May 12, 2025
By Stephen Perez
The Los Angeles Angels have fired manager Ron Washington, sources confirmed late Sunday night, marking the second managerial dismissal in Major League Baseball in just five days. The move comes on the heels of the Pittsburgh Pirates parting ways with Derek Shelton, sending shockwaves across both leagues and underscoring a growing urgency among struggling franchises.
Washington, 73, was in his second season at the helm for the Angels, finishing 2024 with a 63-99 record and starting 2025 with a disappointing 15-22 mark through 37 games. The team sits dead last in the AL West and owns the second-worst run differential in the American League at -64.
The decision was made following the Angels’ latest series loss over the weekend, which extended their recent skid to 6-13 over the past 19 games. Club officials met with Washington after Sunday’s game and informed him of the decision. Bench coach Ray Montgomery will assume managerial duties on an interim basis while the front office begins its search for a long-term replacement.
Washington, who previously managed the Texas Rangers to two American League pennants, was hired by the Angels in late 2023 to bring leadership and structure to a floundering team. However, despite a brief surge early this season, the Angels quickly fell back into their familiar pattern of inconsistency and underachievement.
A mid-April sweep at the hands of the Rangers, Washington’s former club, proved to be a turning point. The team never recovered from that series, and what little optimism existed in Anaheim evaporated.
“This was not an easy decision,” said Angels GM Perry Minasian in a brief statement. “Ron has been a respected figure in this game for decades, and we’re grateful for the energy and leadership he brought. But at this point in our season and in our long-term vision, we felt change was necessary.”
The move signals a full-on reset for the Angels, who have been mired in mediocrity for nearly a decade. It also makes clear that no seat is safe—especially in a season where multiple veteran managers are under pressure. In Texas, Bruce Bochy is also reportedly on the hot seat, as the defending champs stumble out of the gate in 2025.
For now, the Angels will regroup under new leadership and attempt to salvage the season. But one thing is certain: the front office is no longer waiting around for things to fix themselves.
