• Associated Press

Oct 22, 2025, 07:52 PM ET

ANAHEIM, Calif. —

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    Suzuki teared up while thanking his wife and three children, who were seated in the front row of his news conference at Angel Stadium, where he played his final two major league seasons before moving into the team’s front office.

    Suzuki was chosen by Minasian from a field of candidates that included Albert Pujols. Minasian wouldn’t say how negotiations broke down with the former Angels slugger, who also has never coached or managed in the majors.

    At least Pujols has winter-ball experience in a dugout, but Minasian is confident Suzuki will pick up his new job swiftly because he already has done large parts of it as a catcher.

    “I never thought I would be comfortable hiring a manager who wasn’t a manager before, but this is a different person,” Minasian said. “I know he didn’t have a coaching title, but even when he played, he coached-slash-managed for different places. He managed a game for a long time. I believe he’s the right person for the job.”

    Suzuki is used to achieving great things despite starting from a tough position.

    After growing up on Maui, he walked on at Cal State Fullerton and developed into a freshman starter, a College World Series winner and a second-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics.

    He made one All-Star team and won a World Series ring during an accomplished major league career. His lively bat produced 143 homers, but he was even better known for his excellent defense, game management and relationships with his pitchers, including Shohei Ohtani.

    “I feel like I was born to do this — to lead players, to help players get better,” Suzuki said. “That’s my personality. I feel like I’ve done it on a yearly basis with 29, 30 pitchers throughout a whole season, trying to understand how to get the best out of each player, and that’s what excites me.

    “Obviously you play this game to win also, but what excites me is being able to help kids reach their potential.”

    Suzuki replaces Ron Washington, whose option year wasn’t picked up after two losing seasons. Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin and interim Ray Montgomery have also briefly held this slippery job since Mike Scioscia wasn’t brought back in late 2018 after 19 years in charge.

    Suzuki skirted questions about Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon, his teammate on the Washington Nationals‘ championship team in 2019. Rendon, who didn’t play at all this season due to a hip injury, still has one season left on the catastrophic $245 million, seven-year contract Moreno gave him as a free agent after the World Series.

    “I haven’t spoke to Perry about that whole situation,” Suzuki said of Rendon, who will make $38 million from the Angels next year.