Kurt Suzuki Officially Becomes the New Manager of the Los Angeles Angels: Bringing Hope Amid Challenges?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The Los Angeles Angels announced a significant appointment on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, by appointing Kurt Suzuki as their new manager.

Suzuki takes over from Ron Washington, who resigned after two seasons and missed most of the 2025 season due to serious health issues.

This appointment places Suzuki in the unique position of being the first non-interim Major League Baseball (MLB) manager born in Hawaii.

The appointment of Kurt Suzuki as the Angels' fifth manager since the firing of Mike Scioscia in 2018 comes amidst a difficult period for the franchise.

The Angels have recorded 10 consecutive losing seasons and 11 consecutive playoff appearances.

OFFICIAL: The Angels have hired Kurt Suzuki as the Club’s manager. pic.twitter.com/4ZrL2r6hJj

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) October 21, 2025

Kurt Suzuki's appointment as manager of the Los Angeles Angels was officially announced on October 21, 2025 replacing Ron Washington, who stepped down after two seasons following quadruple bypass heart surgery that sidelined him for most of the 2025 season.

This decision came as a surprise to many, especially since Suzuki had no track record as a professional manager or coach.As the first non-interim MLB manager from Hawaii, Suzuki's appointment is historic.

He is now the Angels' fifth manager since Mike Scioscia was fired in 2018, an indication of the Angels' frequent leadership changes in their search for a winning formula.

The team has faced significant challenges, including 10 losing seasons and 11 consecutive playoff absences.

Before this decision, Albert Pujols was a leading candidate for the Angels' managerial position.

Ray Montgomery, the interim manager during Washington's absence, was offered a different role with the organization but was not considered for the full-time manager role.

After ending his illustrious playing career at the end of the 2022 season, Kurt Suzuki didn't immediately leave baseball.

He immediately rejoined the Los Angeles Angels, as special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian for three years.

However, Suzuki had no professional managerial or coaching experience at the Major League or minor league level.

He now becomes the organization's fifth manager since Mike Scioscia ended a 19-year run in 2018, following Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin and Washington.

Kurt Suzuki's Major League Baseball career spanned an impressive 16 seasons as a catcher and played for five different teams.

These teams included the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, and the Los Angeles Angels, where he finished his playing career in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

In 2014, while playing for the Minnesota Twins, he was selected as an All-Star, a recognition of his outstanding performance at catcher.

His career peak came in 2019 when he won the World Series with the Washington Nationals, the highest achievement in professional baseball.

Suzuki's career statistics were also quite solid, with a .255 batting average, 143 home runs, and 730 RBIs in 1,635 games.

His final game as a player was on October 4, 2022, his 39th birthday, against his first team, the Oakland Athletics.