Reports surfaced Saturday that Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia is set to step down after the 2018 season. One day later, Scioscia refuted the report.
And in spectacular fashion.
Mike Scioscia said "nothing's changed since October" regarding his job status. Called reports of him stepping down "poppycock." (Yes, he said that.) Also said he still "loves" managing. Cut off other questions.— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 5, 2018
One of the reported candidates to replace Scioscia if he is no longer the Angels' manager in 2019 is former A's star Eric Chavez. While Scioscia denied all reports, Chavez actually took over as manger on Sunday ... sort of.
Chavez will be the Angels' Triple-A manager for the Salt Lake Bees the rest of the season. Salt Lake manager Keith Johnson is joining the Angels' big league coaching staff for the remainder of the year.
Call up! Bees Manager Keith Johnson will be joining the @Angels Major League coaching staff. Effective today, Angels Special Assistant Eric Chavez will assume managerial responsibilities for the Bees through the conclusion of the 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/9ECtBnJGCE— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) August 5, 2018
Sports
Could Johnson be the Angels' next manager now that he is in a major league dugout or are they grooming Chavez with his first coaching experience only one step away from the big leagues? Chavez was hired as a special assistant when Billy Epler was named Angels GM after the 2015 season.
He has never been a coach.
Oakland selected Chavez with the No. 10 overall pick in the 1996 MLB Draft. Chavez played 13 seasons with the A's and won six straight Gold Glove awards at third base from 2001-2006. He was also won the Silver Slugger in 2002 when he batted .275 with a career-high 34 home runs.
