Photo by Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA – Cubs skipper Joe Maddon
When the Phillies held a press conference last week regarding the managerial change, they seemed to state the obvious. Some potential managers may not be options because they appeared headed in a particular direction. Though not mentioned by name, Joe Maddon was long speculated to be taking the managerial role of the Los Angeles Angels. It appears that this was the case.
Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports first noted that a deal was close:
Joe Maddon and #LAAngels are close to a deal to make him their next manager
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 16, 2019
The Angels soon thereafter confirmed the move was final.
Maddon spent 1975 through 2005 as part of the Angels organization. After failing to make a career as a catcher, Maddon became a coach for the organization. He served in many roles in the organization before serving as manager of several minor league levels.
Maddon became part of the major league coaching staff in 1994 and coached under Terry Collins, Marcel Latchmann, and most notably Mike Scioscia.
After serving as Scioscia's bench coach, Maddon was hired by the Tampa Bay Rays to be their manager. He was with the Rays from 2006 to 2014, including the 2008 World Series appearance against the Phillies.
Maddon became available and then served as Chicago Cubs manager from 2015 through 2019, replacing Rick Renteria, fired to make room for Maddon.
The same thing may have happened in Los Angeles. Manager Brad Ausmus had just one season under his belt as Angels manager in a trying season that saw the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The fallout surrounding his opiod-related death is just underway. Maddon will have the challenge of overcoming the related challenges.
The Phillies may have been interested in Maddon but it appears they never got the chance to talk to him. Even though he is a native of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, Maddon's ties to the Angels appears to be much stronger than to the State of Pennsylvania. The Phillies have been tied to Buck Showalter, Dusty Baker, and Joe Girardi.
