming and as an Angels fan I am incredibly excited now that it’s finally here. Joe Maddon is a manager who makes a difference. Sure, his rah-rah spiel might wear off over time, but the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago Cubs are both examples of it lasting long enough (well, almost for the Rays). If consistent playoff appearances and occasional World Series appearances are the norm then that should be more than okay. And those playoff appearances will start in 2020, because reason #22, Joe Maddon.