Los Angeles Angels Mount Rushmore

Every team has their greatest players of all time. Let us take a look at the Los Angeles Angels Mount Rushmore.

The Los Angeles Angels have been around since 1961. For the majority of the franchise’s history, they struggled with mediocrity, making the postseason only three times in the 20th century. Meanwhile, the Angels spent most of their first two decades under .500, although they had one of the top pitching duos in the game. Despite putting together some excellent teams, they failed to win a playoff series in that time.

The Angels luck changed in the 21st century. In 2002, not only did they finally win their first playoff series, but added a their only World Series title as well. Los Angeles made five more trips to the postseason that decade, although they have yet to return to the Fall Classic.

During this time, the Angels have had a few stars head through their clubhouse. Whether from shrewd trades, excellent draft choices, or the deeper pockets of ownership, the Angels have had quite a few stars. But which of these players managed to carve their way into the history books, marking themselves as the best players in Angels history?

Let us begin our look around the majors as we put together the Mount Rushmore for each team. Today, we look at the Los Angeles Angels.

Nolan Ryan (1972-1979)

Nolan Ryan was an enigmatic pitcher during his time with the New York Mets. His incredible velocity was intriguing, but he lacked anything resembling command of the pitch.

Following the 1971 campaign, Ryan was included as part of a package to pry star Jim Fregosi from the Los Angeles Angels. The trade proved to be a victory for the Angels, as Fregosi was essentially done as a major league player. However, Ryan was just about to emerge as a star.

During his eight seasons with the Angels, Ryan turned into a dominant force. He made five All Star Games, and led the American League in strikeouts seven times. He set a record with 383 strikeouts in 1973, and pitched his first two no hitters in the same season. From that point, any time that Ryan stepped on the mound, it was possible that history would be made.

Ryan certainly made his mark with the Angels. He posted a 138-121 record, belying his actual performance on the mound. Overall, in his 2181.1 innings, he had a 3.07 ERA and a 1.294 WHiP. While he still struggled with his command, walking 1302 batters, Ryan also notched 2416 strikeouts.

Paired with Frank Tanana, Nolan Ryan gave Angels fans hope that their fortunes would turn around. It took some time, but those teams finally improved during his tenure.

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Jim Fregosi (1961-1971)

Players like Bo Belinsky flashed across the Los Angeles Angels landscape. While they were stars for a year or two, Jim Fregosi was the Angels first true, long term star.

Drafted from the Red Sox with the 35th selection of the 1960 Expansion Draft, it did not take long for Fregosi to reach the majors. As the Angels were looking for building blocks, the 19 year old earned a crack at the lineup the following year. After earning a longer look in 1962, Fregosi found himself in the Angels lineup to stay, until he was traded for Nolan Ryan after the 1971 campaign.

During those dozen years, Fregosi would make six All Star Games, a fixture during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He would finish his time with the Angels with a solid .268/.340/.403 batting line, hitting 115 homers and 219 doubles. Fregosi was also a solid defensive player, winning the 1967 Gold Glove at short.

That trade did not end Fregosi’s time with the Angels. He retired as a player in 1978 to take over the helm of the Angels, and led the team to a second place finish in his first year. The next year, he guided the Angels to the playoffs for the first time. Unfortunately, he did not have the same success afterwards, and after two mediocre seasons, was fired.

Jim Fregosi certainly earned his place in Los Angeles Angels history. One of the team’s first true stars, he played an important part in the Angels success.

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Chuck Finley (1986-1999)

Chuck Finley may be remembered for his marriage to actress Tawny Kitaen, but he was a star in his own right with the Los Angeles Angels.

After spending his first two seasons in the Angels bullpen, he finally had a chance to start in 1988. It did not take long for Finley to emerge as a solid workhorse, with eight seasons of 200 or more innings in ten years. During one of those seasons, 1994, he led the league with 183.1 innings in the strike shortened season.

Overall, Finley was more of a solid second or third starter than a staff ace. Nonetheless, he was a valuable pitcher, making four All Star Games during his time in California. He posted a 165-140 record, along with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.369 WHiP. In his 2675 innings, he struck out 2151 batters against 1118 walks.

Finley won exactly 200 games in his career, but it was another pitching feat that put him in the record books. He is the only pitcher in baseball history with multiple four strikeout innings in his career, a feat that he accomplished three times. Considering how rare those innings can be, the fact that Finley had three in his career is quite impressive.

Chuck Finley may not have been a star, but he was a steady pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, a steady presence in the starting rotation. In terms of WAR, he may even be the best pitcher thus far in Angels history.