Angels 2002 World Series Legend Gets First Pro Managing Gig

The former Halos closer and Division I coach goes the indy ball route.

The Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League are a long way from the big leagues. Denver's Coors Field is the closest major league ballpark, and it's more than 500 miles away.

Symbolically, the distance is even greater. As an unaffiliated minor league team, the Chukars are unlikely to send any players to the majors soon — if ever.

That's OK by their new manager, who knows a thing or two about winning at the game's highest level. Former Angels closer Troy Percival was introduced Thursday as the Chukars' new manager, his first coaching gig since he left UC Riverside after the 2020 season.

"The reason I took this job is because winning is important. With affiliate ball I think you get a little more developmental and practicing to play baseball as opposed to winning. I like to win. That’s more important in many cases than teaching them to field a ground ball.” 

Percival, 54, told the Los Angeles Times he enjoyed his time at UCR but stepped down to spend more time with his son, Cole, who spent three seasons (2021-23) pitching in the Dodgers and Angels organizations. Cole Percival is now a free agent.

“Believe me, I understand what I’m getting into. I know I’m going to a place where I have to scrape the barrel to find enough guys to play. I didn’t realize at first that I had to get my own players. I thought I was going to a team that was set. It adds a little extra dynamic to it. But I love managing, and I get the opportunity to do it without all the administrative stuff from the D-I level. I can focus more on coaching.”

Percival logged 316 of his 358 saves (10th-most all time) with the Angels from 1995-2004. He won a World Series with the Angels in 2002, finishing Game 7 with a scoreless ninth inning to record the final out of the only championship in franchise history.

From 2005-09, Percival finished his playing career in stints with the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays.

Last season Percival spent some time as a guest instructor with the Angels before and after the regular season. According to the Times, Percival was not interviewed for the Angels' pitching coach job that ultimately went to Barry Enright. 

Now, Percival will have plenty of opportunities to pass along his knowledge to a new generation — albeit far from the spotlight of a major league diamond.