THE GREATEST PLAYERS BY POSITION FOR EACH TEAM IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.
I am continuing my list for the greatest players at each position for every team in the last 50 years for each team. Today’s team is the Los Angeles Angels (aka Anaheim Angels, California Angels, LA Angels of Anaheim. What a terrible decision by the organization to change the name from California Angels. Talk about lost identity! But, that’s for another blog).
The criteria are as follows:
- Player must have played a full 5 seasons for the team.
-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 right handed starting pitcher, 1 left handed starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues (considering interleague play now).
Below is my list of greatest players by position for the Angels in the last 50 years (since the 1970 season).
First Base- Wally Joyner
Second Base- Bobby Grich
Shortstop- Erick Aybar
Third Base- Troy Glaus
Left Field- Garret Anderson
Centerfield- Mike Trout
Right Field- Tim Salmon
Catcher- Bob Boone
Designated Hitter- Don Baylor
Right-Handed starting pitcher- Nolan Ryan
Left-Handed starting pitcher- Chuck Finley
Relief pitcher- Francisco Rodriguez
A couple of notes. There were not many tough decisions for this group. Most were the best Angels at their position. Darrin Erstad was a consideration for first base, but Joyner was more consistent during his time with the Angels. DH was the only other position that was in question between Baylor and longtime Angel Brian Downing. I picked Baylor based on his MVP performance in 79. The Angels have had quite a few Hall of Famers on their team in their history, including Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, and Vlad Guerrero. But all were past their prime while they played with the Angels.
Next up is the Houston Astros.
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