Once the losing streak reached 12-games, the Los Angeles Angels made a change and fired manager Joe Maddon with 106 games left to play in the 2022 season and replaced him with Phil Nevin as the interim manager.
General Manager Perry Minasian hired Maddon prior to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shortened season on a three-year deal worth $12 million only a few seasons removed from winning the 2016 World Series title with the Chicago Cubs.
Maddon underperformed in his first two seasons with L.A. and this year saw a hot start take a full turn. The Angels at one point were 11 games over .500 and spent April and much of May in first place in the American League West. But injuries to Taylor Ward, Anthony Rendon, and both big league catchers, Max Stassi and Kurt Suzuki, exacerbated the downward spiral to something that has taken over the team’s current standing.
After multiple failed team meetings to right the ship, Minasian got approval from Angels owner Arte Moreno to relieve Maddon of his duties, amid his club’s struggles, per Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“We have not played well, and the last two weeks have been really tough,” Minasian said. “There hasn’t been one phase of the game where we’ve been good. We’ve struggled on the mound. We’ve struggled at the plate. We’ve struggled defensively. We’ve struggled base running.”
Mike Trout played through rough patches in his time with the club and even as he is struggling, he understands a lot falls on the players:
“It ultimately comes down to, we’ve got to come out and play better,” Trout said. “Everybody’s got to be held accountable, myself included. Players have got to go out there and perform. We’re going through a rough stretch right now.”
The Angels last won a game on May 24 against the Texas Rangers, and their upcoming schedule won’t be forgiving for interim manager Phil Nevin and his club.
Angels held team meetings
The Angels have tried remaining positive and they are still working hard during their losing streak, but with each loss that is added on, the frustration continues to build. They have already had two team meetings, but they recognize there is only so much those can do.
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