The Los Angeles Angels officially hired Phil Nevin as manager for the 2023 season, removing the interim tag Wednesday after giving him a one-year deal before the final game of the regular season.
Los Angeles will miss the playoffs for the eighth straight year. Nevin was promoted from third base coach after Joe Maddon was fired in June, prompted by a franchise-record 14-game losing streak.
The Angels are 45-59 under Nevin, 51, heading into the season finale against Oakland.
Nevin was emotional and shed tears before the game against the A’s, taking a moment in the dugout before expressing his appreciation for the opportunity.
“There are a lot of special people involved in this,” Nevin acknowledged.
Keeping Nevin gives Los Angeles some much-needed stability ahead of the offseason amid uncertainty that owner Arte Moreno intends to sell the team.
Superstar Shohei Ohtani will become a free agent after the 2023 season, potentially giving the franchise little time to capitalize on having him in the lineup alongside three-time MVP Mike Trout.