Mike Scioscia
One of the few figures in MLB history to spend a decade-plus with one team as a player and another decade-plus with a different team as a manager.
Michael Lorri Scioscia, known affectionately as "Sosh" or "El Jefe," is an American baseball icon whose career spans two distinct eras of success: a decorated playing tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers and a historic managerial run with the Angels. Born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1958, Scioscia spent his entire 13-year playing career with the Dodgers before becoming the longest-tenured manager in Angels history at the time of his retirement. He guided the Angels from the 2000 season through 2018, leading them to their only World Series championship in 2002.
- Role
- Former Catcher / Manager
- Affiliation
- Los Angeles Angels (Anaheim Angels)
- World Series Title
- 2002 Champion
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Scioscia's playing days were defined by his defense and durability. Exclusively a catcher, he was praised by Dodgers vice president Al Campanis as the best plate-blocking catcher he had seen in 46 years. His technique differed from tradition; instead of using his bare hand to tag runners, Scioscia held the ball inside his mitt while kneeling on both knees to absorb collisions. This resilience was tested in July 1985 when a collision with Jack Clark knocked him unconscious, though he claimed an even harder hit came from Chili Davis in 1986. Offensively, he was a contact hitter who struck out fewer than once every 14 at-bats, famously hitting a game-tying home run off Dwight Gooden in the 1988 NLCS. He caught two no-hitters during his career and retired as the Dodgers' all-time leader in games caught.
In Their Own Story
After managing in the minors and coaching for the Dodgers, Scioscia was hired by Angels general manager Bill Stoneman following the 1999 season. His leadership ended a 16-year playoff drought immediately, culminating in a dramatic 2002 World Series victory against his former teammate Dusty Baker's San Francisco Giants. This win made him the 17th person to win a World Series as both a player and a manager. The Angels enjoyed unprecedented success under his command, winning five division titles in six years and setting franchise records with 99 wins in 2002 and 100 wins in 2008. On May 8, 2011, Scioscia became the 56th manager to reach 1,000 wins, with all victories coming with a single team. Despite a rift developing with general manager Jerry Dipoto in 2012 over coaching staff decisions, Scioscia remained at the helm until his retirement after the 2018 season.
Reader's Guide
Scioscia's managerial legacy is anchored by two American League Manager of the Year awards, received in 2002 and 2009. He remains the Angels' all-time leader in wins, games managed, and division titles. His tenure saw the team surpass all previous managers combined for division titles. Notably, Alfredo Griffin, a teammate from Scioscia's 1988 Dodgers squad, served on his coaching staff throughout the entire 2000–2018 era. While he was signed by the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers late in his playing career, injuries prevented him from ever appearing in regular-season games for either club. His unique career path makes him a singular figure in baseball history.
Did You Know?
- Scioscia is one of only a handful of people in MLB history to spend his entire playing career with one team and his entire managing career with another, both lasting over a decade.
- He made himself invaluable to the Dodgers by learning Spanish specifically to communicate with rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela.
- In 1986, Scioscia suffered a collision with Giants slugger Chili Davis that he described as harder than any hit he took in his football years.
- Scioscia caught two no-hitters during his career: Fernando Valenzuela in 1990 and Kevin Gross in 1992.