ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Scioscia got a new deal Friday to
manage the Los Angeles Angels through the 2009 season.
Scioscia guided the Angels to a 95-67 record and their second
straight AL West division title this year.
His previous contract extension, announced in 2003, signed
Scioscia through 2007 with a club option for 2008. The new deal for
Scioscia, who became the Angels' manager in November 1999, includes
a team option for 2010.
Scioscia approached general manager Bill Stoneman and offered to
extend his commitment to the team.
"I've got the best position in baseball if you want to
manage," he said. "All my interest was to stay here with the
Angels, and I'm very, very happy."
Both Scioscia and Stoneman said the Dodgers' search for a GM had
no influence on locking up Scioscia.
"This is just really the culmination of myself wanting to offer
a longer commitment," said Scioscia, who represented himself in
talks. "I love it here."
Stoneman added, "It says a bunch about the stability of the
organization. It makes it that much easier attracting free agent
players."
The 46-year-old former major league catcher has a 520-452 record
with the Angels. Scioscia has taken the team to postseason
appearances in three of the last four seasons, winning the 2002
World Series.
Scioscia is the only Angels manager with three playoff
appearances and tied the late Gene Mauch with two division titles.
The Angels have averaged a franchise-best 86.7 wins per season
under Scioscia, whose 520 career wins are second-most in club
history. Before joining the Angels, Scioscia managed the Dodgers'
Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque and spent one season as the
Dodgers' bench coach.
He spent 15 seasons in the majors with the Dodgers, San Diego
and Texas, and was part of the Dodgers' World Series championship
team in 1988.