1961 Los Angeles Angels season
Encyclopedia
The Los Angeles Angels
season ended with the Angels finishing 8th in the American League
with a record of 70-91. It was the Angels' first season in franchise history, and their only season at Wrigley Field
. Gene Autry
owned the franchise, which was created as a rival to the Los Angeles Dodgers
, who played that year at the Coliseum
before moving to nearby Dodger Stadium
in 1962.
, were the first ever American League
expansion team
s. Both teams participated in Major League Baseball
's first ever expansion draft
. The Angels had the first pick in the 1960 Major League Baseball expansion draft, which they used to select Eli Grba
from the New York Yankees
. Grba wound up playing two-plus seasons for Los Angeles before returning to the minor leagues.
, but also the Kansas City A's
, who tied the Senators for last place, nine games behind Los Angeles.
s, a mark which at the time was considered a remarkable feat. Leon Wagner
, who led the team with 28 home runs, was one of the team's best offensive threats, also leading the team by slugging .517. The other players who hit 20 home runs were Ken Hunt
(25), Lee Thomas
(24), Earl Averill, Jr.
(21), and Steve Bilko
(20). Albie Pearson
, who led the team in batting average
, had an on-base percentage of .420, also a mark that was considered more valuable than the current game. Pearson led the team in several other offensive categories, leading the team in stolen base
s (11), run
s (92), and walks
(96). Lee Thomas, who ended the season second on the team in batting at .284, led the team in hit
s, with 128, edging out Wagner by 1 hit.
, who led the team with 12 win
s, also led the team with 12 losses. Eli Grba
had a 11-13 record, good enough for second in both wins and losses amongst the team's pitchers. Ted Bowsfield
was the Angels' only starter with a winning record, going 11-8. McBride had 180 strikeout
s, 75 more than Grba, who was second on the team with 105. As a team, the Angels led the American League, throwing more strikeouts than any of the other 9 teams. Art Fowler
and Tom Morgan
were the Angels' top two in saves, with 11 and 10, respectively, leading the team to finish second in the American League in that category.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
season ended with the Angels finishing 8th in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
with a record of 70-91. It was the Angels' first season in franchise history, and their only season at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field (Los Angeles)
Wrigley Field was a ballpark in Los Angeles, California which served as host to minor league baseball teams in the region for over 30 years, and was the home park for the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League as well as a current major league team, the later Los Angeles Angels, in their...
. Gene Autry
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
owned the franchise, which was created as a rival to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, who played that year at the Coliseum
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
before moving to nearby Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
in 1962.
Offseason
The Angels, along with the new Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, were the first ever American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
expansion team
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
s. Both teams participated in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's first ever expansion draft
Expansion draft
An expansion draft, in professional sports, occurs when a sports league decides to create one or more new expansion teams or franchises. This occurs mainly in North American sports. One of the ways of stocking the new team or teams is an expansion draft...
. The Angels had the first pick in the 1960 Major League Baseball expansion draft, which they used to select Eli Grba
Eli Grba
Eli Grba is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 5-year baseball career, he pitched for the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels . He was the first selection in the 1960 MLB expansion draft, and he became a charter member of the Angels...
from the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Grba wound up playing two-plus seasons for Los Angeles before returning to the minor leagues.
Notable transactions
- December 14, 1960: 1960 Major League Baseball expansion draft
- Jim FregosiJim FregosiJames Louis Fregosi is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played from 1961–1978 for four different teams, primarily the Los Angeles and California Angels. In that franchise's first eleven years of play, he became its first star as the team's...
was drafted by the Angels from the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - Bob CervBob CervRobert Henry Cerv was an American baseball player. Prior to his professional career he was a standout baseball and basketball player at the University of Nebraska....
was drafted by the Angels from the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - Steve BilkoSteve BilkoStephen Thomas Bilko , was an American professional baseball player known for his home run hitting as a minor league player during the 1950s. He was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 22, 1949, with the St. Louis Cardinals.Nat Hiken, creator of The Phil Silvers Show,...
was drafted by the Angels from the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - Earl Averill, Jr.Earl Averill, Jr.Earl Douglas Averill, Jr. , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from 1956-1963. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cleveland Indians.-External links:...
was drafted by the Angels from the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. - Jim McAnanyJim McAnanyJames McAnany is a retired American professional baseball player. Primarily a right fielder, he played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1958 until 1962, for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs....
was drafted by the Angels from the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
- Jim Fregosi
- December 29, 1960: Del RiceDel RiceDelbert Rice Jr. was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played for 17 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the St. Louis Cardinals...
was signed as a free agent by the Angels.
Regular season
As an expansion team, the Angels were not expected to do well. However, they not only finished ahead of the Senators1961 Washington Senators season
The Washington Senators season was a season in American baseball. The team was in its inaugural season, having been established as a replacement for the previous franchise of the same name, which relocated to the Twin Cities of Minnesota following the 1960 season, becoming the Minnesota Twins...
, but also the Kansas City A's
1961 Kansas City Athletics season
The Kansas City Athletics season was a season in American baseball. The A's finished with a record of 61–100, tying the expansion Washington Senators for ninth place, last in the newly-expanded 10-team American League.- Offseason :...
, who tied the Senators for last place, nine games behind Los Angeles.
Offense
The Angels were no stranger to offense in their first season, with five players hitting 20 or more home runHome run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, a mark which at the time was considered a remarkable feat. Leon Wagner
Leon Wagner
Leon Lamar Wagner was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , Los Angeles Angels , Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, who led the team with 28 home runs, was one of the team's best offensive threats, also leading the team by slugging .517. The other players who hit 20 home runs were Ken Hunt
Ken Hunt (outfielder)
Kenneth Lawrence Hunt was a professional baseball player who played six seasons for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Washington Senators of Major League Baseball...
(25), Lee Thomas
Lee Thomas (baseball)
James Leroy "Lee" Thomas is a former player and front-office executive in American Major League Baseball...
(24), Earl Averill, Jr.
Earl Averill, Jr.
Earl Douglas Averill, Jr. , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher in the Major Leagues from 1956-1963. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cleveland Indians.-External links:...
(21), and Steve Bilko
Steve Bilko
Stephen Thomas Bilko , was an American professional baseball player known for his home run hitting as a minor league player during the 1950s. He was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 22, 1949, with the St. Louis Cardinals.Nat Hiken, creator of The Phil Silvers Show,...
(20). Albie Pearson
Albie Pearson
Albert Gregory Pearson is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played with the Washington Senators , Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles/California Angels . One of the smallest MLB players of his era, he stood tall, weighed , and batted and threw left-handed...
, who led the team in batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, had an on-base percentage of .420, also a mark that was considered more valuable than the current game. Pearson led the team in several other offensive categories, leading the team in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s (11), run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
s (92), and walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
(96). Lee Thomas, who ended the season second on the team in batting at .284, led the team in hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
s, with 128, edging out Wagner by 1 hit.
Pitching
The Angels had a solid starting rotation in their first season. Ken McBrideKen McBride
Kenneth Faye McBride is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. The 6'0", . righty was signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent before the 1954 season...
, who led the team with 12 win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
s, also led the team with 12 losses. Eli Grba
Eli Grba
Eli Grba is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his 5-year baseball career, he pitched for the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels . He was the first selection in the 1960 MLB expansion draft, and he became a charter member of the Angels...
had a 11-13 record, good enough for second in both wins and losses amongst the team's pitchers. Ted Bowsfield
Ted Bowsfield
Edward Oliver Bowsfield is a former major league pitcher.He pitched a total of 7 seasons going 37-39 W-L Record with a 4.35 ERA. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, and the Kansas City Athletics.-Boston Red Sox:Ted Bowsfield debuted with the Boston Red Sox on...
was the Angels' only starter with a winning record, going 11-8. McBride had 180 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s, 75 more than Grba, who was second on the team with 105. As a team, the Angels led the American League, throwing more strikeouts than any of the other 9 teams. Art Fowler
Art Fowler
John Arthur Fowler was an American pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. The 5'11", 180 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1944 season...
and Tom Morgan
Tom Morgan (baseball)
Tom Stephen Morgan was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A native of El Monte, California, the 6'2", 195 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent before the 1949 season...
were the Angels' top two in saves, with 11 and 10, respectively, leading the team to finish second in the American League in that category.
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1961: Jim McAnanyJim McAnanyJames McAnany is a retired American professional baseball player. Primarily a right fielder, he played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1958 until 1962, for the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs....
was traded by the Angels to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Lou JohnsonLou JohnsonLouis Brown Johnson , nicknamed "Sweet Lou" and "Slick", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder...
. - April 7, 1961: Ray SemprochRay SemprochRoman Anthony Semproch , also known as Baby and Ray, was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1958 to 1961 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels....
was purchased by the Angels from the Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. - May 8, 1961: Bob Cerv and Tex ClevengerTex ClevengerTruman Eugene "Tex" Clevenger is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher/spot starter who played for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees from 1954-1962. He was 6'1" tall and 180 pounds, and threw and batted right-handed. He attended Fresno State...
were traded by the Angels to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Lee ThomasLee Thomas (baseball)James Leroy "Lee" Thomas is a former player and front-office executive in American Major League Baseball...
, Ryne DurenRyne DurenRinold George "Ryne" Duren was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He was known for the combination of his blazing fastball and his very poor vision. With his thick coke bottle glasses, few batters dared to dig in against Duren...
, and Johnny JamesJohnny JamesJohn Phillip James is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels between and . James was originally signed by the Yankees in . He batted left-handed but threw right-handed, and he was 5'10", 160 pounds...
. - May 26, 1961: Art FowlerArt FowlerJohn Arthur Fowler was an American pitcher and pitching coach in Major League Baseball. The 5'11", 180 lb. right-hander was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent before the 1944 season...
was purchased by the Angels from the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. - July 22, 1961: Tom SatrianoTom SatrianoThomas Victor Nicholas Satriano is a retired American professional baseball player. Although he began his professional career as a third baseman, he converted to catcher and played 321 games as a backstop during a ten-year, 674-game Major League Baseball career from – for the Los...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Angels. - September 8, 1961: Chuck TannerChuck TannerCharles William "Chuck" Tanner was a left fielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was known for his unwavering confidence and infectious optimism. He managed the Pittsburgh Pirates to a World Series championship in 1979...
was purchased by the Angels from the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
Roster
| 1961 Los Angeles Angels | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 115 | 323 | 86 | .266 | 21 | 59 | |
| 1B | 114 | 294 | 82 | .279 | 20 | 59 | |
| LF | 133 | 453 | 127 | .280 | 28 | 79 | |
| CF | 149 | 479 | 122 | .255 | 25 | 84 | |
| RF | 144 | 427 | 123 | .288 | 7 | 41 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | 450 | 128 | .284 | 24 | 70 | |
| 18 | 57 | 9 | .158 | 2 | 6 | |
| 11 | 27 | 6 | .222 | 0 | 3 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 241.2 | 12 | 15 | 3.65 | 180 | |
| 40 | 211.2 | 11 | 13 | 4.25 | 105 | |
| 5 | 18.1 | 0 | 2 | 6.87 | 11 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 157 | 11 | 8 | 3.73 | 88 | |
| 40 | 99 | 6 | 12 | 5.18 | 108 | |
| 13 | 42.2 | 1 | 5 | 6.54 | 35 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 2.36 | 39 | |
| 53 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 3.64 | 78 | |
| 38 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4.31 | 79 | |
| 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5.30 | 41 | |
| 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5.59 | 9 | |
| 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.69 | 11 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.80 | 2 | |