Angels Manager Says He Protects All Players Even if it Results in Ejection

A very respectable mindset.

it is very easy for anybody that follows professional baseball to criticize the current management being showcased by Phil Nevin. He has the blessing of having both Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout along with one of the more deep rosters that the Angels have had in a couple of years.

Therefore, when LA drops a close game due to their bullpen or late game errors, the attention is immediately shifted to Nevin and people wonder why he had certain people in the game when he did.

However, it's also easy to forget that this is his rookie year at this position within the Angels. He is learning every single game just like the rest of the team is but one thing cannot be taken away from him and that's how he cares about his guys. This was clearly shown in Wednesday night's loss to the New York Yankees where Nevin was furious over a strike called on Mike Trout and he got ejected because of it.

Phil Nevin is PISSED that Mike Trout was called out

A manager that sticks up for his men >>>> https://t.co/JCXwLBzoQN

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) April 20, 2023

Maybe one can point that maybe Nevin should have set a better example for the youth watching and could have kept his cool. However, he understands what Trout brings to this group and he was not about to let him go out like that without a fight.

Nevin also reflected on his choices after the game.

"Those are tough, those are really tough for umpires, Will's good and it was just the situation," said Nevin. "It's a tough spot, we're trying to win games. I'm going to protect every player, especially Mike."

(Via Bally Sports West)

We'll never know if Mike Trout remaining at the plate for at least one more pitch would have changed the outcome of the game but nonetheless, hearing the reasoning behind Nevin's reaction should sit well with Angels fans.