All Time Angels Lineup
The Angels are entering their 61st season in Major League Baseball. They have had many notable players put on the halo, some making careers elsewhere first, or, spending the bulk of their time in Orange County. In this article, I am going to build my all-time Angels team with a starting nine, three man rotation, and two bullpen pieces.
Before we get started though, please keep in mind this is an opinion based article written by a 29 year old Angel fan. Remember, I can’t hear you screaming at your computer screen.
Catcher: Behind the plate, I have Bob Boone as my catcher. Boone spent 7 seasons with the Angels. Known for his defense, Boone earned three of his seven Gold Gloves in Anaheim. By the way, those Gold Gloves were earned through his age 38-40 seasons.
First Base: This was a tough one to choose from, but, to keep him in the lineup, I have Darin Erstad manning first. Erstad is known for his accolades in the outfield, including catching the final out of the 2002 World Series, but there were other heavy hitters in the outfield that we will get to later. Erstad, already a Gold Glove winner in Center, transitioned to first base and kept those defensive skills and earned a second gold glove. In 11 seasons, Erstad hit .286, had over 1500 hits, and had a season where he led the majors in hits with 240.
Second Base: At second, I have Bobby Grich. This was a toss up between Grich and Howie Kendrick, but I leaned toward Grich. Bobby spent 11 seasons with the Halos while making three all star teams. Although Grich was done playing before I was even born, what stuck out to me was that he was a Second Baseman with power at a time where guys that played there weren’t known to have a lot of pop. In his time with the Angels, Grich slugged 154 homers.
Third Base: The Angels really haven’t had a solid guy at the hot corner since Troy Glaus. Hence why he is the only logical choice for me. Glaus was a key player in the Angels’ success in 2002, which saw him earn World Series MVP honors. Although his last two seasons in Anaheim were injury plagued, Glaus was a 3x All Star with the Angels, 2x Silver Slugger, and led the league in home runs with 47 back in 2000.
Shortstop: Choosing Jim Fregosi was a no brainer. He was part of the expansion draft when the Angels were implemented in Major League Baseball as the Los Angeles Angels. Jim played 11 seasons with the LA/California Angels and was a 6x All Star and Gold Glove winner. He also managed the Angels from 1978-1981. He was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame and his number 11 is retired by the franchise.
Left Field: In left I have the silent assassin, Garret Anderson. In my opinion, Anderson was underrated when he played and still isn’t given the praise he rightfully deserves from Angel fans. Garret, in 15 seasons in Anaheim, had over 2,000 hits, 272 home runs, 489 doubles, and drove in over 1200 runs. In the Championship clinching game in 2002, GA drove in 3 of the 4 Angels runs.
Center Field: You already know. Rookie of the Year, 3x AL MVP, 8x Silver Slugger, and 9x All Star (2x ASG MVP), all time home run leader in team history, and all around good guy, Mike Trout. That’s honestly all I have to say. Guy is the GOAT.
Right Field: Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero. In his 5 years, Vladdy was a 4x Silver Slugger, 4x All Star, Home Run Derby Champ, and 2004 AL MVP. He had a cannon in Right Field, and could hit balls thrown in the dirt for a single. He is the lone Angel in Cooperstown.
Designated Hitter: Halo for life, Tim Salmon. Rookie of the Year, World Champion where he hit .346 against the Giants, and second all time in homers behind his fish friend Mike Trout. King Fish was a leader in the clubhouse, not just in 2002, but his entire career in Anaheim. Still waiting for the Angels to retire number 15.
Rotation:
Nolan Ryan: 138 wins, 4 no hitters, and 2,417 strikeouts. Shame he isn’t wearing an Angel hat in Cooperstown.
Jared Weaver: 150 wins, 3x All Star, and threw a no hitter. Dream Weaver was a workhorse despite his low velocity.
Chuck Finley: Most wins in franchise history with 165. Chuck was a 4x All Star and led the majors with 13 complete games in 1993.
Bullpen:
Troy Percival: Franchise leader in saves with 316 and he closed out the World Series. Percy was a 4x All Star and was scary coming out of the pen.
Francisco Rodriguez: K-Rod still holds the record of most saves in a single season with 62. He has a total of 202 saves with the Angels and represented the team three times at the All Star Game. Franky was only 20 when he came out of the bullpen during the ‘02 run. In 8.2 innings pitched in the World Series, K-Rod had 13 strikeouts.
There you have it! My all time Angels. In the coming years, maybe there will be an update on this article. The Halos have some young guys coming up like Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh, that we could see for years to come. Oh, and I cannot forget Shohei Ohtani. The world is ready to see what he has in store for an encore after his MVP season.
Article contributed by Brian Caprino