Cleveland Guardians Announce Stephen Vogt as New Manager
November 6th, 2023
CLEVELAND — The search for a new manager has come to an end for the Cleveland Guardians.
On Monday, the Guardians officially announced that former catcher Stephen Vogt has been appointed as the 45th manager in franchise history. While the club has not confirmed the details, sources have informed MLB.com that Vogt has signed a three-year deal.
The Guardians embarked on a rigorous interview process, considering several candidates including Brewers manager Craig Counsell, Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, and Dodgers first-base coach Clayton McCullough. The organization was seeking a person who not only shared their established values but also brought a fresh perspective to challenge the team’s thinking.
Despite a long list of over 40 potential candidates, Vogt stood out among the rest.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Stephen and his family to Northeast Ohio and to appoint him as the next manager of the Cleveland Guardians,” said Chris Antonetti, the Guardians’ president of baseball operations. “Stephen has earned a reputation as one of the best teammates in the game throughout his 16-year career as a player. Over the past several weeks, we have had the pleasure of getting to know him better.”
Antonetti further added, “Stephen has thought critically about the type of leader and manager he wants to be. His deep care for others, his ability to build meaningful relationships, and his open-mindedness and curiosity make him an ideal fit to lead our club moving forward. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Stephen.”
Vogt takes over from former manager Terry Francona, who left a significant legacy with the Guardians. Francona holds the record for the most wins by a skipper in franchise history (921) and was the team’s longest-tenured manager. After 11 seasons under Francona’s leadership, the Guardians have chosen to go in a different direction.
At 39 years old, Vogt retired from playing after the 2022 season with a clear goal of becoming a big league manager. He spent the 2023 season as the bullpen and quality control coach with the Mariners. When multiple managerial openings emerged across Major League Baseball, Vogt eagerly threw his name into the mix.
Vogt is highly regarded by every coaching staff he has worked with. During his 10-year big league career, which included stints with the A’s, D-backs, Rays, Giants, Braves, and Brewers, he showcased an excellent baseball IQ and emerged as a leader in every clubhouse he entered. Similar to Francona, Vogt is known for his ability to connect with players of all ages through his sense of humor. This approach may prove to be a perfect fit for the young Cleveland team.