In the spirit of the Mid-Summer Classic, it seemed the appropriate time to assemble the Angels’ all-time All-Star team.  The selections were made based on a variety of factors: 1) Statistics during tenure with the Angels; 2) Standing in franchise’s all-time rankings in numerous statistical categories; 3) Overall contributions to the Angels’ success; 4) Longevity in an Angel uniform. A starter and a backup (parentheses) were selected for each position. Let the debate begin…

Manager – Mike Scioscia

Undoubtedly, Scioscia deserves much of the credit for the team’s recent success.  He brought an attitude and style of play to the Angels that are conducive to winning baseball games and is a calming presence in the clubhouse.  Scioscia handles the pitching staff extremely well and seems most often to push all the right buttons and force the action.

C – Brian Downing; (Bob Boone)

Downing played 13 seasons for the Angels and was a longtime fan favorite.  He only played two seasons as the Angels’ everyday catcher, but one of those years (1979) was his best, where he made his only All-Star appearance.  Downing ranks third in franchise history in runs, hits, total bases, RBI’s, HR’s, 2B’s, and SF’s.  Boone spent seven seasons as the Angels’ backstop, collecting four gold gloves during that stretch.

1B – Rod Carew; (Wally Joyner)

Carew came to the Angels having made 12 consecutive All-Star games.  He would add six more to the streak as an Angel, giving him 18 consecutive appearances in the Mid-Summer Classic.  Carew also collected his 3,000^th hit as an Angel.  Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1991, Carew remains the franchise leader in on-base percentage and ranks second in batting average amongst all Halos.  Joyner broke onto the scene with a bang as a rookie in 1986, hitting 22 homers and driving in 100 runs.  Avid Joyner fans quickly created “Wally World” in the outfield bleachers, which became a staple sight at The Big A in the late 80’s.

2B – Bobby Grich; (Bobby Knoop)

The sure-handed second baseman was a fixture in the middle infield for 10 seasons in Anaheim, making four All-Star appearances.  At a time when second basemen were seldom known for their power, Grich smoked 30 HR’s with 101 RBI’s in 1979.  He logged double-digits in homers for seven straight seasons.  Bobby Knoop was one of the very first Angels (’64-’69), and remains one of the slickest fielding Halos to date.  Knoop won three gold gloves in five seasons with California.

3B – Troy Glaus; (Doug DeCinces)

A Southern California native, Glaus provided some serious power in Anaheim from 1998-2004.  Glaus led the American League in HR’s with 47 in 2000, the first of three consecutive 100+ RBI seasons.  With a number of clutch hits, Glaus was an offensive force during the Angels’ thrilling 2002 World Championship run.  DeCinces had his best year in his first with the Halos, hitting 30 HR’s and finishing third in AL MVP voting.  While playing a strong third base, DeCinces stayed consistent; averaging 21 HR’s and 80 RBI’s in seven years for the Angels.

SS – Jim Fregosi; (David Eckstein)

Fregosi was the Angels’ first true star, appearing in seven straight All-Star games for the Angels (’64 – ’70).  Regarded as one of the best defensive short stops in the league, Fregosi was a double-smacking machine, logging at least 20 two-baggers in eight straight seasons.  He is also the franchise leader in triples.  Few players have ever displayed the grit of one David Eckstein.  Known as “the X Factor,” Eckstein was often the catalyst of the 2002 World Championship team.  Standing only 5’6”, Eckstein set career highs in 2002 as the Angels’ leadoff man, hitting eight homers, scoring 107 runs, and driving in 63.

OF – Garret Anderson; (Darren Erstad)

Garret Anderson’s name is pasted all over the Angels’ franchise record books.  The longtime Angel ranks 1^st in a number of categories, including: games played, runs, hits, RBI’s, total bases, extra-base hits, doubles, and sacrifice flies.  He is also second in home runs.  As far as consistency and longevity go, it would be extremely difficult to argue that any Angel matches Anderson.  Between 2000 and 2003, Anderson racked up 184 doubles, 121 home runs, and 479 RBI’s.  Erstad quickly became a fan favorite for his patented diving catches and his countless high-speed collisions with the outfield wall.  His tenacity and passion set the tone for playing the aggressive, pressuring style the Angels are often known for.

OF – Tim Salmon; (Jim Edmonds)

Beloved by all Angel fans, Salmon is the all-time home run leader for the Halos (299).  Playing his entire 14-year career with the Angels, he became the face of the franchise and a fixture in the middle of the lineup.  After winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1993, he incomprehensibly never made a single trip to the All-Star game, despite averaging 29 HR’s and 98 RBI’s per year.  He won’t miss this All-Star team – he gets the start.  Edmonds had some strong seasons for the Angels before blossoming in St. Louis after a trade.  During Edmonds tenure, he was known for his reckless play in the outfield, crashing into walls, and winning two gold gloves while averaging .296 for the Angels.

OF – Vladimir Guerrero; (Fred Lynn)

When Guerrero arrived in Anaheim in 2004, the Angels finally had a sure-fire hall of famer in his prime.  Guerrero was an immediate success, winning the AL MVP in his first season in Anaheim.  He tops the franchise list in batting average, slugging pct., and OPS.  In five full seasons as an Angel, Guerrero has averaged 33 homers and 109 RBI’s with a .320 batting average.  Fred Lynn spent just four seasons with the Halos, but the former MVP and ROY was a three-time All-Star in that span.   The one year he missed the All-Star game with the Angels, Lynn still managed a .272 avg. and 22 home runs.

DH – Don Baylor; (Chili Davis)

Baylor spent six seasons as a steady OF / DH with the Angels.  No season was finer for Baylor than 1979, when he led the league in runs (120) and RBI’s (139), while hitting .296 and 36 HR’s on his way to winning the AL MVP.  Chili Davis provided steady run production during two stints with the Angels (’88-’90, ’93-’96), driving in 85+ runs in five of seven seasons.

Util. – Chone Figgins; (Gary DiSarcina)

Figgins is what makes the current Angels tick.  The franchise stolen base leader is one of the best leadoff men in the game, annually ranking among the league’s best in runs, steals and triples.  Figgins has played nearly every position for the Angels, logging over 100 games at 3B, LF, CF, 2B, and SS, and proving invaluable to manger Mike Scioscia.  Primarily a short stop, DiSarcina played his entire career in an Angels uniform.  From 1990 – 2000, DiSarcina’s steady hand was leading the troops in the Angels’ infield.
SP – Nolan Ryan

It’s no surprise that Ryan would get the ball on the all-time Angel team.  His eight seasons in Anaheim were some of Ryan’s best, as he led the league in strike outs in seven of them, while winning 19+ games four times.  It’s no shock that Ryan is the franchise leader in strikeouts, complete games, and shutouts.  Ryan ranks second in wins with 138.  He also compiled a 3.07 ERA in nearly 2,200 innings as an Angel.

SP – Chuck Finley

The franchise wins leader (165), Finley spent the majority of his career with the Angels (’86-’99).  Six times the lefty won 15+ games for the Halos on his way to finishing with an even 200 wins for his career.  Finley posted a .541 winning percentage and a solid 3.72 ERA over his 14 seasons on the mound at The Big A.

SP – John Lackey

The current ace of the Angels’ rotation, Lackey was the winning pitcher of the biggest game in franchise history as a rookie: Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.  Owning a 95-67 record in his 8 seasons in Anaheim, Lackey has already climbed to 5^th on franchise wins list.  Lackey can be counted on to be the horse of the rotation, averaging 217 innings pitched per season.

SP – Frank Tanana

Tanana spent his first eight years (’72-‘80) with the Angels, compiling 102 wins (4th), 1233 strike outs (4^th) and a 3.08 ERA (6^th).  The left-hander also ranks 2^nd among Angels in complete games (92) and shutouts (24) behind only Nolan Ryan.  Tanana won at least 14 games in six consecutive seasons and led the league in ERA and shutouts in 1977.

SP – Mike Witt

Witt is 3^rd among Angels in wins, strikeouts, and complete games.  He had his best season in 1986 when he posted 18 wins and a 2.84 ERA, helping propel the Angels to the Western Division title and finishing 3^rd in the Cy Young Award voting.  The right-hander was a two-time All-Star.

SP – (Bartolo Colon)

The big right-hander went 39-20 between ’04-’05, leading the Angels to the post-season both years.  Colon was rewarded with the Cy Young Award in 2005.

SP – (Mark Langston)

Langston is remembered for both his arm and his glove.  The lefty won five gold gloves in his seven seasons in Anaheim, as well as winning 88 games (6^th).

SP – (Jerrod Washburn)

Washburn led the starting rotation in the 2002 championship season with an 18-6 record and a 3.15 ERA.  He won his fair share of big games and finished 4^th in Cy Young voting.

SP – (Jim Abbott)

Abbott inspired us all when he burst on the scene in 1989 with the Angels.  Abbott won 18 games with a 2.89 ERA in 1991 despite missing his right hand.
SP – (Clyde Wright / Dean Chance)

The last backup spot in the rotation is split between Wright and Chance.  Both won 20+ games once and were both tough competitors.  If forced to choose, I might have to lean towards Chance, who had an exceptional season in 1964, winning the Cy Young with a 1.65 ERA and 11 shutouts.

RP – Troy Percival

The all-time Angel bullpen has to start with the franchise’s saves leader.  Percival compiled 316 saves in 10 seasons in Anaheim.  His 2.99 ERA and 5 All-Star appearances with the Angels speak for themselves.

RP – Francisco Rodriguez

Rodriguez showed up big on the big stage during the Angels’ 2002 post-season push.  The then-youngster was virtually unhittable, racking up playoff wins left and right.  Six years later, he would go on to set the single-season saves record with 62 in 2008.

RP – Bryan Harvey

3^rd on the Angels all-time saves list with 126, Harvey held the closer’s job prior to Percival’s emergence.  He led the league with 46 saves in 1991 and struck out 365 batters in 305 innings in an Angels uniform.

RP – Scot Shields

In 9 seasons, Shields has compiled a 46-41 record with a 3.03 ERA for the Halos, primarily as a set-up man.  Likely the best set-up reliever in Angels’ history, Shields has been an integral part of the team’s recent success.  He almost always seems to come up in team MVP discussions near the end of the year.

- Blake Warren