1972 California Angels season
Encyclopedia
The California Angels
season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West
with a record of 75 wins and 80 losses.
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 involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
with a record of 75 wins and 80 losses.
Offseason
- October 27, 1971: Tony González was released by the Angels.
- December 10, 1971: 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 traded by the Angels to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
, Don RoseDon Rose (baseball)Donald Gary Rose is a former professional baseball player who played three seasons for the New York Mets, California Angels, and San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-References:...
, Leroy StantonLeroy StantonLeroy Bobby Stanton , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of nine seasons in the majors, from to . He played in the New York Mets, California Angels ant the Seattle Mariners. He also played one season in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers in .-New York Mets:Stanton played...
, and Frank EstradaFrancisco EstradaFrancisco "Paquín" Estrada Soto is a former Major League Baseball player for the New York Mets. Estrada, a catcher, appeared in one game for the Mets in . Estrada is the current manager of the Chihuahua Dorados in the Mexican League , Hermosillo Naranjeros in the Mexican Pacific League...
. - January 26, 1972: Tommie ReynoldsTommie ReynoldsTommie D. Reynolds is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1963, and played for them from 1963 to 1965...
was traded by the Angels to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Andy KoscoAndy KoscoAndy Kosco is a former Major League Baseball player who was affiliated at various times with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds....
.
Regular season
- April 18, 1972: Nolan Ryan struck out Charlie ManuelCharlie ManuelCharles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
for the 500th strikeoutStrikeoutIn 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....
of his career.
Opening Day starters
- Sandy AlomarSandy Alomar, Sr.Santos "Sandy" Alomar, Sr., or in the Spanish naming system Santos Alomar Conde is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves , New York Mets , Chicago White Sox , California Angels , New York Yankees , and Texas Rangers . Alomar was a...
- Leo CárdenasLeo CárdenasLeonardo Lazaro Cárdenas Alfonso was a prominent shortstop in American Major League Baseball for 16 years...
- Ken McMullen
- Andy MessersmithAndy MessersmithJohn Alexander "Andy" Messersmith is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the 12th overall pick of the 1966 amateur draft by the California Angels...
- Vada PinsonVada PinsonVada Edward Pinson, Jr. was an American center fielder and coach in Major League Baseball. Pinson played in the major leagues for 18 years, from 1958 through 1975, and his greatest seasons were with the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds, for whom he played from 1958–68.Pinson combined power, speed and...
- Mickey RiversMickey RiversJohn Milton "Mickey" Rivers is a former Major League Baseball player from 1970-1984 for the California Angels, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers...
- Jim SpencerJim SpencerJames Lloyd Spencer was a Major League Baseball first baseman. Born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, the left-handed Spencer was recognized for his excellent fielding ability, but also served in later years as a designated hitter....
- Leroy StantonLeroy StantonLeroy Bobby Stanton , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of nine seasons in the majors, from to . He played in the New York Mets, California Angels ant the Seattle Mariners. He also played one season in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers in .-New York Mets:Stanton played...
- Jeff Torborg
Notable transactions
- May 2, 1972: Billy CowanBilly CowanBilly Rolland Cowan is a retired professional baseball player who played eight seasons for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
was released by the Angels. - May 16, 1972: Steve BarberSteve BarberStephen David Barber was an American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1960-1974 for seven different teams, but is noted primarily for his time with the Baltimore Orioles...
was signed as a free agent by the Angels. - May 26, 1972: Archie ReynoldsArchie ReynoldsArchie Edward Reynolds is a former professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in 36 games over five seasons in Major League Baseball without earning a win. He had eight losses....
was traded by the Angels to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Curt MottonCurt MottonCurtell Howard Motton was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. Mainly a reserve left fielder and pinch hitter, he was with the Baltimore Orioles when they won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series from to...
. - July 28, 1972: Joe AzcueJoe AzcueJosé Joaquín Azcue López is a former Cuban professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, California Angels and Milwaukee Brewers. Nicknamed "The Immortal Azcue", he was known for his...
and Syd O'BrienSyd O'BrienSydney Lloyd O'Brien is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. He played more games at third base than any other position, but also played a significant number of games at shortstop, second base, and first base...
were traded by the Angels to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Ron ClarkRon Clark (baseball)Ronald Bruce Clark is an American Major League Baseball third baseman, shortstop, and second baseman. He played for the Minnesota Twins , Seattle Pilots , Oakland Athletics , Milwaukee Brewers , and Philadelphia Phillies...
and Paul RatliffPaul RatliffPaul Hawthorne Ratliff was a Major League Baseball player, who played catcher for the Minnesota Twins during the 1963, 1970, and 1971 seasons and for the Milwaukee Brewers 1971-1972....
. - August 1, 1972: Fred KuhauluaFred KuhauluaFred Mahele Kuhaulua is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. On August 1, the left-hander was signed by the California Angels as an amateur free agent. He played for the Angels and San Diego Padres ....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Angels. - August 15, 1972: Andy KoscoAndy KoscoAndy Kosco is a former Major League Baseball player who was affiliated at various times with the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds....
was traded by the Angels to 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"...
for Chris ColettaChris ColettaChristopher Michael Coletta is a retired professional baseball player who played one season for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. Coletta was also with the Boston Red Sox organization and had an impressive career in the International League...
. - August 17, 1972: Eddie FisherEddie Fisher (baseball)Eddie Gene Fisher was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Cleveland Indians , California Angels and St...
was traded by the California Angels to the Chicago White Sox for a player to be named later and Bruce Miller. The Chicago White Sox sent Bruce Kimm (September 1, 1972) to the California Angels to complete the trade.
Roster
| 1972 California 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 134 | 509 | 137 | .269 | 19 | 70 | |
| 2B | 155 | 610 | 146 | .239 | 1 | 25 | |
| 3B | 137 | 472 | 127 | .269 | 9 | 34 | |
| SS | 150 | 551 | 123 | .223 | 6 | 42 | |
| LF | 136 | 484 | 133 | .275 | 7 | 49 | |
| CF | 119 | 409 | 118 | .289 | 5 | 39 | |
| RF | 127 | 402 | 101 | .251 | 12 | 39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 212 | 47 | .222 | 1 | 14 | |
| 58 | 159 | 34 | .214 | 0 | 7 | |
| 59 | 153 | 32 | .209 | 0 | 8 | |
| 49 | 142 | 34 | .239 | 6 | 13 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 284 | 19 | 16 | 2.28 | 329 | |
| 35 | 251 | 18 | 11 | 2.98 | 87 | |
| 35 | 205.1 | 12 | 11 | 2.94 | 169 | |
| 25 | 169.2 | 8 | 11 | 2.81 | 142 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 109.2 | 4 | 9 | 4.51 | 61 | |
| 16 | 42.2 | 1 | 4 | 4.22 | 39 | |
| 2 | 7.2 | 0 | 0 | 4.70 | 8 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3.48 | 53 | |
| 43 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3.76 | 32 | |
| 34 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2.02 | 34 | |
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1.64 | 8 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 |