Mike Scioscia denies report he’s stepping down, makes things awkward
Mike Scioscia may or may not be back as Angels manager next year, but he has adamantly dismissed a report he’s stepping down at the end of this season.
Mike Scioscia is in his 19th season as Los Angeles Angels manager, and he’s in the final year of a 10-year contract. So as the Angels linger a little below .500 right now (55-57 entering Sunday), after back-to-back losing seasons, his status for 2019 could be a question.
On Saturday night, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Scioscia is expected to step down at the end of this season. With no contract extension right now, which is apparently Scioscia’s choice dating back to the end of last season, speculation about his future is sure to surface.
Before Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Indians, as expected, Scioscia had to field at least one question about Rosenthal’s report. But the word he used to describe the report he’s stepping down was unique, to say the least.
“Nothing has changed since we talked last October,” he said. “That’s the best way I can put it. There’s always chatter out there. The only word I have is poppycock. That’s all it is.”
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
What is not “poppycock” is the Angels’ lack of recent success under Scioscia. Since 2010, spanning Mike Trout’s career and then some, they’ve made the playoffs just once (2014). The shine of six playoff berths and five division titles over his first 10 seasons, with a World Series win in 2002, should be wearing off if it’s hasn’t worn off already.
Any manager facing the prospect of a third straight losing season would be on the hot seat in some fashion. A lackluster recent run should remove any sentiment attached to Scioscia’s name, and nearly two-decade tenure.
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Scioscia may not be stepping down at season’s end. But the Angels can still frame his exit as their decision to not give him a new contract, and thus let him avoid any stigma attached to being fired.