Joe Maddon out as Los Angeles Angels manager as losing streak hits 12 games
If it was strictly up to Angels GM Perry Minasian, manager Joe Maddon might have been fired during the winter with Buck Showalter replacing him.
The Angels instead decided to wait, giving Maddon one more chance to turn around the Angels’ fate.
It never happened.
Their 12-game losing streak took care of that, and Tuesday, Maddon was fired by the Angels and replaced by interim skipper Phil Nevin.
Maddon was optimistic early Tuesday morning that the Angels could still turn this around in a text message to Paste BN Sports.
“Working on positive vibes and fundamentals,’’ he said. “The guys aren’t happy, but are together.’’
Well, the Angels front office was furious and, after getting approval from owner Arte Moreno, made the move to fire Maddon, who had lost some key support in the clubhouse.
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Maddon, who was in the final year of a three-year, $12 million contract, had a $4 million option or $1 million buyout in 2023.
He ends his tenure in Anaheim with a record of 157-172 (.477) in parts of five seasons with the Angels, including two interim stints in 1996 and 1999.
Maddon becomes the second major league manager fired this season after the Philadelphia Phillies cut ties with Joe Girardi last Friday.
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