2009 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season
Encyclopedia
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
' 2009 season
is the franchise's 49th season. The Angels began the season as the two-time defending American League
West
division champions.
Perhaps the most notable player to depart in the offseason due to free agency
was longtime closing pitcher Francisco Rodríguez, who signed with the New York Mets
. Other notable free agent departures were 2008
acquisitions Jon Garland
(Arizona Diamondbacks
) and Mark Teixeira
(New York Yankees
). Notable free agent acquisitions included new closer Brian Fuentes
, previously of the Colorado Rockies
, and Bobby Abreu
, previously of the Yankees.
Tragedy struck the Angels twice this season. Preston Gómez
, the team's special assistant to the general manager, died January 13 of injuries sustained when he was struck by a car in Blythe, California
on March 26, 2009. As a tribute, the Angels began the season wearing black "PRESTON" patches on their left sleeve. Then, on April 9, rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart
was killed in a car accident in Fullerton, California
, hours after pitching 6 shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics
in his first start of the season. As a tribute, the Angels will continue to assign a locker to Adenhart at home and on the road, hang a jersey with his name and number in their dugout, and wear black patches with his name and number on their left breast for the rest of the season.
On September 28, the Angels clinched the American League West
division title, their eighth in franchise history.
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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...
' 2009 season
2009 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions – New York Yankees**American League Champions – New York Yankees**National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies*Postseason – October 7 to November 4...
is the franchise's 49th season. The Angels began the season as the two-time defending 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...
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...
division champions.
Perhaps the most notable player to depart in the offseason due to free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
was longtime closing pitcher Francisco Rodríguez, who signed with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The 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...
. Other notable free agent departures were 2008
2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season
The 2008 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season was the 48th season for the franchise. The regular season ended with the Angels winning their seventh American League West division title and setting a franchise record for single-season wins...
acquisitions Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
(Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
) and Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
(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...
). Notable free agent acquisitions included new closer Brian Fuentes
Brian Fuentes
Brian Christopher Fuentes is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics. Previously, he played for the Seattle Mariners, the Colorado Rockies, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Minnesota Twins...
, previously of the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, and Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
, previously of the Yankees.
Tragedy struck the Angels twice this season. Preston Gómez
Preston Gómez
Preston Gómez was a Cuban-born infielder, manager, coach and front-office official in Major League Baseball best known for managing three major league clubs: the San Diego Padres , Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs . He was born Pedro Gómez Martinez in Preston, Cuba, and was given his nickname in U.S...
, the team's special assistant to the general manager, died January 13 of injuries sustained when he was struck by a car in Blythe, California
Blythe, California
Blythe is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the "Palo Verde Valley" of the Lower Colorado River Valley region, an agricultural area and part of the Colorado Desert along the Colorado River. Blythe was named after Thomas Blythe, a gold prospector who established primary...
on March 26, 2009. As a tribute, the Angels began the season wearing black "PRESTON" patches on their left sleeve. Then, on April 9, rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart
Nick Adenhart
Nicholas James Adenhart was an American right-handed baseball starting pitcher who played two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim...
was killed in a car accident in Fullerton, California
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
, hours after pitching 6 shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in his first start of the season. As a tribute, the Angels will continue to assign a locker to Adenhart at home and on the road, hang a jersey with his name and number in their dugout, and wear black patches with his name and number on their left breast for the rest of the season.
On September 28, the Angels clinched 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...
division title, their eighth in franchise history.
Spring Training
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! colspan="4" | Final Games Legend
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! bgcolor="bbffbb" width="202px" | Angels Win
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" width="202px" | Angels Loss
! bgcolor="f2f2f2" width="202px" | Tie Game
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Roster
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! colspan="10" style="background-color: #B71234; color: white; text-align: center;" | 2009 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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| colspan="10" style="background-color:#002244; color: white; text-align: center;" | Roster
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| valign="top" | Pitchers
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| valign="top" | Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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| valign="top" | Manager
Coaches (pitching) (third base) (bullpen)
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Game log
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! bgcolor="bbffbb" width="119px" | Angels Win
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" width="119px" | Angels Loss
! bgcolor="bbcaff" width="119px" | All-Star Game
2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 80th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 14, 2009, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of the...
! bgcolor="bbbbbb" width="118px" | Game Postponed
! bgcolor="007800" width="118px" | Clinched
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{| align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="1" style="border:1px solid #aaa"
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|-
! bgcolor="bbffbb" width="150px" | 1st (AL 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...
)
! bgcolor="ffbbbb" width="150px" | Not in Playoff berth
! bgcolor="bbcaff" width="150px" | 1st (AL Wild Card)
! bgcolor="f2f2f2" width="150px" | Tied for 1st (AL 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...
)
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Postseason
With their win on Mon. September 28, 2009, the Angels clinched their third straight American League WestAmerican 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...
championship. Also, at that time, the Angels clinched the second-best record 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...
giving them home field advantage for the American League Division Series
American League Division Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
. Also, with their win on Tues. September 29, 2009, the Angels knocked the Rangers out of contention for the American League Wild Card, therefore, the Angels faced the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The 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"...
in the Division Series for the third year in a row.
American League Division Series
The 2009 American League Division Series featured the AL WestAmerican 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...
champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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...
and the Wildcard winner Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The 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"...
. The series began on October 8, 2009 with the Angels winning the first two games at Angel Stadium
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
. On October 11, the series continued to Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
where the Angels had a stunning come-from-behind victory to win 7-6 and sweep the Red Sox. This series marks the first time the Angels have beaten the Red Sox in a postseason series as well as the first postseason sweep for the Angels in franchise history.
American League Championship Series
The 2009 American League Championship Series featured the AL WestAmerican 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...
champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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...
and the AL East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
champion 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...
. The Yankees won the series 4 games to 2.
Game Log
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