Page 40 - 2019 Angels Media Guide_Neat_NEW

RIC WILSON FRONT OFFICE

Special Assignment Scout
2019 represents Ric Wilson's 17th season in the Halo organization and his
third as a special assignment scout. In his role, Wilson works closely with the
baseball operations department on a variety of scouting aspects.
From 2010 through 2016, Wilson was the Club's scouting director after
previously serving as the Angels' National Crosschecker from 2003-10. Prior to
joining the Halos, he spent 11 years in the Milwaukee Brewers organization as
an area scout (1992-94), southwest supervisor (1994-95) and west coast supervisor (1996-2002).
A former catcher, Wilson is a lifetime baseball man. He was a junior college All-American at Mesa
Community College (1978-79) and played for two seasons at Arizona State University (1980-81). He
front office
was a member of the Sun Devils’ 1981 National Championship team and was drafted by Seattle in the
first round (secondary phase) of the 1981 MLB Draft. He spent six seasons (1981-86) in the Mariners’
farm system.
Wilson and his wife, Shelly, have three children, Lisette (35), Ricky (32) and Abby (31). The couple
resides in Chandler, AZ.
MIKE LACASSA

Director, Minor League Operations
Mike LaCassa enters his eighth season with the Angels organization and
his fourth as Director of Minor League Operations. In this role, he oversees
all aspects of the farm system, collaborates between the scouting and player
development staffs, and provides evaluations to the office of the general
manager.
LaCassa, 32, began his baseball career in 2009 in the Baseball Operations Department of the
Milwaukee Brewers, with his involvement focused on advance scouting. He then moved on to the
Texas Rangers in January of 2010 as a player development assistant, where he ran the Club’s Arizona
operations at their Spring Training complex in Surprise, AZ. In December of 2011, LaCassa joined
the Angels as Manager of Minor League Operations, tasked with handling the day-to-day logistics
pertaining to player development. He was later promoted to Angels Assistant Director of Player
Development before his current appointment.
A native of Glenview, IL, LaCassa graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in
2008. Mike, wife Marie, and daughter Katherine reside in Mission Viejo, CA.
ERIC KAY

Director, Communications

Eric Kay enters his 24th season with the Angels, all in the Club's
Communications department.
Kay, 44, joined the Angels Communications staff as an intern in 1996. He
was hired full time three seasons later and has rapidly become a mainstay in
the Club's communications efforts. His titles have included Media Relations
Representative, Manager, Communications and Director, Communications, a
position he has held since 2014.
Over the course of his tenure, Kay has helped handle the Club's media relations efforts during
the 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2014 postseasons, including the franchise's first World
Series title run in '02 and the 2010 All-Star Game. Presently, he oversees the day-to-day operations
of the communications staff with a primary focus on all incoming player and coaches interview and
appearance requests.
The son of an NFL linebacker, Kay has also worked outside of baseball, including stints with the Los
Angeles Rams, Anaheim Ducks and the Rose Bowl. A local product, he attended Pepperdine University
after prepping at Villa Park High School.
He and his wife, Camela have three sons, Tanner (18), Carter (17) and Hudson (8) and reside in
Orange, CA.
ANGELS MEDIA GUIDE

6_Front Office Bios_2019_r1.indd 38 3/11/19 5:41 PM