With the Los Angeles Angels firing manager Phil Nevin at the end of their 2023 season, the search for the team's next manager is now underway. Angels fans will be stoked to know that their team is considering a few familiar legends to fill Nevin's vacancy.
On Sunday, USA Today reported that Torii Hunter — the five-time All Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner — has emerged as a candidate to fill the Los Angeles Angels' managerial job. Hunter spent five years playing for the Angels (including two All Star, two Gold Glove, and one Silver Slugger-producing seasons) and is highly regarded by Angels owner Arte Moreno for his leadership and baseball acumen.
While hiring Hunter would certainly be a welcome move for Angels fans and players alike, one potential roadblock in bringing him on board is that Hunter has no prior experience managing an MLB club — and the Angels have made clear that they're seeking a proven manager to take on the job.
This preference presents the same issue for another Angels legend who has been linked to their coaching vacancy: Tim Salmon.
Salmon was the MLB's 1993 Rookie of the Year while on the Angels, and spent his entire 14-year big league career with the team. Although Salmon has served as head coach of Scottsdale Christian Academy in Phoenix since 2015, his lack of MLB coaching experience might deter Arte Moreno from selecting him. Yet, fans would certainly love to see "King Fish" running their team in 2024.
Lack of coaching experience is not a problem for the third Angels legend who could become their next manager. Ron Roenicke — who was the Angels third base coach from 2000-2006 — is reportedly in line to receive formal interviews with the club. Along with his seven-year tenure with the Angels, Roenicke has served as manager for both the Brewers and Red Sox in the past, while also coaching with the Dodgers at one point.
Whoever ends up running the Los Angels in 2024, they have a lot of hard work ahead. Not only have the Angels finished the last two seasons with identically mediocre 73-89 records, but they're likely to lose two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani this offseason. If the club somehow manages to keep Ohtani, he won't be able to pitch in 2024 because of a torn UCL in his right arm.
Even if the Angels' recent string of sub-par seasons probably won't change in 2024, at least hiring Torii Hunter or Tim Salmon will stir some excitement within the franchise. Angels fans could use good news.
