Stephen Vogt will be the new manager of the Cleveland Guardians. After a near-month long search, the former catcher will act as the skipper beginning with the 2024 season. The 39-year-old played 10 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Oakland Athletics. Vogt last played at the big league level in 2022, retiring at the end of that season. Vogt will lead the Guardians into a new chapter after Terry Francona retired after 11 seasons with the team. The Guardians also interviewed Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell for the position.
We believe in Stephen Vogt.
We have hired Stephen Vogt as the 45th manager in franchise history.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/OA9WfVy0Vr
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) November 6, 2023
Guardians Hire Stephen Vogt
Francona ammased a 5.49 winning percentage under the helm of the Guardians. He led Cleveland to six postseason appearances and won the 2016 American League penannt. Francona’s managerial career includes stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox.
Vogt announced over a year ago after his retirement that he wanted to be a future manager. He himself voiced those aspirations back in 2020. Then manager Bob Melvin had a vote of confidence that his catcher has a future in managing. In January of this year, Vogt quickly landed himself his first coaching gig. The Seattle Mariners hired him to be the quality control coach and bullpen coach. It was reported two weeks ago that Vogt was going to interview for the managerial vacancy of the San Francisco Giants. However, Melvin was ultimately hired for that job.
I Believe In Stephen Vogt
Vogt began his baseball career by going 0-for-32, the first 25 of those at-bats coming from the Tampa Bay Rays. He eventually found his footing over the 2013 campaign. Vogt earned a starting role with the A’s over the next few years, he even became a two-time All-Star while he helped Oakland reach the postseason in consecutive seasons. For his career, he hit .239/.301/.406 with a 93 OPS+ and amassed 7.1 WAR with six different teams. Vogt will become the majors second-youngest manager behind Oli Marmol of the St. Louis Cardinals.
