MLB: Four Managers on the Hot Seat Early in the Season
By Anthony Sosa
Mike Scioscia
After finishing the 2016 season with a record of 74-88, the Los Angeles Angels looked ready to turn the page from their previous injury-plagued season and get back to winning. Winning is something manager Mike Scioscia did such a great job of in his first 10 seasons with the Angels.
So far 2017 is no different than 2016 when it comes to injuries and winning. Pitchers fill the Angels’ DL with the likes of Garrett Richards, Cam Bedrosian, Andrew Bailey, Mike Morin, Victor Campos and Huston Street. Both Nick Tropeano and Andrew Heaney are still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Newly acquired infielder Luis Valbuena is also on the DL.
After 20 games, the Angels’ record stands at 8-12. Both the Angels and the Seattle Mariners are in last place in the AL West. The team got off to a hot start in 2017, winning six out of their first eight games. Since then they’ve managed to win two games and are trending downward.
Neither the Angels offense nor pitching is clicking right now. On offense, the Angels rank 21st in runs scored, 24th in home runs and 17th in batting average.
On the pitching side of things, the Angels rank 27th in team ERA and are leading the league in home runs allowed. Clearly, Scioscia is on the hot seat.
Far removed from his 2002 World Series win, Scioscia’s Angels haven’t reached the World Series since despite multiple talented rosters. Since making the playoffs five out of six seasons from 2004-2009, the Angels have reached the postseason just once (2014).
Yes, the injuries are a big reason for the Angels’ struggles, but a manager needs to push his players past adversity. It doesn’t seem like the longest-tenured MLB manager can do that for this Angels club.