Kurt Suzuki hired as Angels manager. Former catcher finished 16-year career in Anaheim

Kurt Suzuki wrapped up his 16-year playing career with the Angels in 2022.

Now, three years later, he is starting his managerial career with the same team, as the Angels have hired Suzuki as manager.

The Angels announced the move Tuesday afternoon, making Suzuki the first non-interim MLB manager to be born in Hawaii.

Suzuki, a World Series champion with the Washington Nationals in 2019, played for the Angels in 2021 and 2022. He served as a special assistant to Angels general manager Perry Minasian the last three years and has no prior professional managing or coaching experience.

Suzuki, who also interviewed for the San Francisco Giants’ open managerial position, is the Angels’ fifth manager since 2018, when the organization parted ways after 18 seasons with Mike Scioscia — who led the team to its only World Series title in 2002.

Suzuki replaces Ron Washington, who was manager the past two seasons but missed roughly half of the 2025 season after undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery. Ray Montgomery was interim coach in Washington’s absence but wasn’t considered for the job on a permanent basis.

The Angels went a franchise-worst 63-99 in 2024 after losing Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers in free agency. They were 72-90 in 2025, their 10th consecutive losing season.

Born in Wailuku, Maui, Suzuki hit the game-winning single that clinched the College World Series title for Cal State Fullerton in 2004. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 2004 draft and spent his first five-plus MLB seasons with the organization. He later played for the Minnesota Twins, becoming an All-Star for the only time in 2014.

Stints with the Atlanta Braves and Washington (his second time with the Nationals) followed before Suzuki wrapped up his career with two seasons in Anaheim. He played in 123 games for the Angels, batting .207 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 406 plate appearances.

Suzuki finished his career with a .255 batting average, 143 home runs and 730 RBIs in 1,635 games.

The Angels considered fellow former team members and current special assistants Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter for the manager job as well. Pujols, a favorite of owner Arte Moreno, was once considered the favorite to land the job. He met with general manager Perry Minasian in St. Louis earlier this month, but talks broke off in recent days.

Staff writer Steve Henson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Kurt Suzuki hired as Angels manager. Former catcher finished 16-year career in Anaheim

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