Former Angels Manager Maddon Cites Scioscia's Exit as Turning Point for Team's 'Fearlessness'

Maddon believes the Angels lost their aggressive, carefree playing style after parting ways with longtime manager Mike Scioscia.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon believes the team's fearless playing style and winning culture started to fade when they parted ways with longtime manager Mike Scioscia in 2015. Maddon credits Scioscia with bringing a "Dodger culture" of "fearlessness" and "fundamentalism" to the Angels during his 15-year tenure, which included seven playoff appearances. However, Maddon says that mentality disappeared after Scioscia's departure, contributing to the Angels' struggles to return to the postseason in the years since.

Why it matters

The Angels have not made the playoffs since 2014, the last season under Scioscia's leadership. Maddon's comments provide insight into the team's decline, suggesting the loss of Scioscia's aggressive, carefree approach has been a key factor. This could inform how the Angels approach their managerial search and roster-building going forward as they try to recapture their past success.

The details

Maddon, who managed the Angels for part of the 2022 season before being fired, said Scioscia "brought a Dodger culture there. And I'll tell you what Dodger culture is. Fearlessness. It's real baseball. It's not worried about making mistakes. It's fundamentalism." However, Maddon believes that mentality "left" the Angels once Scioscia departed in 2015 after 15 seasons as manager. "Going out there and playing, trying to do the right thing in the moment. And if it didn't work out, if it was a good baseball play, so what? Turn the page. Sosh is really good at that. So once he left, that's what you're missing," Maddon said.

  • Scioscia managed the Angels from 2000 to 2015.
  • The Angels last made the playoffs in 2014, Scioscia's final season as manager.
  • Maddon managed the Angels for part of the 2022 season before being fired.

The players

Joe Maddon

A former manager of the Los Angeles Angels who believes the team lost its "fearlessness" after parting ways with longtime manager Mike Scioscia.

Mike Scioscia

The former longtime manager of the Los Angeles Angels from 2000 to 2015, who Maddon credits with bringing a "Dodger culture" of "fearlessness" and "fundamentalism" to the team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Finally, [Scioscia] shows up and honestly brings a Dodger culture there. And I'll tell you what Dodger culture is. Fearlessness. It's real baseball. It's not worried about making mistakes. It's fundamentalism. And that's what Sosh brought with him himself.”

— Joe Maddon, Former Angels Manager (Halo Territory)

“Going out there and playing, trying to do the right thing in the moment. And if it didn't work out, if it was a good baseball play, so what? Turn the page. Sosh is really good at that. So once he left, that's what you're missing.”

— Joe Maddon, Former Angels Manager (Halo Territory)

What’s next

The Angels will need to carefully consider their next managerial hire as they look to recapture the aggressive, fearless playing style that defined their success under Scioscia.

The takeaway

Maddon's comments suggest the Angels' struggles in the years since Scioscia's departure are partly due to the team losing the carefree, fundamentally sound approach that defined their winning culture under his leadership. As the Angels search for their next manager, they will need to prioritize finding someone who can restore that mentality to the clubhouse.