Angels Baseball History |
| Founded in 1961 as the Los Angeles Angels, the Angels Franchise began with a 70-91 expansion season record. The .435 winning percentage of the first Angels team ranks as the best expansion team record in Major League History. After splitting time between Dodger Stadium and Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, the Angels moved to the city of Anaheim and become the California Angels in 1966. In 1997 the California Angels became the Anaheim Angels. |
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The Angels originally played in Wrigley Field in Los Angeles as the L.A. Angels. The team called the park home from
4/27/61 -10/1/61 |
Rod Carew, MLB Hall of Famer, was a staple of the Angels offense in the 1980s |
The Angels won their first world series by beating the intrastate Giants in 2002 |
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| The Angels have made the playoffs four times in their 43-year history. Memories of League Championship losses in 1979, 1982, and 1986 were quickly erased by the Cinderella story of the 2002 World Series championship. The 2002 championships posted the best record in franchise history at 99-63.
World Series Appearances:
- 2002 vs. San Francisco Giants W 4-3
Angels All Time Team Leaders
| Rank |
Player |
Statistic |
| Batting Average |
| 1 |
Rod Carew |
.314 |
| 2 |
Garrett Anderson |
.300 |
| 3 |
Johnny Ray |
.296 |
| Homeruns |
| 1 |
Tim Salmon |
290 |
| 2 |
Brian Downing |
222 |
| 3 |
Garrett Anderson |
210 |
| RBI's |
| 1 |
Tim Salmon |
989 |
| 2 |
Garrett Anderson |
970 |
| 3 |
Brian Downing |
846 |
| Hits |
| 1 |
Garrett Anderson |
1,800 |
| 2 |
Tim Salmon |
1,618 |
| 3 |
Brian Downing |
1,588 |
| Stolen Bases |
| 1 |
Gary Pettis |
186 |
| 2 |
Luis Polonia |
174 |
| 3 |
Darren Erstad |
160 |
| Wins |
| 1 |
Chuck Finley |
165 |
| 2 |
Nolan Ryan |
138 |
| 3 |
Mike Witt |
109 |
| Earned Run Average |
| 1 |
Andy Messersmith |
2.78 |
| 2 |
Dean chance |
2.83 |
| 3 |
Troy Percival |
2.99 |
| Saves |
| 1 |
Troy Percival |
316 |
| 2 |
Bryan Harvey |
126 |
| 3 |
Dave LaRoche |
65 |
Angels Retired Numbers
| Number |
Player |
| 11 |
Jim Fregosi |
| 26 |
Gene Autry |
| 29 |
Rod Carew |
| 30 |
Nolan Ryan |
| 42 |
Jackie Robinson |
| 50 |
Jimmie Reese |
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With a combination of power and ability to hit for average, Casey Kotchman has as much offensive upside as any prospect in baseball. |
He takes a controlled cut through the strike zone, with pole-to-pole power. His hits have a lower trajectory, accounting for an inordinate amount of doubles last season (33 in 313 at-bats), but he should eventually turn those into home runs. Between the Class AAA and AA levels last year, he hit .371 with eight home runs and a .553 slugging percentage.
Kotchman is a disciplined hitter, and isn't afraid to take a walk, as evidenced by a solid .428 on-base percentage in 2004. His defense at first base is Gold Glove-caliber, as he possesses incredibly soft hands and agility. Persistent injuries hit him once again last season, as he suffered through wrist and shoulder problems. The Angels carried Kotchman on their postsea-son roster as a pinch-hitter last October, and should find a starting spot for him in 2005. |
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They Said It: Vladimir Guerrero |
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"Just when we thought we knew how good this guy is, he shows he can hit in the clutch. He never had to deal with a pennant race in Montreal. This team wouldn't have been very good without him last year because of all the injuries. He basically carried them through stretches.
He's always had the rocket arm, but he's a smarter player defensively, makes fewer errors. Having Finley in center will make him even better. Usually it's the pitchers who have an advantage switching leagues, but Guerrero played last year like he already knew the A.L. He's a tough guy for pitchers to adjust to because he swings at everything and is capable of hitting balls way out of the zone. He's also become more disciplined at the plate, which makes him an even tougher out." |
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