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Angels give Mike Scioscia vote of confidence, but why?

By Ted Fleming

Jul 7, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia (14) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia (14) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Los Angeles Angels defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Even when the Halos were winning, rumors swirled that Mike Scioscia would get canned, so now with the team sinking like the Titanic, the front office wants to keep him?

Mike Scioscia is a good guy and a good manager. He is a proven winner who has led his team to 1,467 victories over a storied 17-year career, all with the Angels. So you would think that the Halos’ front office giving him a vote of confidence, according to a report at CBS Sports, would be a no-brainer, right?

Wrong.

Scioscia’s club is on its way to the worst record since he took over in 2000 and beginning play on Saturday the Angels have a pitiful 51-71 record (.418 winning percentage) despite having one of the best players in the majors, Mike Trout, a solid veteran in Albert Pujols and a revived  Yunel Escobar in the lineup. In the rotation he has Hector Santiago and Jered Weaver and some decent bullpen arms, so the question is —  why the vote of confidence?

The obvious answer might be that Scioscia is owed a ton of money and the Angels have no intention of paying someone for sitting home and watching reality TV. Despite losing 13 of their last 15 games, the Titanic looks savable compared to this year’s addition of Halos baseball.

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Every now and again, Scioscia’s name would be rumored to be on the hot seat even though he has had just four losing seasons overall. He is on his way to the fifth and if there was a perfect time to move on, it is now.

17 years is long enough for a manager to be in one place in today’s baseball.  Gone are the days of Danny Murtaugh, Walter Alston, Tommy Lasorda and Bobby Cox. It is a results driven industry that does not tolerate losing. Players will also argue that one voice over a long period of time loses its effectiveness because they tune out the same message day in and day out. Maybe through no fault of his own, Scioscia has fallen into this category.

There is also the notorious “Vote of Confidence.” There have been too many times ownership or front offices have handed down their support only to turn around and bid them farewell anyway. It is somewhat like a kiss of death when a manager gets that vote.

Scioscia would not be out of work long if he wants to continue managing, but his time with the Angels may have run its course. Owner Arte Moreno scoffed at the possibility of changing leadership, saying no one could win without pitching. That may fall on the GM’s shoulders, but when things are not working, regardless of the roster, change is inevitable. That’s why the Angels and Scioscia need to part ways.

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