ANAHEIM (CNS) - The Los Angeles Angels today will introduce newly hired manager Brad Ausmus, who will be taking over a team that was 80-82 in the 2018 season, finishing fourth in the five-team AL West Division.
The Angels announced Ausmus' hiring on Sunday. He succeeds Mike Scioscia, who announced following the Angels final game of the season Sept. 30 that he would step down as manager after 19 seasons, including guiding the team to its only World Series championship.
The 49-year-old Ausmus managed the Detroit Tigers to a 314-332 record from 2014-17, including the 2014 American League Central Division title. He was an assistant to Angels general manager Billy Eppler in 2018.
“Over the past few weeks, our baseball operations personnel sat down with numerous highly qualified and impressive candidates for our managerial role,” Eppler said.
“Ultimately, Brad's balance of connectivity, communication and leadership skills as well as his understanding of evolving strategies and probabilistic approach to decision-making led us to him.
“We believe his knowledge, drive and growth-mindset will allow him to integrate seamlessly with our players and staff and will be pivotal in advancing our culture and moving us toward our goals as an organization.”
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
The Angels last reached the postseason in 2014 and last won a postseason game and series in 2009.
Ausmus was a catcher for four major league teams from 1993 to 2010. He played in the 1999 All-Star Game and was a three-time Gold Glove recipient.
Ausmus was chosen by the New York Yankees in the 47th round of the 1987 Major League Baseball draft, the 1,152nd overall selection. He attended Dartmouth College while playing minor league baseball in the Yankees organization.
Ausmus played five seasons in the Yankees organization prior to being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 1992 expansion draft.
Ausmus spent 1993 with the Rockies Pacific Coast League affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, was traded to the San Diego on July 26, 1993 and made his major league debut two days later.
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