The Angels hired Ron Washington as their new manager, the team announced Wednesday.
The news comes after Washington came to Arizona to interview for the position on Tuesday night, according to multiple reports. Washington becomes the 23rd manager in Angels history, and their fourth since the Mike Scioscia era.
It’s a move back into a baseball position that Washington has wanted to make for several years. Washington managed the Texas Rangers from 2017-14. The Rangers won two American League pennants in that time, making three postseason trips total with Washington at the helm.
During the 2022 All Star Game at Dodger Stadium, Washington told The Times that he wanted to manage again, no matter the circumstances of any prospective team that might call on him.
“Wherever [the opportunity] is, I’m gon’ build,” Washington said at the time.
Washington, 71, from New Orleans, has worked as the third base coach of the Atlanta Braves since the 2017 season. The Braves have been in the playoffs every season since 2018, winning the World Series in 2021.
“He’s great. Tremendous. Outstanding. You’re not gonna find better,” Alex Anthopoulos, the Braves president of baseball operations and general manager, said of Washington.
“A guy who’s won, high-energy, level of respect is off the charts,” Anthopoulos added. “Someone that players will go through a wall for… I can guarantee you, as word is spreading today, Angels players are incredibly excited and Braves players are incredibly sad.”
Washington and Dave Roberts of the Dodgers are the only Black managers in the majors.
This is a developing story that will be updated.