Three years after closing out a 16-year Major League career, Maui native Kurt Suzuki is returning to the dugout, this time as a manager.
The Baldwin High alumnus was introduced this week as the new skipper of the Los Angeles Angels, the same club he played for during the final two seasons of his career and later served as a special assistant to the front office.
A former All-Star catcher and World Series champion, Suzuki, 42, retires as the statistical leader among Hawai‘i-born Major Leaguers in several categories, including hits, home runs, RBI and innings played.
Suzuki said he is eager to begin his first managerial post.
“This means a lot to me, and I’m excited for this opportunity,” Suzuki said at his introductory news conference. “I’ve been in those shoes before and it’s a grind. I feel like I can relate to these guys on every single level… I’ve been on teams with high expectations that didn’t win and teams with low expectations that did. I think that’s one of my strengths. I’m ready to get to work.”
Suzuki signed a one-year deal that aligns with the contract of Angels general manager Perry Minasian.
While Suzuki becomes the first Hawai‘i-born full-time manager in Major League Baseball history, Waiakea graduate Kai Correa was the first to record a managerial win at the MLB level, finishing the 2023 season as interim manager of the San Francisco Giants. Correa is currently the bench coach for the New York Mets.