New Angels’ GM Jerry Dipoto looking to build relationship with manager Mike Scioscia
The Los Angeles Angels have a new General Manager (GM) and they will be counting on him to provide the club with a postseason seat in 2012, in the American League. Jerry Dipoto was announced the new GM on Saturday, October 29, following the World Series
conclusion and the start of the offseason period. The former Arizona Diamondbacks scouting director was an impressive figure at his previous club, where he helped the squad lift the National League West title.
Speaking out from the Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the new GM expressed his desire to align his goals with the current club manager, Mike Scioscia, to rust out thick edges and make improvements in the team. He acknowledged the skipper’s desire to win and openly
supported his views in his press address. He emphasized on the squad to focus on the games and spoke on managing and controlling hitting and pitching counts.
"I think 90 percent of the game is happening right there, in that 60-foot, six-inch corridor that controls the game," Dipoto said. "It's a heckuva lot easier to hit 2-1 and 3-1, and, conversely, it's a heckuva lot more difficult to pitch in those counts.
"If you're not on base, you're probably not going to win many games. I want the guy who can be on base and move around the bases - there's something to be said for that. I'm not a big believer in stationary baseball."
The new man also emphasized on working on the pitcher-catcher relationship and claimed he would evaluate the current situation with the manager and work on getting things done properly.
Dipoto has the blessing of the club’s owner Arte Moreno and President John Caprino to bring change to the club. For the last two seasons, the Angels have struggled to go on top against the high powered Texas Rangers. They have not won the American League
West title for quite some time and now there is belief the new GM can bring the victories home.
Scioscia and Dipoto have a lot of work to do before the Angels are ready for the upcoming season. However there is optimism around that the two figureheads will get the job done together.
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