ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -Los Angeles Angels general manager Bill Stoneman retired Tuesday and was replaced by player development director Tony Reagins.
The 63-year-old Stoneman became the Angels’ GM in November 1999 and helped build the team into a perennial contender. He will remain with the team as a senior adviser.
Choking back tears at times at a news conference, Stoneman said he was leaving the GM post – which he called a 24-hour, seven-day-week job – so he will have time for other things.
“I’m getting older. You have to face that, and this job requires a ton of energy,” he said. “The main thing is, I was worn down and I didn’t think it would be right to continue.”
So he handed the reins to the 40-year-old Reagins, who joined the Angels as an intern in 1992.
“I’ve known Tony since coming on the job here,” Stoneman said. “This is one of the brightest, most energetic and dedicated guys I know. He’s able to get things done.”
Owner Arte Moreno said the change in GMs should be an easy transition for the organization.
“Bill will be a direct adviser to me,” Moreno said. “I’ve always felt it’s important to keep our brain trust together.”
Reagins said the job carries “extreme responsibility, and I’m ready for the challenge.”
“I think Bill’s done a great job of laying the foundation for where were are now,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “I know Tony has the same vision for where we want to go. The continuity will be there.”
After making the playoffs only three times previously, the Angels advanced to the postseason four times after Stoneman came in. They won their only World Series championship in 2002.
Los Angeles won the division this season for the third time in four years but was swept in by Boston in the first round.
Among Stoneman’s significant moves was hiring the relatively inexperienced Scioscia as manager before the 2000 season, signing pitcher Bartolo Colon in December 2003 and slugger Vladimir Guerrero in January 2004.
Guerrero was the league MVP in 2004, and Colon won the Cy Young Award in 2005.
Stoneman drew some criticism over the past several seasons for his inability to land a power hitter to protect Guerrero in the lineup.
Stoneman pitched for eight years in the majors, compiling a 54-85 record and 4.08 ERA and pitching two no-hitters in stints with the Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, and the Angels. He retired in 1974.
Reagins, who did not play pro ball, spent the last six years as the player development director.
“Tony has a lot of similarities to Bill, his sense of duty and diligence,” Scioscia said. “He’s not afraid to go out there and take chances. He’s going to be great in that position.”
Stoneman thanked Moreno, practically everyone on the club’s front office staff, and got choked up again when he thanked several players, including Garret Anderson and Justin Speier, for coming to the news conference.
Stoneman had special gratitude for his wife.
“She didn’t know when she married me that I would have a mistress,” he said, alluding to the demands of his baseball job. “Right now, I’m leaving my mistress.”
Abe Flores, manager of baseball operations, replaces Reagins as director of player personnel.
Add A Comment