When the LA Angels hired Brad Ausmus to replace long-time manager Mike Scioscia after he resigned at the end of the 2018 season, many people shook their heads at the choice of managers that general manager Billy Eppler. Ausmus was definitely not the sexy pick that many had hoped for. Joe Giradi was a name that many were hoping for. Some people had even talked about the Angels trying to lure Maddon away from the Cubs last winter.
In the end the former big league catcher Brad Ausmus won out and the post-Mike Scioscia era began.