Los Angeles Angels choose World Series winner as new manager
As they prepare for the 2026 MLB season, the Los Angeles Angels’ search for a new manager is now over.
The Los Angeles Angels have found their new skipper for the 2026 Major League Baseball season. While there was speculation that Albert Pujols might step into the role vacated by Ron Washington - given his longstanding ties to the organization - the Angels’ front office ultimately went in a different direction.
Kurt Suzuki, 42, has been named as the new manager of the Angels. Suzuki has spent the past three years serving as a special assistant to the franchise’s general manager, Perry Minasian, but he’s best known for his 16-year career as a catcher in the big leagues.
In addition to Pujols and Suzuki, the Angels also interviewed Torii Hunter, Nick Hundley, Ryan Flaherty, Brandon Hyde and Rocco Baldelli for the managerial vacancy. The team was in search of a new leader after Washington was unable to finish the 2025 season due to health issues. During his absence, bench coach Roy Montgomery was promoted to interim manager.
Suzuki, a native of Wailuku, Hawaii, born in 1983, played for the Athletics, Nationals, Twins, Braves and Angels. He was a member of the 2019 Washington Nationals team that captured the World Series title over the Houston Astros.
OFFICIAL: The Angels have hired Kurt Suzuki as the Club’s manager. pic.twitter.com/4ZrL2r6hJj
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) October 21, 2025
Why didn’t Albert Pujols get the job?
According to a report from The Athletic, negotiations between Pujols and the Angels broke down over salary and contract length. The Dominican-born slugger and the organization were unable to reach an agreement on financial terms, and there were also differences regarding the duration of the contract Pujols would accept to take the helm.
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