Los Angeles Angels dismiss manager Kurt Suzuki after 100-loss season, one year into job
In short
The Los Angeles Angels dismissed manager Kurt Suzuki after one season, Korean outlets reported on 22 October (Korean time). The team finished 62-100, the first 100-loss season in its history, and last in the American League West. Suzuki was offered a role as special assistant.
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The Los Angeles Angels have dismissed manager Kurt Suzuki, Korean outlets reported on 22 October, Korean time. Yonhap said the club announced that Suzuki would leave his post and that it would appoint a new manager and coaching staff. Chosun Ilbo, writing through OSEN, said the club's announcement said it was dismissing Suzuki and would not sign him for next season. [ 1 , 3 ]
The Angels finished the season 62-100, which Yonhap described as their worst record since the team was founded in 1961. The 100 losses are the first in the club's history, according to Yonhap and Newsis. Yonhap said the previous high was 99 losses in 2024. The team finished last in the American League West for a third straight year, according to Yonhap. [ 1 , 2 ]
Newsis, citing AP, quoted John Mozeliak, who it called the Angels' baseball operations consultant, as saying the club had decided not to exercise Suzuki's option for the 2027 season. Chosun Ilbo called Mozeliak the interim general manager and quoted his statement that the club would look for a new manager and coaching staff ahead of 2027. Both outlets quoted him as saying he did not think this year's results accurately reflected Suzuki's ability as a manager and that he had seen how much Suzuki cared about the players. [ 2 , 3 ]
The club offered Suzuki a role as special assistant. Yonhap said he would be reappointed to the post he held before becoming manager. Newsis said some of his coaches were not expected to return in their current posts, though some were offered other roles in the club. Yonhap added that the Angels had earlier fired pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant coach Daryl Scott in August. [ 1 , 2 ]
Suzuki, born in Hawaii and of Japanese descent, was named manager last October, according to Yonhap. Newsis said he played for the Angels in 2021 and 2022 and ended a 16-year MLB playing career there. It said he was chosen on the recommendation of general manager Perry Minasian after three years as a special advisor to the club. This was his first season as a manager. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsis said the Angels have had 11 straight losing seasons and 12 straight playoff misses, both the longest in MLB. Chosun Ilbo said the club last reached the postseason in 2014 and, citing Japan's Sports Hochi, said six managers have led the team in the nine years from 2018 to this season. It said owner Arte Moreno, who has held the club for 23 years, has agreed to sell it to Stan Kroenke, chairman and CEO of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The Angels will look for a new manager and coaching staff for 2027. Korean outlets note the team has the longest playoff drought and the longest run of losing seasons in MLB, and that its owner has agreed to sell the club.
Key facts
- The Angels dismissed manager Kurt Suzuki, who took the job in October last year, after the 2026 season. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The team went 62-100 this season and finished last in the American League West. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The 100 losses are the first in the club's history; Yonhap said the previous high was 99 losses in 2024. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- John Mozeliak said the club would not exercise Suzuki's option for the 2027 season. [ 2 ]
- The Angels offered Suzuki a role as special assistant, a post he held before becoming manager. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Angels have missed the postseason for 12 straight years and had 11 straight losing seasons, both the longest in MLB, according to Newsis. [ 2 ]
- The club said it will choose a new manager and coaching staff, and a successor has not been named. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Angels announced that Suzuki is out as manager and that they will appoint a new manager and coaching staff. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The Angels finished 62-100, the first 100-loss season in the club's history. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The club offered Suzuki a special assistant role. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Angels have missed the postseason for 12 consecutive seasons. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Who will succeed Suzuki. Chosun Ilbo, citing Japan's Sports Hochi, said the successor has not been decided.
- Mozeliak's title. Newsis calls him a baseball operations consultant, while Chosun Ilbo calls him interim general manager.
- Whether Suzuki accepted the special assistant role. Yonhap says he is to be reappointed, while Newsis and Chosun Ilbo say he was offered the role. No document says he has accepted.
- Which of Suzuki's coaches will stay. Newsis cites Mozeliak as saying the coaching staff will not all return in their current posts, and that some were offered other roles in the club. No individual names are given.