Angels lock up Scioscia for next decade

Jan 7, 2009 - 1:16 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are apparently willing to make a strong commitment to their manager.

Citing sources within Major League Baseball, MLB.com is reporting that the Angels have signed manager Mike Scioscia to a contract extension through the 2018 season.

"It's a significant commitment on both sides," Scioscia told the web site. "I won't comment on any of the terms, but (owner) Arte (Moreno) and (general manager) Tony (Reagins) have reached out and shown a great deal of confidence in this extension with the direction we're going. I'm very happy with this opportunity to keep pushing forward with what we're doing."

Scioscia guided Anaheim to a franchise-best 100 wins in the regular season in 2008 and its fourth American League West title in the last five years.

He led the franchise to its lone World Series title in 2002 and owns an 803-655 record since taking over the Angels' helm in 2000.

Scioscia's .551 winning percentage through nine seasons is second among active managers behind Bobby Cox's .557.

"I think if you're going to continue to achieve and move in the right direction, the only real job security is performance," Scioscia told MLB.com. "What's written in a contract isn't going to guarantee anything.

"If you want to do things like Walter Alston and Tommy Lasorda, like Tony La Russa and Bobby Cox, other managers who have been in one place a long time, you have to keep moving forward and progressing and achieving. That's our focus as a staff."

Scioscia's coaching staff is also returning.

"Those guys are successful," Scioscia told the web site. "We have an outstanding staff, a terrific staff. I think those guys are all free thinkers, and that's important. The input they give is critical to us. We continue to evolve as a staff. Those guys speak their mind and have great insights to prepare guys to play. We're very happy with our staff."