The Los Angeles Angels have landed a new manager.
Kurt Suzuki, who was a catcher with the Washington Nationals during their 2019 World Series run, was hired Tuesday to take over the top role in the dugout.
Suzuki spent 16 years as a catcher in the majors, playing for five franchises: the Nationals, Angels, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves.
Suzuki finished his career with two years in Anaheim, retiring after the 2022 season. Suzuki also won the College World Series while playing for Cal State Fullerton, located a few miles from Angel Stadium. He spent the past three seasons working as an assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian. Suzuki will be the fifth person to serve as Angels manager in Minasian’s five years in charge.
The 42-year-old Suzuki replaces Ron Washington, who wasn’t brought back to the Angels’ dugout after two losing seasons. Washington missed the second half of the current season after undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery.
The Angels had their eyes on three-time MVP Albert Pujols for the role, but he was reportedly dropped from consideration this week. The 11-time All-Star, who manages the Dominican club Leones del Escogido, is still in the running for the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles managerial openings.
Suzuki, a Hawaii native, is a fourth-generation Japanese-American. He would join Don Wakamatsu and Dave Roberts among the list of former and current MLB managers with Asian heritage.
Suzuki made headlines during the Nationals’ 2019 World Series celebration. When the club visited President Trump’s White House in November 2019, the catcher donned a “Make America Great Again” hat and hugged the commander in chief.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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