Ron Washington returns to the dugouts as manager

The Los Angeles Angelshad a brutal 2023 campaign, as they hoped this to be the season where they finally reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014, potentially being the last with Shohei Ohtani with the team. However, everything that could go wrong, did go

The Angels have reportedly hired Ron Washington as their next manager, per @MLBNetwork Insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/McPVjfiKG1

— MLB (@MLB) November 8, 2023

Their trade deadline acquisitions like Lucas Giolito, Randal Grichuk, and Matt Moore amongst others, didn’t quite work out, Anthony Rendón was an issue all season long, and Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani themselves ended their seasons injured, with manager Phil Nevin fired following the end of the campaign.

Ron Washington is now an Angel

Now, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Angels have hired one of MLB’s most beloved figures Ron Washington as their new manager, with the organization confirming the signing on their social media accounts.

OFFICIAL: the Angels have hired Ron Washington as the Club’s manager. pic.twitter.com/NGWV6X10PW

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) November 8, 2023

Ron Washington, 71, was Texas Rangers manager from 2007 to 2014, leading them to two World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011 with a 664-611 managerial record. After leaving the Rangers, Washington worked as an infield coach for the Oakland Athletics in 2015. The Atlanta Braves hired him in 2016 as their infield coach, winning the 2021 World Series.

The Angels entered the 2023 season with a $230 million payroll, the 8th highest in MLB, having high contracts like Mike Trout or Anthony Rendón, being on a ‘win-now’ mentality. However, they ended up with a 73-89 record.

Breaking: The Los Angeles Angels are hiring Ron Washington as their new manager, sources told @JeffPassan.

The news was first reported by the New York Post. pic.twitter.com/0XIOR7s5yf

— ESPN (@espn) November 8, 2023

Shohei Ohtani became a free agent and the Angels are not amongst the favorites to sign the MVP favorite, with the latest reports indicating that Dodgers, Giants, and Rangers as the favorites to land the Japanese.