Los Angeles Angels: The Franchise All-Time Bracket
No. 1 vs. 8 seed
The 2002 Los Angeles Angels may have been a starless wild card, but they were a deserving entry. Their 99 victories was five more than the AL Central champion Twins and six more than any non-qualifier that season.
Left fielder Garret Anderson drove in 123 runs to lead the offense, with third baseman Troy Glaus – at 111 – close behind. Anderson also hit .306.
The pitching staff was led by Jarrod Washburn at 18-6. Troy Percival, with 40 saves, covered the late innings.
The 1979 Angels were the franchise’s first division winners. Managed by Jim Fregosi, they featured Rod Carew at first base batting .318, left fielder Don Baylor with 139 RBIs, and second baseman Bobby Grich plus catcher Brian Downing providing support. Baylor was the American League MVP.
The Angels also had a guy named Nolan Ryan available to pitch as needed. Ryan went just 16-14 in 34 starts but struck out 223 batters. That was 20 more than anybody else.
Oakland Athletics: The franchise all-time bracket
Game 1: Although a second-place team, the 2002 Angels 99-65 .611 percentage is among the best in franchise history, well ahead of 1979’s 88-74 .543
Game 2: The 2002 team had a .688 post-season percentage. The 1979 team lost the ALCS to Baltimore in four games.
Game 3: The 1979 Angels combined to produce a 114 team OPS+. That’s good enough to beat the 2002 team’s 105 OPS+.
Game 4: Aside from Ryan, the 1979 Angels didn’t have much on the mound. Their staff ERA+ was just 94. The 2002 Angels had a solid 120 ERA+.
Game 5: The 2002 Angels combined for a 54.9 WAR, the best in franchise history. The 1979 club could only manage a 40.8 WAR.
Result: 2002 in five games