Mike Maddux leaving for Angels reminds Rangers fans when star player did same thing

It's hard to imagine any Rangers fans are happy after hearing the news that pitching coach Mike Maddux is leaving the team to become the division-rival Los Angeles Angels' pitching coach under new manager Kurt Suzuki. Maddux has played a vital role in the Rangers' pitching success, leading the staff that made the World Series in 2010 and 2011 during his first tenure (2009-2015). He rejoined the team in 2023 as part of Bruce Bochy's staff, helping Texas win its first World Series in franchise history. Not to mention, the Rangers' pitching staff was arguably the best in all of baseball in 2025, as the team led the league with a 3.47 ERA with Maddux mentoring the pitching staff. The rotation should be fine without Maddux, but the questionable bullpen could struggle without one of the best pitching coaches in Major League Baseball.

Unfortunately for Rangers fans, this isn't the first time a highly regarded person in the organization has left for the Angels.

Rangers fans dealing with Josh Hamilton flashbacks after pitching coach Mike Maddux leaves for Los Angeles Angels

Maddux's departure for the Angels serves as a reminder of when outfielder Josh Hamilton did the same thing. Hamilton was one of the best players in all of baseball with the Rangers, making five straight American League (AL) All-Star teams (2008-12), winning the 2010 AL MVP Award and helping lead the Rangers to back-to-back pennants (2010-11). Then, after a spectacular 2012 season, Hamilton signed a five-year, $125 million contract with the Angels. Rangers fans were not shy in expressing their displeasure with Hamilton's decision.

While many Texas fans were upset that Hamilton left for Los Angeles, it ultimately worked out in the Rangers' favor. Hamilton struggled significantly upon becoming an Angel, slashing .250/.307/.432 (108 OPS+) with 21 home runs and 79 RBIs in 151 games during his first season with Los Angeles. It didn't get any better from there for Hamilton, as he hit .263/.331/.414 (115 OPS+) with ten home runs in just 89 games while dealing with injuries during his second season as an Angel. Hamilton also dealt with personal issues that likely contributed to his regression and was subsequently traded back to Texas, with the Angels covering most of the remaining contract. Hamilton ended up playing in just 50 games for the Rangers in 2015, his last MLB season.